When it is the Jews in question, people use social media to post about their skincare routine, what they ate for lunch or, even worse, an ill-timed ceasefire.
Well guys - you don't pull your punches, do you? That said, I have to admit this is your masterpiece (so far)! It seems to me it is difficult to argue with your reasoning and under the circumstances the justice of your appeals. So well done, and thank you yet again for the battery of arguments and data you are giving us to try and present a balanced case to a world that alas doesn't want to listen.
Thank you. It does warm my heart to see the support from many people online. It’s been a very lonely time. “This too shall pass” is what I keep telling myself! 💙
I'm curious Queen Esther (love the name!). Have you actually lost Jewish friends (who are not kind to Israel- I have met a number of them myself) or mostly non-Jewish ones?
Yes! They are called self-hating Jews. I have realized that I belong to a temple full of them. Many are useful idiots that don’t even understand what’s going on. Some are aware. Those are the ones that disgust me the most.
PS. I thought of my new title because I keep having to enter my pronouns everywhere. HRH. 🙄
I have not lost any Jewish friends but do have my parents who don’t want to hear about my struggles. Not sure about their motivation. Need to find out. I do know of a few leftist Jews that are older and probably don’t get proper news because of unwillingness to learn any tech skills… They seem uninformed.
The hostages would be freed by now if the terrorists and their collaborators ie proPAgandists didn't egg on the war with their ignorance, hate, anti-everything that is civil and just (and of course, Jewish). But if the million dollar question is “why are Jews still the scapegoats of brutal violence? “ perhaps the answer is in the article by Benjamin Kerstein "The Rise of Barbaric Progressivism" : if the suppressed underbelly of civilisation is barbarism, (or its shadow opposite) this would mean that Israel's success at advancing civilisation is in direct opposition with all those who are still unable to get a handle of their reptilian brain. Israel is just advancing too quickly for them causing them to be disastrously crazy; the kind of uncontrollable madness you get when you know you're losing the race to greatness. Some think Israel lost a battle, but it will win the war and emerge even greater because the fight is not just about the state of ist, but state of human evolution and civilization.
"Why" is the question, as it always has been. I recently read somewhere that anti-semitism is the hatred of those you perceive as superior to you. This goes along exactly with the Kerstein hypothesis. Thanks.
I have another theory. Maybe, humans are just wired to think in terms of "us" and "them" -- going back to tribal or caveman times. (I'm not suggesting we shouldn't strive to move beyond this, but there it is). And perhaps Jews are just the perennial "other". Don't know how we did it, but we did.
Yes absolutely. The author is a Jungian psychologist and a Rabbi and is able to shed light on the underlying psychological dynamics in a way that the reader can understand better how prejudices are created and therefore, also dismantled. Here's a quote about 'the other' : "When we distance ourselves from those who are unlike us, we make them into the faceless objects of our distrust and fear,... only one step away from denying their humanity. And so the cycle of violence and trauma is set in motion once again."
An excellent piece - thank you. I appreciate that you resist the temptation of "respectable" talk about a historical "Palestinian nation" and speak frankly about this Islamic/Soviet lie used to manipulate the world into thinking that Israel was the imperialist bully and the (Muslim) Arabs the victims.
But I would ask that you give the same treatment to the term "Islamophobia", which is also a lie used to paint Muslims in the West as victims, and to paint anyone who calls out the crimes they commit as a bigot and "right-wing extremist". You say that those who "equate Islamophobia and antisemitism" give offense (and they certainly do), but it is not because a minor problem is equated with an enormous problem, but because a dishonest concept is used to muddy the waters and undermine any understanding of the enormous problem.
A "phobia" is an irrational fear or dislike of something. Surely Islam has given us more than enough reasons to fear or dislike the effects it has on its most conscientious adherents? But in that case, it is not a phobia at all. Instead, rational discussion of the problem is suppressed in public forums, as if any such discussion would whip up crazed murderous mobs of right-wing extremists - it is only this fevered vision that gives any meaning to the "phobia" in "Islamophobia". This bogeyman is then used to suppress discussion of terrible crimes committed by Muslims because of their adherence to Islam, and to persecute individuals who insist on discussing and trying to publicize such things.
