Celebratory Contrasts

Russia is indulging herself in a pride parade, reminiscent of her muscle-flexing when she was one of the admitted two power states of the post-WWII world order, during what has been famously named the "Cold War". When the United Soviet Socialist Republic and the United States of America stared down the threat of mutual assured destruction, to deter one another from the unthinkable.

And it was unthinkable, for neither Russia nor the U.S. despite their posturing, seriously sought past contemplation the vast devastation that would result from a pre-emptive strike. The ghoulishly deathly aftermath of pushing a red button impossible to return to its inert potential. They were secure in the belief that strike-back would completely annul any perceived advantage should one or the other take the initiative.

But that didn't stop the bragging, the posturing, the Cold-War antics of bravado, the spying and counter-spying, all of which represented a fine solution to actually committing to war. With all the promise of visiting Armageddon on their own countries, along with those of their neighbours, should the bravado get out of hand. It's the knife-edge game of no-turning-back that grown-up boys like to play to allay boredom in a predicable world.

But here is Russia, revisiting a time in history of pride, purpose and braggadocio so dear to the hearts of powerful men with twisted minds, adhering to their ideologies of superiority. A resurgent Russia, having spent decades swallowing her pride as a broken coalition of "Soviet-equal" states, a spent world force, a beggared nation. Returned now, with newfound wealth back to her assured swagger.

With the completion of formalities to create the illusion that Russia has elected a new governing principal, newly-installed President Dmitri Medvedev stands four-square, tall and proud, beside his mentor, the newly-accepted Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, reviewing the troops. The diminished, but steadily growing Red Army soldiers parading proudly past the reviewing stand.

Victory Day parade, an image refurbished, with a full caparison of troop carriers, tanks, nuclear missile launchers marching through Red Square, with supersonic bombers and a huge transport plane flying overhead. That's just the down payment; the country has embarked on a military build-up from its currently diminished 1.1-million-strong to the four million of yesteryear.

After all, Russia is simply responding in kind to the perceived insults and psychic assaults by NATO and the European Union on Russia's sensibilities. Tensions haven't erupted from nowhere; there's cause and then there's effect. And the effect is an affronted Russia with a real grievance. And remembrance of past heroic military exploits the order of the day.

Whereas in Israel, a similar, although vastly different commemoration has taken place.

With that tiny Jewish State within the Middle East both remembering her war dead and celebrating the official declaration of the existence of the independent State of Israel. In that country Memorial Day represented a quiet time of remembrance and thanksgiving to those who gave their lives so that countless others might live.

A country-wide siren sounded alerting all Israelis to a minute of silence in towns and cities, on communes and on farms. And at the Western Wall, the only vestige of the second Temple of Solomon, politicians, officials, visiting dignitaries, ordinary Israelis paid homage to the fallen.

A day later, a second siren, to bring public activity to a moment of dignified remembrance as ceremonies commenced at the 43 military cemeteries around the country.

Supportive rallies yes, here and there, but official marches of troops in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, no. Nor were there shows of military might, with supersonic and fighter jets, rocket launchers, armoured troop carriers and the like, on show.

Israel does not venerate armed conflict and the machinery of war; it suffers them. The country remembers the tens of thousands who died protecting the country from those who sought to eradicate its presence.

In Russia marching bands played martial music, making ordinary Russians feel proud and comforted. Proud of their history of struggle against conquest, which in fact cost that country tens of millions dead in their struggle against Nazi Germany. Comforted by the evidence that they remained strong and resolute and well armed and a similar attempted invasion would be met with Russian courage and a well-equipped army.

As for Israel, her people see no need to march to martial music played by military brass bands. Israel does not advertise her belligerence on the world stage, nor her preparedness for new onslaughts from her surrounding enemies. She is there to stay, and stay she will. Meeting head on all attempts to vanquish her defenders, to punish her people for their will to live.

She celebrates her existence against all odds, declaring by her very presence, her permanence. The soldiers, the armaments will be in evidence when and where they are required.