The almighty border -Day 1

Standing in an abandoned Syrian military base, I can feel the hot summer wind blowing on my face. Israeli farms and kibbutzim, symbols of Jewish nationalism and security, are spread out across the green landscape. 

Moving my focal point 15 kilometers backwards, I am expose to a barren landscape, filled with hatred and violence. We are told that an indestructible wall separate the two lands; hate and peace. However, as I stand on top of the tourist-infested viewpoint I can't help but question this omnipotent border. After all, Syrians across the border were feeling the same desert wind as I was feeling weren't they? They too are humans, and they too have basic human needs and rights.  Ironically, the Germans had segregated Jews against their will a mere 70 years earlier, so why were we now isolating ourselves from the world around us? Of course, at first glance, these questions seem completely rational, and put a negative stigma on the existence of the state of Israel. 

Nevertheless, these are only surface questions that the media advertises on a daily basis. So I am not surprised when an innocent tourist nearby raises their hand and asks the simplest, and yet most complex question of Israel's existence: why create a border? 

Well...a quick history lesson would reveal that the Syrians had for years lived on their land, and only during the '67 war lost their precious Golan heights to Israel. Once again, Israel is in the spotlight as the antagonist, however as is with almost all cases of Israeli violence: Israel was defending. 

And that right there, is the sole justification for a creation of a barrier. Not once had we entered Syria with an intention of senseless hatred, rather, against the common portrayal of international media, retaliation in order to maintain peace. 

A couple days ago a Syrian bomb was found underneath a military post. Within hours, Israeli strikes back, ensuring peace. Now while this may not seem like the most peaceful solution, it is by far the most effective one; quick, precise, and safe. 

So yes, Israel is isolating itself from the rest of the world, but that's simply because we refuse to allow history to repeat itself. Not with the holocaust, not with Syria, not with violence. After all, the best offense is a strong defense.

---Roee Landesman