Why most will not support Jews

Yesterday I spoke to a wonderful group of people at the ESRA English bookstore in Ranana. As ever the last part of the talk is more of a conversation, listening and reacting to others experiences and thoughts.

The discussion led to the recent rally against antisemitism in the UK, the Israel of Israeli flags and why there were not more people there.

As I walk on the beach this morning I was thinking about this. In my talks I always give time to talk about both the so-called Oct 8 Jews, who have come back to their Jewishness and communities since this atrocity, and also the few but mighty allies who support Israel. In thinking why these allies stand with us, I have also been thinking about why many do not.

Those who stand with us do so for many reasons. Some a fiercely religious and believe Israel is the homeland of the Jews. Many have visited or wan to and pray daily for us. Many others, not as religious, have also visited Israel and seen the reality on the ground. The multi ethnic society that embraces all, that argues, shouts and disagree but all cares and loves and reaches out to those in need. They have seen the fierce love Israelis have for a land they have to fight for, even as they drop litter everywhere. Truly it is difficult to come here and not coming away understanding Jews a bit more.

Others just see through the lies and see a small country defending its people. They see the hypocrisy when people celebrate those that carry out the atrocities. They understand the wider geopolitics . Others stand firmly against racism including Jew hate. My experience has included those who calls out antisemitism in the Green Party and others long before 2023, those who visited in their youth and loved Israel and its people since an those who ask why we thank them because all they are doing is what is right.

So why do so many go along with this hate or turn away from it as if it is nothing to do with them. The silent majority stay silent. Why?

Maybe the drip drip demonisation of Israel has entered their inner psyche. Over time the accusations and reputation of words such as apartheid, settler-coloniser, ethnic cleansing and now genocide has seeped through their pores. Certainly when you speak to people and show them tiny Israel surrounded by Muslim countries, talk about how 23% are not Jewish but mainly Arabs, how Israel gave Gaza back for peace, a flourishing area, how 850,000 jews were expelled from Arab lands, these facts surprise them and give them pause. Because for decades since WW2 this is not what they have been told.

Too many refuse to stand with Jews because they may be accused of supporting what they have been told Israel is. What they have been told Israel is has always been a lie to promote this oldest hate.

Just as the old medieval blood libels of children being killed to get their blood for our rituals eventually led to our expulsion from the UK, these modern blood libels are working to the same ilk. And good people will not see this, however much we explain and talk. So they stay silent or disengage completely from us, feeling it is the only thing they can do. They have absorbed the left-wing thinking and cannot or will not step away, a thinking that should include supporting Israel and Jews but has been mangled to be the complete opposite.

It is a circle we cannot square at this moment however much we try. But we carry on. The first question I was asked last night was about a quote by Golda Meir who basically said she would rather be hated and alive, than revered and dead. With our history, this is so true.

When I speak, lots of people say lovely things about my writing and sometimes about me. Yesterday the same lady that mentioned Golda told me I should be the next Golda Meir- how is that for a compliment! If only my mum would have bee here to hear that.

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