Not that long ago in America when anti-semitism was much greater than now, constructive dialogue and education among Christians and Jews was facilitated by the National Conference of Christians and Jews. Partly due to these efforts, relations between Christians and Jews greatly improved and anti-semitism decreased. Maybe it's time for European leaders to consider establishing a European Conference of Christians, Jews and Muslims ?
12
Well, in any other country (in Europe) Mr. Netanyahu would be seen as very, very much right wing politician. And to be clear about it: I don't like him, his heritage will become a desaster for Israel.
Be that as it may be: Mr. Netanyahu has some problem: Die orthodox Jewish community grows. They have 4, 6, 8 children per woman, for decades now. And they constitute a reliable cast of votes for the extremist right wing religious parties. Governments only have a small chance to avoid making concessions to them, even coalitions. This trend will continue, unless something happens.
And the only way to avoid that is an influx of other voters against the right wing shift - or there will be the day of some orthodox president of Israel. With possible catastrophic consequences for Israel, its neighbours and peace in the Middle East. So Netanyahu takes the opportunity of the Paris and Copenhagen attacs the promote that immigration.
Not a nice prospect, no matter which way you see it...
Be that as it may be: Mr. Netanyahu has some problem: Die orthodox Jewish community grows. They have 4, 6, 8 children per woman, for decades now. And they constitute a reliable cast of votes for the extremist right wing religious parties. Governments only have a small chance to avoid making concessions to them, even coalitions. This trend will continue, unless something happens.
And the only way to avoid that is an influx of other voters against the right wing shift - or there will be the day of some orthodox president of Israel. With possible catastrophic consequences for Israel, its neighbours and peace in the Middle East. So Netanyahu takes the opportunity of the Paris and Copenhagen attacs the promote that immigration.
Not a nice prospect, no matter which way you see it...
3
The State of Israel has much experience in successfully absorbing large numbers of immigrants.
6
Mr. Cohen, this is simply BRILLIANT.
But you are forgetting one thing.
The American Jewish Community is next in line.
But you are forgetting one thing.
The American Jewish Community is next in line.
5
Mass migration to Israel by European Jews might require massive construction of new housing. Might this not, at some point, require appropriating Palestinian land, forcing Palestinians to uproot & relocate elsewhere against their will? And might this not increase Israeli-Palestine tensions? And could increased tension by any chance cause an increase - directly or indirectly - in the rise of terrorist islamism against Jewish communities and the west in general?
8
Here are some things that many non-Jews (and some Jews themselves) may not understand:
Here in Israel, the Holocaust is with us every day. Many of us grew up in tiny, nuclear families, without parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents. Many-- even those who did not suffer directly-- after establishing their families, have one more child, "for the Holocaust." Lots of children, then lots of grandchildren, is the best way to avenge our six million. That-- and remembering.
Some of us-- those whose entire families or entire villages were wiped from the face of the earth-- adopted the surname Sarid-- Survivor. Yet we are all survivors.
Each of us, but for the Grace of God, could have died by water, fire, sword, beast, famine, thirst, strangling, stoning.
Because we are so small a people, we are also one family. Our hearts break on learning about anti-Semitic acts against our brothers and sisters-- wherever they are.
So, as families do, we offer them shelter, we offer them the safety of living among us. In the past, many have heard our hearts and chosen to share our destiny. Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, we have welcomed Jews from over 80 countries around the world.
I myself "made aliyah" (ascended) to Israel over 40 years ago. Despite the challenges of living in our new/old land, I would not change a single day. I invite my family worldwide to join me.
31
I am a Jew. The world is my home.
9
These are the last days and the Jews are returning home to greet the Messiah. This was foretold for thousands of years. Why do liberal American Jews not recognize this? Why do they not support Israel against enemies who want to kill all Jews? Why do Evangelical Christians care more about protecting Israel than American Jews do? The world owes the Jewish people so much for all they have given it over all these years. Protect Israel from its enemies.
5
Of course, there is the phenomenon of "reverse aliyah": Israelis going to the US, even Germany, perhaps 10% of the population. But in our three-thousand year history it was ever so.
1
I understand that European anti-Semitism has been a great evil and albeit greatly attenuated today lives on. Some Jews fear that it might flare up and reconstitute itself in all it's old enormity. The thought of a safe place-Israel-to call home, once and for all is greatly enticing.
But Mr. Cohen is right. A world in which most Jews live only in Israel is somehow...dull, boring.
But Mr. Cohen is right. A world in which most Jews live only in Israel is somehow...dull, boring.
2
I recently spent three months traveling in Spain and Portugal. I had no agenda, just wanted to explore and learn. I found what i was not looking for. The spark of being a Jew was ignited in my heart. So many places had the remnants of what had been the 'Jewish quarter'. The memories of horror and persecution were every where I traveled. I truly did not seek out the history of genocide, but
found it again again. I stood on the roof of the Alhambra. Someone remarked
'you know, the Christian soldiers would look out at the settlements and where there was no smoke coming out of chimneys on friday night, they knew Jews lived there and would go and slaughter them' (no fires allowed from sun set Friday to sun set Saturday, for the Jew this was the Sabbath). So after a lifetime
of a liberal. eclectic belief system, I now get it. I am a Jew and my genetic code
carries an affiliation with an ancient tribe that has survived for thousands of years. A strange homecoming for a 71 year old female who woke up amid the ashes of the tragic history that preceded me.
found it again again. I stood on the roof of the Alhambra. Someone remarked
'you know, the Christian soldiers would look out at the settlements and where there was no smoke coming out of chimneys on friday night, they knew Jews lived there and would go and slaughter them' (no fires allowed from sun set Friday to sun set Saturday, for the Jew this was the Sabbath). So after a lifetime
of a liberal. eclectic belief system, I now get it. I am a Jew and my genetic code
carries an affiliation with an ancient tribe that has survived for thousands of years. A strange homecoming for a 71 year old female who woke up amid the ashes of the tragic history that preceded me.
24
When Mr Cohen and Mr Netanyahu, from their opposite poles of the political world, joint in proclaiming that the true home of every Jew is not the countries in which the Jews live but Israel, shouldn’t the gentile citizens of all those countries understand that the Jews living among them place the interests and well-being of Israel above the needs and wellbeing of European and American countries in which they live?
When Jews speak of immigrating to Israel as aliyah, an ascending to a higher place, don’t the gentile citizens of the countries from which they are contemplating emigration have to understand that the Jews living among them consider their country an inferior place?
I can understand Mr Netanyahu raising these issues because of his fundamental desire to undermine the status and security of Jews around the world as a way of forcing them either to emigrate to Israel now or at least to support Israel as their place of ultimate refuge, but I am surprised to find Mr Cohen engaging in this dishonest and increasingly dangerous game.
Isn’t it time for all righteous people among the Jews to stand up and publicly repudiate the notion that Israel is their home?
When Jews speak of immigrating to Israel as aliyah, an ascending to a higher place, don’t the gentile citizens of the countries from which they are contemplating emigration have to understand that the Jews living among them consider their country an inferior place?
I can understand Mr Netanyahu raising these issues because of his fundamental desire to undermine the status and security of Jews around the world as a way of forcing them either to emigrate to Israel now or at least to support Israel as their place of ultimate refuge, but I am surprised to find Mr Cohen engaging in this dishonest and increasingly dangerous game.
Isn’t it time for all righteous people among the Jews to stand up and publicly repudiate the notion that Israel is their home?
5
I am from Poland. There before the war the Jewish culture was so vibrant and I think that both Jews and Catholics coexisted largely peacefully up until few years before Nazis came to power.
I live in the USA now and I have very many Jewish friends. I always feel when being around them like finding a long lost neighbor. Many Israelis whose parents were from Eastern Europe are so culturally similar to Polish people.
I always feel some great sadness when realizing that we share so much and yet due to all this terrible war and then Jewish exodus from Poland some fabric of the common society and culture was torn forever. Dear Jewish neighbors, wherever you are, do not leave, it is your home and you are an integral part of Europe.
I live in the USA now and I have very many Jewish friends. I always feel when being around them like finding a long lost neighbor. Many Israelis whose parents were from Eastern Europe are so culturally similar to Polish people.
I always feel some great sadness when realizing that we share so much and yet due to all this terrible war and then Jewish exodus from Poland some fabric of the common society and culture was torn forever. Dear Jewish neighbors, wherever you are, do not leave, it is your home and you are an integral part of Europe.
14
So Mr. Netanyahu believes that all Jews should leave Europe because it has become too dangerous, and they should come to ... Israel. Really? For reasons of safety and security? Really? I just hope that those Jews who do choose to emigrate retain their European (or American or Canadian or Argentinian) citizenship. And hold their passports close at hand.
5
A beautiful column, Roger!
I have read this column twice, and I fail to understand it. Before 1947 people lived in what is now called Israel. What happened to them and their rights?
6
All things considered, I'll stay in N.Y. Maybe I'll read the account of the Prime Minister's speech when/if the Times reports on it?
2
Jews have lived in Europe for thousands of years , and are an integral part of European culture. Roger Cohen is right in drawing a bleak picture , bleak for all, if all Jews, or most Jews, leave. In that sense, Netanyahu's call , if interpreted as a call for all Jews to leave, is misplaced. I guess a more benevolent interpretation would be to emphasize the fact there is a Jewish state in existence , whose raison d'etre is to provide refuge to those Jews who feel threatened in their communities elsewhere - and cannot live normal lives. If Jews are told not to wear a yarmulke because this might endanger them - they are indeed threatened. It is the responsibility of European government to ensure that this does not happen , since if this continues , many Jews will feel that they have to move to countries where this does not happen. Some European countries are better than others in that respect. France and Belgium should follow the good examples .
However, from a historical perspective, an important element id missing iin this discussion. Jews have lived in Iraq, Syria, Iran and Egypt for 2500 hundred years. Their contribution to the respective civilizations has been enormous. The Jewish communities in those countries survived many conquests, some of them extremely brutal . The fact that the Arab regimes did nothing to protect their Jews, and encouraged activities and persecution , resulted in a mass exodus - essentially emptying those countries of Jews, unfortunately for all.
However, from a historical perspective, an important element id missing iin this discussion. Jews have lived in Iraq, Syria, Iran and Egypt for 2500 hundred years. Their contribution to the respective civilizations has been enormous. The Jewish communities in those countries survived many conquests, some of them extremely brutal . The fact that the Arab regimes did nothing to protect their Jews, and encouraged activities and persecution , resulted in a mass exodus - essentially emptying those countries of Jews, unfortunately for all.
8
I am ambivalent re: the fate of my Jewish brethren in Europe. On the one hand, the recent upsurge in anti-Semitism is troubling. On the other hand, how many Jews have died as a result? Less than the number of young, unarmed black men killed by police officers in the U.S. during the same period. My point? Do the killings of these young black men signify that we are poised for a return to slavery? Probably not. And does the anti-Semitism in Europe signify that we are poised for another Holocaust? Probably not. I think some unemotional analysis of the situation would be helpful.
7
Profoundly imagined - a poet.
"... I the Sovreign Lord have spoken. I will use you to show the nations that I am holy. I will take you from every nation and country and bring you back to your own land..." Ezekiel 36: 24
It started in 1948 and it will continue till all the Jewish people will make their home in Israel! Maranatha!
It started in 1948 and it will continue till all the Jewish people will make their home in Israel! Maranatha!
Roger Cohen did it again. He writes a good, honest piece, then interjects his own politics near the very end."refused to be part of the spreading settlements in the West Bank, Israeli rule over another people." Now there are two issues. The first, that there is plenty of room to build and develop outside of the area that he calls "the West Bank." So this rationalization for not coming home to Israel is bunk. The second is that the Arabs consider all of Israel to be part of the West Bank, in which case, no matter what the Liberal Jew would have you believe, since they support the Palestinian cause, they cannot move to Israel. There are plenty of reasons for not moving to Israel. There is only one reason to do so. It is the only place on Earth that Jews can call "home."
9
I appreciate the imaginative sympathy here for the plight of European Jews, but it may well be that the report of their death is somewhat exaggerated.
What is true however is that many of them could make real contributions to Israel and live far fuller Jewish lives there.
Unfortunately Roger Cohen focuses on what is now less than the heart of the global Jewish story. The main story is the 'Jihad' against Israel and the Jewish people led by the Islamic Revolutionary regime in Iran, but also including very large Sunni elements from Hamas through ISIL and even elements of the so-called moderate Fatah.
The fact is the greatest danger to the Jewish people today is the genocidal threat from Iran. And the main political and survival issue for the Jewish people is whether that would-be-committer of staticide and genocide will be sanctioned to be a threshold nuclear power.
European Jews diminished perhaps will survive in small pockets of irrelevance. But the major Jewish global story relates to the situation and development of the Jewish state.
What is true however is that many of them could make real contributions to Israel and live far fuller Jewish lives there.
Unfortunately Roger Cohen focuses on what is now less than the heart of the global Jewish story. The main story is the 'Jihad' against Israel and the Jewish people led by the Islamic Revolutionary regime in Iran, but also including very large Sunni elements from Hamas through ISIL and even elements of the so-called moderate Fatah.
The fact is the greatest danger to the Jewish people today is the genocidal threat from Iran. And the main political and survival issue for the Jewish people is whether that would-be-committer of staticide and genocide will be sanctioned to be a threshold nuclear power.
European Jews diminished perhaps will survive in small pockets of irrelevance. But the major Jewish global story relates to the situation and development of the Jewish state.
5
As a Jew who has lived in Paris, I find ridiculous the idea that French Jews should move to Israel because of anti-semitic activity. As bad as those attacks and other incidents were, they are not representative of French feeling towards Jews, even by French Muslims. Moving to Israel would be simply out of the frying pan into the fire, as far more attacks on Jews by a hostile minority occur there. Netanyahu cannot provide any assurances of their safety there along with his entreaties to move. And laicité (separation of church and state) is a fundamental democratic principle in France that is lacking in Israel.
26
Mr. Cohen manages to impune the decisions of the people of Israel (remember, it is the only democracy in the Middle East) while respecting and admiring the achievements of various Jews. As the son of a Holocaust survivor, I literally cringe when reading his words, as his message is an old one: we admire you, but do not dare defend yourself.
8
I was following you until you got to the Bibi bashing.
If every Jew were to leave Europe, Argentina, Yemen, and Ukraine (just to name the places that they're threatened this week) and settle in Israel within its 1948 borders, Israel would be much less densely populated than Singapore or New Jersey.
Netanyahu made a gracious offer which should be accepted or not with a grateful "no thanks" or "no thanks for now". There is no need to assume ulterior motives. Israel was founded as a refuge for Jews and has recently welcomed Jews from China and India among other places.
Israel successfully absorbed about 1 million Soviet Jews in the 90's and will be able to successfully absorb any European Jews that decide to follow them.
If every Jew were to leave Europe, Argentina, Yemen, and Ukraine (just to name the places that they're threatened this week) and settle in Israel within its 1948 borders, Israel would be much less densely populated than Singapore or New Jersey.
Netanyahu made a gracious offer which should be accepted or not with a grateful "no thanks" or "no thanks for now". There is no need to assume ulterior motives. Israel was founded as a refuge for Jews and has recently welcomed Jews from China and India among other places.
Israel successfully absorbed about 1 million Soviet Jews in the 90's and will be able to successfully absorb any European Jews that decide to follow them.
12
So many articles about French people moving to Israel...
How about some articles about all the Israelis being driven to Berlin by Netanyahu's horrible economic and social policies?
That's the real story. And the funny thing is, Angela Merkel doesn't go to Israel, push to the front of parades. declare Germany a Christian state, and then call opposition leaders in foreign countries to collaborate in attempts to embarrass world leaders.
No French Jews or anyone else is going to sign up to go to a country that is led by thug like that. Leaving France for Israel for safety is like moving from Chicago to Moscow to flee corruption.
How about some articles about all the Israelis being driven to Berlin by Netanyahu's horrible economic and social policies?
That's the real story. And the funny thing is, Angela Merkel doesn't go to Israel, push to the front of parades. declare Germany a Christian state, and then call opposition leaders in foreign countries to collaborate in attempts to embarrass world leaders.
No French Jews or anyone else is going to sign up to go to a country that is led by thug like that. Leaving France for Israel for safety is like moving from Chicago to Moscow to flee corruption.
7
I'd feel much better if Israel had another old General in charge who knew both how to fight and try for peace, both.
What Netanyahu seems to know is politics. And so he gets involved in U.S. presidential elections and conspiracies to embarrass one U.S. political party in cooperation with the other party. Israel's support is so deep and wide that this may not end in disaster, but I really doubt it's wise.
What Netanyahu seems to know is politics. And so he gets involved in U.S. presidential elections and conspiracies to embarrass one U.S. political party in cooperation with the other party. Israel's support is so deep and wide that this may not end in disaster, but I really doubt it's wise.
3
It would be instructive for people to know the words contained in The Balfour Declaration of 1917 when Palestine was a British Protectorate. "His Majesty's Government views with pleasure the establisment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people ... it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine." "Nothing shall be done"? Not much of Palestine left now.
5
Netanyahu's call for all European Jews to move from their homes to ones in Israel is nothing less than a surrender to the forces of terrorism and anti-Semitism.
He is too much of a bully, a narcissist, and too close minded to realize his own appalling bigotry. He is what we call in Yiddish, a shanda... an embarrassment.
He is too much of a bully, a narcissist, and too close minded to realize his own appalling bigotry. He is what we call in Yiddish, a shanda... an embarrassment.
