October 7

Like many Jewish people, the horrible events of October 7 have produced in me an uncharacteristic hardness and sense that my lifelong commitment to peace and accommodation with Palestine have been, if not wasted, at least hopelessly out of touch with reality. I have always believed that the problem lies with the leadership of both groups, that given a chance the people themselves could solve the problem in an hour or so. That was borne out in numerous conversations over the years with Palestinian acquaintances.

One especially encouraging talk happened one day as I was traveling for work between Riyadh and my home in Israel. As both of us were waiting for ground transport in Amman, a Palestinian-Jordanian man and I had a deeply philosophical and historical talk, in which we both recognized the ancient rights and claims to the land, and we agreed that between us we could defy all the leaders and resolve all the issues, including Jerusalem. We parted friends, though I never got his card or saw him again.

I still believe that this ideal is worth working for. But I no longer believe it is possible. That hope was shattered on October 7. Had the murderous Hamas thugs attacked and been met by thunderous condemnation by other Palestinian groups and Arab and Muslim nations, I might have retained some of that optimism. The fact that the loudest voices heard were at best lukewarm and focused on concern for the innocents who would surely die in any Israeli countermeasure reminded me that any hopes for true reconciliation were a pipe dream.

That brings us to the rest of the world. While President Biden and some European leaders have responded appropriately - Biden at considerable political risk, because his defense of Israel may well cost him heavily Arab Michigan, and thus the whole election, in his reelection bid - what has been made clear to the world's Jews is that pretty much the entire world is dominated by people who really hate us.

It is one thing, as some have pointed out, to question Israel's legitimacy and disbelieve in the Jewish national project. It is quite another to march carrying signs saying, Gas them, and Hitler was right - and be joined by throngs of people.

The fact that this has been happening should awaken all Jewish people.

My Kenyan partner, a very smart and insightful person, had an interesting reaction. She said that as a Black person, she is reminded every day that a lot of people truly hate her and wish her gone. She suggests that we Jews have been blinded to the analogous hate because we pass so easily in American White society. We have forgotten that we, along with Black people, are truly despised by a large segment of the people around us.

She is right. Whatever success we have attained will not protect us. We need to be always vigilant for signs of antisemitism and always have a Plan B. Israel has always been mine; October 7 did not change that, but it did wake me up to the fact that eternal vigilance is required for all of us, including those misguided Jews of the Far Left - do they really think they are not expendable should these Armies of Hate gain more traction?

It is worth pointing out that some Black people have adopted the hatred for Jews. Parts of the Black Lives Matter movement have called for the destruction of our nation. That should not change our commitment to justice for Black people at all, but once again we need to face the fact that there are many among them who hate us and would happily march us to the ovens.

I am reasonably sure that Israel will prevail against the disgusting Hamas fascism. I am deeply sorry that Hamas uses its own people as well as hostages as human shields, and that many of these innocent people are dying or will die. But this battle must be joined and prosecuted to its end. Anything else will be much worse for civilization as we know it.