A Palace in Flames

Reflections on the events in Amsterdam, Kristallnacht, Modern-Day Antisemitism, and the Age-Old Persecution of the Jews

As we reflect on Kristallnacht and witness the disturbing resurgence of antisemitism across the globe and in Amsterdam this last week, it becomes clear that the dark lessons of history have not been fully learned. From social media distortions to mainstream narratives that often twist facts, the echo of old prejudices rings loudly, and the flames of hatred are reigniting in familiar and unsettling ways.

Remembering Kristallnacht

On November 9–10, 1938, Kristallnacht, or the “Night of Broken Glass,” brought horrific violence against Jews across Nazi Germany. Over 7,500 Jewish businesses were vandalized, 1,200 synagogues desecrated, and at least 90 Jews killed in the streets. The world looked on, offering words of shock and condemnation but taking little action. Kristallnacht became the symbolic beginning of the Holocaust, with the world largely silent in the face of rising terror. The lesson was clear: silence and inaction allow hate to thrive.

Today, that lesson feels eerily relevant as modern events mirror the hostility of that night.

Pogroms, Blood Libels, Tolerance Taxes, and Expulsions: A Legacy of Persecution

The hatred directed toward Jewish communities has deep historical roots. For centuries, Jews in Europe were not just marginalized but actively persecuted through pogroms, blood libels, expulsions, and oppressive taxes. In many European cities, Jews were either restricted to certain areas or completely barred from living within the city limits. Places like Milan, Frankfurt, Vienna, and Madrid were notorious for enforcing harsh restrictions or outright bans, forcing Jewish communities to live on the periphery or in confined ghettos.

Jewish Exclusion in European Cities

1. Milan: In medieval Italy, cities often viewed Jews with suspicion, either forbidding their residency entirely or allowing it only under specific conditions. Milan periodically expelled its Jewish population, influenced by both religious and political pressures. Jewish merchants and bankers contributed significantly to the local economy, but their presence was tolerated only when financially advantageous. Over time, these sporadic bans became semi-permanent, forcing Jews to live in fear of displacement and isolation.
2. Frankfurt: Jewish residents in Frankfurt faced unique challenges, including forced segregation and economic restrictions. In 1462, Jews were confined to the Judengasse (Jews’ Alley), Europe’s first official Jewish ghetto. The overcrowded and restrictive conditions, coupled with curfews and heavy taxation, highlighted their marginalized status. Repeated pogroms and forced closures left Jewish residents in a state of perpetual insecurity.
3. Vienna: Vienna’s Jewish community faced waves of expulsions, with the largest in 1670 when the Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I sanctioned their eviction. Jewish properties were confiscated, and it took nearly a century before Jews were allowed to return in limited numbers under strict conditions.
4. Madrid and Other Spanish Cities: The Spanish Inquisition profoundly impacted Jewish life. In 1492, the Alhambra Decree forced all Jews to leave Spain, including cities like Madrid and Barcelona. This expulsion devastated the Sephardic Jewish community, many of whom fled to the Ottoman Empire or other regions for refuge.
5. London: Jews were expelled from England in 1290 by King Edward I under the Edict of Expulsion, which wasn’t formally rescinded until 1657. Jews who attempted to remain in secret lived in fear of discovery and persecution.
6. Paris and French Cities: French rulers alternated between tolerating Jewish residents for economic reasons and expelling them. Jews were expelled from France multiple times in the Middle Ages, including major expulsions in 1182, 1306, and 1394. Even after formal restrictions eased, antisemitic sentiment persisted.

Tolerance Tax and Marginalization

Even in places where Jews were allowed to reside, they were often subject to a tolerance tax—an extra fee paid to live within city limits. This tax essentially bought “tolerance” from local authorities but reinforced the view of Jews as outsiders. Economic restrictions prevented Jews from building generational wealth or gaining stable footing, and this lack of security further marginalized Jewish communities.

Pogroms and Blood Libels: Violent Suppression and False Accusations

Jews also endured violent pogroms, particularly in Russia and Eastern Europe, where entire communities were attacked and destroyed. Accusations of “blood libel”—the false claim that Jews used Christian blood in rituals—led to mass hysteria and often to unjust trials and executions. This systemic discrimination, ranging from legal restrictions to violent outbursts, laid the groundwork for the deeply ingrained antisemitism that made atrocities like Kristallnacht possible.

