Incomprehensible and unbelievable

Just when you think that matters cannot get crazier, reality hits you in the face and proves that indeed it can.

As our “yekke” German compatriots would declare, the situation we face these days is unglaublich (unbelievable).

Surveying the current scene, one cannot help but be bamboozled by the uncontrollable avalanche of idiocy and inconsistency that prevails in all parts of the world.

In Gaza, we have a stalemate with Hamas still calling the shots and recruiting new martyrs.

In Lebanon, we have a so-called ceasefire, which means that Hezbollah continues to fire drones and missiles at Israel.

The Iranians are doing what they do best, which is dragging out the conflict for as long as possible in the expectation that Trump will blink first.

In the United Kingdom, jihadist Islamists are busy targeting Jews while the political establishment piously pontificates.

In Australia, the Government hopes that a Royal Commission will solve the problem of Islamic extremism, even if the “I” word is never mentioned as one of the primary causes of Jew hate.

In Germany, the head of the Jewish Students Union stated that German Universities are riddled with antisemitism. Despite that, he believes that there is still a “future” for Jews in Germany and Europe.

The flotilla of fools bringing non-existent aid to Gaza ended amidst the usual hoopla and accusations against Israel.

Analysing each event individually, we can discern a clear pattern.

Gaza, according to the hallucinatory visions of some, is supposed to miraculously transform from a cesspit of terror to a paradise where casinos, hotels and holiday resorts will provide rest and relaxation to the multitudes.

A misnamed “Board of Peace” is supposed to neutralise Hamas, disarm them and convert them to apostles of peace partners, ready, able and willing to embrace living side by side in tolerance with the Zionist entity.

These messianic visions concocted by the American Administration and foisted on a sceptical Israeli coalition and terror-targeted public were always going to collapse when faced with cold, hard reality. Hamas has no intention of disarming or transforming into doves because their whole ideology is based on eliminating any vestige of Jewish sovereignty. The tragedy we face is that gullible “peaceniks” and hypocritical politicians continue to believe in a utopia that can never be realised.

Lebanon is another example of wishful thinking and unrealistic expectations. Those who believe that a country which has been hijacked by Iran and is held hostage by Hezbollah will miraculously make peace with Israel are delusional. The Americans believe that there is a ceasefire, but reality tells a different story. Every day, there are missiles and drones launched against Israeli civilians.

This dire situation proves exactly how diplomacy and calls to de-escalate by Macron and Albanese result in chaos and more terror. As long as Iran retains a stranglehold over Lebanon, there is not the slightest prospect of peace breaking out.

Meanwhile, the Iranian farce continues to unravel at breakneck speed.

A commentator remarked that Iran has a high threshold for economic and other pain, whereas the USA’s ability to absorb pain is limited. This is already borne out by the fact that polls show an increasing opposition to the war against Iran and rising hysteria about the price of petrol and its economic ramifications. All Iran has to do is hold on and wait for the Democrats, joined by isolationist Republicans, to abort the campaign.

Imagine if Churchill and Roosevelt had unilaterally stopped the war against Germany, Japan and its allies and offered to sit down with that axis of evil for “talks” about a permanent ceasefire. Yet this cockeyed scenario is currently being played out by the White House. Every sane and sensible individual knows that a ceasefire for the likes of Iran and its terror proxies simply means an opportunity to rearm, regroup and reorganise for the next round.

Trump maintains that the Iranian navy and defence forces are decimated and destroyed. If that is actually the case, perhaps someone could give an explanation of how Iran is still able to control the Strait of Hormuz, intercept tankers, fire missiles at the Gulf and dictate terms. How is Iran able to clear rubble from underground tunnels and replenish its missile stockpile? Why is the hidden uranium still in Iranian hands?

Contradictory assertions from the White House notwithstanding, why is Iran still able to plot and carry out terror by its proxies in foreign countries? It has been reported that the US President proclaimed this week: “if the Mullahs misbehave and if they do something bad, the USA will renew military action against Iran.” With news that the Mullahs are continuing to execute opponents, threaten freedom of navigation, oppress minorities, fan the flames of terror and initiate further mayhem, what more proof does Trump need to finish the job?

The Mullahs and IRGC are calling everyone’s bluff. If this farce of a ceasefire results in a continuation of the Islamic Republic, it will prepare the ground for a cataclysmic disaster in the near future.

The United Kingdom has become the latest example of how refusing to tackle the core menace of Jew hate is making the country an untenable place for Jewish life to flourish in safety. Platitudes are no substitute for a lack of will in the face of clear and evident incitement against Jews. Weekly anti-Israel demonstrations accompanied by vile slogans have become a standard part of life in major cities. This torrent of abuse inevitably results in toxic violence.

Although many in the Jewish community now realise the dangers facing them, incredibly, there are still some who are oblivious to what lies ahead. Obviously, the lessons of the recent past in Europe have not percolated through to everyone.

In Australia, the Royal Commission has issued an interim report and is now hearing submissions. The interim report, quite frankly, did not reveal anything previously unknown and avoided pinpointing the main source of the hate now infecting what was once the “lucky country.”  The Government and authorities know very well where Jew hate is being brewed and incubated, and therefore avoiding the “I” word and jihadist connections is a self-defeating exercise. This commission is an exercise in public relations and an effort to prove that something is being done.

Pushing the can to the end of the year is a cop out. Reforming gun laws and increasing security are band aids covering a situation rapidly becoming chronic. Why is it that only Jews and their buildings need to be guarded by armed forces? Who are they being protected from? It is known that Iranian Embassies are being used to promote terror. The Iranian Ambassador in Canberra was expelled. Why is the Embassy still operating in Australia? Are hate preachers being expelled or arrested? Are there any consequences for teaching and preaching hate against Jews in schools and places of worship?

Once again, as in the UK and elsewhere, political posturing, summit meetings, and rhetoric take the place of firm action and dealing with the sources of hate.

Pretending that there is no problem by ignoring it is no answer to the looming threats.

One would have thought that, given recent history, the head of the German Jewish Students Union would have doubts about a Jewish future in Germany and Europe. Yet, despite his assertion that German universities are riddled with Jew hate, he still sees a future there.

In 1933, when my late father was expelled from a German university, he saw the writing on the wall and initiated steps to leave the country. Others thought it would all blow over, could be combated, or that the hate was exaggerated. It seems that 93 years later, nothing much has changed.

The fake aid flotilla to Gaza made recent headlines. Crewed by a motley crowd of anti-Israel misfits and professional agitators, this armada hoped to garner international attention. Their aim was, as always, to portray Gaza as suffering from mass starvation when, in actual fact, abundant food and other supplies are entering that territory via Israel. Their other objective was to dramatise any Israeli interception and hope that scenes of violence would galvanise more waves of antipathy towards the Jewish State.

None of these aims was achieved.

The vessels were intercepted and their crews offloaded in Greece. A couple of ringleaders have been transported to Israel for interrogation. As expected, claims of injury and torture have been made against Israel. This is a standard tactic peddled by anti-Israel agitators when they are caught in the act, and as usual, the media had a field day.

As expected, the aid purportedly being transported was a fictitious mirage. However, condoms and drugs were discovered. Hopefully, the non-delivery of these essential items will not cause too much distress in Gaza.

A clear pattern of denial, refusal to pinpoint culpability, fear of offending electoral sectors and verbal acrobatics is apparent.

Incomprehensible and unbelievable do not adequately describe the stark realities we currently confront.

Michael Kuttner is a Jewish New Zealander who for many years was actively involved with various community organisations connected to Judaism and Israel. He now lives in Israel and is J-Wire’s correspondent in the region.