Problematic
For three millennia, the reaction towards Jews, Judaism and the Promised Land has been problematic.
Michael Kuttner
That is putting reality as diplomatically as possible. Between the relatively few periods of benign tolerance, there have been unceasing waves of intolerance accompanied by physical violence and non-stop attempts at delegitimising both our faith and national home.
The eternal optimists among us believed that by assimilating, we would finally be fully accepted as valid members of humanity. That vain hope was dashed as those who had converted suffered the same fate at the hand of the Inquisition and Nazis as their fellow Jews.
The code of laws that we received at Mount Sinai and which we commemorate every Shavuot eventually generated resentment from subsequent pagan nations. This animosity then spilled over into theological hate as both Christianity and Islam strove for followers.
Finally, the transformation of a slave people into a tribal nation followed by sovereignty in our promised homeland generated a vicious backlash that has morphed and mutated into the virulent strain of anti-Zionism that we are witnessing today.
Never in the sordid history of humanity has so much attention been focused on such a minority of people by so many for so long.
This has had a profound effect on the way that Jews react and cope.
In exile, the default position was to become invisible and, when this did not work, to keep as low a profile as possible. Turning inward and avoiding conflict and confrontation with ruling forces became the only way to survive. Barred from universities, certain professions, forced to wear badges of shame and being socially ostracised all contributed to a feeling of vulnerability. Confined to designated areas and regularly expelled also helped to create the image of the eternally wandering Jew forever cursed for whatever reason the haters might believe.
The dawn of the age of enlightenment kindled a hope that finally the irrational hate and incitement of the past had at long last been vanquished.
We should know by now that this mirage was a false reality.
As the Jew-hating mobs in Paris screamed for Jewish blood at Dreyfus’s trumped-up trial, an assimilated Viennese Jewish journalist realised that the only solution was resurrected sovereignty in our ancient homeland. Herzl’s prophetic-like vision, unfortunately, did not anticipate that the virulent virus of Jew-hate would eventually mutate into a pathological and rabid strain.
What did happen, however, was a transformation of the Jews from cowed and trembling to a nation of proud and assertive individuals prepared to defend and fight for their independence. Although there are still people who can be defined as trembling and self loathing most Israelis have shed their galut mentality.
This is what lies at the root of all the venom thrown at Israel and why the more condemnation that is directed at almost everything the country does the stiffer is the resolve to hit back.
A brief summary of the latest rhetoric heading our way should illustrate the situation.
It is no mystery why the US State Department has always found Israel to be problematic. Actually, pre-1948 and especially during the rise of Nazi Germany, it was Jews who were deemed problematic. Compliant Jewish leadership ensured no serious challenge against the Roosevelt policies of barring Jewish refugees and refusing to bomb the railway lines to the concentration camps. After Ben Gurion’s declaration of independence, it was only President Truman’s decision to ignore State Department advice that resulted in American recognition.
Without knowing about this history, it is impossible to understand the reactions of the State Department today. Their obsessive and fetish-like opposition to almost every action taken by Israel cannot be rationally explained if one does not know the background.
The White House decided to stay away from the recent Nakba Day hate festival at the UN. However, in case anyone might get the false impression that finally, the US Administration had somehow woken up to the nefarious activities of Abbas and friends, the US State Department issued the following breast-beating clarification: “this Administration has prioritised our support for the Palestinian People and has provided over US$940 million for Palestine.”
Note carefully that there is no mention of how the PA pays stipends and pensions to terrorists and their families for murdering Israelis. Also omitted is any condemnation of the daily doses of hate, incitement and historical revisionism pouring forth from Abbas, his colleagues and the PA media.
There should be a demand that unless this ceases immediately, the flow of US taxpayers’ funds will be shut off. Instead, there is a deafening silence.
However, silence is shattered as soon as Jews ascend the Temple Mount not to pray, heaven forbid, but just to visit Judaism’s holiest site. Writhing in righteous wrath, spokespersons condemn Jews for “provocations” and pontificate that “this holy space should not be used for political purposes and we call on all parties to respect its sanctity.”
This unbelievable piece of hypocrisy is issued as the Islamic inciters store rocks and weapons in the Mosque and attack Jews who dare to visit the Mount. As Abbas proclaims that Jews have no connection to Jerusalem and that the Temples never existed, the rhetoric emanating from Washington merely further encourages the recipients of US largesse.
Witnessing this ongoing farce, Hamas has no hesitation in condemning the Israeli Cabinet for having the chutzpah to meet at the Kotel tunnels. Describing it as “a dangerous escalation, Judaization of Jerusalem and a blatant aggression against Palestinian Arabs and Muslims” these champions of religious freedom know that their lies will be swallowed by the brainwashed masses and UN members. After all, if the US can condemn Jews for visiting their religion’s holiest site why can’t others do the same?
The US State Department is in good company as it is joined in this continuing carnival of the absurd by the European Union. Following the same worn-out script and showering the corrupt PA with torrents of money is par for the course.
When you realise the enormity of this bonanza, you should start to understand the scandalous situation that has been allowed to develop.
According to Palestine Media Watch, a report issued this week by the European Union reveals the sorry mess in all its gory details.
Since 2008 the EU plus Norway and Switzerland have given the Palestinian Authority and Palestinian groups more than 14 BILLION US dollars in “development assistance.” This year (2023) an additional 296 million Euros in aid is allocated.
The Palestinian Authority has NOT published an annual budget since 2018.
Where has all this money gone? Has it been used to build hospitals, schools and houses to improve the lives of citizens of the PA? Despite there being no transparency and accountability, the flow continues unabated. How much is siphoned off for terror purposes, producing inciting textbooks and paying murderers of Israelis? How many times can Abbas plead poverty and demand that the international community give him more? When will donor nations summon the courage to say “enough” and put an end to this charade?
No wonder sane and sensible Israelis react resentfully and scornfully the longer this problematic hypocrisy continues.
Michael Kuttner is a Jewish New Zealander who for many years was actively involved with various communal organisations connected to Judaism and Israel. He now lives in Israel and is J-Wire’s correspondent in the region.
