It’s Us Against the World Again

As the Gaza war continues, antisemitism has been on the rise, spreading at an alarming pace worldwide. Anti-Israel movements often mask true anti-Jewish sentiments, which have deep historical roots.

The conflict dates back to ancient times when the land, connecting three continents, saw armies cross and destroy it repeatedly, exiling its people. Empires such as Babylonia, Persia, Greece, and Rome passed through, leaving the small nation unable to grow in numbers or defend itself. Although antisemitism’s roots lie in Christianity, it evolved into hatred against Jews as a people.

The origins of antisemitism can be traced back to Moses leading the Israelites into Sinai, where they became a nation and received God’s commandments, shaping their identity. Moses, concerned about resettling in Canaan, where idol worship was common, instructed his people to be “Am Kadosh” (a holy people), separate from other nations. This distinction eventually became a source of antisemitism, as others resented the Israelites’ claim of being God’s chosen people. Importantly, “holiness” here means being set apart, not superior.

After being displaced for over two thousand years, the Jewish people finally regained their homeland, but the struggle with numbers persists. In 1922, Britain debated splitting Palestine and, after a brief discussion, gave the Arabs four-fifths of the land. This marked the first modern instance of Jews losing a significant portion of their land because Britain yielded to Arab demands, leaving the Jews too small in number to resist.

The United Nations provides a daily display of this dynamic, where Israel is blamed for various issues, regardless of context. Tiny Israel lacks the numerical strength to defend itself adequately in this global forum.

Currently, with the Gaza war dominating the news, antisemitism is rampant, with hatred against Israel and Jews spreading in major cities like Paris, London, Berlin, and Ankara, where large Arab populations exist. Even in the US, Jewish students on college campuses face physical threats. This wave of antisemitism is driven by politics and financial support from Arab (Muslim) contributors.

As global alignments shift towards East-West divisions, Israel finds itself caught in a complex web, needing to be vigilant in its defense while the world criticizes its use of force. These days, Iran and its proxies (Hizballah in Lebanon, Syria, Hamas, Jihad, Houthis) are at the center of attacking Israel. Iran’s arms and money sustain terror in the region, and they are drawing closer to the Eastern bloc, which indirectly supports their efforts.

Despite facing a hostile world once again, this time, Israel stands tall, confronting its enemies with the hope of finally achieving peace.