Page 35 - Jewish News_Sept2021

COMMENTARY September 2021 35A

A Jewish call to action: 10 ways to fight back David Harris...continued from previous page Seventh, antisemitism is not just immigration restrictions, or standing is among the most multicultural, mul-
where, again, the danger does not ema-
nate from the far right. And then throw a Jewish problem. When Jews are tar- up for other targeted or beleaguered tiracial and multifaith societies on the
in the ever-present danger of jihadists, geted as Jews, on the streets, in shops communities. True friendships must planet. (k) Israel is a vibrant democ-
Jewish yearning for even a sliver of
land, where Jews could govern them- too often in alliance with the far left, as or at synagogues, the threat is most im- work both ways, all the more so in racy and Israeli Arabs, who comprise
selves and not be subject to the whim we have seen both in the United King- mediately, of course, directed at Jews. times of need. approximately 20% of the population,
of the majority, the fact that we live in dom and U.S., and it becomes all the However, these also need to be seen Ninth, learn some basic truths. can be found on the Supreme Court, in
an era of Jewish sovereignty is not uni- more clear that we must have a 360- as assaults on the fabric and fiber of Sure, the Middle East is an informa- the Knesset and throughout Israeli so-
versally valued. No, Israel is not a per- degree view. America’s democratic, pluralistic soci- tional minefield with competing nar- ciety.
fect country. Nor is any other country Sixth, focus on young Jews. In- ety. In other words, when any minority ratives and storylines racing in every And tenth, draw lessons from
on earth, including the United States. sofar as one of the major battlefronts is threatened, our country as a whole direction. Jewish history. It should be abun-
Still, the story of Israel is awe-inspir- has indeed become educational set- is at risk. There are both real and po- But, none of that should obscure dantly clear from Jewish history that
ing, a metaphor for the triumph of tings, it’s all the more important that tential allies out there who understand some basic facts, such as: (a) Jews are antisemites, whether from the far left
enduring hope over the temptation of our children and grandchildren are as the stakes involved, just as there are indigenous to the region, just as Arabs or the far right, don’t differentiate for
despair, and a democratic, progressive prepared as possible for what they may such allies who recognize that Israel is are. (b) The relationship between Jews long between “good” and “bad” Jews,
beacon in a part of the world with too face. Not easy under any circumstance. a key American partner, sharing both and this part of the world dates back any more than they would distinguish
few counterparts. In the classroom, there is a power im- values and interests with our country. continuously more than 3,500 years. among “Zionists,” “non-Zionists” and
Fifth, when it comes to antisemi- balance between, say, a hostile profes- Hence, it would be shortsighted to try (c) Israel’s modern-day birthright ema- “anti-Zionists.” Yet, astonishingly, some
tism, it’s essential to be swivel-head- sor or teaching assistant, on the one and portray the current challenges we, nated from the Balfour Declaration, the Jews still don’t seem to have gotten the
ed. This age-old pathology comes from hand, and a student who tries to push as Jews, face as if they were Jewish San Remo Conference, the League of message. They think they can buy time
multiple sources. But too many have back, on the other. A young person alone. They’re not, and we shouldn’t Nations and the United Nations. How or space or security by joining in the
insisted on a narrower vision, only bucking the “politically correct” and shortchange ourselves by thinking and many nations on earth, including a assault against Israel or even by ratio-
calling out the threat when it serves “intersectional” crowd could easily acting as if they are. number of Israel’s neighbors, can claim nalizing attacks against Jews. Sooner
their own partisan political preference. face social isolation or worse. When Eighth, engage partners. In the so many layers of legitimacy? (d) The or later, though, as has happened over
So, Jews on the left point their finger it comes to affirming Jewish identity, current moment, amidst this new sense Palestinians could have had a state of the centuries, their day of reckoning
at the far right, while Jews on the right Zionism and pro-Israelism, it can re- of vulnerability, let’s be mindful of their own on multiple occasions, be- would be likely to come if antisemites
point their finger at the far left, when quire not just confidence in one’s sense some basic facts about the United ginning in 1947-8, but spurned every ever gain sufficient power again.
the truth is they’re both correct. of self, but also a heavy dose of social States. For one thing, poll after poll, opportunity. (e) Israel withdrew lock, Bottom line: There is much we
The events in Charlottesville, courage. year after year, reveal that large num- stock and barrel from Gaza in 2005. can, must and should do, and the more
Pittsburgh and Poway, not to mention That’s why if we count on young bers of Americans support Israel and (f) By 2007, Hamas, designated a ter- we can achieve a sense of common
the conspiracy theories peddled by the people to stand up and be heard, then the U.S.-Israel relationship. Similarly, rorist organization by both the United purpose – dare I say unity? – the more
likes of QAnon, are stark reminders of we have to help prepare them for the a number of studies have also shown States and European Union, seized likely we are to succeed in confront-
the real, deadly menace from the far various situations in which they may that Jews are highly regarded among power. (g) The Hamas Charter explic- ing both the old and new demons that
right. find themselves. Plus, they need to the panoply of American group identi- itly calls for the destruction of the State we’re facing today.
Meanwhile, the events of recent feel the support of family, Jewish or- ties. So, it’s not as if we’re suddenly of Israel and accuses Jews of foment- The AJC West Coast
weeks, from the streets of New York to ganizations and Jewish institutions on alone, isolated and friendless. ing the French Revolution, the First Florida office,
the restaurants of Los Angeles, demon- campus. What’s happening is not just Nor is it as if we, the Jewish com- World War and the Second World War.
strate that not all threats to Jews today battles over, for example, a boycott, munity, haven’t been a friend to other (h) Hamas is funded and supplied by located in Sarasota,
come from the far right. The same can divestment and sanctions referendum, communities in America over years, Iran, whose leadership openly calls for can be reached at
be said for what Jewish and pro-Israel but, more broadly, a high-stakes fight decades and even centuries, whether the annihilation of Israel. (i) Gaza has
students are facing on some campuses, for the outlook of the next generation it’s been in the fight for civil rights and borders with both Israel and Egypt, and 941.365.4955.
social justice, or overcoming unjust
not just Israel, as many allege. (j) Israel
of American leaders.
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