8
Seems to me Netanyahu wants to use aliyah as a weapon to destroy liberalism in the Jewish community.
4
Europe is decaying. I wouldn't blame any European Jew for heading to America or Israel.
5
It might be worth pointing out to Mr. Netanyahu that the odds of being injured or killed because you are Jewish have been much greater over the last many decades in Israel than in any European country. And, for a secular Jew, treatment at the hands of the Orthodox (Remember, for one, the little spat-upon girl?), and restrictions placed on ones freedoms caused by political accommodation to them, is not a small thing. I'll stay in Maine.
4
Bibi is clearly being disrespectful of diaspora Jews.
Furthermore, the diaspora has always been a guarantee of Jewish survival.
If Israel, God forbid, is destroyed, the Jewish people will survive because of the Jews living in the rest of the world.
Furthermore, the diaspora has always been a guarantee of Jewish survival.
If Israel, God forbid, is destroyed, the Jewish people will survive because of the Jews living in the rest of the world.
5
I believe that the outbreaks of anti-Semitism in Europe are due to what some Europeans feel are the crimes against humanity committed by Netanyahu in Gaza.
When Netanyahu claims to speak for Jews all over he is taken by some to implicate all Jews in his actions. By inviting all European Jews to take refuge in Israel Netanyahu seems to be implicating them in deeds that they have had no part in.
European Jews should join the Russian Jews to complete the colonization of the West Bank.
US Jews should to stay to continue, with the Evangelicals and Republicans,
keep the flow of arm and money flowing and preventing the UN and criminal tribunals from being bothersome.
5
Roger - your basic assumption is that the few remaining Jews of Europe are not at risk and even if they are, they should stay put for the benefit of Europe. The Israeli PM disagrees with you and moreover if his assumption (that the Jews of Europe are at risk) is correct - or even if he truly believes it is correct - it would be a dereliction of his duty not to invite them all - post haste - to Israel.
7
Kant was quoting the Torah (as was Shakespeare in virtually all his precepts):
Koheles (Ecclesiastes) 1:15: "That which is made crooked cannot be made straight..."
1:9: "There is nothing new under the sun."
Koheles (Ecclesiastes) 1:15: "That which is made crooked cannot be made straight..."
1:9: "There is nothing new under the sun."
2
Nay sayers here have a certain parallel to the German Jew reminding his fellow Jewish Landsmann, "we are safe, this is Germany, the most advanced country in the World and it is 1935 after all."
9
Its interesting that Netanyahu is going around the world telling Jews to come to Israel, there is plenty of room for them, but no room for Palestinians. No wonder the non-white world sees Israel as the last bastion of While Colonialism.
8
Mr Cohen makes a show of opposing Mr Netanyahu’s exhortation that all European Jews flee to Israel for refuge, but fundamentally Mr Cohen actually buttresses Mr Netanyahu’s position.
Mr Cohen writes, “Israel is indeed the home of every Jew, and that is important, a guarantee of sorts.” Well, people are not quarks. We can have only one essential home, and that is the place to which we give our loyalty and allegiance. If Israel is the home of every Jew, then the countries of Europe and America in which they happen to be living, where their families may have lived for generations, are, according to Cohen and Netanyahu, can be no more than way stations to be upped and quit when push comes to shove.
Mr Cohen goes on to say, “It is equally important, however, that not every Jew choose this home. That is another kind of guarantee, of Europe’s liberal order, of the liberal idea itself.” But this just digs him deeper into Mr Netanyahu’s pocket, because by “the liberal idea” he clearly means political order supportive of Israel. Jews are to remain in the other countries to bend their politics to benefit Israel.
Support for Mr Netanyahu’s ‘Israel home’ position is inevitable in Mr Cohen given his apparent belief once a Jew always a Jew. Listing famous European Jews, he writes, “Disraeli and Heine and Marx (all baptized, but still)”.
As an ethical thinker Mr Cohen should repudiate the invidious notions that Jewishness is inherent and Israel the true home of all Jews.
Mr Cohen writes, “Israel is indeed the home of every Jew, and that is important, a guarantee of sorts.” Well, people are not quarks. We can have only one essential home, and that is the place to which we give our loyalty and allegiance. If Israel is the home of every Jew, then the countries of Europe and America in which they happen to be living, where their families may have lived for generations, are, according to Cohen and Netanyahu, can be no more than way stations to be upped and quit when push comes to shove.
Mr Cohen goes on to say, “It is equally important, however, that not every Jew choose this home. That is another kind of guarantee, of Europe’s liberal order, of the liberal idea itself.” But this just digs him deeper into Mr Netanyahu’s pocket, because by “the liberal idea” he clearly means political order supportive of Israel. Jews are to remain in the other countries to bend their politics to benefit Israel.
Support for Mr Netanyahu’s ‘Israel home’ position is inevitable in Mr Cohen given his apparent belief once a Jew always a Jew. Listing famous European Jews, he writes, “Disraeli and Heine and Marx (all baptized, but still)”.
As an ethical thinker Mr Cohen should repudiate the invidious notions that Jewishness is inherent and Israel the true home of all Jews.
3
Rabbi Hillel the Elder, he who accepted the challenge by the gentile to teach him the Torah while he stood on one foot and told him "What is hateful to thee, do not unto others. That is the whole Torah; all the rest is commentary", was also, for a time, the tutor of a young fellow who learned his lessons well and went on to expound upon them. His name? Yeshua of Nazareth. In Greek, Jesus.
The bigots and barbarians of this world will never forgive the Jews for having unleashed upon this world a man and his disciples who taught us how to live together in peace, if only we'd listen. Hitler himself said that the 'Christian God' (his phrase) was a poor role model, for being too kind, merciful and peaceful. And it was that amazing genius of mathematics and philosophy, France's Blaise Pascal, who back in the early 17th century delivered, in his book Pensees (Thoughts), Number 144: "Je suis arrive a la realisation que les vraies juifs et les vraies chretiens n'ont que la meme religion." ("I have come to the realisation that true Jews and true Christians have the same religion.")
Such is the state of Western civilisation. The Jews, it has oft been noted, are the canaries in the mine. When they succumb, all will be overcome.
The bigots and barbarians of this world will never forgive the Jews for having unleashed upon this world a man and his disciples who taught us how to live together in peace, if only we'd listen. Hitler himself said that the 'Christian God' (his phrase) was a poor role model, for being too kind, merciful and peaceful. And it was that amazing genius of mathematics and philosophy, France's Blaise Pascal, who back in the early 17th century delivered, in his book Pensees (Thoughts), Number 144: "Je suis arrive a la realisation que les vraies juifs et les vraies chretiens n'ont que la meme religion." ("I have come to the realisation that true Jews and true Christians have the same religion.")
Such is the state of Western civilisation. The Jews, it has oft been noted, are the canaries in the mine. When they succumb, all will be overcome.
4
What is missing in most comments is the fact that jews and gentiles alike are under attack in Europe by radical islamists, most of them with middle-eastern family roots. Comparisons with Europe's own endemic antisemitic past are understandable, but quite misleading. Inviting all the European jews to come to Israel, a jewish enclave in a very hostile muslim world by promising they are safe over there seems to me in the long run a promise hard to keep.
2
"They were gone..." And you include Manchester?! Excuse me! While that iconic City in northwestern England does not have the huge numbers of landsmen and landsmenettes it once had, the Manchester - Nottingham area still has a relatively large, thriving, and vibrant Jewish community! How do I know this?! Well, I still have family there, and they've lived there, as good Englishmen and Englishwomen, for well over one hundred and twenty five years, now!!!
2
Blaming the victim? Why is it the Jews', or Netanyahu's), fault if we choose to leave Europe? Should we stick around and wait for things to blow over, as we did before? We get blamed for that, too (see below).
The Europeans haven't wasted too many minutes regretting the absence of the Jews since WWII. And the Arab world certainly hasn't. Both cultures are stilll enjoying the expropriated fruits.
The Europeans haven't wasted too many minutes regretting the absence of the Jews since WWII. And the Arab world certainly hasn't. Both cultures are stilll enjoying the expropriated fruits.
9
Mr Cohen: I'd like to suggest that the last 60 years of Jewish life in Europe should be considered an aberration, bookmarked by the poison of antisemitism. While the poison prior to WWII was spawned by the Catholic Church, the current poison is derived from Islam that denigrates the Jew to that of a monkey, an ape, a devil incarnate. So long as the Jew is deprived of his/her humanity in Europe, there is no place for the Jew in Europe. I speak as a 2nd generation child of Holocaust survivors.
10
The promise to Abraham was that his descendants would be "a light unto the Gentiles." Netanyahu's vision of that light is one great beam, rotating in Palestine, and illuminating the world from there. A better plan - if human plans are to be the fulfillment of the Abrahamic promise - is to go among the Gentiles and BE a light among them. In the end it may prove to be a safe plan too; it is harder to snuff out several million lights than one large one.
This is a wonderful exercise, Mr. Cohen, and your description of cultural loss would work for all sorts of peoples in many places. For instance, if you travel from diverse parts of America into white enclaves, a larger richness of culture is missing. It instructs us on the value of cultural complexity in societies.
Europe, though, allowed a modern anti-Semitism to develop -- a critique of Israeli policy that wasn't argued fairly enough, that became infected by an older European Christian anti-Semitism, and neatly dovetailed with Islamic anti-Semitism, was very popular. These awful killings of Jews & of Europeans who are free-speech advocates are the result of not having drawn the line earlier. I am very glad that the European states are now standing up in support of Jewish citizens.
Israel's often defensive posture is the result of being embattled for too long. The unethical policies of the right-wing and Netanyahu thrive when militarism is a necessity -- changing course requires more bravery than those of us living securing in the U.S. understand. A secure, yet progressive, Israel is important to Jewish survival, but vibrant Jewish communities outside of Israel are important for Jewish survival, and the Jewish soul, as well.
Europe, though, allowed a modern anti-Semitism to develop -- a critique of Israeli policy that wasn't argued fairly enough, that became infected by an older European Christian anti-Semitism, and neatly dovetailed with Islamic anti-Semitism, was very popular. These awful killings of Jews & of Europeans who are free-speech advocates are the result of not having drawn the line earlier. I am very glad that the European states are now standing up in support of Jewish citizens.
Israel's often defensive posture is the result of being embattled for too long. The unethical policies of the right-wing and Netanyahu thrive when militarism is a necessity -- changing course requires more bravery than those of us living securing in the U.S. understand. A secure, yet progressive, Israel is important to Jewish survival, but vibrant Jewish communities outside of Israel are important for Jewish survival, and the Jewish soul, as well.
5
For the Jews last century, the pessimists went to New York, the optimists went to Auschwitz.
10
Mr. Cohen, Prime Minister of Israel is just a symptom of some underlying problems and not the cause of it.
How is it possible that for more than 3500 years, since the days of our Prophet Moses (1393-1272 BCE) have been wandering and have not been able to settle down whether it be tribal societies, Roman Rulers, Kingdoms, Autocratic Rulers, Democracies of Europe, or current different variations of government?
We always have had eminent personalities of Jewish persuasions in almost every field, some of them you have highlighted in your piece.
There has been and continues to be major contributions in human development fueled by the Jewish diaspora all over the world.
It is difficult for me to understand why it appears that the whole world is against the Jews. Could it be that they do or act that the locals get agitated in spite of their major contribution to the societies they inhabit? Maybe an inward reflection is in order instead of blaming the whole world for the gross injustice done to the Jewish people. BTW, I am not condoning any act of injustice done by anyone, any government, to any people whether Jewish or the gentiles.
How is it possible that for more than 3500 years, since the days of our Prophet Moses (1393-1272 BCE) have been wandering and have not been able to settle down whether it be tribal societies, Roman Rulers, Kingdoms, Autocratic Rulers, Democracies of Europe, or current different variations of government?
We always have had eminent personalities of Jewish persuasions in almost every field, some of them you have highlighted in your piece.
There has been and continues to be major contributions in human development fueled by the Jewish diaspora all over the world.
It is difficult for me to understand why it appears that the whole world is against the Jews. Could it be that they do or act that the locals get agitated in spite of their major contribution to the societies they inhabit? Maybe an inward reflection is in order instead of blaming the whole world for the gross injustice done to the Jewish people. BTW, I am not condoning any act of injustice done by anyone, any government, to any people whether Jewish or the gentiles.
4
It is good that Palestine got a mention. There are few innocents in human stories. Maybe that line in the Torah could do with some practice.
5
Who, in Europe, decided to open the floodgates to Muslim immigrants to counteract Europe's declining birth rates? If this isn't the root cause of the current conflict problems among all old-time European citizens, not just Jews, then what is? Poor leadership has failed Europe again.
It's about time to close the gates. Otherwise, the Jews will likely build themselves an ark and survive the flood. Prime Minister Netanyahu doesn't have to encourage them to do this - they are wise enough to calculate the risks of a journey by themselves.
It's about time to close the gates. Otherwise, the Jews will likely build themselves an ark and survive the flood. Prime Minister Netanyahu doesn't have to encourage them to do this - they are wise enough to calculate the risks of a journey by themselves.
6
Jews who feel unwelcome in Europe can find a home in the U.S. of A.
2
I'm perhaps missing something. The Jews of Europe today number not much more than a million, including those still in the former Soviet Union. It seems to me that the very real loss Cohen points to occurred long ago. If all the Jews still remaining in a Europe that never really wanted them (and still doesn't) up and left, it would make very little difference, except to some extent in Paris. Not all these Jews would go to Israel, and if half (or more) of them did, Israel could easily manage to integrate them, since most are well educated and many bring ample resources. So Netanyahu's alleged nightmare would be a dream come true. Cohen is living a different kind of dream, an idealized vision of what Europe was, for a few short decades, and has ceased to be, since about 1930.
11
I don't believe it for a moment, but let's assume for the sake of argument that "Europe" doesn't like Jews, is unwilling to defend them and would be happy if they all left. In such a scenario, the Prime Minister's remarks would make sense, i.e. the minority Jewish "other" should quit Europe en masse. As I say, I feel this perspective is completely false, but there is no way I know to prove the argument one way or the other.
But if respect for the minority "other" is to be taken as evidence for honorable civilized values, Israel has some issues of its own to deal with, i.e. its treatment of the non-Jewish black African asylum seekers, escaping a quasi genocide in Sudan, who now live in Israel in "the world's biggest detention center". As far as I know, no more than a handful, if that, have been offered permanent resident status despite their horrific personal histories of persecution. Instead, in circumstances eerily reminiscent of how
the US and Canada turned away Jews fleeing the Holocaust, the asylum seekers can expect little more as their welcome to Israel than offers for money for airfare "back home" and a small bonus for leaving.
The rest of the world is not any better, and its fair enough for Israel as a tiny country beset with its own problems to point this out. But, spare us please the implication that Israel operates on some higher moral plane than "Europe" - for the Jews, maybe, but certainly not for other minorities.
But if respect for the minority "other" is to be taken as evidence for honorable civilized values, Israel has some issues of its own to deal with, i.e. its treatment of the non-Jewish black African asylum seekers, escaping a quasi genocide in Sudan, who now live in Israel in "the world's biggest detention center". As far as I know, no more than a handful, if that, have been offered permanent resident status despite their horrific personal histories of persecution. Instead, in circumstances eerily reminiscent of how
the US and Canada turned away Jews fleeing the Holocaust, the asylum seekers can expect little more as their welcome to Israel than offers for money for airfare "back home" and a small bonus for leaving.
The rest of the world is not any better, and its fair enough for Israel as a tiny country beset with its own problems to point this out. But, spare us please the implication that Israel operates on some higher moral plane than "Europe" - for the Jews, maybe, but certainly not for other minorities.
5
Beautifully written opinion. Especially the quote from Kant, which I had never read. It is a perfect summing up of the crooked human race and its endless tribalism.
1
We USA Christians feel a strong sense of Affinity for our USA Jewish brethren, period. They are among the best of the rich cultures that have graced our shores. Period. Jews can vote with their feet and I will make my business to let them know that we are so lucky they have chosen to call America home. Did anyone forget to mention how prolific and productive and bright and law abiding they are! I would be honored to think Jews from around the world would someday consider America their home. What a great people.
4
When societies are pluralistic, every person feels like a minority, since communities are diverse and individuals are part of multiple groups silmutaneously (job, personality, education, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, religion, ...). When societies foster homogeneity, they become intolerant, and destroy individuality.
Jews were very significant in their contribution to european philosophy, from which stem many political reforms that created the modern word ( just think of Spinoza, who got kicked out of his synagogue, and influenced German philosophy greatly). I am sad, especially for Germany, that jewishness has been erased, while so much of jewish history belong to this land (much more than Israel...).
Being born a Roman Catholic, I am questioning wether it still makes sense today to believe in God...and I realized that many of my jewish friends shared that same thought!
So what is it to be a Jew in 2015? Despite having been one of the most modern cultures on earth, the jews are still victimized by books that were forged throughout history by synical men driven by short term political agendas. Humanity may have been a start, but they ended up as political instruments...
If I were a Jew, I would trust few, rely on few, and be always ready to move. I find the antisemitism in Europe very disruptive and shamefull. Its foundation in an illiterate subculture that ended up ruling the world (both muslim and christian) is a shame to humanity.
