After 70 years Israel has identity problem

Israel, approaching 70, has an identity problem. At 70 you should know who you are and what you stand for, yet according to the legislation now before a dissolved parliament, Israel has no clue.

To be founded as a Jewish state with democratic principles is an oxymoron at bottom. Without separation of church and state you are going to have problems, big problems. Separating church and state in the neighborhood in which Israel was established is like trying to separate Siamese twins — it can be done, but it’s a delicate operation.

You can have a state based on faith. There is Vatican City, an independent state based on Catholicism. But Vatican City is nestled comfortably in a friendly neighborhood, tucked inside the city of Rome, then tucked again inside the country of Italy, whereas Israel is in a wasp nest in a short shirttail as the saying is.

So how will Israel’s identity emerge in the new year? Will she be a Jewish state or a democracy. She can’t have both. I’m sorry Israel, you have a respected religion, but, in the 21st century, religion cannot justifiably be advertised as a political system.

Here in America we pledge allegiance to “one nation, under God.” We do not pledge allegiance to “one nation, under Christ.” Personally, “one nation, under God” answers for me in that I believe God and Mother Nature are two different terms for the same thing.

Jewish people are very smart. Mark Twain characterized them as “the world’s intellectual aristocracy.” But by all accounts, the controversial legislation that now sits before a dissolved Israeli parliament only serves to mitigate matriculation from intellectual aristocracy to intellectual democracy.

So what is Israel to do? I suggest she turn to a high school football game that was played in Oklahoma last week for an answer. During the last play of the game, which resulted in a game-winning touchdown, a referee was bumped by a coach running down the sideline. The referee then disallowed the touchdown and the victory. Coaches, fans and local authorities appealed to a higher court, a district court, which issued a temporary restraining order. So there it is.

Israel should appeal to a higher court, but what higher court? Well, we do have an International Court of Justice, commonly known as The World Court at the Hague. Why not them? The World Court has no recent wounds or ancient grudges to cloud its vision. The International Court of Justice has earned the world’s highest regard for unbiased decisions and is eminently qualified to assist Israel in adopting a constitution (they have none) that will beget legitimacy.

I would like to personally thank Oklahoma high school football for showing us a road that Israel can take to emerge as a truly democratic state that encourages self-determination and disallows discrimination. Who would have guessed it could be so easy?

Now, who did win that football game, anyway? Was the referee accidentally bumped or was it a clear case of clipping?

To learn more about McAvoy Layne visit www.ghostoftwain.com.