Our Duty is to Prevent Antisemitism "One Day" Reaching a Tipping Point.
November 19 , 2024 - Issue #64
For many victims of antisemitism, one solitary day divides what came before from what came after. For my mother, that “one day” was Saturday, March 12, 1938. That day, my fifteen-year-old mother left her Vienna home to meet with friends in the neighborhood. Also, that day, beginning around 5:00 AM, German soldiers marched unopposed into Austria in what is called the Anschluss, a German word meaning “joining.” That day, Austria lost its independence, antisemitism gobbled a nation, and my mother lost her innocence when Nazis corralled her, forced her into a truck, took her to another part of town, and dehumanized her by making her clean the streets to the delight of jeering crowds.
That day flung my mother into a seven-year survival saga of escapes, deadly encounters, and despair during which fear and loneliness were her constant companions. For my mother, there was a before that day and a brutal after.
For both survivors and victims of Hamas’ genocidal assault, their “one day” was October 7, 2023. Peaceful before and never the same since.
For many Jewish students attending American and foreign college campuses, their “one day” was October 8, when Harvard's Palestine Solidarity Committee obtained the signatures of more than thirty Harvard University student groups on a letter that declared they jointly "hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence." This jumpstarted a campaign of hate and intimidation directed at Jews. The antisemitism that roared at Harvard that day was like the operatives loaded with weaponry hiding in Hezbollah’s and Hamas’ attack tunnels—it lurked in minds filled with hate or empty of knowledge—and like the terrorists in Gaza and Lebanon, it thirsted to emerge. For many Jewish college students suddenly faced with unexpected isolation and vitriol, that day marked a turning point.
And, among all the other “one day” nightmares, there was on June 10, 2024 what I call the “day of the subway.” On that day a large group of Pro-Palestinian protestors left Manhattan’s Union Square protest site to do the same in another part of town at an exhibit created to remember and document the brutality of Hamas’ attack on the Nova Music Festival site. To get to the exhibit, Pro-Palestinian protestors took the subway. In one of the crowded cars, a man yelled out, “Raise your hand if you’re a Zionist. This is your chance to get out.” Fellow protesters, some wearing face coverings and/or keffiyehs, followed by chanting the same “Raise your hand if you’re a Zionist.” Nobody responded. Nobody left the subway car. Instead, people stayed silent. Since then, I have often wondered how I would have reacted if I had been in that car. And what would have happened if someone had spoken up in opposition. For me, that was my “one day” of realization that something new was afoot even though I wasn’t there. I have not stopped thinking about that day since.
Until, that is, a new “one day” has permeated my thinking. That day was November 7, 2024, when I learned of an ongoing “Jew Hunt” in Amsterdam. This was a premeditated planned attack by an organized mob composed of members of Holland’s Moroccan and Turkish immigrant communities. It occurred after a soccer game between the Maccabi Tel Aviv professional club and the Dutch Ajax professional club. Of importance to note, the Ajax team identifies with, and has much support, from the Dutch Jewish community. So, what ensued after the game had nothing to do with rivalries between European teams that sometimes gives rise to emotional outbursts, taunting, and violent interactions between rival fans.
This was something entirely different.
For days, Amsterdam had been simmering. Many Israelis had traveled to the city to see the game. Meanwhile, in the days leading up to the contest there were pro-Palestinian protests, and another was scheduled for outside where the two teams were to play. Not surprisingly, tensions were high, and there were a few skirmishes, one of which caused Jewish fans to escape their assailants by running into a local casino. And some Israelis did not act with decorum—one took down a Palestinian flag flying on the second floor of a building in a city square (don’t think for a moment that Israeli flags are treated with respect by pro-Palestinian protestors and one police officer said it was deliberately placed to provoke Israelis), there was also a still unclear incident in which a few Israelis damaged a taxi for unknown reasons, and several Maccabi supporters chanted insults about Arabs in a metro station (but per the video did not appear to target anyone). However, those chants, no matter how wrong they might have been, paled in comparison to the common refrain shouted by antisemites at Ajax games, “Hamas, Hamas, Jews to the gas” that the chanters would couple with hissing noises meant to mimic the sound made by Zyklon B gas canisters dispensing their deadly contents in Nazi gas chambers. But all of that was ad hoc. Nothing was planned and nobody was injured as far as I can tell. Antisemitism was in the air, but not yet on the ground in any coordinated way.