Jews were very significant in their contribution to european philosophy, from which stem many political reforms that created the modern word ( just think of Spinoza, who got kicked out of his synagogue, and influenced German philosophy greatly). I am sad, especially for Germany, that jewishness has been erased, while so much of jewish history belong to this land (much more than Israel...).
Being born a Roman Catholic, I am questioning wether it still makes sense today to believe in God...and I realized that many of my jewish friends shared that same thought!
So what is it to be a Jew in 2015? Despite having been one of the most modern cultures on earth, the jews are still victimized by books that were forged throughout history by synical men driven by short term political agendas. Humanity may have been a start, but they ended up as political instruments...
If I were a Jew, I would trust few, rely on few, and be always ready to move. I find the antisemitism in Europe very disruptive and shamefull. Its foundation in an illiterate subculture that ended up ruling the world (both muslim and christian) is a shame to humanity.
5
And so the Jews that chose to remain in Europe were slaughtered once again - those that failed to adhere to Santayana's wisdom, those whose DNA had lost the sensitivity to hatred, those who were to meek to murmur "never again." And the lunacy of the Islamic lack of any sense of humanity prevailed. And the goyim never wept.
7
The Jews finally have a place of their own and they have every right to defend it. If that means having to violently resist their neighbours who seek their destruction and undertake pre-emptive actions in that regard, that is what shall come to pass. A wound needs to be left alone to heal and in time it will. This constant cycle of violence from the Arabs and anti-Semitism from the West is akin to picking at the scab over and over again. Any and all actions that Israel undertakes to secure the safety and prosperity of its citizens is warranted.
9
Thank you Roger. This needed saying. And now, for those of us in Europe and of Europe - we must act together in solidarity, to defend and protect against the hateful, and honor and extend the human-ennobling culture that you so rightly have summarised.
1
Developments and challenges of the new century clearly show that for human civilization to survive, it must rather quickly overcome tribal, national, religious and ideological prejudices in favor of membership in the global human club. This club could only flourish based on scientific brainstorming and collaboration of its diverse members and reconciliation with the damaged mother Earth. Jewish people should be the pioneers to achieve this dream.
1
My father was driven (via Dachau) from Germany and settled in the US. I have lived and travelled extensively in Europe and felt anti-semitism during my life. The bottom line is being anti-semitic is the easiest way that people often find to feel good about themselves; just like a bully acts that way to feel superior. What is happening in Europe is that many people are feeling down and need someone/something to blame, other than themselves. Opportunistic preachers, religious and political, use this to appeal to these people, most of whom have a natural tendency to group behavior and are not critical thinkers, even if that behavior is anti-social or murderous. What I'm saying is that criminals are criminals, and these crazy and sociopathic people yearn to bully or kill with any excuse provided. If that excuse is provided by someone with apparent "righteousness," all the better. It's time to focus on the pushers of these sociopathic ideas and call out every instance and hope that we will have an "enlightenment" soon.
3
The progress of Europe has been on the wealth and intellect of Jews for a millennium. When things get tough, they kill us and steal our money. This should end, by leaving Europe.
4
The rhetoric around this issue is getting more than a little breathless. Before will all fall into mass hysteria, let's take a deep breath and assess the risk appropriately in context. It would be a tragic loss for Europe, for Israel, and us all if everybody took Bibi's campaign speeches to heart.
It is not 1930 and the Jewish community in Europe while diminished in numbers is hardly the vulnerable, marginalized community of pre-Holocaust Europe. There is anti-Semitism, yes. It can be dangerous, yes. But, we are not on the verge of another Kristalnacht by any means. Let's not lose our heads and toss out all the progress we have made over the last 70 years.
For every nasty bigoted cretin, there are many of us who will not accept that rubbish in our communities and who would stand by our neighbors. This is our home too and we value our vibrant diverse communities. We may have different opinions and make different lifestyle choices, but we don't go around abusing each other. We will all be worse off if every group flees to their own sanctuary and sets themselves against the world.
It is not 1930 and the Jewish community in Europe while diminished in numbers is hardly the vulnerable, marginalized community of pre-Holocaust Europe. There is anti-Semitism, yes. It can be dangerous, yes. But, we are not on the verge of another Kristalnacht by any means. Let's not lose our heads and toss out all the progress we have made over the last 70 years.
For every nasty bigoted cretin, there are many of us who will not accept that rubbish in our communities and who would stand by our neighbors. This is our home too and we value our vibrant diverse communities. We may have different opinions and make different lifestyle choices, but we don't go around abusing each other. We will all be worse off if every group flees to their own sanctuary and sets themselves against the world.
3
I can't believe all of this hysteria. I'm Jewish, and of course I am concerned about the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe. But, like all news, what is reported are bad things, incidents where there is vandalism or bloodshed. The fact is, Jews in Western Europe are doing just fine. There will be mass exodus. This is not 1938.
As for all of those guards and barriers at synagogues, I see the same thing in New York City. Not to mention every school in the U.S., where children are taught what to do if a gunman enters. In fact, in terms of murders, I'd say all people of age to be in Grades 1 to 12 should get out of the U.S. now!
As for all of those guards and barriers at synagogues, I see the same thing in New York City. Not to mention every school in the U.S., where children are taught what to do if a gunman enters. In fact, in terms of murders, I'd say all people of age to be in Grades 1 to 12 should get out of the U.S. now!
4
Roger;
Another great article, on the spot and relevant in today as 100 years ago.
I hope the emigration of Jews out of Europe serves as a warning to other ethnic groups, religious and nationalities.
History is full of people who were silent during atrocities & injustice and ended up being the victims of the next wave of violence. It never stops with one group. Those who remain silent today will be tomorrow's victims.
The next Bogeyman
It has happened every where, Germany, Russia, Cambodia, Rwanda, and many other places on a smaller scale.
Another great article, on the spot and relevant in today as 100 years ago.
I hope the emigration of Jews out of Europe serves as a warning to other ethnic groups, religious and nationalities.
History is full of people who were silent during atrocities & injustice and ended up being the victims of the next wave of violence. It never stops with one group. Those who remain silent today will be tomorrow's victims.
The next Bogeyman
It has happened every where, Germany, Russia, Cambodia, Rwanda, and many other places on a smaller scale.
It is likely that the murdered European Jewish populations during the Second World War would have been able to find refuge in Israel, had it existed instead of British-ruled Palestine, as it were. Western powers including the US and other nations refused refuge for Jews fleeing the Holocaust. Today's NYT includes a report of the few remaining Jews in Yemen. To be sure, if ever they are in need of immediate rescue, it will likely be Israel that acts first and resolutely to save them, just as the rescue from Entebbe, some years ago. The prime minister is reminding us of a historical and present reality. The nightmare only comes to those who refuse to learn from history.
10
Another thought: whatever safety Netanyahu thinks israel offers Jews, it's still wisest not to put all your eggs in one basket.
1
I think after all these years, after the Holocaust and the inability of Europe to learn anything from it, Europe deserves what it gets. The Jews owe Europe nothing except centuries of anti Semitism and the murder of millions for no other reason than they were Jews. Israel, with several million European Jews living there, will become ever more successful, ever more innovative and ever more powerful. Now, If only a few million American Jews would join them. That would really be the Zionist dream.
6
The hatred of Jews worldwide continues to amaze me. I grew up with mostly Jewish friends on Long Island in the 1950's and 60's. There was never a problem, even with those who were observant. I wish that I had more neighbors like them today. The fact that so many people worldwide blame Jews for their own failures economically and socially is revealing of their own inadequacies.
7
Bibi, the stereotypical Jewish mother - always there to say "I told you so". You should have listened to me.
Bibi, the ambulance chaser - whenever a Jew is victimized, he always rushes there to offer his services - did someone call for me?
Opportunist, but always with a warning and a threat....
3
Althogh this is sad it is also prophetic, jews who still believe in the Tanakh (Old testament) will see this renewed hatred in Europe as a sign of the times.
We are told that Israel is the only place where a Jew will ever live free from hate. We are told that Jews will all gather in Israel for the coming of messiah.
We are told that Israel is the only place where a Jew will ever live free from hate. We are told that Jews will all gather in Israel for the coming of messiah.
1
Once again, let's blame the victim. If only the Jews would stick around to be massacred, everyone might be happy for a change. Been there, done that!! Not an experience worth repeating from what I can see.
12
I can't think of anything less safe for the Jewish people than encouraging them to pack themselves into a small country that could be easily destroyed with biologicals or a rogue nuclear weapon. The story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin comes to mind.
3
We kind of gave up on Polish Judaism a while back. as some rather difficult circumstances seemed too difficult to overcome. That had been a major tentpole in the edifice of European Judaism.
3
I am Jewish. Israel is NOT, and never will be my home.
I feel no affinity for a country that has built itself on the same sort of hatred that exiled the Jews for thousands of years. I have no desire to live in a country where reactionary rabbis wield so much power.
The United States is truly an "imperfect nation", but a place where we can try to coexist peacefully with our neighbors of all faiths. I am not always proud of my country, but I am proud of the ideals we strive for.
I feel no affinity for a country that has built itself on the same sort of hatred that exiled the Jews for thousands of years. I have no desire to live in a country where reactionary rabbis wield so much power.
The United States is truly an "imperfect nation", but a place where we can try to coexist peacefully with our neighbors of all faiths. I am not always proud of my country, but I am proud of the ideals we strive for.
17
Let's face it...if survival of the Jewish people is the primary goal, then we now have the best of all possible worlds. While the diaspora may not be the ultimate Jewish choice in the eyes of extreme Zionists like Netanyahu, it guarantees the survival of more than half of world Jewry by the very fact of their dispersal. Gathering everyone in the confined space of the 1967 borders of Israel invites a genocidal catastrophe, never mind exacerbating the problems of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. On the other hand, the existence of a sovereign Israel guarantees a safe haven for Jews threatened anytime and anywhere in the world. Imagine that in 1930-45! Netanyahu's gesture to the French Jews was obviously for local political consumption; Mr. Cohen once again has identified the illogic in his self-serving rant.
8
Europe does not care about the Jews. They have served as excellent scapegoats throughout history, despite their contributions in science, art and humanities. Their civil rights have been systematically undermined even though they've been citizens for generations, their property confiscated, and jobs taken away, when an unscrupulous leader wanted to placate the masses. It is definitely disturbing to watch the rise of anti-semitism in Europe again, partially because of a huge influx of the semi literate Arab population into the European countries to escape their own atrocious living conditions under sheiks and dictators in front of which Europe and the US cowtow for their oil, and also because, well, someone needs scapegoats for difficult economic or emotional times. The US did not open its arms to the refugees fleeing the Holocaust either, and did turn a few ship back, remember? So may-be the prime minister of Israel just wanted to make the Jews feel better, reminding them that there is one still one place welcoming them for at least now.
11
The current European anti-Semitism is disturbing and disgusting, and Mr Cohen sums up the situation quite well. A Europe without its Jewish people would be greatly diminished. Also, as he says in his second last paragraph, I'm sure the majority of those decent people do not approve of Israel's treatment of the Palestinians. In fact while Netanyahu leads a government encouraging further illegal West Bank settlements, his opinions are worthless, and Boehner has made a gross error by inviting him to spout those opinions before Congress.
3
"Milan, Berlin and Zurich?" Roger just managed to negate the contributions of millions of Yemeni, Ethiopian and other Middle Eastern Jews to the tightly-woven tapestry that is the State of Israel today. By attempting to conflate David Ben-Gurion with Benjamin Netanyahu, he has, once again, obliterated the abiding reason that Jews live in Israel. And no European-raised Jew is concerned with moving to the West Bank and thereby displacing anyone else. Most of the newest French immigrants live in the big cities--you know, Roger--the ones built by Jews like my great grandparents. When you finish trying to lump all Jews together as some kind of land-stealing group bent on the destruction of some people who came to Israel in very recent times, not ancient ones, you insult all of us. There is a reason we are called "Jews". We came from Judea. There is similarly a reason Arabs are called Arabs. They came from Arabia which is not geographically or ethnically or even historically the same thing as being from Judea. And as for the reader who claimed Jews are not born Jews but raised as Jews? I hate to ruin your day, but being born to a Jewish mother is precisely what makes someone a Jew.
14
Do you think the mere suggestion by an Israeli Prime Minister would result in a mass Exodus of those Jews who are "entranced"? French Jews have been under attack for a generation and the situation in many other countries such as UK, Denmark, Holland, and Sweden have also deteriorated. The Jews who leave are going to Netanya, Tel Aviv, Israel, Canada, the US and not the West Bank (how absurd of a reductionist proposition is that a net loss for Europe is a net gain for settlements). Europeans themselves are under attack and it is not just the Jews. If they stand with embattled Jews, then they will affirm their own Ethos as defenders of liberty and freedom.
6
Here's what this admittedly vestigial Jew knows to be true: America, not Israel, and certainly not Europe, is the true promised land of the Jewish people. The Jewish people have flowered here as in no other place since ancient times: great novelsts, great songwriters, great intellectuals, great comics, great everything. Continental Europe - not just Germany - tried to kill us all. Israel has seen a diminishment of Jewish values and spirit. Hey European Jews, if you're troubled there, come to New York, LA., Chicago, wherever. This is not patriotic schmaltz. This is historical reality.
40
David: You are living in a dream world. The end of the American Jewish Exile will come sooner then we are prepared for. Israel is awaiting the world's Jews.
4
Nice try but unrealistic.... If you get them all here and kill off our language then you are also destroying our culture. Case in point, do you speak Mamaloshen , Ladino, or Hebrew? if not then you are lost to the culture
3
And how do so many express their appreciation and gratitude? By working to divert resources needed at home to Israel, in return for which we get only the dangerous hatred of millions of Muslims.
2
It's not uncommon for right wing Zionists to capitalize on strife elsewhere to promote Jewish-only immigration into Israel.
What concerns some is: Where the line is between capitalizing on and promoting strife?
What concerns some is: Where the line is between capitalizing on and promoting strife?
6
I see no mention of Islam in this article.
I think it says a lot that Jews are leaving Europe over the Muslim issue and not the Holocaust. Many did leave over the Holocaust but there was not the possibility of an absence.
It's because Europeans fought the Nazis.
And Europeans may not have the gumption to fight Islam.
I think they do but I cannot begrudge Jews for leaving.
I can begrudge the media for making a bigger deal out of this than, say, the rape of 1400 British girls in Rotherham. The gentile Europeans have been suffering the barbs of mass migration more and for longer.
I think it says a lot that Jews are leaving Europe over the Muslim issue and not the Holocaust. Many did leave over the Holocaust but there was not the possibility of an absence.
It's because Europeans fought the Nazis.
And Europeans may not have the gumption to fight Islam.
I think they do but I cannot begrudge Jews for leaving.
I can begrudge the media for making a bigger deal out of this than, say, the rape of 1400 British girls in Rotherham. The gentile Europeans have been suffering the barbs of mass migration more and for longer.
4
Most Jews don't get it that the world hates them. Look at the behavior of the United Nations and the world media and how biased they are against Israel and the Jews. Thankfully I live in the United States where laws protect me and Jewish culture is appreciated. European Jews, especially those in France, are not accepted no matter how assimilated they feel thanks to the strong foundation for anti-semitism laid down by the Catholic Church and now the influx of Muslims.
8
>
"Assuming" Jewish survival is the real goal of Netanyahu's plan, wish or call to have all the Jewish people around the world migrate and live in Israel, it makes absolutely no sense, since he is always claiming that Iran is going to drop an atom bomb on Israel any day now.
So why place all your eggs in one basket. The theory of herd survival does not work with A-bombs.
That is, the Jewish people's probability of survival increases exponentially the more they are spread out over the world. Think about it.... This is call logic.
"Assuming" Jewish survival is the real goal of Netanyahu's plan, wish or call to have all the Jewish people around the world migrate and live in Israel, it makes absolutely no sense, since he is always claiming that Iran is going to drop an atom bomb on Israel any day now.
So why place all your eggs in one basket. The theory of herd survival does not work with A-bombs.
That is, the Jewish people's probability of survival increases exponentially the more they are spread out over the world. Think about it.... This is call logic.
3
Thank you Mr. Cohen! If Netanyahu's call is answered, Hitler's dream will be fullfilled: Europe Judenfrei. The "do unto others" part of your article is bang on as well.
2
How easy to say that from Canada. I, for one, am through doing things solely to try to fit in and appease the sensibilities of those who don't see me as one of them. Historically, that's been a losing proposition for my tribe.
2
Transferring strife from one continent to another doesn't seem like much of an improvement to me. That's what this looks like to me -- dumping Europe's anti-Semitism problem onto the Middle East.
I don't know, maybe Israel could arrange for drone strikes on some of the European perpetrators of violence against Jews instead.
I don't know, maybe Israel could arrange for drone strikes on some of the European perpetrators of violence against Jews instead.
4
For those who do not remember, the U.S. turned away a boatload of Jews in 1939, see "Voyage of the St. Louis."
But Jews found refuge in China who did not refuse to let them come there.
But Jews found refuge in China who did not refuse to let them come there.
28
David,
To be more accurate, the ship was bound for Cuba, who retroactively invalidated the arrival visas for the refugees.
The Jews did not find refuge in China as you mention.
The remaining passengers went to the United Kingdom, Belgium, France and the Netherlands.
To be more accurate, the ship was bound for Cuba, who retroactively invalidated the arrival visas for the refugees.
The Jews did not find refuge in China as you mention.
The remaining passengers went to the United Kingdom, Belgium, France and the Netherlands.
