Tell the Spartans

John Averyt

Many of Israel’s friends are worried that the Jewish State is being pressed into surrender. A recent spate of concessions, including the closing of certain settlements, may seem to put Israel in danger. The friends should not be concerned. The modern day Spartans of the Middle East have events well in hand.

A half-century of war and terrorism has hardened them. Their children compete to serve in the most elite combat units. Their economy, battered by two years of Intifada, is still the strongest in the region. Weary of war, they are hopeful of peace.

Sparta was a small city in Ancient Greece. Their society was the most militarized in history. Citizens served in the Army from the age of twelve. Spartan society was based solely on prowess in war. Their money was made of iron.

For six hundred years, no Spartan woman had ever seen the smoke of an enemy campfire. Quite a claim in Greece, where cities were regularly sacked and their citizens sold off as slaves.

Israel was founded by a world wracked with guilt. The nations had allowed six million to die in the camps. The world needed someplace to dump their Jews. Little did they dream a mighty Phoenix would rise from the ashes of Auschwitz, Dachau, Bergen-Belsen, Sobibor and all the other death factories.

Most Israelis welcome any hint that peace may indeed be at hand. They tire of war and death. Ariel Sharon is perhaps the only man who can pull this off.

Abu Mazen has, so far, failed to stop the terrorists. They killed four Israeli soldiers. This is a test of Ariel Sharon. Can the terrorists kill Israeli military and get way with it? It seems so. Still, both sides seem determined to press forward. There are several reasons for this.

The first is the demise of Saddam Hussein. Arab potentates remember George Bush employed a long dialogue before he obliterated the Iraqi dictator. They might also be involved in such a pre-war process. Such doubts are good.

The second is the recent suicide attacks on the Saudis and Moroccans. The Saudis see themselves as the keeper of the flame of Islam. If they can be attacked, who is safe? Uncertainty is being seeded. Minds are changing. More good news for all.

Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Hizbollah, as well as the homegrown West Bank killers have too long sheltered behind Syria and Iran. Those days may be drawing to a close. Behind all this change is the hand and mind of George Bush.

The president has given Ariel Sharon a free hand in defending Israel. Now, when peace is needed, Sharon has responded, giving Mr. Bush what he needs. The Israeli Army moves back to the barracks.

Likewise, Abu Mazen has at least said everything that was expected of him.

An Egyptian microphone was left on during Mr. Bush’s “private” opening remarks to Arab leaders. Some expressed shock at the bluntness of his language. He clearly warned that the fate of Iraq could befall any who opposed his anti-terror initiative. One can clearly see the benefits of being in a position of strength. Especially when dealing with such historically obdurate opponents.

In 480 BC, King Xerxes of Persia, with all his armies, marched on Greece. At the time, the Persian Empire stretched from Spain to India. The Spartan King, Leonidas, decided to meet this great host at Thermopolae, a narrow pass on the East Coast. He could only bring 300 men.

With his allies, Leonidas numbered about 7000. They fought the Persians to a standstill. When Xerxes sent soldiers through a mountain pass behind the Spartans, Leonidas told his allies to retreat and spread the word of Spartan courage.

The 300 Spartans fought to the last man. Legend has it they died defending the body of their King. The Persians were later defeated and driven from Greece forever. The Spartans were instrumental in the campaign that defeated the Persians. A generation later, Alexander the Great led a Greek army through their country. Never again did Persia seek to conquer Greece.

Like the Spartans, Israel has stood between the free world and the chaos of terrorism. They have plenty of staying power. If talks break down, the IDF can always move back into the West Bank. The United States can then, with a clear conscience, eradicate the terrorists from their sanctuaries.

On a stone marker at Thermopolae are written these words.

“Go and tell the Spartans, passerby. That here, obedient to their laws, we lie.”

Let us pray we do not read similar words in Jerusalem.

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JAveryt@nyc.rr.com