A Chronology of Events and their Consequences
The headlines of today often echo the conflicts and questions of the past. War, terrorism, antisemitism, and political division continue to shape world events, reminding us that history is not just a record of what has been, but it is a guide to understanding what is happening now. Through the words and actions of figures such as Chaim Herzog, Vladimir (Ze’ev) Jabotinsky, and Dr. Shmuel Katz, we gain insight into the struggle for Jewish self-determination, security, and justice amid continual international challenges.
In our times, consider the headlines: “Rahm Emanuel Should Be Ashamed,” “Funded Hamas, Fooled the West,” “The Iron Wall: Jabotinsky’s Battle for a Jewish Future,” “The Bigotry Against Israel in the UN,” “School Bus Bombing: Cohen Family, Three of Whose Children Lost Their Legs,” and “Nancy Guthrie: The Secret Life.” Those headlines depict the state we are living in.
And what of wars, which appear to be never-ending, along with crimes involving hatred and antisemitism? Of course, there are numerous examples. A walk through history demonstrates the point. The evil that haunts us is ever-present, while goodness is often lacking. There are heroes, but not many. There are many lessons not learned. It happened before, and history does not lie.
This is seen in a book by Chaim Herzog,(Israel’s former Ambassador to the United Nations and future President). Published in 1978, Who Stands Accused? Israel Answers Its Critics is a passionate and diplomatic defense of the nation’s political and military stances against Arab and international criticism. The book tackles the intense geopolitical climate of the mid-to-late 1970s, specifically addressing the aftermath of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, international terrorism, the PLO, and the status of Jerusalem. Herzog uses his sharp legal and diplomatic background to dissect what he identifies as deeply ingrained double standards against Israel in the global arena, which continue till today. While inherently subjective, it serves as an important historical document outlining the roots of many diplomatic challenges that have persisted.
Chaim Herzog, as Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations and author of The War of Atonement (1975), replied forcefully to Arab accusations of Israeli intransigence in response to Anwar el-Sadat’s bold psychological breakthrough. Herzog’s emotional yet carefully reasoned defense of the Israeli position on such thorny issues as the refugee situation, Jerusalem, the Geneva Peace Conference, and Egyptian-Israeli peace efforts was widely appreciated. He stated,”It has fallen to our lot to prove to the world that this scourge of international terror can be dealt with. It is now for the nations of the world, regardless of political differences that may divide them, to unite against this common enemy, which recognizes no authority, knows no borders, respects no sovereignty, ignores all basic human decencies, and places no limits on human bestiality.”
A further example of this subject can be found in the close relationship between Dr. Shmuel Katz and Vladimir (Ze’ev) Jabotinsky. Dr. Katz spent seven years writing the 1,792-page Lone Wolf, the acclaimed biography of Jabotinsky.
Historian Martin Gilbert described Katz as a “champion among writers.” Katz succeeded, through his commanding style and his sense of the intense drama of his subject, in creating in Lone Wolf a scholarly work that reads like a novel. Gad Nahshon described the book as the best biography of Jabotinsky. Dr. Katz, aged 84 and born in South Africa, dedicated many years of his life to writing this two-volume, 1,792-page biography entitled Lone Wolf: A Biography of Vladimir (Ze’ev) Jabotinsky.
Dr. Katz described Jabotinsky’s political activities from 1900 to 1940. Jabotinsky opposed any partition plans between Jews and Arabs. He also rejected the concept of class warfare and opposed Marxism. Later, David Ben-Gurion referred to him as a “Jewish Hitler.” Dr. Katz rejected this allegation, arguing that Jabotinsky was a true liberal, a true democrat, and a fair gentleman.
In March 1940, Jabotinsky traveled to the United States to promote his idea of establishing a Jewish army to fight in World War II, but he failed to fulfill his mission. He consistently warned Jews: “You should dismantle the Diaspora before it dismantles you.”
As is well known, the British government did everything possible to close the gates of Palestine to Jewish refugees beginning in 1933. Against that backdrop, it required little to understand the burden Jabotinsky carried before his death. “I am so tired. I am so tired.” These were the last words of Ze’ev Jabotinsky. He died at a Betar summer camp in Hunter, New York, approximately a two-hour drive from New York City.
The historical figures and writings discussed here reveal that many of today’s debates are rooted in questions that have remained unresolved for generations. Their speeches, books, and political actions continue to offer valuable perspectives on terrorism, national identity, and the pursuit of peace. Whether one agrees with their conclusions or not, they remind us that understanding history is essential to interpreting the present and facing the challenges of the future. The lessons of the past urge us to examine current events with both historical awareness and moral responsibility.