3
I recently visited Berlin and, after all the tragic history, learned the optimistic fact that many young Israelis are moving TO Berlin.
http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21623796-some-israe...
http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21623796-some-israe...
17
@Lynn Israelis have been moving to (and returning from) Germany for many years now. This is not a new phenomenon. There is no one reason for it, although economics in Israel (same as in the US) plays a role. But with the increased anti-Semitism in Germany as well as elsewhere in Europe, the trend may ebb.
1
It's because the housing is so expensive in Israel....
1
That Mr. Pompano's comment was recommended by so many here says much about New York Times readers. Yes, Netanyahu should never have suggested that European Jews come to Israel; it is wrong for him to assume to be the conscience and voice of the diaspora anywhere. But all this fulminating about him ignores the reality that many, many European Jews are thinking of leaving. Not because of Netanyahu's hubris -- and certainly not because he is making a speech in the US, or stealing land "attributed" ((nice, perhaps telling, misuse of the word there) to a Palestine state -- but because they know that they are increasingly in danger in Europe. They know about all that's happened and continues to happen in France, Belgium, Denmark and other countries on the continent. They have reads the polls measuring anti-Semitic sentiment throughout Europe, including England. They know that their synagogues, schools and bat mitzvah parties must be guarded by men with guns. They are waking up to the reality that a blip of seventy years of tolerance following the Holocaust is coming to an end, and Europe is reverting to what is always has been: a place that is unfriendly to Jews. And that the dislike and even hatred comes not only from "disaffected" Muslims.
53
The reason Europeans are becoming anti-semitic is because of the role liberal Jews have played in mass immigration and how they simply pack up and leave once they become the targets.
Robbie, you say "because they know that they are increasingly in danger in Europe."
Now ask yourself "why?". A big part of the answer is that Netanyahu & Co. has stirred up anti-semitism, endangering the innocent Jewish communities around the world.
Now ask yourself "why?". A big part of the answer is that Netanyahu & Co. has stirred up anti-semitism, endangering the innocent Jewish communities around the world.
4
I cannot imagine what it is like to be driven from our homes or violently attacked for being Jewish. I have experienced anti-Semitism but mostly from those who refused to sell us homes or admission to country clubs and other such places. I also experienced people who would make remarks such as "I'm going to Jew you down" when negotiating a price (our family owned an apparel store). But, I can't imagine abandoning our home and family and way of life here in America in the face of anti-Semites violent or non-violent. I know that in America if we dial 911 the operator doesn't ask "Are you Jewish". In this country we still defend all of our countrymen, white, black, hispanic, Jewish, Catholic or Protestant.
Part of our extended family escaped the Pogroms of Russia. One young girl was slaughtered by the Cossacks and her body was thrown onto a pile of bodies on the streets. Her sister survived and came to America.
If it comes to that, I think reason would dictate that we make an effort to get out of the way, or fight and and save our lives. But there is a difference between the Pogroms of Russia, the Nazis of Germany and the current radicals who are attacking the Jews of France. These are not attacks supported by the state for the extermination of the Jews. It will only be necessary to leave or fight when the state refuses to defend Jews and/or the state sponsors and encourages violent anti-semitism. Until then I will stay in home, in America, without fear.
Part of our extended family escaped the Pogroms of Russia. One young girl was slaughtered by the Cossacks and her body was thrown onto a pile of bodies on the streets. Her sister survived and came to America.
If it comes to that, I think reason would dictate that we make an effort to get out of the way, or fight and and save our lives. But there is a difference between the Pogroms of Russia, the Nazis of Germany and the current radicals who are attacking the Jews of France. These are not attacks supported by the state for the extermination of the Jews. It will only be necessary to leave or fight when the state refuses to defend Jews and/or the state sponsors and encourages violent anti-semitism. Until then I will stay in home, in America, without fear.
117
Ahem. I note that Asian, Muslim, African, Haitians etc. are not included in your listing of 'our' countrymen. They are all rapidly growing and large communities and in total include many more people than the Jewish Americans. It is doubtful that even with a former homeland available that many of them would ever think of returning despite the prejudice they face from many of their fellow citizens.
And no politician is calling them 'home' as if there home was not really here.
And no politician is calling them 'home' as if there home was not really here.
The attacks in France, while not sanctioned by the state such as in Czarist Russia or Nazi Germany, are sanctioned by a growing and menacing segment of French society with tacit support from French such as the poster above named Greg from Lyon, France. His post is typical of many French leftists. France's Jews have brought their situation upon themselves for not categorically rejecting and separating from " the rogue government in Israel." Blame the victim!
5
It seems to me that migrating now from Europe to Israel would be equivalent to jumping from the frying pan into the fire.
25
Well, Anita, you seem wrong!
Life in Israel is dynamic, exciting, SAFE, and exhilarating. It is not as on CNN.
This country is a family oriented society, like in "the old days."
It is a fascinating place to visit (religion/history/modern/tourism), no matter what you religious perspective. Come see for yourself- it is a free open society. try it; you'll like it!
Life in Israel is dynamic, exciting, SAFE, and exhilarating. It is not as on CNN.
This country is a family oriented society, like in "the old days."
It is a fascinating place to visit (religion/history/modern/tourism), no matter what you religious perspective. Come see for yourself- it is a free open society. try it; you'll like it!
4
All else aside, and speaking unironically, this was a fairly moving bit of rhetoric.
8
I will never understand why anyone would think it's a good idea to gather together in one spot, and make it easier to become a target. I hope Jews around the world will choose their own favorite places and stay there, living their lives, trying to help make this planet the best it can be. "Hiding" in Israel is not the answer. That certainly would diminish us all.
18
Sure. All those Jews "concentrated" too much in France, Hungary, Russia, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Italy . . . those silly fools they should just have chosen their favorite places and stayed there . . .
Except that the ones who saw the handwriting on the walls and left . . . survived, and didn't end up in Auschwitz, Dachua, Bergen-Belsen, Thieresienstatd . . .
Any more wonderful ideas based on recent history?
Except that the ones who saw the handwriting on the walls and left . . . survived, and didn't end up in Auschwitz, Dachua, Bergen-Belsen, Thieresienstatd . . .
Any more wonderful ideas based on recent history?
6
"Hiding in Israel?" All 6.2 million of us?
5
Jews in France are hiding their religion to avoid being assaulted. One French Jew said that to wear a kippah "is suicide". Therefore, the increased emigration of Jews out of France to Israel, for the last several years is so they can be free and not have to hide.
3
It is the height of tribalist, self-superior conceit for Mr. Cohen to state that the departure of any group that comprises a small fraction of a nation state's population could cripple a society or substantially affect it in any way. If a need, demand or business opportunity is present in a country, particularly a western democratic one, the" lazy" don't work as hard as Zionists or other immigrants - the natives - are more than capable of rising to the occasion.
15
Suppose you read Prime Minister Manuel Valls's speech before the French National Assembly. He raises some good points about what the Jewish population means to Europe and to France, in particular. https://www.facebook.com/StandWithUs?pnref=story
3
Winthrop history is full of examples of economies that have collapsed or have declined when Jews leave en masse. Spain is a good example of this. Bible enthusiasts point to a scriputiral passage that says that those who curse Jerusalem will be cursed themselves... meaning societies who kick out Jews or whom Jews leave voluntarily lose. On a secular level if a countries economy loses substantial intellectual and economic capital (as France would should their Jewish population leave) they will suffer economically.
3
I refer you to “Diversity Destroyed. Berlin 1933 – 1938 – 1945. A City Remembers.”
Read more: http://forward.com/articles/189450/how-jews-took-over-berlin-in-/#ixzz3S...
Read more: http://forward.com/articles/189450/how-jews-took-over-berlin-in-/#ixzz3S...
1
Everywhere people are being pushed around by forces striving for control of resources. Greed and power seems to rule us, whether Jew, Christian or Muslim. Yes, Europe would lose a lot if the Jews exited. South Americans have lost parents and children to labor in the U.S. Africa has lost people in the waters of the Mediteranean crossing to Italy and India sends its brightest to America. The sadness of being forced to move from homelands, divided from roots and comfort, seems to be a state of affairs for so many people in the world. And the rate at which it proliferates is astonishing. It's as if just as there is an ever expanding accelerating universe, our lives on the earth is a microcomism of the same. The book "End of Power" illucidates a trend along the same lines. Power is becoming ephemeral. Maybe we'll all end up like "Sambo" that ran around the tree until he turned into pancake batter!
5
I'm sorry Mr. Cohen I'm Jewish but Israel is not my home, the United States is and always will be. Furthermore,I can't relate to a state, Jewish or otherwise, that occupies the home of another people.
68
The U.S. is not occupying the home of another people? I can only hope that Israel will be able to reach an agreement with the Palestinians long before the occupation becomes the fait accompli that is our possession of native lands.
36
Ask the Cherokee Nation, the Navajo Nation, the Iroquois Nation etc. whose land you're occupying.
2
Israel is occupying Palestine. Israel has absolutely no interest in a Palestinian state. You can't keep building illegal settlements and say you want peace.
4
Leave unsafe Europe for safe Israel!!! Oh, yeah? Since when? Politicians do say the darndest things...especially during election time.
27
If Europeans leaders or indignant citizens are outraged at Netanyahu for his claim that Israel is the only safe place for Jews, they can always try to prove him wrong...
19
My friend the author, who wrote about Italian Jews surviving in Italy during World War II, attended the ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, remarking that death had indeed been industrialized by an educated and technically proficient country. Whereas "Never Again" is the mantra oft repeated, I have said for some years that a second holocaust targeting Jews will happen. It may not be carried out with the precision applied by the Nazis, but the world will stand by and let it happen. Israel is the only refuge, and without it, no Jew in the world is safe.
39
If you worry about a second holocaust, you don't want to to cluster all Jews in one tiny space where they can be eliminated with three WMDs in an hour. Assured retaliation from the grave ? You may not even know the return address.
I hope you are wrong. Nevertheless, what Israel has done to Palestinians is horrible. No nation or group is perfect and without flaws, including Israel. I also believe that the U.S. and European governments would not tolerate a second Holocaust at this point in time. I hope that sentiment never changes, despite having a truly awful leader such as Netanyahu at the helm of an otherwise great nation.
1
The EU has approximately 1.1 million Jews with another 300,000 in the UK. Approximately 1 million Russians came to Israel in the 15 years since they were allowed to leave the Soviet Union with about 25% estimated not to be Jewish. Another 500,000 went to the US and Germany. Israel was a smaller country then and became stronger for it.
There has not been one mention of Bibi's brother Yoni who lost his life in Uganda saving Jews who were hijacked and held hostage solely because they were Jews. Would Yoni have said anything different than Bibi?
There has not been one mention of Bibi's brother Yoni who lost his life in Uganda saving Jews who were hijacked and held hostage solely because they were Jews. Would Yoni have said anything different than Bibi?
22
Yup. Then Yoni was saving Jews. Now Bibi is endangering Jews ....and the future of the State of Israel.
2
"Israel is indeed the home of every Jew, and that is important, a guarantee of sorts. . . "
The late Ariel Sharon built his home over what was, in living memory, the home of a Muslim village. I suppose that is why you say, "a guarantee of sorts. . . " and not just "a guarantee."
The late Ariel Sharon built his home over what was, in living memory, the home of a Muslim village. I suppose that is why you say, "a guarantee of sorts. . . " and not just "a guarantee."
22
What’s interesting is that most Jews for most of their history of thousands of years have been unable (or unwilling/uninterested) to live in Israel, so that Jewish religion and culture are essentially a product of this diaspora.
9
Every migration of Jews from one place to another has occurred for numerous reasons. Jews have been thrown out, dragged out, led out and lured out of their homelands. They have moved from most every demographic to virtually everywhere else and almost always survived if not thrived culturally and religiously.
Unique and vibrant as Israel is, it is not the safest place on Earth for Jews or the singular refuge for those seeking a more secure life. Given Netanyahu's political ideology and the internal forces he is aligned with, one can only hope Israel will return to the path pursued under the enlightened leadership of Meir, Begin, and Rabin.
Unique and vibrant as Israel is, it is not the safest place on Earth for Jews or the singular refuge for those seeking a more secure life. Given Netanyahu's political ideology and the internal forces he is aligned with, one can only hope Israel will return to the path pursued under the enlightened leadership of Meir, Begin, and Rabin.
20
Perhaps Mr. Netanyahu is also thinking of a greater majority of Jewish votes in Israel, effectively muting the voice of the Arab minority.
24
What Netanyahu is thinking is that recent immigrants vote more rightwing, particularly when his party bribes them with nice houses cheap, in the West Bank.
2
Though not Jewish, I do have a son in law (who lives in the States) who is and have always been supportive of Israel, though most certainly not of its Palestinian policies and most certainly not of this increasingly fear mongering self serving Prime Minister who is bringing what is now, and what historians will see as a flying circus, to our Congress. But beyond that, aren't most of us tiring of fear mongering, apoplectic talk, and false claims? A fine editorial. I say "let Israel be Israel' and not the playpen of this crude politico.
17
If you were Jewish, you would not summarily dismiss these fears as "false claims" and would understand what "never again" means. Just because your jewish son-in-law is oblivious to the harm Jews around the world incur, doesn't mean the dangers do not exist. You would understand the fear, when in the last decade, Iran goes out of it's way to kill 85 people at a jewish community center and 29 people at the Israeli embassy in Argentina... or when Russian and Ethiopian Jews must emigrate to Israel because of severe anti-semiticism..or the never-ending attacks to Jews by Muslims in Europe… or the recent NYTimes article about the 100 or so Jews under threat from Muslims in Yemen, even though they pre-date them by several centuries. These are just a few examples. Most Jews I know can trace their existence to the one family member in Europe who didn't dismiss the anti-semetic warnings as "false claims" and fled to the US.
5
I was born in the US about the time the my Hungarian relatives were perishing in the concentration camps. their descendants in Europe. Neither are descendants of my relatives from Ukraine. Or my husbands' from Prussia and Bylorus. The fantasy in this article is the idea that European Jewry is there to leave, instead of more recent arrivals from North Africa.
The Tunisian Jews may feel more at home in Israel than in for instance, the northeast USA where my family and friends families mostly resettled. Either way if Europe is not comfortable it is their choice. It also seems to me that the deployment of police is rather recent and in response to recent incidents. If police protection had been a bit more helpful in past years, perhaps it would not have got to this.
And yes, Europe lost plenty, in losing people who had been part of the cultural texture for centuries. That was the loss of the 20th century, not this one.
The Tunisian Jews may feel more at home in Israel than in for instance, the northeast USA where my family and friends families mostly resettled. Either way if Europe is not comfortable it is their choice. It also seems to me that the deployment of police is rather recent and in response to recent incidents. If police protection had been a bit more helpful in past years, perhaps it would not have got to this.
And yes, Europe lost plenty, in losing people who had been part of the cultural texture for centuries. That was the loss of the 20th century, not this one.
7
"f police protection had been a bit more helpful in past years, perhaps it would not have got to this. "
Numerous incidents (Hebdo offices, the Danish synagogue) show us police protection doesn't help much when terrorists have assault weapons.
Numerous incidents (Hebdo offices, the Danish synagogue) show us police protection doesn't help much when terrorists have assault weapons.
1
Netanyahu is, in the language of Diaspora Jewry, "a shonda! Yiddish for "disgrace."
32
The many comments made here use lots of big and fancy words. I am not so proficient in the English language. I will do my best.
I am not running for prime minister, so my statements are not really consistent with campaigning. I live in Jerusalem. I have voted for Bibi multiple times and overall, have been very pleased with the results. I am not a war mongerer last time I checked. I really don't think many Jews in Israel are, given that most Israeli's children are the ones who do the actual fighting.
Bibi is far from alone in his call. Israel is the home of the Jews. No one is forcing anyone by gunpoint to move here. Judaism allows for everyone's free choice, but does specify that there is final accountability.
I do hope, as so many others here in Israel, that the Jews of the world will come home. We will find space for all. We will manage just fine with a diminished diaspora presence.
For so many centuries, Europe was so desperate to see the Jews gone from their world. And now, when someone suggests that the Jews leave Europe, suddenly everyone wants the Jews to stay.
I wish every Jew success and safety wherever they may be. I judge no one. That is for G-d. But I also extend my hand and ask of the Jewish world - come home.
I am not running for prime minister, so my statements are not really consistent with campaigning. I live in Jerusalem. I have voted for Bibi multiple times and overall, have been very pleased with the results. I am not a war mongerer last time I checked. I really don't think many Jews in Israel are, given that most Israeli's children are the ones who do the actual fighting.
Bibi is far from alone in his call. Israel is the home of the Jews. No one is forcing anyone by gunpoint to move here. Judaism allows for everyone's free choice, but does specify that there is final accountability.
I do hope, as so many others here in Israel, that the Jews of the world will come home. We will find space for all. We will manage just fine with a diminished diaspora presence.
For so many centuries, Europe was so desperate to see the Jews gone from their world. And now, when someone suggests that the Jews leave Europe, suddenly everyone wants the Jews to stay.
I wish every Jew success and safety wherever they may be. I judge no one. That is for G-d. But I also extend my hand and ask of the Jewish world - come home.
47
Israel is not and has never been home. The Right of Return to me means that I resettle in Brooklyn.
24
I am home, in the United States. I am offended by your suggestion that I am not.
