As I write this, campuses at Columbia and Yale - two of the supposed “elite” universities in America - are practically under siege by pro-Palestine protesters, proclaiming their unyielding opposition against the Jewish state. Signs, placards and slogans declaring support for Hamas, Houthis and Hezbollah adorn every corner, putting to rest once and for all the lie that “anti-Zionism isn’t antisemitism”.
Over the past few days, I've been thinking about what it means to be a martyr. That's when I discovered your writing and I have included some of your thoughts in my latest essay. Wanted to make sure you knew about it. Thank you so much. WHAT IS A MARTYR? https://khmezek.substack.com/p/what-is-a-martyr
I was struck by where you describe your upbringing in contrast to mine.
You said: “In the cultures we grew up in - even when there was very little else in common (Shia v Sunni, Arab vs Persian, Religious vs Atheist, Theocrat vs Monarchist etc) - Jew-hatred is omnipresent. We were born with it, we grew up with it, we were indoctrinated in it. You have Peppa Pig, we have Hate The Jew. It’s in our bone marrow.”
And yet, you were able to overcome that and become a voice of reason.
And my memories:
I grew up in a strict evangelical Christian family, but I was never indoctrinated in church or in school that I should be a martyr. I did learn about martyrs and that being one was a blessing. But they were martyrs precisely because they refused to raise a hand against those who hated them.
In all my years growing up, the churches I attended, the schools, the homes of friends where I had dinner, the movies I watched, the books I read, and then in all my travels to Western countries, in all my years living in England, Switzerland, France, Slovenia—nowhere did I hear that it was desirable, or that I would become a martyr and get a reward in paradise, by killing Muslims, or anyone of any other religion.
The only place I ever heard such things was when my family escaped out of Egypt right before the 6 Day War and when I was living in Egypt just three years ago.
Kill every Jew everywhere. Take over Israel. And then what? Will Radical Islam say ‘okay, now we are happy?’ Of course not. France would be next. Then England.
A better way would be to replace the rotten Democratic power structure in NYC with another one. The Republican party in NYC is a joke, not even moribund, a joke.
Wanna know why? Because NYC Jews are reflexively Democrat. Most would never consider voting Republican except under extreme circumstances and maybe not even then. I've never been able to nail down definitively whether Giuliani got the Jewish vote.
85% of Manhattan residents voted for Biden. 85% of Manhattan residents aren’t Jewish, and you can be sure the hundreds of thousands of Brooklyn Hasids went for Trump.
Edit: there are 320K Jews in Manhattan but I think it's a mistake to look at this via numbers alone.
Non-Orthodox Manhattan Jews are older, richer, better educated and more politically connected than Manhattan non-Jews. Please do not accuse me of spreading "anti-Semitic tropes" when I say that we're richer. It's a fact. I do not know one Jew in Manhattan who is working class. Maybe a few younger Jews in entry-level jobs don't make a lot of money but on the whole, Manhattan Jews live enviable lives.
They are mostly hardcore Democrats who would rather chop a hand off than vote Republican. You want to moan about that, argue with me? I won't engage. I'm just giving you facts.
Apart from writing on Substack, what are you doing to organize people? May I ask where you live? I've already told you I live in Manhattan, the belly of the beast.
What are you doing to organize people or to get their attention? I write frequently on more than Substack, but I live more than 1000 miles from the belly, in Puerto Rico, where world and American issues are an abstraction.
Thanks. Maybe move to NYC where you can organize people. You live in a place where the issues you address are an "abstraction." So permit me to say, "shut up" because I find your hectoring sickening.
No. It's hardly that bad. I'm not minimizing the situation on campuses, which I think is terrible. Essentially since 1967 (yes, that far back) but especially since 9/11, campuses have become radicalized. The New Left of the 60s is totally in control.
But Jews on the streets aren't being attacked on a daily basis.
There would be no toleration of that.
Our problem in NYC is more anarchy and a completely rotten power structure that can barely function, as opposed to street mobs attacking Jews.