However, the night before the scheduled game between the Maccabi and Ajax teams, tension gave way to calculation as messaging on WhatsApp and Telegram turned far more ominous. One message read, “Tomorrow after the game, at night, part 2 of the Jew Hunt.” Another wrote, “Tomorrow, we work them.” Yet another said, “We need a lot of fireworks.” Jews were referred to in the messages as “Cancer dogs” which is a vile Dutch insult. And least one other, referring to those Jews that had escaped that day, said, “They won’t go to the casino anymore.” It is important to note that these messages were not just between two people. They were shared by many.
Because Amsterdam’s police knew there might be trouble, they refused to allow a Pro-Palestinian protest near the same stadium where the soccer game was to be played. But that didn’t interfere with the plans of the gangs preparing to go after Israelis (or any other Jews) in the streets after the game.
After the match ended, Maccabi’s supporters tried to return to their hotels. But on the way they found themselves targeted by a series of ambushes stemming from groups congregating in alleyways, maniacs on scooters and driving cars, gangs walking the streets, and taxi cabs facilitating their capture. The streets teemed with virulent antisemites on the hunt. Jews were their prey. Videos that show only a small portion of what next ensued include:
Israelis being beaten, spit upon, chased by knife and club wielding mobs, and targeted by vehicles trying to hit them.
A man jumping into a canal to escape pursuers who was then told by them, “Say Free Palestine, and we’ll let you go” all while being called a “Cancer Jew.”
In an alleyway, an Israeli begged for mercy before being knocked out by a punch
Before it was all over, hundreds of Jews, including children, found themselves running a frightening gauntlet before finding shelter in hotels and other buildings. Some that were caught were made by their assailants to show passports or other identification so that those entrapping them could be sure of who they were beating. Ten reported injuries that required medical care. Fortunately, none died—this time.
Afterwards, Dutch Prime Minister Schoof posted on X that he had been following the news “with horror” and that what had happened were “completely unacceptable antisemitic attacks on Israelis.” The mayor of Amsterdam said the next day that “boys on scooters crisscrossed the city looking for Israeli football fans. It was a hit-and-run. I understand very well that this brings back the memory of pogroms.” She also said, "hateful, antisemitic rioters and criminals attacked and beat up Jewish, Israeli visitors.” And that “there is no excuse” for the attacks.
Then came the backpedaling.
Three days later, the Amsterdam municipality issued a report that in part blamed the conduct of some Maccabi supporters for the Jew hunt that all Jews faced the night of November 7. And on November 18, the Mayor issued a statement regretting her use of the word “pogrom.” Never mind that three riot police officers on the streets that Thursday night said that the Maccabi fans had not acted violently and that another police officer said on condition of anonymity, “I absolutely don’t see why it’s being claimed that Maccabi fans were out to stage confrontations, the opposite is true.” .
But the backpedaling doesn’t mask what happened after November 7 that is indicative of what happened on November 7. After the targeted riot, the government banned further Palestinian protest for three days. But the protests continued, and in one case protestors burned a tram car while shouting epithets about Jews and in another incident destroyed a police bus. Nor does the backpedaling mask what was happening before November 8 when reports emerged that some police were refusing to protect Jewish sites. And it does not excuse what happened on November 7 when shockingly the police did not arrest anybody while Israelis were running for their lives (62 in all were arrested before and after but not during). But by blaming a few Jews for the suffering of many, the report was somewhat of an absolution for the depraved conduct of the mobs whose sole purpose was to hunt Jews. And it served the needs of backpedaling politicians and media outlets.
Could something political be going on since the immigrant communities now make up 5% of Netherland’s population, far more than the number of Dutch Jewish citizens? Or is it already something much more than that—growing pervasive antisemitism facilitated by blaming the Jews for their own suffering—a timeless story repeated through the ages.