Fear of sounding "Islamaphobic" is why politicians and senior police officers scratch their heads in (feigned) puzzlement every time a Muslim stabs or beheads or throws acid at innocent people, wondering what the motive could possibly be. This is why, in the UK, parliamentarians assembled after one of their fellow MPs was assassinated by a Muslim, and instead of discussing the problem of Islam in their midst, they politely (and moronically) converged on the notion that MPs being more considerate to each other was the solution. This is why, after a Muslim horribly disfigured a woman and child for life and caused them immense pain, a BBC presenter and MPs from the two main parties politely babbled instead about "microaggressions" faced by "women of color". And it is why the police in Northern English towns and cities suppressed any attempts to publicize the taking of thousands of girls as sex slaves by Muslims; the courts and politicians joined in, worried that any attempt to stop these crimes would, again, supposedly unleash a wave of "Islamophobia", and stir up the bogeyman of "right-wing extremism" against Muslims.
This last case has actually been put to the test: the crimes are now widely known, and are finally passing through the courts, but where are the predicted mobs of right-wing extremists massacring Muslims?
"Islamaphobia" is not just a concept that can be misused to manipulate, but a concept that is manipulative in itself, and responsible for lives lost, and lives plunged into pain and misery. To the extent that we give any credence to that concept, we undermine our ability (among other things) to discuss the reality of antisemitism.
Your words ring true about the hollow shouts from the Pro Palestinian hordes who expect Israel to free the people of Gaza but not the hostages. Where, as you stated , are the shouts of’destroy Hamas,’ ‘free the hostages,’ among the demand that Jews, who need to wage war to protect themselves, take care of the inhabitants of the country that housed these terrorists!
The outpouring of hatred towards Jews and Israel started on Oct 7th while the pogrom was in full swing. Before Israel had fired a single bullet in response. Muslims around the world and in Gaza rejoiced in the streets and handed out sweets as the did on 9/11. One terrorist phoned his parents and was so happy that he had murdered a family of Jews. The protests started almost immediately as well, the banners of Stop the War and Socialist Worker were ready to go.
Of course Iran has a hand in all of this. They gave the green light to a plan that was probably years in the making to stop the Saudis signing the Abraham Accords. The Western powers should realise that if they don't cut off the shake head in Iran this war will escalate and we will see anti Jewish pogroms in cities around the world.
As I often say these days, "where is the CIA when you need them." You know, once upon a time Iran had a democratically elected government. However, in 1953, due to a British oil issue, the CIA orchestrated the overthrow of Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh and restored Shah Pahlavi to power. As I mentioned in a comment above, the Shah was oppressive and not well liked by the people, and in 1979 he was overthrown -- and we got the radical Islamic government Iran has today along with a heapin' helpin' of anti-western attitude. Something must be done.
Joshua, I agree with every word you say. The situation is completely irrational. Totally crazy. The world has flipped! The brutality and medieval nature of the Muslim religion should send a warning signal to Western society. We seem to be blind to the consequences of appeasement to it.
And I'd like to add that imperialism has been the Islamic way since the 7th and 8th centuries. I just wrote something on my Facebook page about how through much of Africa the Berber-Arabs enslave black Africans all over the continent to this day. They also specialize in murdering black Christians. The West MUST take itself seriously and stand up for itself and stop worrying about being "woke."
Apparently like falling in the jungle, 2024 Jews are once again (and far worse) endangered ... and the only light is Israel. I always seem to return to the Arab proverb (which should be Israel's foreign policy) : you kiss the hand you cannot bite ... works for them; we should try it. As a people, they seem to respect intimidation and "strength" ..... have we leawrned our lesson yet ....?
I believe you write a very telling and completely accurate synopsis of this latest worldwide bout of antisemitism. To pick up on one of the important points you raise — Islamophobia being unreasonably tied to antisemitism at every turn — I would just add that these antisemites have gone nauseatingly too far by now likening their perceived suffering to that of the Shoah. It is clearly offensive and completely unjustified. Hitler did not give us an option of our own state instead of Treblinka and Dachau. Nor did the Nazis have any respect for any rule of law or common morality. In fact, who is the one more like the Nazis? It is not the Jews. And the continued invoking of their cursed name is vile although befitting for these current peddlers of misinformation and Jew hatred.
Well guys - you don't pull your punches, do you? That said, I have to admit this is your masterpiece (so far)! It seems to me it is difficult to argue with your reasoning and under the circumstances the justice of your appeals. So well done, and thank you yet again for the battery of arguments and data you are giving us to try and present a balanced case to a world that alas doesn't want to listen.
There is no outrage. I’ve lost all of my friends. Good to know that everyone is basically a jerk. My cat has better morals. I hold my head up high.
Hahaha the cat statement made me laugh!!
🐈 Thank G-d for our furr-babies! 💗
Now your our Friend.
