Sharon's Speech to the UN [full post]

To see the beginning of this analysis of Sharon's UN speech, click here.

And now, for the rest...

Ladies and gentlemen, I stand before you at the gate of nations as a Jew and as a citizen of the democratic, free and sovereign State of Israel, a proud representative of an ancient people whose numbers are few, but whose contribution to civilization and to the values of ethics, justice and faith, surrounds the world and encompasses history.

Sharon's emphasis on the rich history and incredible accomplishments of Judaism brings to mind Mark Twain:

It's a marvelous race--by long odds the most marvelous that the world has produced, I suppose.

It is also in sharp contrast to the Palestinians, whose largest contributions to date have been suicide bombings, replacing hijackings as their mode of terror. Very little has been accomplished either in science, medicine, mathematics, or the like in the Palestinians territories - and it remains to be seen what they can begin to contribute in the future.

Sharon's next paragraphs seem nostalgic, but make some nice points:

The Jewish people have a long memory, the memory which united the exiles of Israel for thousands of years, a memory which has its origin in G-d’s commandment to our forefather Abraham — “Go forth!” — and continued with the receiving of the Torah at the foot of Mount Sinai and the wanderings of the children of Israel in the desert, led by Moses on their journey to the promised land, the Land of Israel.

I was born in the Land of Israel, the son of pioneers — people who tilled the land and sought no fights — who did not come to Israel to dispossess its residents. If the circumstances had not demanded it, I would not have become a soldier, but rather a farmer and agriculturist. My first love was, and remains, manual labor; sowing and harvesting, the pastures, the flock and the cattle.

There are many ideas that can be taken from these statements, but chief among them is both a promise and a warning: Israel has no interest in fighting its neighbors, and would love to live in peace and tranquility, with the ability to sow and harvest and work as they please.
By the same token, Israel will do whatever is neccessary to protect itself - especially after the amazing concessions it has made, despite no promises from the Palestinians. He calls on the Palestinians to work with him to make this work,

I, as someone whose path of life led him to be a fighter and commander in all Israel’s wars, reach out today to our Palestinian neighbors in a call for reconciliation and compromise to end the bloody conflict, and embark on the path which leads to peace and understanding between our peoples. I view this as my calling and my primary mission for the coming years.

then talks about the importance and meaning of the land of Israel - extremely well, I might add, emphasizing both the Jews' rights to the land, the incredible meaning it has to the Jewish People, and the focus Jews have in living in harmony with the rest of the world:

The Land of Israel is precious to me, precious to us, the Jewish people, more than anything. Relinquishing any part of our forefathers’ legacy is heartbreaking, as difficult as the parting of the Red Sea. Every inch of land, every hill and valley, every stream and rock, is saturated with Jewish history, replete with memories. The continuity of Jewish presence in the Land of Israel never ceased. Even those of us who were exiled from our land, against their will, to the ends of the earth — their souls, for all generations, remained connected to their homeland by thousands of hidden threads of yearning and love, expressed three times a day in prayer and songs of longing.

The Land of Israel is the open Bible, the written testimony, the identity and right of the Jewish people. Under its skies the prophets of Israel expressed their claims for social justice, and their eternal vision for alliances between peoples, in a world which would know no more war. Its cities, villages, vistas, ridges, deserts and plains preserve as loyal witnesses its ancient Hebrew names.

Page after page our unique land is unfurled, and at its heart is united Jerusalem, the city of the Temple upon Mount Moriah, the axis of the life of the Jewish people throughout all generations, and the seat of its yearnings and prayers for 3,000 years. The city to which we pledged an eternal vow of faithfulness, which forever beats in every Jewish heart: “If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its cunning!”

The last line here is not just a nice quote, but a saying that is repeated often in Judaism - most notably at weddings, right at the end of the actual ceremony - to remind us of our desire to return to Jerusalem and the importance of Jerusalem to us.

He then goes on to explain the terrible conflict the country - and he personally - faced as a result of disengagement.

I say these things to you because they are the essence of my Jewish consciousness, and of my belief in the eternal and unimpeachable right of the people of Israel to the Land of Israel. However, I say this here also to emphasize the immensity of the pain I feel deep in my heart at the recognition that we have to make concessions for the sake of peace between us and our Palestinian neighbors.

The right of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel does not mean disregarding the rights of others in the land. The Palestinians will always be our neighbors. We respect them and have no aspirations to rule over them. They are also entitled to freedom and to a national, sovereign existence in a state of their own.

This week, the last Israeli soldier left the Gaza Strip, and military law there was ended. The State of Israel proved that it is ready to make painful concessions in order to resolve the conflict with the Palestinians. The decision to disengage was very difficult for me, and involves a heavy personal price. However, it is the absolute recognition that it is the right path for the future of Israel that guided me. Israeli society is undergoing a difficult crisis as a result of the disengagement, and now needs to heal the rifts.

