Our inaction and silence in the face of hypocrisy

Having the privilege of growing up as a “Tzabar” Sabra; relishing an Israeli childhood was an unparalleled and remarkable experience. Filled with extraordinary moments and deep cultural richness. From living amidst its natural beauty to partaking in its rich culture and unique experiences, the freedoms and adventures found there are unparalleled. However, living as an Israeli Jew in Middle East also exposed me to harsh realities of hatred and discrimination. Bomb threats were frequent, and attending festivities often felt unsafe as politics and uncomfortable truths permeated daily life. Despite this, most families, including mine, tried to shield us from these dangers, encouraging to embrace life in a democracy where grass grows in the desert. The allure of living minutes from the beach and seconds from the mountains, the beauty of Israel masked a grim reality stretching back over 3,000 years: the persistent need to be prepared for those who obsess over its destruction.

During the midst of the First Intifada, my immediate family and I moved to Canada. Immigration can be a daunting journey, particularly when one must abandon family, familiar customs, and routines. Despite the initial challenges of adapting as a 10-year-old, Canada became a sanctuary where I could celebrate my heritage, culture, language, and identity without fear. I wore my Star of David with pride and spoke Hebrew freely, confident in the nation’s commitment to freedom and safety for all.

However, that is sadly the Canada of old. The Canada we were promised is now being hijacked by extremist views that do not align with basic values and human decency. This troubling shift is playing out publicly, with little pushback, and support from the media, making the Jewish community once again the 1930s’ guinea pigs. Over the past two decades, significant efforts have been made to uplift various communities: Muslims post-9/11 Islamophobia, the LGBTQ community seeking recognition and justice, Indigenous reconciliation, Black and Asian communities garnering support and admiration from old wars to new revolutions. Yet, amid these laudable endeavors, the Jewish community—historically staunch advocates for the oppressed—finds itself increasingly isolated and under siege. Alarmingly, some of these very communities, once marginalized and victimized, are now propagating anti-Semitic sentiments with little repercussion. This behavior starkly contrasts with the values of support and solidarity they once championed.

If you are not alarmed, you should be. This is not the Canada we cherish and love; the Canada renowned for its tolerance, adherence to the rule of law, and protective nature for all. It is not my intention to sound like the old man on the porch, but rather to emphasize that this is not the Canada we envisioned for future generations. As a proud Jewish Canadian, I hope to highlight these issues for the betterment of the nation we hold dear. Canada must strive to uphold the principles it once stood for, ensuring they endure for all its citizens. Without sounding condescending  #alllivesmatter, including Jews.

I am deeply troubled by what I see today in our society, particularly in light of my own heritage. While I cherish living in a society that generally upholds equal rights for all, I am alarmed by the pervasive misinformation that is often overlooked. As an educator, I believe in presenting facts and encouraging independent thought. Yet today, I feel compelled to address pressing issues, even though I would much rather be enjoying a cold beverage with my family and pets; the gravity of our situation demands our attention.

We need a heart-to-heart discussion on better monitoring and combating antisemitism globally, with a special focus on our community. We are all painfully aware of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, involving proxies of Iran such as Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and others operating behind the scenes. The atrocities we witnessed last year were nothing short of horrific crimes against humanity. The resulting suffering, trauma, and loss are profound and ongoing. I, along with many of you, mourn the innocent lives lost and the families torn apart on both sides. This conflict is not just a devastating physical war but also a war of ideologies and freedom, driven by a radical fundamentalist movement that is hijacking civil rights and liberties for all.

Before I delve into the dissemination of false, hateful propaganda by these extremists, let me be clear: Anti-Zionism and antisemitism, like all forms of prejudice, are irrational and dangerous. They stem from judging people based on race, religion, or even sexual orientation without truly knowing them. This leads to the unfair attribution of the negative actions of an individual to an entire group, viewing those who defy these stereotypes as exceptions.

However, antisemitism has unique characteristics that distinguish it from other prejudices. Its ancient roots in Western civilization have ingrained stereotypes and blood libels that are falsely accepted as facts. Antisemitism transcends political spectrums and affects all people. It is fundamentally a conspiracy theory, perpetuated even by progressive, self-loathing Jews like George Soros or Edward Witten, who work diligently to persuade the masses, particularly the youth and unemployed, that Zionists wield their power to cause global harm. This belief often leads to the search for Jewish involvement in any negative event, making it a global fixation.

Antisemitism uniquely portrays Jews as both inferior and excessively powerful, creating a toxic mix of loathing and fear. This contradictory perception fuels relentless efforts to undermine Jewish influence by any means necessary.

Antisemitism is not confined to the fringes of society; it is a pervasive reality that infiltrates all areas of our world. It manifests across the political spectrum, from far-right extremists to far-left activists, and among radical Islamists. The belief that Jews cannot be victims of prejudice because they are perceived as white, rich, and powerful is itself rooted in antisemitism.

When discussing antisemitism, we must not confuse it with prejudice against Semites like Arabs. Contemporary antisemitism specifically targets Jews and is distinct from other forms of discrimination. It is disturbing how some only mention antisemitism alongside other forms of hatred, undermining its significance.

One of the most striking aspects of antisemitism today is its ability to cross traditional ideological boundaries. Studies show that a conspiratorial worldview and a preference for authoritarianism, rather than a specific political leaning, are better predictors of antisemitism. This helps explain why individuals with conflicting views converge on antisemitism.

