When I accused Israeli expats of abandoning ship, the non-Zionist Left at Haaretz took me to task. What I said was based on my belief that any Jew who chooses to live here partakes in the long battle to fortify Israeli democracy until peace arrives. I am talking about the day-to-day security that we all help maintain, be it the soldier and the cop who carry a weapon or just the average Israeli commuting to work, heading to the synagogue, shopping for groceries or just enjoying a night out. Being present is part of being on the front. It is vital for this country, a Jewish state that grants equal status to its minorities. It will continue to be necessary until we achieve full success. But maintaining this day-to-day security means taking risks. The rabbis who were killed this week had immigrated from the United States, knowing full well that they would join the risk pool. By joining the Israeli cause they demonstrated their Zionist virtues, even though they most likely never considered themselves Zionists per se. Some of the risks have nothing to do with fighting the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. One of them is the willingness to live alongside Israeli Arabs. The true test of this willingness is when the going gets tough. This is precisely when we have to rise to the occasion. Understandably, every Jewish mother would like to have her son whisked to safety in the wake of the massacre in Jerusalem. One could also relate to her uneasiness at seeing an Arab passing by, walking near a kindergarten or going to the post office. She can't be blamed for fearing he might be plotting a attack on a little girl using a concealed axe, knife or pistol. It would be unwise and wrong to dismiss those fears as an overreaction. We must reckon with this fear; it is real. But it is just part of our day-to-day security effort, and serves our desire to maintain a rapport with minorities, even if this comes at a price. This is the only way Zionism can reach its final destination. Every soldier and law-enforcement officer knows it is dangerous to walk near the Lebanese border next to the towering hills of Marun a-Ras. Likewise, every Israeli citizen knows that despite the added security and his support for more screening, he or she cannot segregate. No one can be denied access to the public square. The city's parks and its coffee shops cater to everyone. In fact, the way I see it, it is incumbent upon us Israelis to do all we can to hire Arab contractors for our home improvement projects. This is our way of helping the country, and it should be considered a national duty. But it is not enough to treat Arabs with respect in our private domain. The Israel Police must reverse its decision and let the match between Beitar Jerusalem and Bnei Sakhnin take place at the Doha Stadium, despite the fear of ethnic slurs and violence between Arabs and Jews. Similarly, when the time comes, the police must allow Beitar to host Bnei Sakhnin at Teddy Stadium in the capital. Those who have chosen to stay and fight this battle have decided to keep a stiff upper lip despite the physical and mental toll. They know that maintaining normalcy -- however difficult -- is essential in this day-to-day fight for the security of the Jewish people in their homeland.
