How the World Really Views Israel
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
How the World Really Views Israel
by Shoshana Bryen , Gatestone Institute, July 18, 2018
The Iroquois Nation lacrosse team faces off against the Canadian team in Israel, July 16, 2018. (Image source: Lacrosse Analytics video screenshot)
Israel and the Iroquois Nation came together this week -- In Israel -- at the Lacrosse World Championship. The Iroquois Nation team was subjected to enormous pressure to boycott, but they steadfastly refused to be swayed . The Iroquois, who invented Lacrosse in about 1100 CE, know a thing or two about indigenous peoples reclaiming their land. And they know a thing or two about Israel. Bravo to them.
There are those who insist that Israel is "isolated," that it lacks friends and allies. Israel's place in the larger world, however -- except, perhaps, in the halls of the UN -- is expanding, not only with the Iroquois Nation, but with the nations of the world that want to know what Israel knows and have what Israel has, whether they have formal diplomatic relations with Jerusalem or not.
Israel's expansive sharing of water , solar and agricultural technology is legendary, as is Israel's emergency rapid response team . But military cooperation underpins freedom of navigation in the air and on the seas – the source of international prosperity through trade – and secures people in their borders. Security makes everything else possible, and Israel is in the center of the universe of security cooperation .
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Late last year, Israel hosted the largest aerial training exercise in its history – Blue Flag in the Negev Desert. There were 70 aircraft from around the world, hundreds of pilots, and air-support team members. Participants included the United States, France, Italy, Greece, Poland, Germany and India. It was the first time French, German and Indian contingents trained in Israel.
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A Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG) is a force made up of vessels from various allied countries. In December, Britain's HMS Ocean, the flagship of the SNMG2, docked in Haifa to take part in several joint exercises with the Israel Navy and Air Force. "We are here today as a friend of Israel and a visible demonstration of NATO 's continued commitment to Israel," said Commodore James Morley. "Whilst we are here, we will engage with the Israel Navy leaders in order to create and build opportunities for us to work together. Israel is one of our closest partners and we are moving steadily closer together."
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In March 2018, Israel joined in the exercise " Iniohos " in Greece. "Iniohos" is an annual exercise replicating a multi-threat environment for the air forces involved, in this case, the U.S., the United Arab Emirates, Greece, Italy, the United Kingdom and Cyprus.
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The UAE? It wasn't a first. In the 2016 Red Flag exercise in the United States, Israel's partners were the UAE and Pakistan . Even Pakistan.
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For the 2018 Red Flag exercise in April, Israel declined to bring its F-15 fighter jets , citing regional tension, but sent pilots and other personnel.
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Juniper Cobra , the largest joint U.S.-Israeli air-defense exercise – and the largest joint exercise with the U.S. military's European Command – took place in Israel in March, with 2,000 IDF air-defense troops, 1,400 Marines and 1,100 American sailors. The USS Iwo Jima and USS Mount Whitney were there, as well as the Patriot missile-defense system, Aegis ballistic missile-defense system, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, TPY-2 radar, communication systems, 25 aircraft, and more.
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In late May, commissioned by NATO forces , the British HMS Duncan and Spanish frigate Victoria docked in Israel's Haifa Port ahead of joint exercises with the IDF.
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In June, Israeli paratroopers took part in their first combined European ground exercise not held in Israel when they trained with Swift Response in Germany, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. Thousands of soldiers from countries including Great Britain, the U.S., Spain, Italy, Poland and Portugal participated in airborne exercises; personnel and equipment drops; air-assault operations; force buildups; and civilian evacuation operations. "The objective of the exercise is to improve the ability for mutual cooperation between the participating armies," noted an IDF statement.
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Saber Strike , also in June, was led by the U.S. Army's European Command with 18,000 fighters from 19 countries, including Poland, Germany, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. An annual drill beginning this year in Latvia, Saber Strike focused on "training and drilling NATO's enhanced forward presence, focusing on promoting interoperability and improving joint operational capability in a variety of land missions," according to an Army source.
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From late June to early August, Israel is a participant in RIMPAC -- the Rim of the Pacific. RIMPAC includes Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, South Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga and the United Kingdom -- minus China, which was not invited, and Taiwan, which should have been.
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This month, as the Helicopter Carrier Dixmude docked in Haifa, French Ambassador to Israel Helene Le Gal noted that 11 French ships have docked in Israel this year – more than those of any other country's navy. "I am proud that the Dixmude is in Haifa. It demonstrates the quality of the cooperation between our countries and that there exists a strong amount of trust," she said. "We have practiced joint drills in the past and we will continue to do so in the future."
The Iroquois Nation, as another indigenous people, is a friend of the heart. In the larger picture, however, Israel is an integral part of the world's security system across the continents, from Europe to Asia to North America. In the Pacific Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, it has partnered with countries alphabetized from Australia to Vietnam in exercises on land, at sea or in the air. Not a single country pulled out of a single exercise because of the presence of the Israel Defense Forces.
