During the last presidential election my mother asked me the ultimate Jewish question: Which candidate was better for the Jews? That inquiry is the question of a people who have learned to live under unfriendly rule. I told her that such a question may have been pertinent in our native Brazil, where Jews live a far less secure life than in the USA. I proceeded to tell her that whoever would be the best president for America, would be the best choice for the Jews as well.
Although I can understand and relate to the feeling of insecurity and not belonging that pervades many Jewish communities worldwide, it is amazing to me that for Jews the whole world can be seen through a very narrow optic lens: is it good for the Jews?
During the past few weeks many have asked if what is going on in Egypt is good or bad for Israel. Even though I understand the many possible implications for Israel due to unrest in a neighboring country; thinking about what is going on in Egypt only in terms of how it affects Israel shows an extremely narrow focus. I would like to suggest that any event that happens worldwide that leads to freedom, transparency and the will of the people being heard is a good event, and thus it is ultimately good for the Jews. When tyrants are unseated, the hope for more overall freedom may become real; and that is a good thing for everyone. If something is good for the majority of Egyptians, then it must be good for the countries around Egypt as well, and it will be good for the Jews.
One of the major fears that I have heard expressed about a power transition in Egypt, is that the Muslim Brotherhood may gain power. Nothing brings disgrace to radical philosophies and ideas like being truly put to test. If in fact the people of Egypt choose and succeed in empowering the Muslim Brotherhood, Israel will also know how to deal with it and will have an easier time doing so than against an enemy that hides its true intentions of destroying Israel.
My personal impression about Egypt is based only on a short visit to that country almost 10 years ago as well as on what I hear and see on the news. The real problems that face that country have little to do with Israel. The real problem the average Egyptian young person faces is a dismal future. The economic possibilities are very bleak and hope for a better future is almost nonexistent. In the past, Arab leaders have used the Palestinian “problem” to divert the attention of the Arab masses away from their own problems. The events taking place in Egypt now are a sign that that strategy has stopped working. Hopefully the ousting of Hosni Mubarak will be followed by measures that will ensure a better economic future for all Egyptians. Only when Egyptians and other Arabs can have a better economic future, Israel will have a true chance for tranquility and peace.
At the same time that we hope and pray for peace not only for Israel and its neighbors, we should also be glad that the people of Egypt are freer now than they have ever been before, and that is good for the Jews.
