“We have to heal our wounded world. The chaos, despair and senseless destruction we see today are a result of the alienation that people feel from each other and their environment.” – MICHELANGELO.
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On May 14, 2023 the State of Israel celebrates its 75 years of nationhood.
In 1948, the United Nations declared the free new state of Israel where the Philippines was one of the majority countries who voted favorably.
I don’t know with you but I agree with many bible scholars, theologians and preachers who collectively believe that there is biblical basis for this awe-inspiring development.
I don’t need to cite the book, the chapter and the verses to support and cement its foundational background to avoid turning this piece into a religious item. So much explanation and elaboration have been expounded in the past and in today’s contemporary times about Israel’s (mis)fortunes and the eventual homecoming pilgrimage (aliyah) of millions of Jews worldwide has come true.
Personally, I am happy to see that despite political differences polarizing this small Zionist nation, Israel’s leaders still cling to each other whenever the country’s security and the people’s safety are threatened.
Just a sliver of real estate surrounded by many hostile Arab and Muslim countries, Israel continues to preserve its sovereignty without any oppositiion leader and group hungry to overthrow the duly established authority.
There is no one in Israel’s colofrul andf monumental history that an opposition politician betrayed his country by seeking help from Israel’s enemies that desire the former’s defeat and downfall.
I am establishing this facet of history in comparison to the Philippine situation where oppositionists go to the extent of conniving and colluding with foreign entities, groups and blocs to help them bring down the legitmate and duly-elected government of the Philippines.
(The efforts of the power-hungry opposition to oust the Duterte government by elevating complaints of human rights violations to the International Criminal Court this corner looked as treasonous and unpatriotic.
For the sake of argument, had the ICC triumphed in imposing its kind of justice on PRRD and he gets executed for human rights violations much like past of ICC’s convicted respondents, would our country be not thrown into chaos and perhaps even a bloody and violent civil war?)
It is unfortunate that we need to present the glaring disparity between the people of Israel and the Filipino people in this light considering that we are going through a difficult period in our respective national life.
Independence is a term very sacred to the people of Israel, especially the Jews who suffered global persecution in various periods of their lives.
Filipinos have already changed several horses in the mainstream of political leadership but the country remains in tatters and continues to struggle politically and economically.
With Bibi Netanyahu back as PM (the longest serving prime minister to date), Israeli citizens are being confronted with proposals for judicial reforms which have divided – down the middle – the country’s perception of democracy and trust in their political structure.
This is another area of national life where Pinoys and Israelis differ.
Although tens of thousands initially are marching on the streets to register their protests against the Netanyahu-sponsored judicial reforms in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and other urban cities, an equal number of rallyists and backers have also gone likewise declaring their support of the Netanyahu proposal.
Here, while there are already legislative efforts going inside the halls of Congress regarding proposals to amend the 1987 Constitution, Pinoys are still in the dark as to whether they should voice their support or not.
Why is this so?
Don’t Pinoys understand that amending the constitution and making it more responsive to the needs of the people should be a primordial duty as a citizen of this country?
I think that one of the reasons why Pinoys seem adamant and nonchalant is because the very relevant issues are not being discussed and debated regularly in public and written extensively by the mainstream media.
Instead, pedestrian Pinoys and the big numbers of ‘Marites-es’ enjoy salivating on entertainment ‘chismis’ and blind items that are sensationalized by vloggers in various social media platforms.
Pinoys should appreciate what and how Israel came to be.
We should “envy” them in a positive fashion.
Israel has outlasted four huge tyranical empires that brutally persecuted and colonized it through the centuries. They no longer have any fears to detract and deter them.
Congratulations to Israel on its 75th independence anniversary!
SHALOM! (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