29
Bruce:
I so totally agree with you. I miss my home in Brooklyn, but the Brooklyn of my youth no longer exists. Mrs. Stahl's Knishes, gone. Lundy's...gone. A great miracle happened there....lobster that is kosher. Nathan's today is not the Nathan's of my youth. But really, why Brooklyn? These days its full of self-referential Hipsters. Instead of Canaan, God should have sent the Jews to California. Nice beaches, lots of healthy fruits and vegetables. But Israel....really? Its too not, too little, too full of argument.
I so totally agree with you. I miss my home in Brooklyn, but the Brooklyn of my youth no longer exists. Mrs. Stahl's Knishes, gone. Lundy's...gone. A great miracle happened there....lobster that is kosher. Nathan's today is not the Nathan's of my youth. But really, why Brooklyn? These days its full of self-referential Hipsters. Instead of Canaan, God should have sent the Jews to California. Nice beaches, lots of healthy fruits and vegetables. But Israel....really? Its too not, too little, too full of argument.
10
As effectively pointed out in this article, is based on the presence of Jews. We can go further back -- as shown in the 2011 book, "Grandpa Was A Deity: How a Tribal Assertion Created Modern Culture" -- and asserts (based on a specific yDNA line) Europe was Jewish before there were even Jews.
From Stonehenge and Germany's Gosseck Circle, to the Pyramids, into the Amarna period (1300 bce) and then into the math concealed in the ages of the Biblical Patriarchs (discussed in the book "Genesis of Genesis"), the basis of Western Civilization can be attributed to those now called Jews.
Israel absorbing European Jews will be an interesting site. Even in Biblical times, the age of David and Solomon, there were as many Jews (as merchants) in Europe as there were in Israel. And every time the Jews were forced to leave, the nations they left suffered economic collapse which ultimately led to war.
From Stonehenge and Germany's Gosseck Circle, to the Pyramids, into the Amarna period (1300 bce) and then into the math concealed in the ages of the Biblical Patriarchs (discussed in the book "Genesis of Genesis"), the basis of Western Civilization can be attributed to those now called Jews.
Israel absorbing European Jews will be an interesting site. Even in Biblical times, the age of David and Solomon, there were as many Jews (as merchants) in Europe as there were in Israel. And every time the Jews were forced to leave, the nations they left suffered economic collapse which ultimately led to war.
3
Some of the respondents to Mr. Cohen's column seem to place the blame for the current wave of European & world wide anti-semitism at Israel's doorstep. This is a case of the classic "I'm not anti-semitic, I'm anti-Zionist", a canard which is quickly gaining legitimacy, particularly in trendy circles. Ironically, Europe got rid of it's Jews, only to replace them with Muslims, and a new set of problems. The Islamic world has been handed the anti-semitic baton has been sprinting with it, particularly since 1948. The question needs to be asked
; is it is Israel's policies that are fueling hostility towards Jews in Europe or has enough time past that the demon of anti-semitism may now comfortably
re-emerge?
; is it is Israel's policies that are fueling hostility towards Jews in Europe or has enough time past that the demon of anti-semitism may now comfortably
re-emerge?
34
"Some of the respondents to Mr. Cohen's column seem to place the blame for the current wave of European & world wide anti-semitism at Israel's doorstep. "
There is no European antisemitism to speak of. There are some muslims, who for whatever reason, take up arms and murder people they see as "offending them".
Some of these individuals specifically target cartoonists, justifying it by saying they offended Islam, others target soldiers (British beheading comes to mind) for fighting against muslims, and others target Jews for their support of Israel.
Bibi or anyone else, stating 'Jews' home is Israel' does not help the situation. Are French Jews French, or are they Israelis living in France by accident? The latter implies an agreement with the terrorists, meaning Jews anywhere in the world are legitimate targets as representatives of Israel. Is that really what you want? I doubt it.
There is no European antisemitism to speak of. There are some muslims, who for whatever reason, take up arms and murder people they see as "offending them".
Some of these individuals specifically target cartoonists, justifying it by saying they offended Islam, others target soldiers (British beheading comes to mind) for fighting against muslims, and others target Jews for their support of Israel.
Bibi or anyone else, stating 'Jews' home is Israel' does not help the situation. Are French Jews French, or are they Israelis living in France by accident? The latter implies an agreement with the terrorists, meaning Jews anywhere in the world are legitimate targets as representatives of Israel. Is that really what you want? I doubt it.
1
Thank you for having the courage to tell it like it is.
Mr. Cohen:
I believe that the continued existence of a Jewish state is a moral imperative. That does not exempt Israel from political judgement. Occupation of the conquered territories has sullied the moral ground upon which Israel as created as a modern state. Mr. Netanyahu is a dangerous ally.
However, we all must ask ourselves why Israel seems the only safe harbor for Jews again.Does the fault not lie with the societies that have not created a lasting inclusion for its Jewish citizens? Why does Israel seem the only sane destination for so many? That would appear to be the failing
of western societies.
The old ways have reappeared because of the threat of terrorism.
Islamic violence has insinuated itself into the western world and created an atmosphere of unbearable fear.The historical solution: find a scapegoat, blame the Jews. Mr. Netanyahu is only too willing to take advantage of this fear. He is a product of the old ways.But, he does not suffer from a failure of courage. That shame belongs elsewhere.
I believe that the continued existence of a Jewish state is a moral imperative. That does not exempt Israel from political judgement. Occupation of the conquered territories has sullied the moral ground upon which Israel as created as a modern state. Mr. Netanyahu is a dangerous ally.
However, we all must ask ourselves why Israel seems the only safe harbor for Jews again.Does the fault not lie with the societies that have not created a lasting inclusion for its Jewish citizens? Why does Israel seem the only sane destination for so many? That would appear to be the failing
of western societies.
The old ways have reappeared because of the threat of terrorism.
Islamic violence has insinuated itself into the western world and created an atmosphere of unbearable fear.The historical solution: find a scapegoat, blame the Jews. Mr. Netanyahu is only too willing to take advantage of this fear. He is a product of the old ways.But, he does not suffer from a failure of courage. That shame belongs elsewhere.
12
I don't get the statement "Israel is the home of every Jew." Does that mean that Vatican City is the home of every Roman Catholic? My take is that Israel is a home for Jews (& Arabs, Catholics, etc.) who wish to live in an archaeologically and economically rich area of the Middle East. Anyone pushing the notion that all Jews belong in Israel has a hidden agenda.
14
I ‘get the statement”. It means that Israel is the only SAFE place for Jews to live.As far as I know, all Catholics have not been invited to live in the Vatican City,
nor are they being murdered in markets in Paris for being Catholic.
nor are they being murdered in markets in Paris for being Catholic.
3
Maybe you should do a little reading. Israel is the home to every Jew that wishes to go there, so that no one may force them out or kill them because they are Jews.
4
And Abraham rose up from before his dead, and spoke unto the children of Heth, saying: am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a burying-place with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.’
3
The Diaspora is seen as a great calamity to the Jewish people. But might it have been, in historical terms, a boon to the Jewish people as a whole, and might the reversal of the Diaspora be ultimately a curse.
8
Does anyone in their right mind think that Israel is a safe place for anyone? Sure, some Jews (not, for instance, Jewish converts by Reform Rabbis) might be welcomed in Israel, but safe? Can you image what would happen if President Obama offered European Jews a chance to immigrate to the United States as a counter offer to Netanyahu's offer? Chances are that it would be 99 out of 100 Jewish immigrants would choose to come to America.
14
AZ Page: You are quite wrong. Israel is actually quite safe. Probably far safer in actuality than is many places in the US or Europe. That's because the Jews know how to protect themselves. The IDF knows what its doing. It might be nerve-wracking, but it is safe. The public in the US is mis-informed by all the loud news. However all of this misses the key point which is that Israel is a Jewish State. There a Jew does not have to be apologetic for being Jewish. Ever. There a Jew can live as a Jew, celebrating Jewish holidays as official, country-wide holidays, and having Jewish families. And if the World doesn't like it, or doesn't like anything the Jews of Israel do, tough nuggies as they say! Its not like any of these other countries doesn't have its own long history of Anti-Jewish acts and persecutions. And that includes essentially all the surrounding Arab, Egyptian and/or Islamic States. But with all that said, I still like the good, old USA! Its also a great country for Jews.
2
This French Jew isn't leaving.
25
Dear Mr. Cohen:
In the last two years, French has replaced English as the most prominent foreign language that I hear in the streets near my home in Jerusalem. Why are French Jews coming to Israel, a difficult life decision on many levels in record numbers?
One needs only note, that the four victims of the recent Kosher Market Murders, French citizens, were buried in Israel for fear that their graves would be desecrated. A recent spate of Jewish graveyard desecrations has borne this out to have been a good idea. In short, the French government is having difficulty in protecting even dead Jews in France.
Israel, as you say, is the home of every Jew, but every Jew has the right to decide whether to live there. A million or Jews from the former Soviet Union made that choice and for the most part were absorbed into Israeli society where they make important contributions to the society. Vast numbers of Jews from the Moslem world were also absorbed into Israel.
Israel should be ready to absorb European Jews who decide that going to synagogues, Jewish museums or to enter a kosher grocery store is too much of a risk for their lives.
I hope that a center/left coalition can be wielded together after the next election. Although I do not want Mr. Netanyahu to continue to be Prime Minister, his call for Jews to move to Israel and that Israel is prepared to absorb them is a central tenet of Zionism and of the State of Israel and I support his clarion call.
In the last two years, French has replaced English as the most prominent foreign language that I hear in the streets near my home in Jerusalem. Why are French Jews coming to Israel, a difficult life decision on many levels in record numbers?
One needs only note, that the four victims of the recent Kosher Market Murders, French citizens, were buried in Israel for fear that their graves would be desecrated. A recent spate of Jewish graveyard desecrations has borne this out to have been a good idea. In short, the French government is having difficulty in protecting even dead Jews in France.
Israel, as you say, is the home of every Jew, but every Jew has the right to decide whether to live there. A million or Jews from the former Soviet Union made that choice and for the most part were absorbed into Israeli society where they make important contributions to the society. Vast numbers of Jews from the Moslem world were also absorbed into Israel.
Israel should be ready to absorb European Jews who decide that going to synagogues, Jewish museums or to enter a kosher grocery store is too much of a risk for their lives.
I hope that a center/left coalition can be wielded together after the next election. Although I do not want Mr. Netanyahu to continue to be Prime Minister, his call for Jews to move to Israel and that Israel is prepared to absorb them is a central tenet of Zionism and of the State of Israel and I support his clarion call.
120
The French you hear may not be from France, but from North African Jews whose first language is French.
2
Netnayahu's only clarion call is to occupy 100% of Palestine, which is also the goal of Zionism. This means the incremental theft and occupation of Palestinian property will end only when all the territory is occupied. It matters not whether it takes 70 years or 700 years. All other discussions, negotiations and calls for peace are nothing but a distraction from the overall goal.
I don't know Stuart, but his words may as well have come straight from the heart, soul, and brain that are telling my fingers to type this "reply."
I don't know how many Jews there are in Europe! Apart from the more religious ones, I hardly notice them. The 7.000 French Jews, who emigrated to Israel last year, can hardly constitute an "exodus"!
The situation in France and Germany is a far cry from what it was like in the 1930s and '40s. Besides why should they grant anti-Semitists a victory, by giving in?
Indeed, Netanyahu has become quite an embarrassment recently that Roger Cohen has avoided to mention his name.
The situation in France and Germany is a far cry from what it was like in the 1930s and '40s. Besides why should they grant anti-Semitists a victory, by giving in?
Indeed, Netanyahu has become quite an embarrassment recently that Roger Cohen has avoided to mention his name.
20
The Jews did not vanish from Budapest, they just assimilated. Well, many of us "vanished", e.g. I "defected" but it had nothing or at least not much to do with being Jewish.
4
Seriously, Mr Cohen. what is more important; a richer more diverse culture in Europe or the political career of one Benjamin Netanyahu?
14
I usually admire your work, but this was a stupid essay. I'm no fan of Netanyahu, but he said something that needed to be said: that for all the constant condemnation of Israel over the years, the drumbeat of which has been quickening in recent years, Israel IS the refuge we may all need one day. It's a reminder that in the recent European attacks, Jews have been targeted every time, and that fact has been almost an afterthought in the press. "Oh, well yeah the Jews are targets.... yawn." His remarks were a loud and clear reminder that there is an Israel for us this time.
25
This was incredible, thank you. We all help make our homes.
3
Mr. Cohen is correct that once Jews smell danger, they are prepared to leave their neighborhoods and nations, even if their tenure proved longer than that of their tormenters and murderers.
Not looking for a fight, just the right to live and pursue happiness, the Jews have been effectively banished by fear or violence from all lands except Israel, America and Canada.
Israel the 4,000 year old homeland of the Jews is unique in that it exists in a permanent state of fear from it's neighbors who have pledged to exterminate the State and it's peoples.
America and Canada, while not the 'homeland' of the Jews offer safe democracies and protection from annihilation.
Not looking for a fight, just the right to live and pursue happiness, the Jews have been effectively banished by fear or violence from all lands except Israel, America and Canada.
Israel the 4,000 year old homeland of the Jews is unique in that it exists in a permanent state of fear from it's neighbors who have pledged to exterminate the State and it's peoples.
America and Canada, while not the 'homeland' of the Jews offer safe democracies and protection from annihilation.
16
I am a Jew. Both of my parents survived the Holocaust. My Grandmother told me that in the 1930s some guy from Palestine named Zeev Jabotinski would come to speak in Synagogues throughout Poland and Germany and warn Jews to leave for Palestine immediately, or else. They would throw him off the stage.
And here comes this article from Roger Cohen. I wonder whether he would be hanging around if he had to fear for his life when going to buy food for shabbos. Really is it my job as a Jew to keep Europe or for that matter the US "enlightened" and "liberal" in the face of all of this terror and persecution? Israel may not be a panacea but it is our home and how lucky we Jews are to have it.
And here comes this article from Roger Cohen. I wonder whether he would be hanging around if he had to fear for his life when going to buy food for shabbos. Really is it my job as a Jew to keep Europe or for that matter the US "enlightened" and "liberal" in the face of all of this terror and persecution? Israel may not be a panacea but it is our home and how lucky we Jews are to have it.
164
No no, of course its your job Don't you get it? For any other persecuted people, non-Jews (and self-hating jews of the political left) are outraged. When it comes to persecution of Jews, its somehow something we bring on ourselves. If only we could be better, understand more, stay where we are, fight against it. And rememebr, never, never express a desire to actually live inwhat was once your homeland, becuase you actually want to live a full Jewish life That is no-no as well, at least according to the non-Jewish world.
14
My great grandparents were among the minority of Polish Jews who heeded that message. .They sent out a scout to Palestine, my great-great uncle,who contracted malaria and died. They decided to revise their plans and emigrate to the United States,which was not easy,as the U.S. had a quota on Polish Immigrants to the United States .My grandmother relayed that while the Polish quota to the United States was always full, the German quota was not.The Jews in Germany
had no interest in leaving in the 1920s.. Thus,my grandmother was smuggled with a group of teenagers from Poland into Germany,where theywere taught to speak ,fluent German,and even how to drink coffee like Germans,in order to try to pass as Germans as they attempted to gain German visas.My grandmother passed. Some of the others were sent back to Poland.
Our government discovered in the late 1930s that my grandmother was an illegal alien,and gave her a choice of being deported to Poland at its expense,or going to a country of her choice at her expense. Luckily,Her boss lent her the money to travel to Canada,She was later able to re-enter the U.S.legally.
I and countless members owe our lives to my great-grandparents and their siblings having heeded, that warning to get out of Poland,or else.
I agree with you 100% in terms of Mr.Cohen.My parents made sure that they & each of their five children had a passport so that we could leave the U.S. for Israel at a moment’s notice.
had no interest in leaving in the 1920s.. Thus,my grandmother was smuggled with a group of teenagers from Poland into Germany,where theywere taught to speak ,fluent German,and even how to drink coffee like Germans,in order to try to pass as Germans as they attempted to gain German visas.My grandmother passed. Some of the others were sent back to Poland.
Our government discovered in the late 1930s that my grandmother was an illegal alien,and gave her a choice of being deported to Poland at its expense,or going to a country of her choice at her expense. Luckily,Her boss lent her the money to travel to Canada,She was later able to re-enter the U.S.legally.
I and countless members owe our lives to my great-grandparents and their siblings having heeded, that warning to get out of Poland,or else.
I agree with you 100% in terms of Mr.Cohen.My parents made sure that they & each of their five children had a passport so that we could leave the U.S. for Israel at a moment’s notice.
5
Zeev Jabotinski's ideas inspired the creation of Irgun, a Jewish terrorist group. He was not just a guy from Palestine , he advocated armed attacks against Arabs to create a Jewish State which meant taking Arab land. And it carried out terrorist attacks. Was that necessary to create a homeland for Jews.? We see the results now.
(Where would the current Prime Minister of Israel place the Jews that would come from Europe? )
And, let's not forget the the Likud Party origins are Irgun and that the former PM Begin was a member of this terrorist group.
(Where would the current Prime Minister of Israel place the Jews that would come from Europe? )
And, let's not forget the the Likud Party origins are Irgun and that the former PM Begin was a member of this terrorist group.
Muslims are People and Jews are People
When anyone thinks that they are the Only Important People then of course there is a conflict....Polarization is the hottest commodity in the propaganda driven marketplace....Isaac Bashevis Singer spoke of a secularism that separated as a loving condition of celebration of a cultural difference....not a hatred of "the other"
Scapegoats have become the one identifier of merit in our troubled times......