It's Satanic IMO! Antisemitism is a supernatural hatred that defies logic. Why else do these people hate Israel & no other nation, which really ARE committing human rights violations & war crimes? I'm a Christian Zionist Gentile & this is the way I see it. I also know Satan hates G-d's chosen people [The Jews] & has sought to destroy them throughout the last 4000 years or so. [From the Pharaoh till now]
More than the Islamist militant proposals are behind this. In light of the revealed God, it seems certain the enemy wants every sign and symbol of His Presence and salvation history destroyed. It is also true that Jesus told us that Judaism was not following the revelation. That found uniquely in Him.
But the promise to His Holy People will never end. God is faithful. Those who orchestrated the Hamas terror attack ridicule His reign in defiance of truth and Creation. They believe they are greater than God.
Pray always. His victory is the solution. His ways are not our ways and God will make a blessing of all the evil as is only possible with God. Believe and don’t worry.
As a Jew, I really felt some longed-for comfort and recognition from you… Thank you so much! May God bless you and guide you as you grow in wisdom and truth! So appreciate your brotherly words. Hope mentioning God was ok with you!! :-)
#freepalestine folks fear muslim jihadists more than they fear jews, europeans, conservatives, christians, israeli's, or any western authorities. they view these groups as weak, stunted, defensive- no match for the uncompromising promise of islamic jihad
Over the past few days, I've been thinking about what it means to be a martyr. That's when I discovered your writing and I have included some of your thoughts in my latest essay. Wanted to make sure you knew about it. Thank you so much. WHAT IS A MARTYR? https://khmezek.substack.com/p/what-is-a-martyr
I was struck by where you describe your upbringing in contrast to mine.
You said: “In the cultures we grew up in - even when there was very little else in common (Shia v Sunni, Arab vs Persian, Religious vs Atheist, Theocrat vs Monarchist etc) - Jew-hatred is omnipresent. We were born with it, we grew up with it, we were indoctrinated in it. You have Peppa Pig, we have Hate The Jew. It’s in our bone marrow.”
And yet, you were able to overcome that and become a voice of reason.
And my memories:
I grew up in a strict evangelical Christian family, but I was never indoctrinated in church or in school that I should be a martyr. I did learn about martyrs and that being one was a blessing. But they were martyrs precisely because they refused to raise a hand against those who hated them.
In all my years growing up, the churches I attended, the schools, the homes of friends where I had dinner, the movies I watched, the books I read, and then in all my travels to Western countries, in all my years living in England, Switzerland, France, Slovenia—nowhere did I hear that it was desirable, or that I would become a martyr and get a reward in paradise, by killing Muslims, or anyone of any other religion.
The only place I ever heard such things was when my family escaped out of Egypt right before the 6 Day War and when I was living in Egypt just three years ago.
Exactly. At least now the hatred that lay beneath the surface has come to light. It's time to make a choice. "Separate the chaff from the wheat."
Kill every Jew everywhere. Take over Israel. And then what? Will Radical Islam say ‘okay, now we are happy?’ Of course not. France would be next. Then England.
Hilariously super anti-Jewish and anti-Israel Spain thinks Islamist terrorist don’t claim Iberia as ‘Arab Land’.
A huge insult to Islam Andalusia is not Islamic. This must be corrected.
Perfect. Thank you.
There are 1.3 million Jews in New York City. WHERE ARE THEY?
I live in NYC. I walked past the Columbia campus yesterday. Not a demonstrator in sight outside the campus. Lots of news media across the street.
What do you want me to do? I can't access the campus & tell the happy campers to go back to crazyland. Serious question. What should I do?
By yourself, nothing. With thousands of others? Demonstrate outside the gates to show that good New Yorkers appalled by the fascists.
A better way would be to replace the rotten Democratic power structure in NYC with another one. The Republican party in NYC is a joke, not even moribund, a joke.
Wanna know why? Because NYC Jews are reflexively Democrat. Most would never consider voting Republican except under extreme circumstances and maybe not even then. I've never been able to nail down definitively whether Giuliani got the Jewish vote.
