In the Eye of The Storm

I had already determined the topic of my op-ed this week but as so often happens dramatic events dictate otherwise.

This past Shabbat was one of the special ones leading up to Purim and Pesach where we read an extra Torah portion. On this occasion it is the reading for Shabbat Zachor. This word means remembrance and it relates specifically to recalling the deceitful deeds of the Amalekites.

This tribe heard about the liberated Hebrews making their way across the Sinai desert towards the Promised Land. They had heard about the escape from Egypt and how the mighty Egyptian army and Pharaoh had been vanquished. Believing that this multitude posed a threat, the Amalekites determined to attack, aiming at first to kill those most vulnerable, namely the elderly, young and sick.

As we know from the narrative their plan to destroy the Hebrews failed thanks to the determined fight back by Joshua and his army and also with help from Hashem.

This important episode in the exodus story was deemed so important that it was decreed that henceforth on an annual basis the perfidious event should be recalled. Not only recalled, but it also was intended to be a warning for future generations.

The unrestrained hate and enmity exemplified by the Amalekites’ desire to wipe out the Hebrews would be carried forward to future generations of Jew haters

We are therefore mandated to remember this every year. In fact we are told to not only remember but also take steps to make sure that this evil never succeeds.

Recalling this just prior to Purim is therefore very relevant because Haman who plotted to exterminate the Jews of Persia is traditionally believed to be a descendant of the Amalekites.

The reading of this portion of the Torah took a dramatic turn last Shabbat as we prayed in our local air raid shelter minyan. The sky was filled with the noise of multitudes of Israel air force planes which is something not usually heard on a Shabbat.

At the precise moment when we read about the Amalekite episode the military forces of the Jewish State were on their way to counter the nefarious designs of the current Iranian plotters against Israel.

We did not know at the time but it soon became clear as home front warnings were issued that a major campaign was under way.

How symbolic that this should all commence on Shabbat Zachor and at the precise moment that in prayer gatherings all over the country we were reading the commandment to remember to thwart the devious ambitions of our enemies.

It had been previously reported that the Americans expected Israel to lead the charge against the mullah regime. Without a doubt Israel was always going to be blamed by the hypocrites of the world for whatever transpired. This time and for perhaps the first time since the Presidency of Harry Truman there is a President in the White House who is prepared to confront the modern incarnation of Haman and his followers.

Since last Shabbat morning and as I write these lines we have, like everyone else in Israel, been woken up during the night and day by alerts and sirens. Israel has the most sophisticated alert system whereby the Home Front Command can alert and update each and every person with a mobile phone when incoming missiles and drones are detected. Alerts give you time to get dressed if necessary and prepare to enter either a safe room or communal air raid shelter.

This early warning system details exactly where and when threats are expected and it means that by the time the sirens blare forth one is ready to seek shelter. The alert sounds are so loud and strident that it is impossible to miss and ignore. For those who are hearing impaired the mobile phones light up with flashing lights and vibrations.

Unlike Israel and the USA who target military and security sites the Iranians fire off missiles and drones into the midst of civilians and in this latest round their indiscriminate victims include friends and foes alike.

The celebration of Purim this year has been surreal. As we read about the events of ancient Persia and how the genocidal plot to kill all the Jews was thwarted, the recitation was accompanied by alerts warning us of incoming missiles from today’s Jew haters in Islamic Iran.

In fact in the process of writing this op-ed I have had to seek shelter innumerable times as missile and drone alerts erupted.

Predictably, all those who were silent while the Iranian authorities massacred their own citizens, have now burst into life. All of them articulate a common theme which reveals their true agenda and prejudices.

Instead of cheering the possible impending liberation of Iranians from jihadist oppression these critics condemn the USA and Israel for having the “chutzpah” to actually act rather than pontificate.

The likes of former NZ Prime Minister, Helen Clark and her coterie of “elders” whose use by date has long expired, complain that international law has been breached. They maintain that in the perceived absence of an imminent threat the attack on Iran is illegal and must be condemned. Obviously these luminaries are oblivious to reality or more likely they are so blinded by their genetically induced hatred of Israel and Trump that they refuse to see what is obvious. The same malady afflicts most on the political left, the Greens and in NZ also the Maori Party.

Since 1979, Iranian leaders and officials have made no secret of their ultimate goal which is the total destruction of Israel. Towards that end they have spent decades and billions of dollars in building and constructing the very means to achieve their ambitions. This has included the funding and arming of proxy terror groups and the building of underground facilities where illicit nuclear development is being pursued. In addition they have manufactured and developed missiles capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction as well as drones. These drones have been exported to Russia and are being used to kill Ukrainians.

Do any of the “elders” and others realize what all these developments signify?  They have only one purpose and that is to achieve the means to destroy Israel and blackmail other countries. The ability to do so is all part of the Iranian Mullahs’ plan to wipe out “unbelievers” and hasten the coming of Islamic domination.

Within the last few days, Steve Witkoff, one of the American negotiators, revealed that the Iranian representative boasted that his country had enough enriched uranium to be able to manufacture eleven nuclear bombs. When one realizes that the Iranian missile and drone capabilities together with their declared aim of “nuking” the “illegal Zionist entity” is almost ready to activate, one can understand why firm action was required.

The “elders” and others, including all delusional politicians, media critics and haters, believe that diplomacy and talks will achieve peace and a dismantling of the weapons. These hallucinatory individuals have obviously learnt nothing from history. They remain oblivious to the fact that kowtowing to bullies, tyrants and dictators and appeasing their voracious appetites has never succeeded in averting genocidal ambitions.

Look at who is cheering on the despotic Iranian regime and issuing hypocritical condemnations of Israel & the USA and you will understand exactly how futile any sort of negotiation would be. China, North Korea, Russia and other assorted UN members together with the UN Secretary General and the Pope are joined together in an unholy alliance.

There is ample proof that a direct and imminent threat exists and that all those bleating about a breach of international laws are acting like lambs being led to their ultimate slaughter.

The Jewish People have been down this dead end road too many times in the past. Most, except for the pitiful few self loathers, are not prepared to fall for this charade again.

Most Israelis know that kicking the can down the street only makes the threats and dangers greater.

They appreciate that there is a President in the White House who despite everything is prepared to act. His predecessors allowed the Islamic Republic to cheat their way to nuclear status and to be in a position to complete a “final solution.” Not since Harry Truman have we seen such resolute resolve to act rather than hide behind false rhetoric.

The world will be a better place if regime change can be achieved and the long suffering Iranians released from their four decades nightmare. The terror proxies will be defanged and hopefully human rights restored.

What better time for this to occur than at Purim?

I do not know who writes the Australian Prime Minister’s messages to the Jewish community but his latest one is full of incredible hot air.

Contrary to his assertions I cannot find any message in the Book of Esther which makes me feel “uplifted with a message of generosity and kindness”. His belief that “hate can be fought by pride and joy” is another pie in the sky delusion.

Instead of pontificating nonsense he and others like him should take note of the wise words of the late Rabbi Moshe Hauer, who penned these memorable lines:

“Purim is connected to Yom Kippurim, the Day of Atonement. As Jews we believe firmly that people can change, that they can turn the page on past evil deeds, and when they do, we forgive and even embrace them. But for the unrepentant who do not turn the page and remain committed to their evil designs, for the Haman’s of then and now, we can make no more tragic mistake than to forgive them and forget.”

This is the real Purim message as we confront Iran and its willing partners.   

Michael Kuttner is a Jewish New Zealander who for many years was actively involved with various communal organisations connected to Judaism and Israel. He now lives in Israel and is J-Wire’s correspondent in the region.