Marketing Ethnic Cleansing: Israel Parties Like It's 1948 on its 60th Birthday

By Linda Mamoun, AlterNet. Posted May 8, 2008.

Two weeks before Israel's 60th anniversary the House and Senate voted unanimously to pass resolutions honoring "the founding of the modern State of Israel." Before the House vote, Speaker Nancy Pelosi weighed in on the deliberations saying, "I urge our colleagues to speak with one voice, and support this resolution recognizing the 60th anniversary of the state of Israel. In doing so, we not only commend Israel, we also bring luster to this House by associating ourselves with that great state of Israel." To further commemorate Israeli independence, Pelosi reserved time through the month of June for a weekly series of floor speeches.

Israel Independence Day has been celebrated within Jewish communities in the United States since Israel was founded. Traditionally the celebrations were organized by synagogues or Hebrew schools. Children would sing Ha'Tikvah, the Israeli national anthem, and read scriptures on the Promised Land. But these days the anniversaries are geared toward the broader public, making headlines in places where there are large Jewish communities, but also in areas where one would be hard-pressed to find a single person identifying as Jewish. Not only are the anniversaries endorsed by celebrities and political committees (this year's "National Committee" includes former presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, the three presidential frontrunners, and all living secretaries of state), but the organizers offer a dizzying array of festivities, requiring careful planning by those hoping to partake in all the revelry.

Israel's Independence Day falls on May 8 this year, but in the US the festivities run from early April through the beginning of June. With all the events going on around the country, have you planned how you will celebrate Israeli independence?

Mark Your Calendar

If you really had your act together, you could have booked a trip to the Holy Land with Pastor John Hagee and his Christians United For Israel (CUFI) tour. During ten days in early April, the Celebrate Jerusalem Tour featured a Night to Honor Jerusalem, a Middle East Intelligence Briefing, a luncheon at the Jerusalem Convention Center, a Jerusalem Unity Rally Walk, and a "special CUFI salute" to Israel's 60th anniversary. Best of all, you would have gotten to hear Hagee's rallying speech, in which he announced his pledge of $6 million for Israeli causes (mostly settlement-related) and declared that ''Turning part or all of Jerusalem over to the Palestinians would be tantamount to turning it over to the Taliban."

For those who don't like to travel, not to worry. You can get a taste of Israel from the comfort of your own suburb. On May 18, jaunt on over to Dunwoody, just outside of Atlanta, where you can see all the major Israeli cities with the "re-creation" of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Jaffa, the Negev, Sefat and Haifa. The Dunwoody events feature "interactive family activities, such as camel rides, rowing across the Dead Sea, and climbing Masada."

In Beachwood, Ohio, party planners are encouraging revelers to "Take in the sights and sounds of Israel without leaving home!" Among other festivities, organizers have planned a faux Israeli marketplace, where shoppers can "wander displays of one-of-a-kind jewelry, crafts and artwork; smell the flowers; pick up a unique book; and enjoy family-friendly crafts, games, songs and dances."

In April, homebodies in north Jersey could have seen West Englewood Avenue in Teaneck transformed into Jerusalem's Ben Yehuda Street, featuring "wonderful vendors, delicious food and fabulous music."

If you're not into sightseeing, don't fret. You can celebrate in more traditional ways -with parades, marching bands and fireworks. To learn about festivals near you, sign up for Facebook's "Party Like It's 1948" group, or just google "Israel@60" and the name of your town.

The Israel Hobby

There's something for everyone. (And if you missed this year's big events, it's not too early to start planning for next year.)

If you're a poetry or film buff, drop by an Israel@60 reading or film festival. If you're a bookworm, join a 60th birthday book club. If you're a cyclist, register for a 5k, 10k or 60k "Ride with Israel@60" race.

If you like to pamper yourself, try Dead Sea Spa Days. If you're an art lover, why not amble into an exhibit commemorating Israeli independence? If you're a foodie, join the Israel@60 Mission, which offers a "food and wine tour of Israel culminating in a star-studded international leadership gathering." If you prefer to cook your own Israeli delicacies, sign up for an Israel@60 pita-making or Israeli hors d'œuvre class.

Not into falafel? Other options beckon.

If you're an American Idol addict, check out the results of the Israeli Idol Competition (part of a series of anniversary events in Ann Arbor). If The Amazing Race is more your thing, see who won the 2nd Annual Amazing Israel Race (a citywide treasure hunt in NYC to commemorate Israel's 60th birthday.)

If you'd rather concentrate on learning a new language, launch a "Café Ivrit" club and commit to speaking 60 minutes of Hebrew each month to honor Israel's 60-year history. If you're a budding filmmaker, try your luck in the Israel@60 video contest. If you're a famous blogger, well, you guessed it: Blog 'til you drop on 60bloggers.com. (Or mark your personal blog with the Israel@60 icon.)

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