Thank you. It does warm my heart to see the support from many people online. It’s been a very lonely time. “This too shall pass” is what I keep telling myself! 💙
I'm curious Queen Esther (love the name!). Have you actually lost Jewish friends (who are not kind to Israel- I have met a number of them myself) or mostly non-Jewish ones?
Yes! They are called self-hating Jews. I have realized that I belong to a temple full of them. Many are useful idiots that don’t even understand what’s going on. Some are aware. Those are the ones that disgust me the most.
PS. I thought of my new title because I keep having to enter my pronouns everywhere. HRH. 🙄
I have not lost any Jewish friends but do have my parents who don’t want to hear about my struggles. Not sure about their motivation. Need to find out. I do know of a few leftist Jews that are older and probably don’t get proper news because of unwillingness to learn any tech skills… They seem uninformed.
Slam dunk! 💪
The hostages would be freed by now if the terrorists and their collaborators ie proPAgandists didn't egg on the war with their ignorance, hate, anti-everything that is civil and just (and of course, Jewish). But if the million dollar question is “why are Jews still the scapegoats of brutal violence? “ perhaps the answer is in the article by Benjamin Kerstein "The Rise of Barbaric Progressivism" : if the suppressed underbelly of civilisation is barbarism, (or its shadow opposite) this would mean that Israel's success at advancing civilisation is in direct opposition with all those who are still unable to get a handle of their reptilian brain. Israel is just advancing too quickly for them causing them to be disastrously crazy; the kind of uncontrollable madness you get when you know you're losing the race to greatness. Some think Israel lost a battle, but it will win the war and emerge even greater because the fight is not just about the state of ist, but state of human evolution and civilization.
Correction last sentence : the fight is not just about the state of Israel, but the state of human evolution and civilization.
"Why" is the question, as it always has been. I recently read somewhere that anti-semitism is the hatred of those you perceive as superior to you. This goes along exactly with the Kerstein hypothesis. Thanks.
Interesting. Thank you. Makes sense.
I have another theory. Maybe, humans are just wired to think in terms of "us" and "them" -- going back to tribal or caveman times. (I'm not suggesting we shouldn't strive to move beyond this, but there it is). And perhaps Jews are just the perennial "other". Don't know how we did it, but we did.
Yes it's definitely a theory that I have heard as well, and recently read in a book about healing ancestral lineage called "Wounds into Wisdom".
Do you recommend this book?
Yes absolutely. The author is a Jungian psychologist and a Rabbi and is able to shed light on the underlying psychological dynamics in a way that the reader can understand better how prejudices are created and therefore, also dismantled. Here's a quote about 'the other' : "When we distance ourselves from those who are unlike us, we make them into the faceless objects of our distrust and fear,... only one step away from denying their humanity. And so the cycle of violence and trauma is set in motion once again."
Makes sense!
An excellent piece - thank you. I appreciate that you resist the temptation of "respectable" talk about a historical "Palestinian nation" and speak frankly about this Islamic/Soviet lie used to manipulate the world into thinking that Israel was the imperialist bully and the (Muslim) Arabs the victims.
But I would ask that you give the same treatment to the term "Islamophobia", which is also a lie used to paint Muslims in the West as victims, and to paint anyone who calls out the crimes they commit as a bigot and "right-wing extremist". You say that those who "equate Islamophobia and antisemitism" give offense (and they certainly do), but it is not because a minor problem is equated with an enormous problem, but because a dishonest concept is used to muddy the waters and undermine any understanding of the enormous problem.
A "phobia" is an irrational fear or dislike of something. Surely Islam has given us more than enough reasons to fear or dislike the effects it has on its most conscientious adherents? But in that case, it is not a phobia at all. Instead, rational discussion of the problem is suppressed in public forums, as if any such discussion would whip up crazed murderous mobs of right-wing extremists - it is only this fevered vision that gives any meaning to the "phobia" in "Islamophobia". This bogeyman is then used to suppress discussion of terrible crimes committed by Muslims because of their adherence to Islam, and to persecute individuals who insist on discussing and trying to publicize such things.
