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I would prefer to stick to city topics in these notes, but I’ve seen so much anti-Israel rhetoric using the tropes of genocide, ethnic-cleansing, and anti-Zionism is not antisemitism that I cannot remain silent any longer.
On October 7, 2023, over 1000 Jews were brutally murdered, raped, mutilated, and taken captive. Some of those captives — assuming they are still alive — are still captives. The terrorist group Hamas, funded by Iran, has sworn to repeat October 7 until Jews no longer exist. That is intended genocide.
With much aforethought, Hamas’ murderous actions presented Israel with an impossible choice. Don’t respond and commit national suicide. Or fight for survival, which inevitably would (and did) result in the deaths of innocents — particularly as Hamas uses civilians as shields.
War is called hell for a reason: it results in innocent death and destruction. But war is not genocide. Accusing Israel of genocide is the ancient blood libel, thrown at a people whose numbers have still not recovered from an actual genocide. For shame.
There are only 15 million Jews out of 8 billion people. There is precisely one majority Jewish state with just over 9 million people, of whom 7 million are Jewish and 2 million are Arab (Christian, Muslim, and Druze). In the mid-1950s, Arab lands expelled 900.000 Jews and confiscated their lands and goods. Those Jews — definitely not European — went to Israel. Arab lands remain virtually free of Jews. Ethnic cleansing where?
Every people has the right to self-determination. For the Jewish people, that right is called Zionism. To attempt to erase that right is simply antisemitic. Yes, anti-Zionism is antisemitism.
Why Israel as the Jewish state? Why the need?
The rest of the world has a terrible record with regard to Jews. Throughout history, in one country after another, Jews have been fine. Until they are expelled or worse. Israel changed that equation.
The Jewish people, Judaism, and Israel are intertwined through history, holidays, and culture. Israel is the only country where all that fully comes to life. Meanwhile, there are 50 Muslim countries for two billion Muslims and around 160 Christian countries for 2.3 billion Christians.
It would have been easier to remain silent — I can imagine the arguments coming my way next week. Instead, please learn about the Jewish people and Israel. I recommend Israel: A Simple Guide…, along with Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew.
