Doxxed and undeterred: A mother’s response to hate

My initial reaction to a recent publication of a list identifying 85 Canadian citizens who served in the Israeli Defense Forces is one of disgust. The author was not only reckless — he is morally repugnant. While I maintain true to my initial reaction, my attitude quickly started shifting from a primal fear instinct (to cower and hide) toward a renewed strength and energy. I feel that it’s important to respond from a place of power and moral superiority. Being doxxed along with my son on this list was obviously not very pleasant, to say the least. It felt violating. But this mama bear is now ready to fight the good fight on a different battlefield. I hope you will join me! 

My eyes roll when I think of the man responsible for this act of malicious intent. After all, it is obvious that he is profoundly ignorant. Considering he does research and content creation for a living, his list is laughable. It highlights his disconnection from the reality of what actually goes on in Israel. Anyone worldly or proficient in research would know that it is not so difficult to “find” IDF veterans living among the Canadian Jewish population. 

Paul Hirschson, the consul general of Israel, estimates that around 35,000 Israelis currently live in Canada. Given Israel’s national service requirements for all citizens (Jews, Druze, Arab, and Christian Israelis alike — does that sound like apartheid to you?), anyone with basic knowledge of Israel would realize that most of them would have served in the Israeli army unless they came to Canada as children. Hirschson rightfully compares this list to tactics used by the Nazis, who sought to isolate and mark Jews for persecution. 

No matter how craftily worded the article was, his virulent intent is palpable throughout. The potential dangers of publicly posting personal information about individuals who have served in the IDF, especially in today’s political climate, are obvious. Those who understand history recognize this as a scary incitement of hate and a clear attempt to violate human rights.

I’m sure the author of the list did not realize, like all the hate mongers who came before him, that his timing is classic. We are approaching the holiday of Purim, a celebration of a miraculous reversal of fortune. Haman’s plot to destroy the Jewish people was upended, and justice prevailed. Haman was also horrible at research. 

The parallels between Haman’s decree and this modern attempt to intimidate and expose Jewish defenders to potential harm are striking. For those who don’t know the plot of the Purim story, here is a quick synopsis; 

Picture it… Persia, 474 BCE. 

The antisemitic king unknowingly marries a Jewish girl after he executes his first wife for not attending his party dressed like Bianca at the Grammys.

The king hires a political consultant, Haman, who was quickly promoted to viceroy. First line of business — craft an edict to annihilate the Jewish people. He somehow convinces the king that he has moral justification (targeting Jews always comes with moral justification for our perpetrators). 

It is not hard to imagine the Purim story taking place in real life today, right? The same story keeps playing out, generation after generation. There are always forces that seek to demonize and endanger us… and they always seem like they will be successful… but it never really pans out in the end. Our oppressors may win battles, but every time, without fail, we win the wars. 

In face of a genocidal threat, the Jewish people increased their prayers, their faith and their Jewish pride, resulting in ultimate triumph the Purim saga. We know what to do. No matter how many haters try to take us down and make us feel demoralized, we can’t let them.

Anyone named on that list of Canadian Israeli soldiers should be proud. It’s a badge of honor. You are the modern Maccabees, the defenders of democracy, human life, and justice. Being on this list in this global climate is rightfully traumatic. But today IDF soldiers are not as vulnerable as Jews were in Europe. Today, they are well trained and powerful defenders of their homeland. Their love for their country is stronger than the hate of those who want us eradicated! 

These brave men and women defend Israel, allowing families to sleep safely at night, while being shot at from every direction. At the start of the war our soldiers risked their own lives to help Gazan civilians evacuate safely, even while Hamas tried to use those same civilians as human shields. Our army follows the international laws of war with a moral compass unparalleled in modern conflict, all while knowing that their enemies would exploit their restraint and sacrifice.

Our soldiers have given us so much. It is imperative that we in the Diaspora ask ourselves: what are we doing in return? Would it be crazy for every Canadian-Israeli who has served in the IDF to show their pride publicly and make their own list? Demand to be added to the list of the other 85 heroes? Maybe. I’m not sure. But we can all ask ourselves: How are we showing gratitude to those who risked everything for the safety of our homeland and our people worldwide? More importantly, how are we protecting them now that they are being unjustly targeted? We must take action — contacting members of Parliament, engaging with government agencies, and ensuring that those who spread hatred and endanger Jewish lives face real consequences. 

Like the heroes of our Purim story, it is time to stand up and do something.  

Just as God turned the evil decree of Haman around so he was the one left humiliated and destroyed, we pray that this modern injustice will also be overturned. 

I’m hoping and praying that this Purim, we will have all of our hostages returned in an epic Purim-style plot twist.

I pray that God, Himself, without our soldiers, will eradicate the haters that want our extinction (once again!) and our soldiers can come home (for good), their mothers can sleep at night, and all citizens of Israel can live without constant threats of annihilation.