Fear of sounding "Islamaphobic" is why politicians and senior police officers scratch their heads in (feigned) puzzlement every time a Muslim stabs or beheads or throws acid at innocent people, wondering what the motive could possibly be. This is why, in the UK, parliamentarians assembled after one of their fellow MPs was assassinated by a Muslim, and instead of discussing the problem of Islam in their midst, they politely (and moronically) converged on the notion that MPs being more considerate to each other was the solution. This is why, after a Muslim horribly disfigured a woman and child for life and caused them immense pain, a BBC presenter and MPs from the two main parties politely babbled instead about "microaggressions" faced by "women of color". And it is why the police in Northern English towns and cities suppressed any attempts to publicize the taking of thousands of girls as sex slaves by Muslims; the courts and politicians joined in, worried that any attempt to stop these crimes would, again, supposedly unleash a wave of "Islamophobia", and stir up the bogeyman of "right-wing extremism" against Muslims.
This last case has actually been put to the test: the crimes are now widely known, and are finally passing through the courts, but where are the predicted mobs of right-wing extremists massacring Muslims?
"Islamaphobia" is not just a concept that can be misused to manipulate, but a concept that is manipulative in itself, and responsible for lives lost, and lives plunged into pain and misery. To the extent that we give any credence to that concept, we undermine our ability (among other things) to discuss the reality of antisemitism.
Couldn’t agree more! I have said much of what you wrote here in other essays (and will continue to do so in future essays).
Agree, very well stated! Sam Harris wrote a great piece about this. See here: https://www.samharris.org/blog/the-bright-line-between-good-and-evil
Yes, an excellent piece.
Your words ring true about the hollow shouts from the Pro Palestinian hordes who expect Israel to free the people of Gaza but not the hostages. Where, as you stated , are the shouts of’destroy Hamas,’ ‘free the hostages,’ among the demand that Jews, who need to wage war to protect themselves, take care of the inhabitants of the country that housed these terrorists!
The outpouring of hatred towards Jews and Israel started on Oct 7th while the pogrom was in full swing. Before Israel had fired a single bullet in response. Muslims around the world and in Gaza rejoiced in the streets and handed out sweets as the did on 9/11. One terrorist phoned his parents and was so happy that he had murdered a family of Jews. The protests started almost immediately as well, the banners of Stop the War and Socialist Worker were ready to go.
Of course Iran has a hand in all of this. They gave the green light to a plan that was probably years in the making to stop the Saudis signing the Abraham Accords. The Western powers should realise that if they don't cut off the shake head in Iran this war will escalate and we will see anti Jewish pogroms in cities around the world.
Couldn’t agree more.
As I often say these days, "where is the CIA when you need them." You know, once upon a time Iran had a democratically elected government. However, in 1953, due to a British oil issue, the CIA orchestrated the overthrow of Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh and restored Shah Pahlavi to power. As I mentioned in a comment above, the Shah was oppressive and not well liked by the people, and in 1979 he was overthrown -- and we got the radical Islamic government Iran has today along with a heapin' helpin' of anti-western attitude. Something must be done.
Very good article, but what can we do? (Mainly rhetorical)
Joshua, I agree with every word you say. The situation is completely irrational. Totally crazy. The world has flipped! The brutality and medieval nature of the Muslim religion should send a warning signal to Western society. We seem to be blind to the consequences of appeasement to it.
And I'd like to add that imperialism has been the Islamic way since the 7th and 8th centuries. I just wrote something on my Facebook page about how through much of Africa the Berber-Arabs enslave black Africans all over the continent to this day. They also specialize in murdering black Christians. The West MUST take itself seriously and stand up for itself and stop worrying about being "woke."
Fantastic post. I always forward to family and friends and can only hope they will read. 🙏
Appreciate it!
Thank you. Perfectly stated.
A masterpiece! Kol haKavod! Excellent work. Thank you.
Say it!
Apparently like falling in the jungle, 2024 Jews are once again (and far worse) endangered ... and the only light is Israel. I always seem to return to the Arab proverb (which should be Israel's foreign policy) : you kiss the hand you cannot bite ... works for them; we should try it. As a people, they seem to respect intimidation and "strength" ..... have we leawrned our lesson yet ....?
You never disappoint, Joshua. Every word and sentiment mirrors my own. You best (yet). lol hakavod.
❤️❤️❤️
I believe you write a very telling and completely accurate synopsis of this latest worldwide bout of antisemitism. To pick up on one of the important points you raise — Islamophobia being unreasonably tied to antisemitism at every turn — I would just add that these antisemites have gone nauseatingly too far by now likening their perceived suffering to that of the Shoah. It is clearly offensive and completely unjustified. Hitler did not give us an option of our own state instead of Treblinka and Dachau. Nor did the Nazis have any respect for any rule of law or common morality. In fact, who is the one more like the Nazis? It is not the Jews. And the continued invoking of their cursed name is vile although befitting for these current peddlers of misinformation and Jew hatred.
Amen