For me, what is particularly troubling about the events on November 7 is that it was a pre-planned hunt that targeted any Israeli or other Jews drawn into the mob’s net. It did not happen because of an emotional response to something observed or heard in the moment. The catalyst was not raucous chants by a few or the taking down of a flag. The catalyst was the presence of almost three thousand Jews who had come to Amsterdam to see a soccer match. A presence antisemites in Holland found intolerable and that gave rise to an opportunity to target them. All eased by a government with waning will to fight antisemitism before November 7 and one now unwilling to unequivocally the perpetrators of violence on November 7. This failure to speak directly with moral clarity ensures that Jews in Holland will be targeted again and again. And it ensures Israel haters and less neutral explainers will have grist for more anti-Jewish drivel.
And so, November 7 became another “one day” for me because, like what happened in the subway car in Manhattan, it reminded me of what could happen anywhere and anytime in the United States “one day.”
All this propelled me into a reading frenzy. Over the space of the last two weeks, I read four books that now further inform me:
Ghosts of a Holy War by Yardena Schwartz. This book is about another “one day” –
the Arab Massacre of 67 Jews in Hebron on August 24, 1929 that the author convincingly argues reverberated through time and was a forerunner to October 7, 2023.
Israel Alone by Bernard-Henri Levy—A brief essay like book that takes a hard look at antisemitism worldwide, the global responses to October 7, and what is now at stake.
No Retreat: How to Secure Israel for Generations to Come by General (ret.) Amir Avivi. This book does an excellent job of surveying the threats Israel faces and what to do about it. Eighteen months ago, I interviewed the author in Tel Aviv. Ten days ago I was asked to hide the cover when I was out in public out of someone’s fear it might incite others. I refused to do so.
Before it’s Too Late: A Love Letter to My Daughters and America by Eric Rozenberg. The son of a close friend of mine alerted me to this book. My friend’s son was so moved by it that he bought multiple copies to distribute to his friends. I was moved as well. It describes the author’s life in Belgium, the growing antisemitism he experienced there that caused him to make his anguishing decision to emigrate to the United States, the alarming signs he sees in America today, and what to do about it. What he described in Belgium is now happening in Holland, and there are early signs of it here in America.
Will we have a “one day” in America where everything changes for Jews?
I wish I could say for sure no, but I cannot because the warning lights are blinking. Threads are coalescing into knots. Antisemitic instigators are everywhere propounding pseudo-intellectual theories that demonize Israel and have a nexus with Jew hatred. Extremists on the right now joyfully watch some on the left doing their dirty work for them. And there now are far too many on the left that engage in hateful antisemitic acts or perhaps even worse, quietly condone or ignore them.
Years ago, I saw the far rightwing Charlottesville marchers screaming “Jews will not replace us” and reeled with disgust at the handiwork of the rightwing killer of so many at the Tree of Life Pittsburgh Synagogue massacre. But now it is the left that has revealed its Jew hate. I saw the college encampments spewing blatant antisemitism and walked through one of them, I learn more everyday about the university professors and teachers in lower-level schools focused on vilifying Israel, and I view leftist news media outlets that exude their bias. I also see the refusal of far too many in power to unequivocally confront ambassadors of antisemitism. And likewise, there are too many of us that fear, even when it is safe, to show pride in who we are and that are also willing to engage with those not yet touched by the battle against antisemitism before their minds are turned by antisemites. For where there is a vacuum devoid of prejudice but also of familiarity and knowledge, history has shown over and over that antisemites will find a way to fan the flame of hate.
So, what should we do?
First, and foremost, Jews must not run from who we are but embrace it. For if we keep our peoplehood in the shadows why should others see us in the light? That does not mean we have to wear a Kippah, sport a Jewish star, or loudly announce our Jewishness—unless that is something we want to do. But when the opportunity arises, we must proudly stand up for who we are. We must also continue to do what we are accustomed to doing and never take even a small step back out of fear or concern of offending because that first step will invariably lead to more until we tumble over an abyss. And we must lean against the fountains of hatred by hemming it in, engaging with those touched by it, and calling it out directly without nuance.
