Amsterdam pogrom

Pogrom – it’s a Russian word, not Polish, as some say. It’s used in many languages, of course, but, no surprise there, it has Russian origins. And it’s only going to get worse, likely much worse. Why? Look at the geopolitical climate. As such, it’s nice to have diplomacy and programs promoting mutual understanding and cooperation. I’d love to write that hatred can be eradicated, that antisemitism can be wished away, that it might even take several generations, but it’s going to be gone, eventually. Sadly, as history shows us, Jews are a convenient target for all sorts of fanatics, cultists and ideologues. Indeed, as perplexing as it is, sometimes there are who I call ”self-hating Jews” who target their own people. Actually, it isn’t that unusual. When it’s a matter of survival, people do all sorts of twisted things and masks drop. I’m sure you’ve noticed that, some people around you aren’t who you thought they were. Sometimes, you’re positively surprised, sometimes you’re horrified. Sometimes, you look in the mirror and it feels like looking at a stranger. War does strange things to people. Tolerant and liberal people become fanatics; and vice versa.

In times of moral peril, diplomacy isn’t enough. Meetings and hand-shaking, photo-posing, all that just isn’t enough. It doesn’t even scratch the surface. Realistically, Israel must have a global reach and it must protect its citizens across the world if need be. Israel must have the best special services in the world. It isn’t a matter of national pride – it’s a matter of survival.

Diplomacy is only going to work when Israel’s adversaries are in awe of Israel’s power. I don’t need to tell you that. Nice gestures, hand-shaking and all sorts of meetings promoting mutual understanding are useless without a powerful nation willing to protect its citizens no matter what. Yes, that, at times, means brutal force, human rights conventions be damned.

Then, and only then, will Israelis be safe. Israel must have a reputation that attacking Israeli citizens anywhere on the planet is going to have serious consequences. Otherwise, these attacks, these pogroms, are going to get much worse. Condemnations by foreign politicians? Forget it. Just words to appear smooth and politically correct.

Israel needs to be its best defense.