Not one.
Shoshana Bryen is Senior Director of the Jewish Policy Center.
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As a side note, the team travels internationally on the their own passport. This has caused problems in the past and a few years ago they refused to participate in the world championships because the host country would not allow them to travel on their own passports. Being one of the top Lacrosse teams in the world, it was a statement of epic proportions in the Lacrosse world.
In fact this year there was a bit of a problem as well and the Iroquois National had to make sure that their passport would be recognized by Israel. It was, without a problem and the Iroquois would not boycott the games in Israel. You cannot believe the pressure that the team was under to boycott.
Lacrosse is called the ''Creators Game'' to the Iroquois and to all native people, it's meaning is much much more than a game to us.
Link to this years problems regarding travel on their passports...
As you know both Canada and Israel bent their rules to make sure the Iroquois National Team could enter Israel and participate. (See the article posted on Anishinaabe group) Not the first time Canada has bent its rules to help out a friend - rescuing the American diplomats from Iran (The Canadian Caper).
It looks like the Iroquois Nation has England covered.
What happened vs Canada?
Interesting note about the IAF and a certain pilot in particular. Giora Epstein is the worlds greatest jet Ace with 17 downed enemy aircraft. In one battle, which I think was over the Negev, he took on 10 or so enemy fighters even chasing off other IAF pilots telling them to go get their own.
Note: edited to add the word Jet.
Canada beat the Nationals 10-5.....Generally the top three teams in the world are the U.S., Canada and the Iroquois Nationals. The Nationals draw from a base of less then 500...Of course the U.S. and Canada draw from a base in the tens of thousands.
After the last World Championships (Bronze Medal Winners) the Nationals lost their top 3 players who are now in the professional ranks.
Little known is the relationship between many Native tribes and the state of Israel, or the hundreds of years of history/cooperation between them.
Gakina Awiiya (we are all related)
Evening Kavika..Not a bad effort at all against Canada....Good on 'em....Bit like the world cup soccer I was hoping Belgium would beat the lot of them. They are such a tiny country country taking on the power houses with the mega $$$. I will always barrick for the minnows taking on the sharks everytime...
Evening Shona,
In the last world championships the Nationals beat the US in the round robin and if I remember correctly split with Canada as well.
The Nationals are minnow sized in numbers but have a wicked bite. Both Canada and the US know it well...LOL
You must have enjoyed Croatia, population 4 million, making it to the finals and giving France a good battle.
Thank you Kavika.
Believe it or not, their talent base was one of the things I first considered.
Looks like your reply has at least 2 topics worthy of detailed discussions.
Dear Friend Buzz: Great article.
Thanks for sharing.
Shout Out to the Iroquois Nation and their team.
Israel is certainly not alone.
There are still nations, peoples, and other collective groupings for whom morality and harmonious co-operation to advance the human condition matter.
They have been, are and will be friends, allies, and partners with Israel.
"Henei mah tov, U' mah nayim. Shevit achim gam yachad".
"Behold, how good it is to sit together as brothers".
Peace and Abundant Blessings to Us All, Including Israle's Many Friends, Supporters and Admirers.
Enoch.
Evening all..I have been to Israel..never felt safer, so long as the soldiers had the safety catches on their rifles while packed in like sardines on the bus...Back the Israelis all the way and we to stand beside them.
Only Australia and the USA vote positively in the UN to support Israel.
By the way, it may be evening right now for you and me, Shona, but it's morning for most NT members.
Evening Buzz...Yep good feeling we are always going to be hours ahead of the rest of the world....I use to confuse the daylights out of one poor guy on Newsvine re the time difference...He never did quite grasp it....Coming up to 11pm here so which time zone are you in China???
What about Robbie Robertson (Mohawk/Jewish) invited to sing the Israel National Anthem...Now that would be a statement.
Or Anton Treuer (Ojibwe/Jewish) to write the story of the world cup in Israel...
Hey, I can dream can't I....
All of China is on Beijing time, which is 2 hours behind your time. Right now it's about 9:35 p.m. in Chongqing.
Same time as in Western Australia..And on that note I must say "hoo roo" (goodbye) for now....past my bed time....Have a good night and day everyone...
Dear Friend Shona1: Great points all.
Thanks.
Peace and Abundant Blessings Always.
E.
Dear Brother Kavika: We can both dream.
E.
Jews and Native Americans: 7 Fascinating Facts.
Great Link.
Thanks for sharing.
E.
I know how I feel about Israel.......Jove them!
Dear Friend Magnoliaave: Mrs. E. is a Tzabarit (Native born Israeli).
Smiles and Regards.
Enoch.
Glad to see the teams playing together-a game-a game that also allows people to meet and get to know other people-and that is how you make friends and resolve conflict.
That's one of the main purposes of the Olympics and all international sporting events. Unfortunately there is a faction that refuses to comply with that purpose, but I need not mention it here.