What we don’t get to do is to sit back, and hope antisemitism won’t touch us because it eventually will. Nor can we count on appeasement. Antisemitism will win if good people do nothing and say nothing. Thus, we cannot be blind, pretending we don’t see. Doing so fertilizes antisemitism, allowing it to fester and flourish until it will engulf us. I ask for activism not just from Jews but also from non-Jewish spouses of Jews and the non-Jewish community at large. For antisemitism is the precursor of a rot that will grow and metastasize until it destroys all but the chosen few. Therefore, it must be rooted out now, not ignored. Churchill’s words to Chamberlain regarding the rise of Nazi Germany are relevant to this fight, “You were given the choice between war and dishonor. You chose dishonor and you will have war.”
Winning the fight against antisemitism also requires a strong, vibrant Israel. On countless occasions, Israel has thwarted evil designs on Jews in the Diaspora. For desperate Jews worldwide it has provided a home. And Israel has led the fight against Islamic extremism in conjunction with its indispensable partner, the United States. Without Israel, the enemies of Jews and the enemies of America will be emboldened, and our courage will wane. That then too requires our commitment to advocate and do what we can for Israel—not just for Israelis—but for ourselves and our fellow Americans. Because after Israel, Jihadi Islamists are coming for all Jews and then the Western world, for it is no slip of the tongue that Iran calls Israel the “little Satan” and America the “Great Satan.”
Accomplishing all this is difficult to do alone. It is much easier to do as part of a community—whether it be membership in a synagogue or church where you can express your views, mobilize support, and act in unison; joining a pro-Israel group; or just engaging with a group of like-minded friends with similar purpose. There is power in togetherness. There is also solace. We will need both power and solace in the difficult days ahead.
Also, if you have an interest in the danger Hezbollah presents and how it came to be, you might consider purchasing my book which can be obtained on Amazon here.
The Northern Arena and the Shiite Axis – Weekly Review of Events and Key Data (11-17 Nov.)—Written by Alma Research for the Alma Research and Education Center—November 18, 2024
Abigail Shrier: The Kindergarten Intifada—Written by Abigail Shrier for the Free Press—October 31-2024—”There is a well-coordinated, national effort between teachers, activist organizations, and administrators to indoctrinate American children against Israel. A Free Press investigation.”
The First Direct Confrontation Between Israel and Iran: Interim Conclusions, Implications, and Outlook for the Future—Written by Yaakov Lappin for the Alma Research and Education Center—November 6, 2024.
How to End the Third Lebanon War—and Prevent the Fourth—Written by Assaf Orion for The Washington Institute for Near East Policy—October 29, 2024
Report Confirms Israel Struck Active Iranian Nuclear Weapon Site—Written by Andrea Stricker for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies—November 15, 2024
Why America Stopped Winning Wars—Written by Dan Zamansky for Tablet—November 7, 2024
Israel’s North is Burning—Written by Amelie Botbol for the Jewish News Syndicate—November 3, 2024
What Does a Month of Data Tell Us About Hezbollah Attacks? - Analysis—Written by Seth J. Frantzman for the Jerusalem Post—November 3, 2024
'Built to Accommodate 1,000 Terrorists': Uncovering and Destroying a Hezbollah Tunnel System—Written by Amir Bohbot for the Jerusalem Post—November 2, 2024
A Day With An IDF Artillery Battalion—Written Yaakov Lappin for Jewish News Syndicate—October 30, 2024
Israel’s Struggle with Hezbollah—A War Without End is now available in eBook and hardback format on Amazon and IngramSpark. This compelling narrative explores Hezbollah’s origins and cancerous growth, traces Israel’s response, and reveals Israel’s present readiness to meet Hezbollah’s challenge.
Cliff Sobin
Important Link—Alma Research and Education Center: Understanding the Security Challenges on Israel’s Northern Border
It is also time for Jews to find out who they are. They can’t just be satisfied with the label of an ethnic identity. We have a fantastic history, we have wonderful customs, and we have a long heritage of learning and intellectual pursuits and and values of morality. We need to study the Bible, the Talmud, Jewish law, and Jewish history. The more we learned about our common heritage, the stronger we will be. The stronger we are, the more motivated we will be To fight back and keep our place in history.
Gerard, thank you for your comment. And in fact I am optimistic not pessimistic, but only if we collectively take a stand. Everywhere Jews and others are standing up to the challenge that faces us and they are making a difference. But more of us need to join them now, not later, because the cause is just and the danger is real.