Hello, all. This is a long post but an important one that I sincerely ask people to read.
I don’t think people realise the impact of their reactions to the Amsterdam pogrom.
After October 7th, so many Jews I know who truly care about peace were left traumatised by the celebratory bloodlust that erupted across the world. I have, with immense sadness, watched their hope for peace fade.
Similarly, the global reactions to the self-described ‘Jew hunt’—which amounted to ‘they had it coming’—have left most Jews I know frightened. Within living memory of the Shoah, you have shown that pre-planned, organised violence against Jews on European soil is once again justified, condoned, even mocked. Jews in Europe have contemplated their futures to me, Jews in the US have expressed a fear that such violence might make its way to them.
You have alienated so many Jews who broadly align with your politics. You have shown them that, no matter where in the world they are, there will always be a reason that violence against them is deserved. In doing so, you have done untold damage to the prospects of mainstream Jewish involvement in peace efforts.
I think of this excerpt in Lord of the Rings:
‘Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens,' said Gimli. 'Maybe,' said Elrond, 'but let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.’
How do you expect Jews to keep the faith when you continue to enable the darkening of their futures in the diaspora? How can you expect them to keep the faith when time and time again you prove how necessary Israel is and how important it is that it remains strong? Most of all: how do you expect the Jewish community to maintain the faith when you yourself have not seen this nightfall? Have you ever experienced people celebrate the murder of your people globally? Irish people, how would you react if people bent over backwards to justify a self-described ‘Irish hunt?’
You cannot possibly comprehend this reality. You cannot possibly expect Jewish people to keep the faith when it is more than likely that you would not if it was your people’s safety and future on the line. You proclaim from your high horse that you would walk into the dark, but you have never seen the nightfall.
Although not in any way comparable, like October 7th, Amsterdam was another test of the world’s moral character in the face of violence inflicted on Jews. It is a test that you failed, yet again. Just as the world always has: across continents and through generations.
This failure of yours not only harms the Jewish community globally, but also the prospects of a lasting peace in Israel/Palestine. Shame on you all.