להיות עם חופשי בארצנו?
As we approach Yom Yerushalaim, speculation and theory sweep the nation — what will happen this year?
To be a free nation in a free country doesn’t seem to be a possibility for the Jewish nation. Just weeks ago in the center of Jerusalem, as a “pro-Palestinian” march takes place by the Yafo gate, Israeli flags are removed from their poles. In this same march, as the protestors cross the streets of the holy city carrying the Palestinian flags, two Israeli women remove their Israeli flags from their cars- decorations from Israel’s national independence day a month prior.
Let’s do some research. The law regarding the desecration of the flag of the United States is as follows:
Whoever knowingly mutilates, defaces, physically defiles, burns, maintains on the floor or ground, or tramples upon any flag of the United States shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.
The law for Russia reads:
National flag burning is illegal in Russia and punishable by up to one year in prison. (according to Wikipedia)
According to French law,[32] a person outraging the French national anthem or the French flag during an event organized or regulated by public authorities is liable to a fine of €7,500, and six months imprisonment if performed in a gathering.
Funny enough, the law in Israel is similar. In 2007 six teenagers in the South Tel Aviv suburb of Bat Yam were arrested for burning an Israeli flag. This incident was considered serious by the police and others since the youths were suspected of other acts of vandalism and claimed to be Satanists.
Apparently and unfortunately, this law doesn’t seem to apply to Palestinians. In no other country would this be acceptable. But because Israel is walking on eggshells and constantly fearing the public eye, we are not truly free. We may have a country, but what is a country that supports the downfall of its very self? A holiday is being predicted to spark violence, causing people to stay home- how exactly is that freedom?
