Like probably all of you, I have watched in disbelief and horror as I have seen presidents of what were considered our most prestigious institutions of higher learning contort themselves every which way to avoid calling anti-Semitism what it is. I have also read, to the limited extent I could stomach, the pleadings filed in lawsuits against two of such institutions where the use of language hurled at Jews was the likes of which one would have believed died along with the Third Reich. But, as we know all too well, anti-Semitism never really dies. At best, it goes underground to await its next opportunity to afflict us, which is apparently now.
As all of you also likely know, I have restrained myself not one iota from calling out our fellow Jews who side with those that clearly are out to do Israel harm, no matter how “good” their intentions. These Jews claim that they are doing so to uphold “true Jewish values” and to stop genocide and all manner of other untrue and exaggerated, biased claims. But it is not, I admit, sufficient to criticize and dismiss their views. As a Jew, another value that we all are supposed to hold is the seeking of wisdom and understanding, which often means considering views that are otherwise antithetical or even repugnant to us. We do this in the hopes of better understanding and, ultimately, compassion and humanity, as difficult and painful as it often is for us.
Consequently, I am often tortured by the reports of Jews who are calling for a ceasefire. I struggle to understand their perspective, beyond the non-controversial view that all life is precious. Yet that view is overly simplistic and not realistic in the context of war, which is what Hamas started against Israel on 10/7.
In addition to the simplicity of what these people seemingly believe, I think that the main distinction between these vocal critics of Israel and her supporters is largely derivative of a fundamentally different world view. Stated plainly, many of these individuals who demand Israel immediately acquiesce to their demands do not seem to view the world as a place of never-ending anti-Semitism that absolutely requires a safe haven for Jews the world over. For some reason, these individuals seem to believe that there is too much invoking of the horrors of the Holocaust and hand-wringing about the level and severity of anti-Jewish sentiment.
Although it is fine – maybe even salutary – to explore that possibility intellectually, I fail to see how a reasonable and informed person can reach such a conclusion. What, I must ask, in the history of Jews over the last two thousand years suggests that we are not always potentially at risk without a state of our own? We can point to the Crusades, the Inquisition, German book burnings, countless pogroms, the treatment of Jews in Arab nations and, of course, the Holocaust as among an almost endless list of atrocities committed against us. If one is to investigate and understand history, there is no reason to believe that we are not in grave danger ultimately without a state of our own.
Furthermore, what about modern day civilization in any way suggests that people have somehow “evolved” beyond anti-Semitism? Although it will undoubtedly drive these Jewish doubters up the wall, one need look no further than events in Germany of less than 100 years ago. The Jews of Germany pre-World War II constituted less than 1% of the total population. (In the United States today, Jews comprise approximately 2% of the population.) And, as anyone who cares to pay attention knows, those Jews were well-assimilated into German society prior to events going horribly awry.
But if looking back that far is not intellectually satisfying to the doubting Jews, the events of the last two months – and even recent years – in the United States alone should clear up any dangerous misconceptions they stubbornly hold. Besides for the increase in anti-Semitic activity in this country of in excess of 300% in that time period, the number of hate crimes committed against Jews in this country exceeds those committed against all other groups. Combined. And at the institutions referenced in the opening paragraph – where the leaders of tomorrow are being fashioned – the events of the past two months on their campuses show us beyond any doubt that intellectual ability has no correlation to decreased hatred of the Jews. That is reality. And while the far left like to focus on an ideal world, we all must unfortunately exist in the real one.
Does this reality dictate that we must agree and endorse everything Israel does? Of course not. But it is a slippery slope between being critical of Israel’s government and flirting with ideas that would result in her elimination. A ceasefire, just to take a very contemporary case, would leave Israel with unreturned hostages and a military might on its boarder that had not been eliminated. The barrages of rockets into Israel would continue – just as they do to this day. The fact that Israel is able to mercifully shoot down most of these deadly projectiles does not change the reality that our fellow Jews are constantly under assault. It is impossible to envision any country that would allow such a threat to its population to continue unabated. And since we know Hamas is not interested in a two-state solution – nor has the Palestinian Authority ever committed to such a resolution of the situation – there is no basis for trying to pressure Israel into accepting a return to the status quo ante. To do so is simply tantamount to allowing this existential and horrific threat to persist. And remember, as hard as it is to accept as people who truly do value life, the ones who are putting the lives of Palestinians in jeopardy are not the Israelis; it is Hamas and its supporters. Make no mistake about it.
I have said it before and will continue to say it indefinitely: The greatest strength of Jews is our community and commonality of purpose and identity. Any Jew who seeks to disrupt that community in the pursuit of unrealistic and dangerous objectives must be viewed as unrealistic and dangerous.
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