Crisis
Hello Blog Readers,
As all undoubtedly know, Israel is under siege. In defense of its citizens and its land from a constant barrage of missiles launched from Gaza by Hamas, Israel is conducting retaliatory operations. Sadly, and perhaps predictably, these actions have spurred worldwide condemnation of Israel. I say predictably because although there is zero logic inherent in the situation, there is always, always the probability of antisemitism in any situation involving Jews.
Of course, there is destruction and death in Gaza, for more reasons than Israel’s retaliatory actions. Count them:
1. Hamas hides in civilian locations.
2. Hamas uses citizens, including children, as human shields.
3. Hamas is supplied with money by Iran, who is using the Palestinians as cannon fodder in its quest to destroy Israel.
4. Hamas ineptly launches missiles that fall inside Gaza itself.
5. Hamas uses the sacrifice of its citizens to court worldwide pr against Israel.
This last reason, the courting of worldwide criticism of Israel, touches on the inevitability of antisemitism. Antisemitism is exactly like a virus: it constantly mutates and adapts to whatever circumstances exist. Looking back through history one can see that over the centuries how this phenom has worked: once Jews were hated for their religion (think of Masada and the Hebrew enslavement during the Roman Empire, for example) then for their race (think of the Holocaust) and today, for their state (Israel/antiZionism).
A terrible truth that has emerged from this nightmare concerns American Jews and the drift, I think, away from the level of loyalty to Israel that existed in our parent’s generation. The fact that many of us seem to identify with the Democratic Party is part of the problem. The Democratic party of our parents is not the same as it used to be. The powerful left-wing is particularly anti-Israel, which, as noted above, and make no mistake about it, is the current mutation of antisemitism. Media, and the development of the 24-hour news loop has brought energy and zeal to the “liberal” agenda. Add to this the climate of “virtue signaling” the witch hunt mentality of the Left, and we are seeing the sad result–more and more Jew-hatred.
Incidentally, the argument that there is equal Jew-hatred on the Right simply does not hold up. While true it exists, the numbers don’t lie, nor does the representation in government. There are simply far, far fewer of these people and/or organizations, regardless of what the media promulgates.
What can be done? Today my daughter informed me that Jews are being beaten up in NY and LA, and who knows where else. We have bent over backward to tolerate the likes of J Street, elitist universities, BDS, and the horrid Bernie Sanders. We have witnessed Hadassah Magazine, which is supposed to represent the land and people of Israel, heap praise on Black Lives Matter whose charter calls Israel and apartheid state engaged in genocide against the Palestinians. Hadassah Magazine!! If this virtue-signalling isn’t cause for despair I don’t know what is.
Finally, my message to my fellow Jewish Americans is simply this: stop being fearful! Grow some spine! Stop cowering and being ashamed of a strong Israel, entitled to defend itself and its people. Try being proud instead.
The only Jews the world ever wept for are dead Jews.