Everyone can understand that "they did it."
Let me say something you're not going to like, Jewish writers of policy fueled the current level of hatred towards them by allowing themselves to be used by the Bush Administration that looked to the power of "shock and awe" and the merits of the preemptive strike under PNAC and the Kagans/Feinstein....
When I say used by the Bush Administration that is what I mean. They were never meant to gain from the destruction of Iraq and Afghanistan, the Saudis were.....George W. said if America left Iraq/Afghanistan that Saudi Arabia would take over.....but Jewish Policy writers neo-conservatives/Kristol/Kagan/Wolfowitz provided them the rhetoric, the cover to stick a stick into the sleepy nest of Islam Hornets and wake them up, didn't they? Talk about creating a problem to be able to justify a solution set that would enrich a single group of people......the Saudis were heavy investors in the destruction of the World Trade Center and the Carlyle Group....neh?!
Life isn't fair, make it right.
When anyone thinks that they are the Only Important People then of course there is a conflict....Polarization is the hottest commodity in the propaganda driven marketplace....Isaac Bashevis Singer spoke of a secularism that separated as a loving condition of celebration of a cultural difference....not a hatred of "the other"
Scapegoats have become the one identifier of merit in our troubled times......
Everyone can understand that "they did it."
Let me say something you're not going to like, Jewish writers of policy fueled the current level of hatred towards them by allowing themselves to be used by the Bush Administration that looked to the power of "shock and awe" and the merits of the preemptive strike under PNAC and the Kagans/Feinstein....
When I say used by the Bush Administration that is what I mean. They were never meant to gain from the destruction of Iraq and Afghanistan, the Saudis were.....George W. said if America left Iraq/Afghanistan that Saudi Arabia would take over.....but Jewish Policy writers neo-conservatives/Kristol/Kagan/Wolfowitz provided them the rhetoric, the cover to stick a stick into the sleepy nest of Islam Hornets and wake them up, didn't they? Talk about creating a problem to be able to justify a solution set that would enrich a single group of people......the Saudis were heavy investors in the destruction of the World Trade Center and the Carlyle Group....neh?!
Life isn't fair, make it right.
10
Alas, from travel and study, I knew this brilliant and horrifying narrative could not be true. Jews are too smart to leave the cradle and splendor of Western Civilization -- EUROPE! -- at the call of a craven furniture salesman in the desert campaigning for re-election. I was in the garden of a chateau in France in 2004 owned by the least among them, when Netanyahoo made the same call. And the man across the table, hearing this on French radio, raised his lemonade, shook his head and said: "I'm not going."
15
Israel is not the home of every Jew. Indeed, as David Ben-Gurion stated decades ago:
“The Jews of the United States as a community and as individuals, have only one political attachment and that is to the United States of America. They owe no political allegiance to Israel…. The State of Israel represents and speaks only on behalf of its own citizens and in no way presumes to represent or speak in the name of Jews who are citizens of any other country.”
“The Jews of the United States as a community and as individuals, have only one political attachment and that is to the United States of America. They owe no political allegiance to Israel…. The State of Israel represents and speaks only on behalf of its own citizens and in no way presumes to represent or speak in the name of Jews who are citizens of any other country.”
30
Memo to Prime Minister Netanyahu:
If you want to be loved, be loveable.
If you want to be loved, be loveable.
14
I'm reminded of a story in Ray Bradbury's "The Martian Chronicles" in which the blacks of America join a mass exodus of their people to the new colonies on Mars. It's a stunning and thoughtful story of a people who decide not to take it anymore. Not to put up with ingrained racism, the color bar, lynchings and all the rest, and just say goodbye to the brutalizing society in which they lived, in the hope of starting anew somewhere that would hopefully be better.
My grandparents on both sides of my family took a similar step when they decided to leave the pogroms of the Czar's Pale of Settlement and journey to a strange new land called America. They voted with their feet, and never looked back.
The post-Holocaust Jews in Europe largely adopted that approach, and fought to move to what would become a new-ancient homeland in Palestine that several years later would become the State of Israel. They fought many wars to keep it so.
But a few crazy murderers and dozens of needless deaths don't constitute a new Holocaust, and there simply is little reason, if any, for the Jews of Europe whose families have lived there for a thousand or more years, to leave their homes, their societies, their countries.
Netanyahu's suggestion is only his attempt to buttress the supposedly-moral standing of Israel as a land of freedom, and burnish his credentials with Israeli conservatives, nothing more.
My grandparents on both sides of my family took a similar step when they decided to leave the pogroms of the Czar's Pale of Settlement and journey to a strange new land called America. They voted with their feet, and never looked back.
The post-Holocaust Jews in Europe largely adopted that approach, and fought to move to what would become a new-ancient homeland in Palestine that several years later would become the State of Israel. They fought many wars to keep it so.
But a few crazy murderers and dozens of needless deaths don't constitute a new Holocaust, and there simply is little reason, if any, for the Jews of Europe whose families have lived there for a thousand or more years, to leave their homes, their societies, their countries.
Netanyahu's suggestion is only his attempt to buttress the supposedly-moral standing of Israel as a land of freedom, and burnish his credentials with Israeli conservatives, nothing more.
29
Netanyahu's proposal is absurd. Even if Israel were to take over all of the remaining Palestinian territory (which I'm sure he'd love to do, with this exodus as an excuse), it could not accommodate ALL of the Jews from Europe. In addition, I have long thought that our greatest strength lies in the diaspora - put all Jews in one place and we just make one huge target.
18
While is important that the Jews have a homeland in Israel, "it is equally important," says Mr. Cohen, that all European Jews do not chose to move there. Important to whom? To Europe's liberal order (a frayed garment), he says, to the liberal idea itself. That's quite a burden for a small, remnant community to bear!
To the contrary, the Jews of Europe do not have an obligation to preserve Europe's liberal order with their presence if Europe can't, or won't, keep them safe, not just from bombs and bullets, but from the sneering insults of their fellow Europeans. And I'm pretty sure that Israel will find room for any European Jews who choose to come, and within the pre-1967 borders if they so desire. Further, Mr. Cohen may be surprised by how they vote once they get there. Mr. Netanyahu asked them to come, and however much Mr. Cohen may dislike him, even he must admit that Mr. Netanyahu has been the most successful Israeli politician in decades. He probably knows which way the wind blows. In any event, the Jews of Europe can do what they like -- they certainly do not owe a debt to European history.
To the contrary, the Jews of Europe do not have an obligation to preserve Europe's liberal order with their presence if Europe can't, or won't, keep them safe, not just from bombs and bullets, but from the sneering insults of their fellow Europeans. And I'm pretty sure that Israel will find room for any European Jews who choose to come, and within the pre-1967 borders if they so desire. Further, Mr. Cohen may be surprised by how they vote once they get there. Mr. Netanyahu asked them to come, and however much Mr. Cohen may dislike him, even he must admit that Mr. Netanyahu has been the most successful Israeli politician in decades. He probably knows which way the wind blows. In any event, the Jews of Europe can do what they like -- they certainly do not owe a debt to European history.
16
If all the European Jews do leave, what nations will then suprot Israel? Or will the the Europeans like the Jews more when they leave?
5
who says i want to protect Europes liberalism. my Grandmother was born in East Prussia, Germany, in the city of Oppeln. she considered herself a German Jew. my mother wasn't like her......but i am. i would like to see a return of the Hohenzollerns to the throne. i'm no liberal.
@ R. Moss asks,
" If all the European Jews do leave, what nations will then support Israel?"
Most probably the US, with its large population of wealthy and politically influential Jews. Or perhaps the Europeans, once free of their Jewish populations, wrestling with increasing terrorism and cultural erosion from a large and growing, non-integrated, unassimilated Muslim population, will become very supportive of Israel -- a small but militarily powerful democracy in the Muslim heartland whose political and military goals will then seem much more aligned with those of the European democracies who now uneasily try to dissociate antisemitism from "anti-Zionism"
"Or will the the Europeans like the Jews more when they leave?"
Isn't the answer to that question a very obvious "YES"?
" If all the European Jews do leave, what nations will then support Israel?"
Most probably the US, with its large population of wealthy and politically influential Jews. Or perhaps the Europeans, once free of their Jewish populations, wrestling with increasing terrorism and cultural erosion from a large and growing, non-integrated, unassimilated Muslim population, will become very supportive of Israel -- a small but militarily powerful democracy in the Muslim heartland whose political and military goals will then seem much more aligned with those of the European democracies who now uneasily try to dissociate antisemitism from "anti-Zionism"
"Or will the the Europeans like the Jews more when they leave?"
Isn't the answer to that question a very obvious "YES"?
2
I don't fault Netenyahu for seeking to defend his people. That is evey leader's primary job.I do not want the US to be involved in Israeli foreign or domestic matters. Israel has the means to defend itself and can turn Iran into ashes with its nuclear arsenal. If the US wants to play peacemaker, fine, but no war for the benefit of Israel as this is not in the interests of the people of the US. Our leadership is tasked with representing and defending our people, not Israelis.
9
I hardly think of Israel as a refuge for the Jews of the world. It is surrounded totally by folks who wish the death of all Jews. The United States is the best refuge for Jews. We are so much the better because of the Jews among us. Long may they be here.
6
Netanyahu's real concern is not about Jews living in Europe being in danger of a 21st century pogrom. He is worried about himself and his Likud party's future. His ultra nationalism politics is no longer aligned with those of US foreign policy in transition.
If Israel --because of Likud/Netanyahu's ultra nationalism -- is let go by America, the Jewish state will need all the help it can get of Jews from all over the world. Who knows? Perhaps Netanyahu has seen the future.
If Israel --because of Likud/Netanyahu's ultra nationalism -- is let go by America, the Jewish state will need all the help it can get of Jews from all over the world. Who knows? Perhaps Netanyahu has seen the future.
15
Calls for a new Jewish Diaspora do not magnify the actual threat level. They do fuel anticipation of a global conflagration tho.
Leaders should not speak like hotheads.
Leaders should not speak like hotheads.
4
If European Jews want to leave, they should come to the United States. Going to Israel in search of "safety" does not make sense. Ask the many Israelis who immigrate to the United States.
11
So you will take in one million Jews - including the old and the sick? You are not taking any refugees from the Arab countries in great numbers or from Africa. If I were a European Jew I would no more want to depend on the US now as in the past. Thank goodness, for these people, they can go to Israel.
1
Your humane writings command my respect, Mr. Cohen.
Thank you for this excellent article Mr. Cohen!
Its important to mention how the European governments are doing their best to protect the Jews.
Literally, every synagogue in Europe is surrounded by gun-carrying soldiers and police officers. In some places dogs were added to guard the worshipers.
The Jews inside the synagogues are safe and sound thanks to this guarding.
In Israel no such guarding is provided.
Its important to mention how the European governments are doing their best to protect the Jews.
Literally, every synagogue in Europe is surrounded by gun-carrying soldiers and police officers. In some places dogs were added to guard the worshipers.
The Jews inside the synagogues are safe and sound thanks to this guarding.
In Israel no such guarding is provided.
5
Gil Black does not see the irony in his comment that, "Every synagogue is surrounded by gun carrying soldiers and police officers," Of course the Jews are safe and sound inside their synagogues, but do the soldiers live with them, shop with them and escort them as they go about their business? No wonder that some Jews are thinking of leaving France and other European countries.
10
And where is Mr. Netanyahu planing to provide the room to live that his invitation entails and how will he go about acquiring it?
12
You must be joking to think a country of over 8 million cannot absorb half a milion or so. Both the North and the Negev are wide open for settlement.
3
One would only have to read Alan Wolfe's "At Home in Exile: Why The Diaspora Is Good For Jews" to understand how unfortunate it would be for both my fellow Jews and the rest of the world if Bibi's dream would come to fruition. The Diaspora is alive and well. We thrive because of our independence, vitality, and energy. Our will to survive and overcome the pitfalls of persecution whether in America, Latin America, or Europe is the essence of our strength as a people. Israel should always be an option to those who perfer the particulaism it offers. For the rest of us, Israel will remain a beacon of democracy, which just like America, is far from perfect but also an enduring entity on the world stage.
67
There are very strong reasons why Jews will not leave Europe, and especially the US. The concept of the Jewish homeland is larger than Israel, it is beyond Israel to satisfy. There are very logical, clear bases for this realization, not all of which are popular to express.
That notwithstanding, one gains a great deal by comprehending modern Islamic oriented terrorism, from a causal perspective. The largest factors are: A. the the armed theft of Arab land by the Europeans, and B. the 100 years of American neo-con militarization of the Middle East, much of which is in the unconditional support for that armed theft of Arab lands.
Western penetration into these lands, dictating policies and culture and
ownership, kingdoms and boundaries, establishing dozens upon dozens of armed camps, invading, killing, and setting neighbor against neighbor, running up the sectarian differences --- here are your causes.
More of the same will not put that Genie back in the Bottle. I believe Cohen is offering the same conclusion, but from an entirely different thought process.
That notwithstanding, one gains a great deal by comprehending modern Islamic oriented terrorism, from a causal perspective. The largest factors are: A. the the armed theft of Arab land by the Europeans, and B. the 100 years of American neo-con militarization of the Middle East, much of which is in the unconditional support for that armed theft of Arab lands.
Western penetration into these lands, dictating policies and culture and
ownership, kingdoms and boundaries, establishing dozens upon dozens of armed camps, invading, killing, and setting neighbor against neighbor, running up the sectarian differences --- here are your causes.
More of the same will not put that Genie back in the Bottle. I believe Cohen is offering the same conclusion, but from an entirely different thought process.
9
I don't think the state of Israel is doing Jews much good.
17
Israel's hypocrisy is astounding. Netanyahu says "it's clearly not safe for Jews in Europe, why don't you move to the Israel where you won't be blown up." This is not just a grave insult, I am offended by his suggestion. There is enough craziness and violence going around without heaping more fuel on that old fire.
15
I was born before the state of Israel, and I was Jewish for a number of years before there was a Jewish state. Israel is NOT my home, nor is it the center of my Jewishness (which itself is part of but not the center of who I am). As the Chief Rabbi of Denmark wisely said, Terrorism is not a reason to move to Israel. Doubtless there are other reasons for Jews to move to Israel, and I wish all the best to those who choose to do so. But for me and thousands of American and European Jews, the nation states in which we reside are our homes. Mr. Netanyahu can hardly guarantee the safety of new immigrants, as though there are no terrorist threats to them in Israel. Those particular threats would diminish if Israel would give up its ongoing colonial project, a project that has immiserated Palestinians since 1967 (at least).
27
You're frightening me, Roger!
1
This is whole episode is nothing more than political grandstanding. Netanyahu will say anything to see his name in print.
8
Whether or not anti-Semitism would or would not exist in Europe were Israel not to exist is not an answerable question and indeed avoids the central question for Jewish people themselves: that is, since the establishment of the state of Israel how is Judaism separable from Zionism? Jewish leaders in both Israel and the diaspora are deeply implicated in consistently and persistently conflating Israel with Judaism, and any form of criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism. There is much pontification about how the Muslim political and religious leadership refuses to abjure extremism, but the same can be said about Jewish political and religious leaders. Maybe Europe has lost its conscience and maybe not. But insofar as Jews hinge their own moral existence on a seamlessness between their religion and a vicious nationalism, it is their own loss of conscience that is most clear, most lucid. What a hideous fate to have befallen the people of the Talmud!
11
Not an answerable question?
Anti semitism existed for thousands of years before 1948.
There's the answer to your question.
Anti semitism existed for thousands of years before 1948.
There's the answer to your question.
3
European clocks are ticking very loudly for Jews these days. What does it really matter to Jewish families if most European Muslims oppose terror attacks, if many, or even a handful of them, do support them and are capable of carrying them out? When you and your co-religionists can't wear a yarmulke on the street or attend synagogue or speak out on behalf of Israel without feeling fear; and experience difficulty obtaining kosher meat and getting your infant sons circumcised; and have occasional terror attacks thrown in your general or specific direction; and have little reason to believe that things are ever going to get better, then you are no longer living in a country guided by the precepts of Western Civilization and should have left yesterday for friendlier climes.
European history is already littered with the bodies of far too many Jewish people who made the mistake of believing that civilization was a place called Europe. No Prime Minister of Israel could be doing anything less than what Mr. Netanyahu is currently doing to save them.
European history is already littered with the bodies of far too many Jewish people who made the mistake of believing that civilization was a place called Europe. No Prime Minister of Israel could be doing anything less than what Mr. Netanyahu is currently doing to save them.
15
To A. Stanton:
Mr. Netanyahu is not saving them, he is endangering them. The surge in anti-semitism is directly related to the policies and actions of Netanyahu & Co.
Mr. Netanyahu is not saving them, he is endangering them. The surge in anti-semitism is directly related to the policies and actions of Netanyahu & Co.
7
I wish America could have given Arizona or New Mexico as safe home for all Jews in 1940's. Just as Mormons have made Utah their home, Jews could have easily made a desert state as their home while remaining in the United States.
And who knows, Mideast could have remained peaceful.
And who knows, Mideast could have remained peaceful.
