Israeli Society's Failure to Heed Warnings Echoes Biblical Tale
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
An article compares Israel's response to security warnings to the biblical story of Noah, suggesting society often dismisses or legally challenges those who issue dire predictions. Figures like Rabbi Meir Kahane and Dr. Michael Ben-Ari are presented as examples of individuals whose warnings about threats, particularly from Gaza, were sidelined due to controversy surrounding them. The author argues that even after the October 7th attacks validated many of these warnings, the legal battles against some of these individuals continue, highlighting a societal failure to heed crucial advice.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Article compares Israel's dismissal of security warnings to Noah's contemporaries mocking him.
- Rabbi Meir Kahane and Dr. Michael Ben-Ari are cited as figures whose warnings were ignored.
- Dr. Ben-Ari warned of Gaza threats in 2018, naming kibbutzim later attacked on Oct 7.
- Legal and public disputes may have caused dismissal of the warnings themselves.
- Author questions if Israel can separate messengers from their messages after Oct 7.
- The article criticizes ongoing legal action against Dr. Ben-Ari post-disaster.
The article draws a parallel between the biblical story of Noah's Ark and contemporary Israeli society's response to security warnings, particularly in light of the October 7th Hamas attacks. It argues that, much like Noah's contemporaries who mocked him for building an ark against a nonexistent flood, many in Israel dismissed or legally challenged individuals who warned of impending dangers.
Rabbi Meir Kahane is cited as a prominent, albeit controversial, figure whose dire security warnings were sidelined, with his movement even being disqualified from elections. Similarly, Dr. Michael Ben-Ari is mentioned for his 2018 warnings about potential violence from Gaza, specifically naming kibbutzim that later became sites of devastation. Ben-Ari also faced legal challenges and disqualification from political participation.
The author posits that the intense legal and public disputes surrounding these figures may have led to the dismissal of their actual warnings. The article questions whether Israel's focus on the controversy surrounding the messengers prevented a serious examination of the messages themselves, drawing a parallel to Noah's generation that sought to destroy the ark rather than heed its builder's warnings.
Even after the October 7th massacre, which tragically validated many of these warnings, the legal proceedings against Dr. Ben-Ari continue, highlighting what the author views as a deep absurdity. The piece concludes by emphasizing that the critical question is not who was right in the debate, but whether society can separate the messenger from the message and genuinely assess warnings, especially when they are uncomfortable, before disaster strikes.
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
