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Wonderful speech by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

On January 11, 2009, there was a gathering at Trafalgar square in London.  The Chief Rabbi of England, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks gave a very moving speech.  The text can be found here.  Compare this to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's (I'm a nut job) speech on Dec 30, 2008. 

Rabbi Sacks says that everyone wants to live in Peace.  Mahmoud talks about criminals and oppressed people.  The dichotomy is striking and depressing.  It feels like the two people are talking about different worlds, and perhaps they really are.

It worries my that the US and EU governments assume that everyone is like Rabbi Sacks.  They explain away Mahmoud's talks as theatrical gestures.  When will they begin to believe that he really means what he says.

I am sorry that the people of Gaza are unable to live in peace.  I am not sure that is what they want.  After all, the party line of HAMAS is to destroy Israel.   That is not my definition of peace.

I wish all our soldiers a safe Shabbat.  May the war be over soon and may the people of Gaza find their own voice of peace.  Gaza could be a beautiful vacation spot, but only if the inhabitants focus on building their own lives and not destroying the lives of others.


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