When asked whether right-wing or left-wing antisemitism is worse, we must remain vigilant against antisemitism from all sides. Right-wing antisemitism is well-recognized for its old-school conservative separatist views, but left-wing antisemitism, particularly in academia, often goes unchallenged due to its socialist approach. This, in my view, has fueled many radicals who, in theory, oppose the same fundamental values. Recent events have shown this clearly, as the LGBTQ movement excluded anyone affiliated with Israel from their parade while seeking global recognition. Criticism of Israeli policies is not antisemitism; it is a fundamental aspect of free speech and freedom of ideas. However, what we are witnessing are pure antisemitic responses, ones that dehumanize and delegitimize our existence, such as denying the violence against Jewish women during the October 7th attacks, which is unfathomable.

The slow response of international organizations, governments, and civil society to these attacks is alarming. Think of how the #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter movements began. When other groups face violence, there is swift condemnation, but the same urgency is lacking when the victims are Jewish or Israeli. This disparity suggests underlying antisemitism.

Antisemitism is not just about hate speech or physical attacks; it is about the systemic failure to recognize and respond to the suffering of Jewish individuals. This is evident in the global reaction to violence against Jewish women, where organizations that fiercely advocate for these rights show complicity and reluctance. This echoes the sentiments of Holocaust deniers, perpetuating stereotypes of Jews as second-class citizens and unworthy of support.

Protests that claim to be against Israeli policy often descend into antisemitism, with recent violent acts against Jewish sympathizers and institutions showing a clear link between anti-Zionism and antisemitism. We must vigorously combat antisemitism, not only for the welfare of Jewish communities but for the stability of democracies worldwide. Antisemitism fosters conspiratorial and authoritarian mindsets that threaten democratic states. From the standpoint of valuing true democracy, opposing autocracy is essential, and combating antisemitism is vital for our survival as a viable democratic society.

I am not here merely to highlight familiar events. I am here to advocate for resilience through action. Throughout history, Jews have been scapegoated from every side. To ensure our survival, we must stand up and fight back against baseless accusations. We know who we are and what we stand for; we do not need others to define our existence. As Bishop Martin Niemöller wrote: “First they came for the Jews, and then they came for everyone else.” Being Jewish has never been easy. Despite our efforts to be accepted, we are frequently demonized, and glaring double standards persist. Justice movements often overlook our plight, ensuring that Jews are perpetually disadvantaged.

Throughout history, we have been accused of being too rich or too poor, too religious or not religious enough. We are criticized for not assimilating and for assimilating too much. We are told to leave our homeland, yet we are condemned for having one. Jews are labelled as genocidal colonizers, even as we face ethnic cleansing. Our contributions and sacrifices are ignored. We are expected to provide humanitarian aid while defending ourselves against those who seek to destroy us. We are condemned for defending our homeland under rocket fire, while expected to justify our existence to racists, radicals, biased media, and social media mobs. We are criticized for being too liberal or too conservative. We are never seen as innocent victims, always blamed for our suffering.

For too long, victimhood has been our fate. We have endured ridicule and burdensome taxes simply for existing. Historically forced into banking, we were then accused of controlling the money. Israel and Zionists face animosity because they defend their rights and spread acts of humanity. Even when we operated field hospitals in third-world countries after natural disasters, we were accused of organ trafficking. Israel stands as a beacon of democracy in a region often characterized by archaic mindsets, upholding equality for all, including its two million Arab citizens, and championing LGBTQ and minority rights. Yet, the world still questions why Jews refuse to disappear.

What do these bullies despise most? Jews who fight back. We must continue to stand up, push back, and persevere. We know who we are and must not let others tarnish our people with false accusations. What can we do in the diaspora to ensure our voices are heard on behalf of our heroic Israeli brothers and sisters? How do we defend their right to protect themselves against terrorists, dictators, radicalism, and extremism?

We must amplify our community’s voice. Invest in education, in ourselves, in our history, and in understanding how easily something like the Holocaust could rise from the ashes. The blueprint to our demise is not just physical but spiritual. We must protect our beliefs, our education, and our historical, God-given homeland.

Ten tribes lost, expulsions, millions forced into conversion, and millions more murdered simply for being Jewish. We must know our story and understand why so many are invested in our destruction. This is unacceptable. With all we’ve done to restore humanity, we deserve respect. Jews make up only 0.25% of the world’s population, yet our Nobel Prize winners are disproportionately high. We are meant to be a beacon of hope for nations. We can’t expect the world to admire us, but we must have our voice and not stray from being that light, because the spark will never die.

That’s why we must protect Israel and Zionism, the movement that brought us home. “If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may I forget my right hand.” We must respond proactively to anyone who denies or is indifferent to our existence. We fight not just with words but with action. We fight by investing in ourselves, our children, and our community. This goes beyond donations; it means empowering ourselves with knowledge to stand up when needed. Do not fall for false narratives or old rhetoric that blames us for others’ misguidance.

The hardships we face outside of Israel are intensifying as the region teeters on the brink of an all-out war. While the IDF protects its people, we must stand up for our community with courage and resolve. Israel cannot stand alone, and neither can we without it. This duty is rooted in our birthright and the preservation of our eternal homeland.

As my father, who lived in the USSR, often said: “If you forget who you are and where you come from, someone will remind you when it’s too late.”

It’s not too late yet.

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