So, What Do We Stand For?      

I am a Jew. We, so many of my co-religionists, stand for the maintenance of a secure, free and thriving Jewish community in our ancestral home in the land of Israel. Our enemies wish to eradicate that state, as they have sought to do since the day it was established more than 75 years ago. Why a state of our own?? Jews have never been able to live in permanent security anywhere in the world, since their dispersion 2000 years ago. It is only by retaining our own means of defense that we can have this assurance.

We remember the thirties when Hitler began his reign of terror and many countries closed their borders to fleeing Jews. We remember that Israel absorbed many of the survivors of the Holocaust. We remember that Arab countries expelled over 800,000 Jews after statehood was declared. Israel accepted the economic burden of absorption and integration of the majority. This was only been possible with the re-establishment of a place of Jewish sovereignty.

This does not mean Jews do not continue to be subject to the danger of attack, as we have seen in many of the places where Jews live around the world, including Israel. But it does mean that we have an increased chance of survival than would be the case if Jews were totally dependent on the good will of others.

So, Jews stand for freedom and opportunity for all peoples to pursue their destinies in ways that do not harm the rights of others to enjoy the same. History offers ample evidence that individual Jews are often in the forefront of efforts by other peoples to attain such goals, with their minds, bodies and personal resources. Those to whom they offer their contributions, sadly, often do not reciprocate in kind when the time comes to help out their Jewish friends. That makes us sad.

So, Jews stand for supporting healthy Jewish communities wherever they are, with a focus on community solidarity, education and religious worship, in all the ways these can be freely and legally expressed. We believe in the right of all communities to express and build in ways which are compatible with the laws of the community in which they are housed. We do not agree that elements that are incompatible with those laws should be given free sway.

Those not willing to accept the laws of the land, even though what they seek has for them a religious basis, should not expect their views to be tolerated,  (forced under-age marriage, multiple marriages, honor killings, obligatory religiosity in all its forms). They are free to establish their homes elsewhere where such may be permitted.

So, we believe in the dignity of the human person, but we also do believe in retribution for crimes based on due process. We believe that there are crimes so heinous that punishment merits the taking of a life. We are in favor of rooting out the inhumane and those who propagate such policies. We do believe that sacrifice even to the death in defense against such is our obligation as humans, even while we favor Life and all life-supporting acts in our power and in all their dimensions.

Since October 7, 2023, we Jews have been treated to another object lesson as to our own weaknesses and vulnerabilities. We have learned again about the grave dangers of disunity. We have learned again about the dangers of complacency. We have learned again about the infidelity of friends that we rely on who have other agendas. We have learned again about how widespread, resolute, and determined are our enemies even in places where we hardly knew of them. But the evidence of war crimes is there for all to see, crimes planned and executed by Hamas that the Palestinian Authority asserts were carried out by Israel on its own people. It is the P.A that is financially rewarding its residents who have killed Jews and educating its children toward the same. We can see where they stand.

So what about Gaza? Let’s first pose a few questions of America? What was American policy about protecting civilians after 9/11 in Afghanistan? What was U.S policy about protecting civilians in Japan after Pearl Harbor? After dropping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Was that the Allies’ policy in German cities toward the end of World War II? And yet Israel calls civilians in danger in Gaza on the telephone, sends leaflets warning civilians about the danger areas. We let the enemy know what our plans are in order to protect civilians. Did Americans do that in their wars? Did other countries have that policy in their wars?

So why the double standard when it comes to Jews defending themselves from brutal terrorists? Why is America turning into an ally of terrorists? Does the public know that Israel has saved the lives of 6000 Palestinian children with free life-giving surgery in their hospitals? All the while it has been battling for its survival. Why does America believe the lies of terrorists but not the truth told by Israeli officials? Is there some hidden political agenda?

So, where does America stand? Where does the West stand when Israel is threatened by the proxies of Iran allied with Russia and China?

So, where is the support of the friends of democracy when another is threatened in the same way Ukraine is being threatened? Where do you stand? There is no room for a double standard.

So, is it that no one stands with Israel because we are Jews? Is that why the Pope cries Jews are committing genocide as Israel seeks an end to Hamas, and does not mention that Hamas and their friends are crying “Palestine from the river to the sea”? We can see where they stand.