Habakuk and Amona

This one is for a friend. She does not have a computer, or know about blogging or searching online for images. But if she did, she would have created this after she noted how Habakuk 1:2-11 reminded her of recent events at Amona. So I will make it for her.

Adonai, how long will I cry, and you will not hear? I cry out to you "Violence!" and will you not save?

Why do you show me iniquity, and look at perversity? For destruction and violence are before me. There is strife, and contention rises up.

Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth; for the wicked surround the righteous; therefore justice goes forth perverted.

"Look among the nations, watch, and wonder marvelously; for I am working a work in your days, which you will not believe though it is told you.

For, behold, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, that march through the breadth of the earth, to possess dwelling places that are not theirs.

They are feared and dreaded. Their judgment and their dignity proceed from themselves.

Their horses also are swifter than leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves. Their horsemen press proudly on. Yes, their horsemen come from afar. They fly as an eagle that hurries to devour.

All of them come for violence. Their hordes face the desert. He gathers prisoners like sand.

Yes, he scoffs at kings, and princes are a derision to him. He laughs at every stronghold, for he builds up an earthen ramp, and takes it.

Then he sweeps by like the wind, and goes on. He is indeed guilty, whose strength is his god."

My commentary:

What happened at Amona was about politics and age. Those Israelis who were forced from their homes in Gaza last August were promised much governmental help from the government which was not provided. The people of Amona knew they would not be receiving assistance in restarting their lives. The current (older) political leadership has been pursuing "unilateral disengagement" and the younger side of Israeli has been protesting that this policy is fruitless and hurting Israel. The polically active youth of Israel came to Amona to protest more than this one forced evacuation.

This generational divide was already heated and intense. It became so physically violent at Amona because here were protestors and police who were full of anger before the conflict began.

Last year, Israelis (and Jews worldwide) wondered if the Gaza pullout would provoke a civil war. The abundance of promises to those who lived in Gaza kept the nation from that, but at Amona the divide was again made visible.