14
As a native NewYorker my life would have been greatly impoverished without contact with Jews and Jewish culture. Europeans of my acquaintenance understand that the quality of European society can be judged by the way that Europeans treat their children, elders and Jews. We all know that Judaism is too great an insight into human reality to be limited to a small geographical area. The Israeli Prime Minister is a bit of an imbecile in this regard.
european society can be judged by the way they trerat their children, elders and Jews. Judisim is too rich an ideal and insight into relaity to be limited to any geographical area.
european society can be judged by the way they trerat their children, elders and Jews. Judisim is too rich an ideal and insight into relaity to be limited to any geographical area.
6
I keep wondering if Netanyahu's call for an Aliyah Daleth from Europe to Israel, to escape a resurgence of anti-Semitism might be partly a move to settle these new immigrants in the West Bank and solidify Israel as a "Jewish" nation, not a secular state; and in the process deny a Palestinian homeland in Eastern Canaan. Should the New Aliyah occur, it clearly will have side effects that might be very serious.
7
I was saddened by the Prime Minister's call for mass emigration because it smacks of capitulation. It's saying that the terrorists, bigots, anti-Semites are right: Jews don't belong, they don't fit in, they should leave. What an awful irony. We should not let it be true.
5
Israel is doing the same thing to the Palestinians as the white man did to the American Indian. Took their land, placed them on reservations, slaughtered them, and chipped away at the reservations. I completely understand why the attacks are occurring in Europe. The Israeli government is the cause!!!
14
The Israeli government is not the cause. The cause is Muslim alienation, frustration and rage. The Israeli government's regressive policies are merely convenient targets-of-the-moment for the discharge of all these negative feelings--as is the West generally.
8
Ron, both of you are right. Part of the Muslim frustration and rage is caused by Israel's treatment of Palestinians, and the European support of Israel regardless of its actions.
People can be offended all they want by what Netanyahu says, but the reality facing many European and other Diaspora living Jews is the simple fact that we fear for our existence. People may think forming a peace ring is all wonderful, but how does that prevent terrorists from killing Jews? And what kind of justice are these people facing? NYT reported about Jewish vigilantism in France over the summer - that was because people - Muslims and locals - wanted to kill the local Jews and the French police were letting it happen. I would love for all of us to sit in a circle and sing kumbaya, but until that happens, it's very disingenuous for people to criticize Netanyahu for wanting to protect his people, particularly when no one else is.
9
What? Again! A new Moses was found in the bulrushes to lead them?
2
First, the Jews did not "leave" Baghdad, Cairo or any of those other cities in the Arab world. After centuries of living there, they were driven out by the Muslim population that turned on them. Second, the Prime Minister who said that "Israel is the home to every Jew" was not telling the truth. It is only the home to those Jews approved of by a certain group of Rabbis. No matter how observant you are, if you did not have a conversion, or your mother, or grandmother, etc., did not have a conversion that these approved of you are not Jewish. That is the sad reality.
7
"The Great Jewish Exodus" risks not being from Europe, but from Israel. If Israel continues on it's path of self-destruction, those shiny condos in the West Bank will be sheltering donkeys. Israel must do an about-face, accept the will of the world community, respect international law, and become a champion of human rights.
12
At the cost of 700,000 Palestinian refugees and unimaginable sufferings for the people of Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.
8
@michael adamian
WWII and its aftermath displaced 20-30 million people, including European Jews who survived the Holocaust. After the creation of Israel in 1948, nearly 1 million Jews were forced out of or fled from Muslim countries where their communities had lived for millenia. ALL these people long ago found permanent homes, with the exception of the original 400,000-500,000 Arabs of the Palestinian Mandate. Yes, many of them were forced out in the conflicts of 1947-48, and many also fled, waiting for neighboring Arab states to force Israel into the sea. We all know how that turned out.
What we don't know is what would have happened if a) the Palestinians had accepted the original division of the Mandate territories proposed by the UN; b) if any of the nearly 60 Arab or Muslim-majority nations had determined to assimilate their Palestinian brethren as Israel accepted every Jewish refugee who came; or c), most important, who would take in the Israeli Jews if the state of Israel were dissolved or destroyed tomorrow?
Give up the overblown rhetoric of the "unimaginable" sufferings of Palestinian refugees: all refugees suffer. Equally specious is the case against Israel maintaining a Jewish character. Whatever its failings (and they are many), Israel is a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-religious democracy. Complain first about the egregiously intolerant, Jew-hating, warring Muslim-Arab theocracies. When you're finished, we can get on with the general Israel bashing.
WWII and its aftermath displaced 20-30 million people, including European Jews who survived the Holocaust. After the creation of Israel in 1948, nearly 1 million Jews were forced out of or fled from Muslim countries where their communities had lived for millenia. ALL these people long ago found permanent homes, with the exception of the original 400,000-500,000 Arabs of the Palestinian Mandate. Yes, many of them were forced out in the conflicts of 1947-48, and many also fled, waiting for neighboring Arab states to force Israel into the sea. We all know how that turned out.
What we don't know is what would have happened if a) the Palestinians had accepted the original division of the Mandate territories proposed by the UN; b) if any of the nearly 60 Arab or Muslim-majority nations had determined to assimilate their Palestinian brethren as Israel accepted every Jewish refugee who came; or c), most important, who would take in the Israeli Jews if the state of Israel were dissolved or destroyed tomorrow?
Give up the overblown rhetoric of the "unimaginable" sufferings of Palestinian refugees: all refugees suffer. Equally specious is the case against Israel maintaining a Jewish character. Whatever its failings (and they are many), Israel is a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-religious democracy. Complain first about the egregiously intolerant, Jew-hating, warring Muslim-Arab theocracies. When you're finished, we can get on with the general Israel bashing.
5
Imbued with a distaste toward Netanyahu, the columnist as well as most commentators are making too big a deal out of his call to the European Jews. This is nothing but an election slogan as he cares not about the Jews in Europe or what has been the favored topic on these pages, the illegal settlements. (They are not illegal and they started way before Likud came to power, a long, long time ago.) Netanyahu has no spine: he cares only about being reelected. He cares about nothing else. It's beyond me how the Israeli electorate are blind to that.
3
The prime minister won't be awaking from any vivid nightmares: the reality of what he was responding to is all too real. Israel will find a way to house new arrivals, as it always has, and the reference to rule over another people was derisory, that problem exists independent of the current wave of anti-Jewish enmity in Europe and was not caused by Israel to begin with. It annoys me how people go after Netanyahu for stating the obvious.
6
Your paean to Jewish culture in pre-war Europe is nice but overstated; let's not overlook Da Vinci, Galileo, Martin Luther, Bach and Beethoven, and all the other non-Jews who contributed immensely to the cultural and intellectual life of Europe. As for your claim "Israel is indeed the home of every Jew, and that is important, a guarantee of sorts," that's nonsense. America is my home and the home of my more observant ancestors, for over 100 years. If the Holocaust could teach one anything, it's don't move; dig in and fight! It's not so easy to marginalize a people when they push back, hard, and demand to be treated with respect. Running away is what children do- run to their parents. We adults must stand up for ourselves, or we can only expect more of the same. At least, that's what my great uncle told me, he with the tattoo on his forearm from Auschwitz. I'll take his counsel over what some politician in Israel has to say, any day.
243
Thank you for saying this:"It's not so easy to marginalize a people when they push back, hard, and demand to be treated with respect."
Jewish Americans would never leave; they are treated with respect, finally after decades of perseverance.
Perhaps the Muslim Americans should pay a very close attention to this line of wisdom -- even more so should Muslims of North-West Europe.
Jewish Americans would never leave; they are treated with respect, finally after decades of perseverance.
Perhaps the Muslim Americans should pay a very close attention to this line of wisdom -- even more so should Muslims of North-West Europe.
3
alexander Hamilton, I think your example is completely backwards--if anything, the Holocuast tells us when people don't like you, and threaten you, and take away your things--leave.
If my ancestors did not have the insight to come to America 100 years ago, my whole family would have been killed by the Nazis (because we're Jewish). Many of the towns they came from no longer exist and the gentile portions of those towns moved elsewhere.
I see why from a diplomatic perspective Netanyahu may have overstepped boundaries but I don't feel in my heart there was anything wrong with what he said. Don't tell me to stay and fight--tell the people in power to stop trying to kill me, my family, my friends, my life. Jews have only ever wanted to peacefully exist and live, just live everyone else on this planet.
If my ancestors did not have the insight to come to America 100 years ago, my whole family would have been killed by the Nazis (because we're Jewish). Many of the towns they came from no longer exist and the gentile portions of those towns moved elsewhere.
I see why from a diplomatic perspective Netanyahu may have overstepped boundaries but I don't feel in my heart there was anything wrong with what he said. Don't tell me to stay and fight--tell the people in power to stop trying to kill me, my family, my friends, my life. Jews have only ever wanted to peacefully exist and live, just live everyone else on this planet.
15
Yes, non-Jews contributed immensely to the cultural and intellectual life of Europe, but anyone would be foolish to deny the fact that Jews have long punched above their weight class in terms of their contributions to literature, music, the arts, philosophy, science, academia, etc. They were/are a tiny fraction of the European population but significantly overrepresented in many fields and among the ranks of Nobel laureates, and other acclaimed intellectuals. Their good influences have been disproportionate to their numbers.
11
I suggest the liberal tradition that is Judaism's legacy in Europe, as Cohen rightfully highlights, if embodied in the ideals of Israel, as it once was but probably no longer is, would point not to a Jewish state, but rather a society modeled on the characteristics of tolerance, civility, diversity, culture, justice and secular love for all. This is Judaism's true bequest to humanity-- not another religious state pitting itself sanctimoniously against the outside world and justifying whatever means necessary to protect not a rich and diverse human society but instead its own obsession with a religious identity. Religion, including and especially Judaism, is not an end in itself but a means to promoting human happiness indiscriminately, and in Israel's case promoting it, rather than terror and death, to its impoverished, desperate and aggrieved neighbors.
13
Israel is not a state defined by a religion. It is the state of a people defined by a history based on a religion.
7
I don't think the Jews of Europe should seek refuge in Israel with their right-wing harsh politics and constant fighting with Palestinians, and their continued expansion into the land supposedly set aside for a Palestinian state. NO. Their best chance is to come to Canada or the United State especially the East Coast. I'm sure many may have relatives or friends who will assist, or Jewish organizations will also assist. Surely we won't make the same mistakes as was done during WWII when they were refused entry and ended up dying. The growing anti-Semitism of Europe and the Middle East is too dangerous. Welcome to the United States and when you become citizens, be sure to register to vote.
11
Yes, the United States and not Israel will be sending those clandestine missions to get elderly Jews out of their homes in the Ukraine, to scoop up the remnant of the Jews of Yemen.
Just like everyday thousands of educated Iraqis and Syrians come to America and also the infirm, sickly, so you will take in the Jews. As you did in the past.
Except you haven't taken in the Syrians or even the Iraqis and Libyans whose countries you destroyed. And you never took the persecuted in the past either.
Without Israel the Jews of Europe would be like the Roma, persecuted with no one taking them in. Recently, when the Roma tried to come to Canada, we not only did not take them as immigrants, we changed the law so anyone coming from Hungary or the Czech Republic needed visas.
Thank G-d for Israel.
Just like everyday thousands of educated Iraqis and Syrians come to America and also the infirm, sickly, so you will take in the Jews. As you did in the past.
Except you haven't taken in the Syrians or even the Iraqis and Libyans whose countries you destroyed. And you never took the persecuted in the past either.
Without Israel the Jews of Europe would be like the Roma, persecuted with no one taking them in. Recently, when the Roma tried to come to Canada, we not only did not take them as immigrants, we changed the law so anyone coming from Hungary or the Czech Republic needed visas.
Thank G-d for Israel.
4
Israel represents the complete negation of the Jewish history.
Over the last couple of millenniums the Jews used to integrate into any kind of community across the globe by being faithful to their system of values and accepting the cultural habits of their new homelands.
Creation of Israel represented the dramatic change of course. From that moment on the Jews have decided they cannot live together with their neighbors.
Such a leadership decision started extremely painful exoduses all over the Middle East for both the Palestinians and the Jews.
The future generations will be in position to analyze whether such enormous human sufferings were worth it.
I personally don’t think it was a smart decision. The very moment we see the people around us as our enemies instead as the friends we put the society on the wrong course.
Nobody has been able to solve this theoretical problem of our faith over the last 7 decades.
I would not blame any ethnic or religious community for these catastrophic failures because nobody can claim to have clean hands and souls.
Everybody was involved in the bloody ethnic cleansing and religious hatred.
To fix the problems let’s stop blaming solely the others for our faults and shortcomings.
Over the last couple of millenniums the Jews used to integrate into any kind of community across the globe by being faithful to their system of values and accepting the cultural habits of their new homelands.
Creation of Israel represented the dramatic change of course. From that moment on the Jews have decided they cannot live together with their neighbors.
Such a leadership decision started extremely painful exoduses all over the Middle East for both the Palestinians and the Jews.
The future generations will be in position to analyze whether such enormous human sufferings were worth it.
I personally don’t think it was a smart decision. The very moment we see the people around us as our enemies instead as the friends we put the society on the wrong course.
Nobody has been able to solve this theoretical problem of our faith over the last 7 decades.
I would not blame any ethnic or religious community for these catastrophic failures because nobody can claim to have clean hands and souls.
Everybody was involved in the bloody ethnic cleansing and religious hatred.
To fix the problems let’s stop blaming solely the others for our faults and shortcomings.
20
It's true. Wherever Jews went they tried to integrate as much as was allowed and to be loyal citizens. And every single time, they were driven out, had their wealth stolen and had to start again and were murdered.
Your comment indicates this was some sort of historical imperative of the Jews that you favour. Some status they must adhere to.
Beyond that racist insult, please know for all of Jewish history Jews have prayed Next Year in Jerusalem
Your comment indicates this was some sort of historical imperative of the Jews that you favour. Some status they must adhere to.
Beyond that racist insult, please know for all of Jewish history Jews have prayed Next Year in Jerusalem
5
If you will it, it is no dream. Herzl said it. Bibi believes it. And maybe Europe is about to understand it. They had their chance and blew it.
12
The columnist knows from writing: I compose the compliment for
intending the irony of a Yiddish-English accent; and btw perhaps credit Leo Rosten for "Yinglish" lexicography.
I realize a well-googled internet search would include Rosten's colleagues/ competitors, so I modify with "perhaps."
That so many ("20 percent" has recently been polled by the Anti Defamation League) as apparently not unhappy to see the Jews exited from ... the planet,
never mind only Europe.
Their survey attempts measurement of complexities
to which social science statistically aspires to determine
as true or at least as accurate as the art could capture.
intending the irony of a Yiddish-English accent; and btw perhaps credit Leo Rosten for "Yinglish" lexicography.
I realize a well-googled internet search would include Rosten's colleagues/ competitors, so I modify with "perhaps."
That so many ("20 percent" has recently been polled by the Anti Defamation League) as apparently not unhappy to see the Jews exited from ... the planet,
never mind only Europe.
Their survey attempts measurement of complexities
to which social science statistically aspires to determine
as true or at least as accurate as the art could capture.
1
If the world could be rid of all it's religions, it would be better off. Obviously, it is what divides us. I am not sure what kind of richness he is talking about that is missing. To suggest that another group of people lost its right to a conscience, seems a bit extreme, because why? Jews did not feel they were wanted there? Hmmm! We are all responsible for our own emotions and religious thinking is the great inhibitor of the day preventing people from understanding rational thought.
17
Aye, there's the rub. For all those great minds, the exaltation of the human spirit was paramount, but how could that spirit thrive in a nation established not on enlightened democratic liberation but on adherence to religious dogma.
15
This is a poignant and compelling op ed. The many reactions point to the complexity and emotions surrounding the place of Jews in the world today in the context of the recent past. That said, what of American Jewry? Our synagogue already has police protection during high holy day services. As a child I never even thought about such things here in the US. Is this our future here as well? What will our response be to escalating violence here should it occur?
15
At least the European exodus is largely voluntary, without people kicking the Jews out. At the same time, it is happening for a reason: life in many parts of Europe has become too difficult for too many Jews. I can beckon to people to come to my part of the lawn all I want, but if their side is just fine, few will want to rearrange their lives and come. If their side is troubling, and every so often one or more of them will be shot by people who hate them? Then they'll move.
And we won't even discuss the Great Jewish Exodus of 1948-1968 from the Arab lands, where hundreds of thousands were -- in many cases, such as Egypt -- simply exiled as if it were still Spain in 1492.
And we won't even discuss the Great Jewish Exodus of 1948-1968 from the Arab lands, where hundreds of thousands were -- in many cases, such as Egypt -- simply exiled as if it were still Spain in 1492.
21
There is a dilemma and a study worth pursuing here. Jews have survived and thrived for centuries without turf and without political unification. In some ways, Jewish success in diaspora is itself uniquely similar to the success of immigrants who sought opportunity in the US; the anonymous pursuit of personal and human progress through selective group affiliation.
There is no doubt that Jews have made enormous contributions to civilization as a whole, and that they have suffered enormously as 'targets of convenience' at the hands of power grubbers.
Outside of the obvious answers, including the religious answers, and the integrity of the culture itself, the questions:are: 1) What factors contributed to Jewish success in diaspora? 2) What factors have historically contributed to the backlash of local populations against Jews? 3) Would 'turf have made a difference and how?
The future of human success would appear to be one of diaspora, that is, the cross-migration, integration of cultures, and sharing of ideas.
Turf would appear to include constraints and are not consistent with either cultural integration or unification of the species as a whole.
