Over recent years a major part of Israel's economy collapsed, causing Israeli citizens great financial hardship. Tourism which used to be the number one moneymaker for Israel was killed off by the latest Intifada. This made the financial situation so difficult that for a time Jewish organizations found it necessary to advertise a "Go Israel" campaign to encourage people to visit the country - making use of Israeli airlines, hotels, car rentals, etc. These organizations also wanted tourists to spend their money in the local shops. Additionally, Israeli vendors traveled around the USA advertising "Buy Israel." Americans wouldn't travel to Israel so the Israeli vendors, on the verge of bankruptcy, were forced to come to the USA to sell their wares.
Israel's second moneymaking proposition has always been export - mainly of fruits and vegetables - particularly citrus fruits. I'm not a military expert or even a financial expert, but to me it seems that under the guise of peace the Israeli government is looking to give up a chunk the country's second biggest source of income. The residents of Gush Katif, one of the settlements that Israel plans to give to the Palestinian Arabs, sell millions of dollars of its produce inside the country and export more than $6o million in produce to other countries. The Israeli economy is still reeling from the suicide attacks, and now the Israeli government plans to give those that sent the bombers, a part of their major money making interest.
I certainly don't think we should be giving the land away, not from a religious perspective or a spiritual perspective or safety perspective, and I am not minimizing the issue of the government giving away homes or the farms that were cultivated or the businesses that were built up over the years. Some of those factors against giving away land can be disputed, but how can we ignore the financial aspect of this issue? Numbers don't lie.
Many years ago Israel made a similar mistake. For political reasons, Israel gave Egypt the Sinai desert with oil fields that they developed - in fact gave it back earlier than actual agreed upon date. Oil is something Israel needs. Why didn't Israel keep one pipe line flowing into their county? Why didn't they lock in a low price for oil to Israelis or a guarantee of supplies?
Even if there is merit to giving land away for peace, why must they lump the businesses in with the land deal? Maybe we shouldn't be negotiating on this developed land or maybe we should get money for the businesses. Why are we giving away a $60 million business, which also means so many people lose their jobs? The Israeli government hurt their own economy then and they seem to be doing the same now.
Another issue is, where will Israel get the money to replace all the lost business that is to be given away? If they cripple themselves financially, they'll need financial aid from outside countries. That help would most likely come from the USA who will no doubt use this as an opportunity to dictate what Israel should do. If Israel is reliant on the USA financially, they'll be bound to listen to their advice.
If the plan goes through, Israel will end up losing much more than money. They are giving away their economic empowerment. I can't say often enough that without money Israel lacks standing at the world round table. Without money, Israel has no negotiating power. In fact I can't remember a time that the USA or the UN, or any country for that matter, sat and negotiated with a nation that didn't have money or resources.
Shortly after Ariel Sharon was elected and appointed Benjamin Netanyahu finance minister, Netanyhu lectured in a Manhattan hotel about the financial future of Israel. Netanyahu said that there was a time that Israelis were admired for their brain and not their brawn. Jews were viewed as smart, but unable to defend themselves. From 1948 Israel proved to the world that they can defend themselves. Somehow with that change in attitude people forgot that Jews have good brains and business acumen.
These days Israel has areas of booming agriculture, business growth and advanced technology. Each of us should take a moment to understand what harm the Israeli government is doing by giving away the land, and try to influence world opinion. More importantly, let us challenge the Israeli government and ask them to keep the land, keep the business, and keep the Israeli economy alive.