Dear Reader,
I’m sorry, but to really make my point clear, we need to discuss some of the worst people in history: the Nazis.
Bear with me.
First, I think it’s crucial to know that the Nazis didn’t just appear overnight. They meticulously planned their rise, grounding their strategy in deep-seated antisemitism. To be clear, antisemitism means prejudice against or hatred of Jews.
So, how did it all begin?
Simply put, Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party spread a sick ideology, proclaiming the “Aryan” race as superior and depicting Jews as a destructive force that must be eradicated for Germany to thrive.
How did they achieve this?
Well, for starters, the Nazis were masters of propaganda. They bombarded the German public with messages that painted Jews as subhuman, as exploiters, parasites and enemies of the nation. Der Stürmer, the Nazi’s vile newspaper, was at the forefront of it all, spewing venomous antisemitic lies.
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Their malice wasn’t only confined to words. The SA and later the SS, Nazi paramilitary forces, terrorised Jews, demolishing their shops, invading their communities, and beat them in the streets.
Antisemitism was key to the Nazis’ rise to power.
Without their extreme hatred of Jews, the Nazis might have been just another fringe group. What distinguished them was their morbid fixation on blaming Jews for all of society’s issues and their determination to completely eliminate the Jews.
It was this mindset that led directly to the Holocaust - the systematic murder of 6 million European Jews by the Nazi regime.
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The Nazi message was clear: Jews were outsiders, unworthy of citizenship or even basic human rights. Public rallies and demonstrations across Germany reinforced this message, rallying Nazi supporters and sympathisers, and instilling paralysing fear within Jewish communities.
Driven by desperation, hatred, resentment and ultra-nationalism, the Germans embraced Hitler’s hateful narrative. Meanwhile, Europe watched with indifference - a complacency that paved the way to the Holocaust and Europe’s devastation.
The lesson? Unchecked antisemitism escalates to total war and genocide.
Hitler speaks before the Reichstag (German parliament). Amid rising international tensions, he tells the German public and the world that the outbreak of war would mean the end of European Jewry.
So why am I telling you about this dark episode of humanity’s past?
Well, I believe today we’re witnessing something similar. In recent weeks and months, a worrying rise in antisemitic sentiment has become increasingly visible, particularly in Western societies.
The same old hatred is showing its ugly head again. The monster has returned. This time, it’s aimed at Israel, the world’s only Jewish nation, disguised under labels like ‘politics,’ ‘pro-Palestine’, ‘defence of the indefensible,’ and the ‘oppressed-oppressor’ narrative.
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It’s crucial to recognise that chants on college campuses and massive protests in cities like London, Berlin, or Amsterdam go beyond mere criticism of Israel’s right to self-defence. These slogans often seek to delegitimise Israel’s fight against terrorism and increasingly endorse Hamas. Hamas is internationally recognised as a terrorist organisation and is responsible for the atrocities on October 7th, 2023, killing over 1200 innocent Israelis and taking hundreds hostage, including babies and the elderly.
In order to truly understand the essence of some of these organisations, movements and protesters who proudly present themselves as ‘saviours of the Palestinian people’, we must pay close attention to the nature of some of their chants and slogans.
More often than not, the chants are antisemitic veiled as ‘pro-Palestine’ activism.
Take the phrase “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!” It may initially seem like a benign political statement. However, it implies the elimination of Israel, calling for a Palestinian state stretching from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. The slogan literally calls for the replacement of the entire Jewish state with an Islamic Caliphate led by Hamas. Do we really want to see the emergence of another ISIS-like regime in the Middle-East?
Here is another one: “Resistance by any means necessary!” This is direct support for terrorism. Saying “by any means necessary,” especially after October 7, indicates support, justification, and championing of violence and murder of civilians as a form of so-called “resistance”. Hamas’ “means” have included brutal torture and kidnapping of innocents, including babies and the elderly. Is this really what we want?
Moreover, if you hear the chant “Globalise the intifada,” understand this: it refers to violent Palestinian uprisings against Israel, including acts of terrorism like bus and restaurant bombings. This slogan, nowadays used at almost all anti-Israel rallies, is perceived by the Israelis as a call to target Jews all over the globe and the destruction of their state. Do we really want to contribute to this destructive agenda?
I think it’s important to realise that it’s possible to express concern for Palestinian civilians without endorsing Hamas or ignoring their acts of violence and kidnapping.
In other words, critiquing Israeli policies doesn’t require advocating for the destruction of the Jewish state.
While we can’t assume the intentions of everyone at these protests, participating or aligning with such demonstrations, sharing and liking their propaganda on social media platforms does mean associating with their messages.
If you’re attending or supporting one of these rallies, you might want to consider whether you are comfortable with the implications of these chants and the real-world harm they might cause.
Ask yourself: are you willing to support movements that endorse terrorism, destruction, and genocide?
I’ve faced this question, and my answer is clear: antisemitism is not only a disease in itself, but it also sickens societies. The rising tide of antisemitism deeply troubles me, and I cannot remain silent.
Therefore, I’ve decided to dedicate the month of May to addressing this pressing issue. May, a time when we reflect on World War II and the Holocaust, reminds us of the critical need to confront bigotry and hatred.
Our podcast series, starting with Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning, will explore essential historical lessons, emphasising that silence in the face of evil is tantamount to complicity. This initiative is part of my broader effort to combat the resurgence of antisemitism through informed discussion and reflection.
In a time when social media is full of clashing beliefs, misinformation spreads easily and traps those who aren’t careful. Any of us can easily become someone else’s useful idiot. Therefore, we can’t just sit back. We must learn and inform ourselves. We need to educate ourselves and actively seek out the wisdom of those who have faced these challenges before. They have invaluable lessons to share.
As podcasters, influencers, and individuals, it is our duty to challenge distortions. We must question the sources of our information and reject the simplistic dichotomy of oppressor versus oppressed that fails to acknowledge the complexity of human life.
It’s crucial to look beyond the surface and understand the underlying biases at play. The narrative that vilifies Israel does more than just jeopardise the Jewish community. It also undermines the foundational values of freedom, liberty, democracy, reason, truth, and goodness.
Today, the fight against antisemitism isn’t just about defending one group; it’s about protecting everyone who values a free and just society.
If history has taught us anything, it’s this: unchecked hatred, whether in 1930s Germany or today’s European cities and university campuses, leads to devastating consequences. We cannot afford to stand idly by. We must act, and the time to do so is now.
It’s time to wake up from our complacency. We need to reject propaganda, engage in critical thinking, and firmly defend the values that support human dignity and life.
Remember, when Jews are targeted today, non-Jews could be next. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.
Stand up, speak out, and make sure history doesn’t repeat its darkest days. History is counting on us. Let’s act now.