Most likely, the disengagement will result in a new Prime Minister. Sharon's gamble may or may not pay off, but his deception of his own party - however noble he may have thought himself to be - will hurt, most likely by this November. What is interesting to note is his surety in "absolute recognition it is the right path for the future of Israel" - I don't believe most people in Israel right now are "sure" about anything; they are only hoping that it is true. Sharon did, however, cover himself somewhat with his message to the Palestinians:

Now it is the Palestinians’ turn to prove their desire for peace. The end of Israeli control over and responsibility for the Gaza Strip allows the Palestinians, if they so wish, to develop their economy and build a peace-seeking society that is developed, free, law-abiding, transparent, and which adheres to democratic principles.

The most important test the Palestinian leadership will face is in fulfilling their commitment to put an end to terror and its infrastructures, eliminate the anarchic regime of armed gangs, and cease the incitement and indoctrination of hatred toward Israel and the Jews.

Until they do so, Israel will know how to defend itself from the horrors of terrorism. This is why we built the security fence, and we will continue to build it until it is completed, as would any other country defending its citizens.

Sharon is giving a thinly veiled threat: Wise up, start controlling this garbage - or we will take matters into our own hands. And, if anyone needs a reminder as to what it is the Palestinians have done, here's a recap:

The security fence prevents terrorists and murderers from arriving in city centers on a daily basis and targeting citizens on their way to work, children on their way to school and families sitting together in restaurants. This fence is vitally indispensable. This fence saves lives!

At this point, Sharon makes it clear that there are certain guidelines which must be abided by - or this was all for naught:

I am among those who believe that it is possible to reach a fair compromise and coexistence in good neighborly relations between Jews and Arabs. However, I must emphasize one fact: There will be no compromise on the right of the State of Israel to exist as a Jewish state, with defensible borders, in full security and without threats and terror.

That was an extremely important point, and his emphasis that there will be no compromise will hopefully send the UN the message that he means it.

I call on the Palestinian leadership to show determination and leadership and to eliminate terror, violence and the culture of hatred from our relations. I am certain that it is in our power to present our peoples with a new and promising horizon, a horizon of hope.

His next part is extremely well spoken, and points out to the UN its own hypocricies, both in regard to itself, Israel, and even Iran.

Distinguished representatives, as I mentioned, the Jewish people have a long memory. We remember events which took place thousands of years ago, and certainly remember events which took place in this hall during the last 60 years. The Jewish people remember the dramatic vote in the U.N. Assembly on Nov. 29, 1947, when representatives of the nations recognized our right to national revival in our historic homeland. However, we also remember dozens of harsh and unjust decisions made by the United Nations over the years. And we know that, even today, there are those who sit here as representatives of a country whose leadership calls to wipe Israel off the face of the earth, and no one speaks out.

The attempts of that country to arm itself with nuclear weapons must disturb the sleep of anyone who desires peace and stability in the Middle East and the entire world. The combination of murky fundamentalism and support of terrorist organizations creates a serious threat that every member nation in the U.N. must stand against.

He then blasts the UN further, making clear his point.

I hope that the comprehensive reforms which the United Nations is undergoing in its 60th anniversary year will include a fundamental change and improvement in the approach of the United Nations, its organizations and institutions, toward the State of Israel.

My fellow colleagues and representatives, peace is a supreme value in the Jewish legacy, and is the desired goal of our policy. After the long journey of wanderings and the hardships of the Jewish people; after the Holocaust which obliterated one third of our people; after the long and arduous struggle for revival; after more than 57 consecutive years of war and terror which did not stop the development of the State of Israel; after all this — our heart’s desire was and remains to achieve peace with our neighbors.

Our desire for peace is strong enough to ensure that we will achieve it, if only our neighbors are genuine partners in this longed-for goal. If we succeed in working together we can transform our plot of land, which is dear to both peoples, from a land of contention to a land of peace — for our children and grandchildren.

Sharon finally finishes with a nice closing message:

In a few days time on the Hebrew calendar the new year will begin, the 5,766th year since the creation. According to Jewish belief, the fates of people and nations are determined at the new year by the Creator — to be spared or to be doomed. May the Holy One, blessed be He, determine that this year, our fate and the fate of our neighbors is peace, mutual respect and good neighborly relations.

From this distinguished podium, on behalf of the people of Israel, I wish all the people of the world a happy New Year.

Shanah Tovah!

We hope and pray that Sharon's gamble pays off - and that his wishes for a Shanah Tovah come true.

Technorati tags: Sharon, Israel, UN.