JERUSALEM — The big news of last week concerned the Strauss Chocolate Company, and the discovery of salmonella in some of its products.
We’ve gone forward and backward on this for several days, with a giant company having to accept a major recall, and then the closing of its production for some three months for a satisfactory clean up.
Apparently, some pigeons got into the production line, and shit into the chocolate.
That was much of our news.
Until an attack on the settlement of Ariel, and the pursuit of those who killed one of the guards.
Major operations in several villages, and so far the death of one Palestinian. Two apparent killers apprehended. Both without connections to terrorist organizations.
Earlier unrest on the Temple Mount, coming to the end of Ramadan, with more than 100,000 people on the Temple Mount in order to pray. For the most part, the Temple Mount upsets passed without major incidents.
But lots of threats from Hamas, and other actions focused on who will control the Temple Mount.
Along with news that Iran had targeted an Israeli official in Turkey in an operation foiled by the Mossad.
And the Harvard Crimson has come out, editorially, in support of BDS.
So the picture is far more complicated than tainted chocolate. Israel remains in a state of tension.
This week is the confluence of Israel Memorial Day, Israel Independence Day, and yet another major Muslim celebration, Eid al Fitr.
But looking back at the Holocaust Memorial Day, we saw Muslims from Lebanon, Syria, the UAE, Morocco, Egypt, and Jordan participating with Jews, as well as the President of Poland and a major German official.
Muslims express their anger, as well as their participation with Israel. All told, unrest remains within manageable limits.
And we’re hearing complaints about the gift provided to the families of fallen soldiers by the Ministry of Defense. It expressed peace in three languages: Hebrew, English, and Arabic. Some families protest the inclusion of Arabic. Their loved ones died in order to protect Jews.
Should they not be reminded, by the inclusion of Arabic, about the multifaceted nature of Israel’s population. And the country’s aspirations?
There are some bigger worries.
Perhaps the biggest is Russia, and what seems to be its mindless pursuit of victory in Ukraine. And perhaps Moldova. Maybe Poland and even wider. Occasional mention of nuclear weapons. World War? Hasn’t Vladimir Putin learned about the limits? Sweden and Finland are considering membership in NATO. Perhaps many are worrying about limits.
And Covid has not left us. Here and there it’s been reduced to something like a controllable disease. Yet here and there we’re still required to wear our masks. And advised to do so even where not required.
The week’s celebration or memory of great tragedies and great accomplishments gives us all something to ponder.
Here in the retirement community we’ve heard personal stories of fleeing the Holocaust from two of the residents, who were children at the time. One in Serbia; another in Paris. Others have told their stories to us personally. Lots of sadness.
Big things do happen. And one such thing may be occurring between Russia and Ukraine. And perhaps spreading elsewhere. The U.S. and European countries are increasingly active in supplying weapons to Ukraine.
Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D., is professor emeritus of political science at Hebrew University. He may be contacted via ira.sharkansky@sdjewishworld.com