Distorted Narratives and a New Wave of Hatred

In the last year since October 7th, we’ve witnessed antisemitic marches, rallies, and media portrayals that perpetuate age-old prejudices under the guise of “protests.” Recently, images and stories have emerged from the events in Amsterdam, where scenes of anti-Jewish aggression by Arabs were distorted on social media, the mainstream media, such as Sky News (not Sky News Australia thanks to Erin Molan which was a beacon of truth again.).

See the first part of this clip.

These Reports created false narratives of “Israeli hooligans, tearing down Palestine flags and singing racist songs. Even I was shocked as social media and certain news outlets amplified these narratives, echoing another “Blood Libel” of blaming Jews that has been repeated throughout history.

See this featured video by: https://www.israeladvocacy.net/ which shows the real story showing the truth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fz5Z7h2pNg

Organizations like Youth Demand and Just Stop Oil, known for environmental activism, have recently organized anti-Israel demonstrations on Armistice Day—a day meant to honour soldiers of all backgrounds. As reported:

“Pro-Palestine groups plan to ‘swarm’ UK with coordinated protests on Armistice Day

Youth Demand, which is an offshoot of Just Stop Oil, has planned to hold anti-Israel demonstrations in five British cities.”

https://juststopoil.org/

It’s amazing how twisted this is. A  “legitimate?” environment group who on the website state”

“Just Stop Oil is a nonviolent civil resistance group in the UK. In 2022 we started taking action to demand the UK Government stop licensing all new oil, gas and coal projects. We have won on this ✅. Civil resistance works.”

They have may had my vote, but not anymore.

Once again, the Jewish people are singled out, the target of selective outrage and harmful stereotypes.

the article continues…

“Speaking to GB News, senior military intelligence officer veteran Philip Ingram said: “They’re trying to hijack what is a national memorial event that is commemorating Muslim soldiers, Hindu soldiers, Christian soldiers, or soldiers of no faith whatsoever who have laid their lives down so that people can protest.” (Really- Hey , what about the Jewish soldiers??)

The erasure of Jewish contributions and sacrifices in these narratives is chilling.

https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-828303

Free Will and the Struggle Between Good and Evil

The persistence of this hatred brings us back to an ancient question: if God exists, why does He allow such evil? Rabbi Jonathan Sacks once illustrated this in a profound Midrash. Abraham, our patriarch, saw the world as a “palace in flames.” The world, created by a just God, seemed to be burning with human cruelty and evil. God, the Creator, didn’t put out these flames Himself; instead, He called upon humanity to act. The freedom we are given is also a responsibility, and the flames of hatred must be fought by us, human beings, if justice is to prevail.

This question is relevant now more than ever. The resurgence of antisemitism and the relentless demonization of Israel are flames that threaten the “palace” of our world. If we do not stand against them, if we do not protest this hatred, we risk repeating the very history we claim to abhor.

More reading: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/lech-lecha/a-palace-in-flames/

A Call to Action for Truth and Justice

The antisemitic narratives we see today are not new—they are centuries old, merely dressed in modern language and fuelled by the rapid spread of misinformation. To honour the memory of the losses in the October 7th War, those lost to pogroms, blood libels, expulsions, and the horrors of Kristallnacht, we must fight against these distortions and act as guardians of truth. As Abraham questioned the flames, so must we, by protesting injustice and fighting it at every turn.

As Rabbi Sacks reminded us, Abraham was chosen by God not because he accepted the world as it was but because he protested it. He is the father of a nation that has fought injustice through acts of justice and compassion. This legacy calls us to stand firm against hatred, to challenge lies, and to extinguish the flames of antisemitism that once again threaten to consume our world.

In these troubling times, we must hold onto the resilience that has defined our people. We are part of a tradition that refuses to be silenced in the face of evil and that works tirelessly to build a world of peace and justice. Only by rejecting false narratives and confronting hatred head-on can we honour those who suffered before us and ensure a safer world for future generations.