85% of Manhattan residents voted for Biden. 85% of Manhattan residents aren’t Jewish, and you can be sure the hundreds of thousands of Brooklyn Hasids went for Trump.
I was referring to NYC politics only.
Edit: there are 320K Jews in Manhattan but I think it's a mistake to look at this via numbers alone.
Non-Orthodox Manhattan Jews are older, richer, better educated and more politically connected than Manhattan non-Jews. Please do not accuse me of spreading "anti-Semitic tropes" when I say that we're richer. It's a fact. I do not know one Jew in Manhattan who is working class. Maybe a few younger Jews in entry-level jobs don't make a lot of money but on the whole, Manhattan Jews live enviable lives.
They are mostly hardcore Democrats who would rather chop a hand off than vote Republican. You want to moan about that, argue with me? I won't engage. I'm just giving you facts.
People need to start finding courage. It's time.
And caring. To paraphrase Woody Allen, it’s about showing up.
Apart from writing on Substack, what are you doing to organize people? May I ask where you live? I've already told you I live in Manhattan, the belly of the beast.
What are you doing to organize people or to get their attention? I write frequently on more than Substack, but I live more than 1000 miles from the belly, in Puerto Rico, where world and American issues are an abstraction.
Thanks. Maybe move to NYC where you can organize people. You live in a place where the issues you address are an "abstraction." So permit me to say, "shut up" because I find your hectoring sickening.
In fact, I'll do just that by muting you.
Bye!
What a wretch you sound like. Great, now I can talk about you without having to tolerate a response.
Yes. Too much effort.
They need protection every time they venture outside? Their business is vandalized? Children spit apon? Accosted Attacked?
No. It's hardly that bad. I'm not minimizing the situation on campuses, which I think is terrible. Essentially since 1967 (yes, that far back) but especially since 9/11, campuses have become radicalized. The New Left of the 60s is totally in control.
But Jews on the streets aren't being attacked on a daily basis.
There would be no toleration of that.
Our problem in NYC is more anarchy and a completely rotten power structure that can barely function, as opposed to street mobs attacking Jews.
I expect several unhinged responses to this.
I reiterate. 1.3 million.
Why did you block me?
It's Satanic IMO! Antisemitism is a supernatural hatred that defies logic. Why else do these people hate Israel & no other nation, which really ARE committing human rights violations & war crimes? I'm a Christian Zionist Gentile & this is the way I see it. I also know Satan hates G-d's chosen people [The Jews] & has sought to destroy them throughout the last 4000 years or so. [From the Pharaoh till now]
More than the Islamist militant proposals are behind this. In light of the revealed God, it seems certain the enemy wants every sign and symbol of His Presence and salvation history destroyed. It is also true that Jesus told us that Judaism was not following the revelation. That found uniquely in Him.
But the promise to His Holy People will never end. God is faithful. Those who orchestrated the Hamas terror attack ridicule His reign in defiance of truth and Creation. They believe they are greater than God.
Pray always. His victory is the solution. His ways are not our ways and God will make a blessing of all the evil as is only possible with God. Believe and don’t worry.
Well said.
If these students are so concerned about the plight of Gaza’s against Israel, why aren’t more of them signing up to join the fight?
Anti Zionism is not anti semitism. Ask all the Semites who are anti Zionist.
You know not of what you speak.
John McCain’s favorite song “Bomb, bomb bomb, bomb, bomb
Iran” as covered by the “Desert Boys” aka Beach Boys
Catchy updated lyrics. Still has that summer beach party feel. Although more Vietnam Conflict nurses on the beach than in the movies.
I love that song😂
As a Jew, I really felt some longed-for comfort and recognition from you… Thank you so much! May God bless you and guide you as you grow in wisdom and truth! So appreciate your brotherly words. Hope mentioning God was ok with you!! :-)
Ok, then get the hell off our planet…..
More corpses please.
#freepalestine folks fear muslim jihadists more than they fear jews, europeans, conservatives, christians, israeli's, or any western authorities. they view these groups as weak, stunted, defensive- no match for the uncompromising promise of islamic jihad