Eli Borochov and the guns of Hebron

We are living in tumultuous times that are trying not just our souls but also our very physical existence. The recent shooting, in the holy city of Chevron, of Cedarhurst resident Eli Borochov and the total neglect of the American consulate to his needs, prompts the theme as well as the title to this week’s essay.

The continued behavior, bigoted and undiplomatic, of the U.S. consulate in Jerusalem to attend to the needs of a wounded American citizen who is also a resident of our blessed land deserves the attention of our elected officials.

In a tour guide book published ten years ago, “Israel: A Companion for the Modern Jewish Pilgrim” (Jewish Lights, 2005, 2008) by Lawrence Hoffman, we have the following curious and intimidating admonition in the chapter entitled, “Hebron and Bethlehem: Tombs of the Matriarchs and Patriarchs”:

“At this writing, it is not clear whether it is possible or advisable to visit the sites where the Bible says our matriarchs and patriarchs are buried. Political considerations may make such a visit physically dangerous, and inadvisable from the perspective of Israel’s relationship with its Arab neighbors.” 

A cautionary note posted so prominently should give even the most cavalier among us pause. Given events both before and since the Borochov incident, this week’s review will briefly cite other tour books as well as the research of Yisrael Medad of the Begin Center, an American citizen and the former mayor of Shilo, dealing with the neglect of the staff of the American consulate in Jerusalem to the needs of American Jews in Israel. The following is a glimpse of his narrative:

“A rather disturbing pattern of behavior has emerged from the U.S. Consulate-General in Jerusalem over the past years that would point to a need for congressional review and oversight.