Borders, Danger, and Human Rights: Israel’s Dynamic Role in Tumultuous Times

BY MEYTAL CHERNOFF

The past few years have seen large-scale changes in the Middle East. In particular, escalated violence in Syria has forced the world’s eyes to­ward the region and raised the issues of alliances, human rights, and the poten­tial for the conflict to spread beyond Syrian borders. The state of Israel sits in the physical center of this conflict and serves as an example for social jus­tice work even as diplomatic relation­ships shift and border tensions esca­late. As the situation progresses, Israel works to provide aid to its neighbors while protecting itself, demonstrating a unique balance between defense and a concern for human rights.

Since the beginning of the civil war in Syria, the Syrian government has been using deadly and wide-rang­ing weapons against its own citizens, a trend that can be best exemplified by the use of chemical weapons against the Damascus countryside this past August. The conflict has also seen in­discriminate attacks on civilians and incidents of kidnap, torture, and ex­ecution. This has caused millions of people, many of whom are in need of medical attention, to flee Syria for its neighbors, including Israel.

Israel sits at a unique position within this conflict. Technically, Israel and Syria have been at war for four decades, and the violence in Syria threatens to spill over the border and into Israel. However, as a nation concerned with human rights, Israel cannot sit quietly as 2.5 million new Syrian refu­gees suffer. The country must find a balance between humanitarian work and defense, and the results offer a unique glimpse into a country that is both focused on humanity and aware of the harsh realities of war.

One example of this balance can be seen in the case of IsraAid, an Israeli non­profit organization that provided medical, psychological, and food services following the earthquakes in Japan and Haiti. Since the beginning of this year, the organization has provided over $100,000 worth of sup­plies to the Syrian refugees in Jordan. They have also brought in Israeli medical profes­sionals and social workers to help the dis­placed cope with the physical and mental scars of the war. Additionally, Israeli field hospitals have been treating refugees who come across the border in need of care. These efforts show an incredible dedication to human rights made all the more impres­sive given the current political tensions be­tween Israel and Syria.

As the war in Syria has pro­gressed, Israel’s Syrian border has seen increased violence, and there is no end in sight. Cross-border attacks included a bombing on March 18 that wounded four Israeli soldiers. This latest incident prompted an Israeli air­strike against military targets in Syria. Complicating matters is the fact that the Syrian border is under fractioned control, with 60 percent controlled by the opposition and the remaining parts being controlled by the Syrian governmental regime. This confusion has Israel on high alert and has forced a state of constant preparedness to defend against possible invasion or at­tacks. “Our policy is very clear,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, “we attack those who attack us.”

Incredibly, this policy and the threat to the safety of Israeli citizens have not prevented Israel from work­ing to help and protect the lives of Syrian refugees and citizens hurt dur­ing the violence. It is incredible to see a country that manages to prioritize human rights for people outside its borders, even while at war. Martin Luther King, Jr. once wrote, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” This state­ment holds true, but unfortunately few countries take it to heart. As most countries turn a blind eye to the suffering of Syrian refugees and citizens, Israel works to help them, even while at war with their govern­ment.