Friday, June 28th, 2024

I was once invited to a Shabbat dinner at which so little food was served that, while walking home, we all commented on how hungry we were. That’s sort of how I felt after watching last night’s US Presidential debate. When it was over, I was still really hungry. Actually, that’s not exactly right. After last night’s debate, it was more like a meal that left me hungry and simultaneously made me sick.

Since I’ve been old enough to vote, I have voted for the candidate who would be best for Israel. I never publicized that among my non-Jewish friends, but that’s just how it’s always been. So I awaited last night’s debate with enormous anticipation, sure that this debate would speak more about Israel than any debates in my adult life, positive that the viewers would get the clarity needed about Hamas, and that the misinformed would have the record set straight for them.

To my disappointment, almost no time was spent discussing the Israel-Hamas war. Trump dodged a question about supporting the establishment of a Palestinian state. When they touched on foreign policy, Biden spoke of his push for a cease-fire in the fighting, saying that Hamas is keeping a deal from being reached. They spoke more about Russia/Ukraine than about anything having to do with the Middle East, the global terrorism unleashed from there, and the anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism that have spread to this continent.

As the two candidates went at it — one with rambling messages and cognitive challenges, and the other with accusations and fabricated statements that would overload the fact-checking machines — it occurred to me that their descent into rudeness is mirrored in the pro-Palestinian rallies. There was name-calling and even an absurd, rather juvenile, “Who’s-the-better-golfer?” argument, things that are downright uncomfortable to see in a presidential debate. In local exchanges with pro-Palestinians, I have seen similar disrespectful and pretty infantile behaviour, with name-calling and attention diverted to irrelevant topics. Had the microphones last night not been muted, I have no doubt that the verbal exchanges between the candidates would have included interruptions and escalated arguments, just like what happens when pro-Palestinians find themselves confronted by Zionists who speak the truth. With leaders conducting themselves like that, why would anyone expect otherwise from anyone else?

Here in Canada, we are living with a prime minister and mayor (lower case letters intentional) who do nothing to help Israel or the Jewish people who live in this country. On the contrary, the actions, words, and carefully orchestrated silences of these leaders cause tremendous harm to our community. Only time will tell what will develop in the US Presidential election and what will happen in the Middle East. But it is upon us to speak out in Toronto as often as possible, whenever needed. Our community can not sit back and merely watch, or we run the risk of simply being left hungry for action and sick from the results.

Am Yisrael Chai!