There was a time when Arab culture was at the height of human achievement and ruled the Western world. It is just one example of a highly evolved civilization that was brought down by the myopic, self interest of conservatives seeking to control turf, mammon, and the thoughts and behavior of others.
There is no doubt that Jews have made enormous contributions to civilization as a whole, and that they have suffered enormously as 'targets of convenience' at the hands of power grubbers.
Outside of the obvious answers, including the religious answers, and the integrity of the culture itself, the questions:are: 1) What factors contributed to Jewish success in diaspora? 2) What factors have historically contributed to the backlash of local populations against Jews? 3) Would 'turf have made a difference and how?
The future of human success would appear to be one of diaspora, that is, the cross-migration, integration of cultures, and sharing of ideas.
Turf would appear to include constraints and are not consistent with either cultural integration or unification of the species as a whole.
There was a time when Arab culture was at the height of human achievement and ruled the Western world. It is just one example of a highly evolved civilization that was brought down by the myopic, self interest of conservatives seeking to control turf, mammon, and the thoughts and behavior of others.
5
Europeans who happen to be Jews, are first and foremost Europeans and must remain so. It is easy, if you are not targeted, to say that what is going on is sporadic and affects the millesimal amount of people, and it should not provoke such a catastrophic emigration. And it will not happen. Europe is caught between this murderous revolution that has no reason to exist and the senseless attacks of lame brained locals, groups which have always plagued society, but which should be stopped lest they lead passive masses into murderous dictatorships. Netanhayu is taking advantage of these sorrowful events for political purpose, mindless of the senselessness of his proposal.
20
The Jury is still out. We'll see if Bibi is right or wrong, hopefully wrong but probably right.
I am a British Jew, educated at one of Britain's finest Public Schools who has had an intensively European career later to be continued in the Americas. All in all I encountered very little antisemitism, if at all, but all that was before when Europe was European before the tsunami of immigrants from other cultures changed it forever and for the worse. I am not a racist but love the differing cultures in their own setting but not in mine.
I am a British Jew, educated at one of Britain's finest Public Schools who has had an intensively European career later to be continued in the Americas. All in all I encountered very little antisemitism, if at all, but all that was before when Europe was European before the tsunami of immigrants from other cultures changed it forever and for the worse. I am not a racist but love the differing cultures in their own setting but not in mine.
7
If Netanyahu is reelected, the voters in Israel will have given the world the same message that the reelection of George W. Bush in 2004 did. The majority of the population is conservative, paranoid, war mongering, imperialistic, and untrustworthy. Do they merit allies?
121
The conflation of 'turf' with physical security is an issue, not only in Israel, but everywhere. I don't know the answer, but it sets me in search of the pros and cons of cultural objectives and evolution under the disparate environs of diaspora vs turf.
Extremism breeds extremism. Extremist actions by Israel generates extremist reactions in Europe. Sidelining the extremists in Israel will help sideline reactionary extremists in Europe. Let's hope the Israeli voters do the smart thing at the polls next month.
50
So you think that French citizens being murdered for being Jews while buying a loaf of bread for the Sabbath in Paris is understandable as a legitimate response to Israeli policies ?
This is almost a complete justification for Mr. Netanyahu's statement and makes me think that the lives of Jews in France and the rest of Europe is more dangerous than I would have thought.
This is almost a complete justification for Mr. Netanyahu's statement and makes me think that the lives of Jews in France and the rest of Europe is more dangerous than I would have thought.
9
The extremism within Islam existed long before the modern state of Israel came into existence. Adulterers were being stoned and non-Sunni houses of worship forbidden in Saudi Arabia for innumerable years before the partition of Palestine.
Similarly, the situation in your own nation's slums inhabited by North African immigrants exploded into organized crime and mass alienation long before Benjamin Netanyahu came to power.
Similarly, the situation in your own nation's slums inhabited by North African immigrants exploded into organized crime and mass alienation long before Benjamin Netanyahu came to power.
14
Stuart
Killing is never legitimate, but killers have motives and Netanyahu & Co. are certainly facilitating the recruitment/motivation of extremists like those responsible for the attacks in Paris.
Killing is never legitimate, but killers have motives and Netanyahu & Co. are certainly facilitating the recruitment/motivation of extremists like those responsible for the attacks in Paris.
3
I am a 71 year-old successful, but non-religious Jewish professional, and I have lived in New York and Los Angeles all my life. For over 65 years, I have had a barely conscious feeling of "unease" that only disappeared when I traveled to Israel two years ago. When I stepped off the plane in Tel Aviv, I finally felt "at home." Whatever you may think of Netanyahu, I believe that he is correct when he says that "Israel is the home of every Jew."
58
Dear Fred P,
When I first went to Israel in 1977, I, too, had a sense of being "at home." So, I spent most of my time there, enjoying a freedom and comfort I had never felt before. However, in the last nearly thirty years of living there, I watched my beloved country move from liberalism and inclusiveness and openness to a land governed by thugs and brutes who want to turn it into a theocracy and an oligarchy. Indeed, they have turned it into a state where I can no longer live. It was never a land characterized by civility; but there was a comforting solidarity (a feeling of home, perhaps?). Now, unfortunately, it enjoys neither.
When I first went to Israel in 1977, I, too, had a sense of being "at home." So, I spent most of my time there, enjoying a freedom and comfort I had never felt before. However, in the last nearly thirty years of living there, I watched my beloved country move from liberalism and inclusiveness and openness to a land governed by thugs and brutes who want to turn it into a theocracy and an oligarchy. Indeed, they have turned it into a state where I can no longer live. It was never a land characterized by civility; but there was a comforting solidarity (a feeling of home, perhaps?). Now, unfortunately, it enjoys neither.
26
Well said. Comfort and strong affiliation with the tribe is a human instinct that we should know and cultivate (especially for the entire human tribe).
I wonder if that same feeling is experienced by US immigrants, or others in diaspora who have left their 'comfort zone' to pursue personal and human progress somewhere else?
Similarly, I wonder if that 'sameness' feeling has the effect of creating an 'otherness' feeling in those who are outside the tribe. Sometimes, I even wonder if success among others might even be a function of the underlying 'agitation' of the 'otherness' that we experience outside of our tribe?.......kind of a complacency eradicator.
Since minor differences in 'sameness' and 'otherness' seem to be key ingredients for conflict and war, I wonder if we should try to figure out ways to promote more sameness?
I wonder if that same feeling is experienced by US immigrants, or others in diaspora who have left their 'comfort zone' to pursue personal and human progress somewhere else?
Similarly, I wonder if that 'sameness' feeling has the effect of creating an 'otherness' feeling in those who are outside the tribe. Sometimes, I even wonder if success among others might even be a function of the underlying 'agitation' of the 'otherness' that we experience outside of our tribe?.......kind of a complacency eradicator.
Since minor differences in 'sameness' and 'otherness' seem to be key ingredients for conflict and war, I wonder if we should try to figure out ways to promote more sameness?
1
Mr Cohen agrees with that too! "Israel is indeed the home of every Jew, and that is important, a guarantee of sorts. It is equally important, however, that not every Jew choose this home. That is another kind of guarantee, of Europe’s liberal order, of the liberal idea itself."
1
Israel is NOT the home of every Jew. The country has a very Orthodox tribunal to decide who's really Jewish. My husband? (He's the Blonde Guy, not me.) Jewish by birth, but he got baptized when he was too young to do anything about it. Me? I'm a convert, and the circumstances of my conversion wouldn't meet their standards. More and more, Israel is trying to make itself home to only one subset of Jews.
123
Conservatism is a powerful force dedicated to conserving self. It wins most frequently when the risk-reward ratio of progress is uncertain. The result is almost always implosion upon self. Nature favors change and transformation, and it will out! Humans need to get with the program or perish.
2
Fair point. I deplore the continued narrowing by Israel's rabbinic tribunal of who is considered Jewish.
1
Dear Mr. Cohen,
Thank you for a great Article.I agree that not all Jews should not emigrate to Israel, as for me I found the promised land in America, but I have not forsaken my brethren in Israel & support them anyway I can.Our sacrifices in Europe gave us Moral leverage to condemn mans inhumanity to man, & it grieves me when I hear & see Jews occupying another people.We have dropped the Lantern that God gave us, but we must pick it up again & shine it;s light on mans evil instincts, if we don't keep that light shining than not only has Europe lost their Jews , but the World has as well.
Thank you for a great Article.I agree that not all Jews should not emigrate to Israel, as for me I found the promised land in America, but I have not forsaken my brethren in Israel & support them anyway I can.Our sacrifices in Europe gave us Moral leverage to condemn mans inhumanity to man, & it grieves me when I hear & see Jews occupying another people.We have dropped the Lantern that God gave us, but we must pick it up again & shine it;s light on mans evil instincts, if we don't keep that light shining than not only has Europe lost their Jews , but the World has as well.
27
It it fine if Israel wants to play the victim, it is not okay for it to victimize all Jews. The Israeli people occupy and harass their neighbors and then when they are met with foreseen resistance their counterargument is that the world is against the Jewish people. The problem with Netanyahu's sentiments is that there are plenty of Jews living elsewhere around the world peacefully with their neighbors, and yet their neighbors are still attacking them.
25
Netanyahu's behavior and attitude remind me of John Maynard Keynes's impression of Clemenceau at the Versailles Peace Conference: "He felt about France what Pericles felt of Athens -- unique value in her, nothing else mattering; but his theory of politics was Bismarck's. He had one illusion -- France; and one disillusion -- mankind . . ." Substitute "Israel" for France, and you pretty much have Netanyahu nailed.
21
Bibi is desperate to shore up a Jewish majority in a country that can only maintain a Jewish majority by continuing to refuse any right of return to the displaced refugees of the formation of the state and suppressing the civil liberties of the fast growing non-jewish populations of Israel proper and its captured territories in Gaza and the West Bank. And in America we are content to ignore recent events in Chapel Hill and elsewhere . . .
26
Chapel Hill was a community dispute, as stupid and senseless as it was. In America, too many people are unhinged and given to a "shoot first" worldview. This was a tragic event f homicide but there is no evidence that it was anything else. Cynical.people in the vein of Fox News spit out "Chapel Hill" as symbolc of something that it is not, preying on the well-establushed ignorance and superstition of the average American.
2
Ignoring Chapel Hill? The response included a presidential condemnation of the murders and front page coverage of the funerals in the nation's major newspaper - the New York Times. Did not the major networks also report on the events there. This event was not ignored and your characterization of the U.S. response as callous is without merit.
6
A major reason Israel enjoys world support is that there are significant numbers of Jews in the most powerful countries, and those Jews have a voice in their local politics which affects national foreign relations policy for those powerful countries
If all Jews moved to Israel, then the local voice would be gone, and the powerful countries would care far less about Jewish concerns.
For instance: there would be no AIPAC without American Jews.
Be careful what you wish for Bibi. It may come true. Then woe be to us all.
If all Jews moved to Israel, then the local voice would be gone, and the powerful countries would care far less about Jewish concerns.
For instance: there would be no AIPAC without American Jews.
Be careful what you wish for Bibi. It may come true. Then woe be to us all.
49
Too true. That's why Israel (well aware of the reality that JRMW points out) has the bomb, a strong military, and a willingness to fight. Hopefully, we American Jews will remain well integrated and secure in the US for a long time. Reasonably aware Jews, however, always have some emotional bags packed. History is long and we remember too much of it.
4
Yet Muslims would remain in those countries. Their voices would be heard, without any offset of Jewish voices. Their votes would be sought, without any concern for political support of Jews.
What would that do to policies important to Israel? Nothing good.
What would that do to policies important to Israel? Nothing good.
1
A glib, misguided column on an important topic. The MO of Islamic terrorists as demonstrated in Paris and Copenhagen is to kill those who have insulted the Prophet and then murder some Jews as an encore. I am no fan of Netanyahu, but it is impossible not to notice that Jewish life in Europe is far more tentative than most of us could have imagined just a few short years ago. But, of course, the column and comments mostly criticize Netanyahu's audacity and Israeli policy rather than acknowledge that European anti-semitism now includes the regular murder of Jews for simply being Jewish.
79
But Bibi's solution doesn't solve the problem!
Jewish people may be targeted for death in the world because they are Jewish, but that doesn't magically change when they enter Israel. Hostile forces surround Israel and often attempt to attack and kill Jewish people.
It's true, Jewish people in Israel are more armed to the teeth compared to Jews around the world. But that doesn't mean they're safer. Just armed to the teeth.
The second issue World Citizens have with Bibi's solution is our dislike for segregation.
Would you recommend that all American Blacks go back to Africa, since so many of them are murdered in America just for being Black?
Would you recommend that all Gay people move to San Francisco, since so many are attacked and killed just for being gay?
Is segregation the best solution to violence?
I'm happy that Bibi welcomes Jewish People to Israel, and wish all Jews well who wish to relocate, so long as they don't steal more Palestinian land in the process
But I'm troubled by this idea that Jewish People can only be "home" in Israel
if Jewish people are unsafe elsewhere, the answer is to help make them safe, not banish them to the middle of a war zone.
Jewish people may be targeted for death in the world because they are Jewish, but that doesn't magically change when they enter Israel. Hostile forces surround Israel and often attempt to attack and kill Jewish people.
It's true, Jewish people in Israel are more armed to the teeth compared to Jews around the world. But that doesn't mean they're safer. Just armed to the teeth.
The second issue World Citizens have with Bibi's solution is our dislike for segregation.
Would you recommend that all American Blacks go back to Africa, since so many of them are murdered in America just for being Black?
Would you recommend that all Gay people move to San Francisco, since so many are attacked and killed just for being gay?
Is segregation the best solution to violence?
I'm happy that Bibi welcomes Jewish People to Israel, and wish all Jews well who wish to relocate, so long as they don't steal more Palestinian land in the process
But I'm troubled by this idea that Jewish People can only be "home" in Israel
if Jewish people are unsafe elsewhere, the answer is to help make them safe, not banish them to the middle of a war zone.
5
Wonderful ! Not many articles are so right to the point. Human beings gain from sharing their lives with others. Living isolated is going back to the Neanderthal tribes. Very good!
19
There were Jews in Gaul, three centuries before the first Christians showed up. Later, for something like seven centuries, in the empire of the Franks, and the "Renovated Roman empire" that followed it, people were free to convert from Catholicism, to Judaism. As Catholicism was rather ferocious, entire European villages converted.
Thus Judaism is more of a European religion than Christianism itself.
After the mad return of Christian fascism around 1095, with the First Crusade, which started with massacring Jews in Germanic lands, many Jews converted to Catholicism (whether voluntarily, or not). Thus many Europeans have Jewish ancestors.
To say that "the majority of Europeans were complicit in the attempted annihilation of the Jews" is a heavy accusation. My own family saved more than 100 Jews, at enormous risk, barely escaping a hunt by the Gestapo, and I just don't believe that.
Most French Jews survived: of the 75,000 Jews deported and killed in France, most were central European refugees, that the USA had refused to admit.
Now as far as the Great Leader's ardent invitation to all Jews, the following problems arise:
1) where to put them? In the rest of the occupied Left Bank of the Jordan river?
2) The inhabited part of Israel, so far, is very small. Half a dozen H bombs would annihilate all the population. Thus, if the Great Leader assembles there all the World's Jews, he potentially creates the ultimate ghetto, the ultimate extermination place for Judaism.
Thus Judaism is more of a European religion than Christianism itself.
After the mad return of Christian fascism around 1095, with the First Crusade, which started with massacring Jews in Germanic lands, many Jews converted to Catholicism (whether voluntarily, or not). Thus many Europeans have Jewish ancestors.
To say that "the majority of Europeans were complicit in the attempted annihilation of the Jews" is a heavy accusation. My own family saved more than 100 Jews, at enormous risk, barely escaping a hunt by the Gestapo, and I just don't believe that.
Most French Jews survived: of the 75,000 Jews deported and killed in France, most were central European refugees, that the USA had refused to admit.
Now as far as the Great Leader's ardent invitation to all Jews, the following problems arise:
1) where to put them? In the rest of the occupied Left Bank of the Jordan river?
2) The inhabited part of Israel, so far, is very small. Half a dozen H bombs would annihilate all the population. Thus, if the Great Leader assembles there all the World's Jews, he potentially creates the ultimate ghetto, the ultimate extermination place for Judaism.
27
And here we go.... starting a cycle of repeating history. The attacks on Jews in Europe are eerily reminiscent of the very beginnings of the Holocaust. While Kristallnacht is considered the starting point of the Holocaust, there was a string of "little violences" in the years leading up to the event.
26
I'm a Brooklyn born Jewess living in a very remote village with a population of 1,000 people. A major city is 30 minutes from where I live. I'm the only New Yorker, the only American, and aside from my Jewish daughters who were born in this country I am the only Jew in this village. In a village like this everyone knew within a few days (or hours!) that I was a New York Jewess. I have lived here 25 wonderful enriching years and neither my children or myself have ever felt anything but love and acceptance. I have a mezuzah on every door in my home and I live proudly as a Jew and share and celebrate my Jewish life for the enrichment of others who are friends and neighbors.
I'm not leaving either. And if I were forced to leave in the future the last place I'd be going to is Israel. I can not stand the politics of Mr. Netanyahu and like Isaac Bashevis Singer noted, Yiddish was never spoken by men in power. I'll stick with the wisdom of Isaac Bashevis Singer and continue to perfect my Yiddish here in Austria. Although I hate its murderous history I love this country and feel blessed to have planted the seeds of Jewish life for future generations to come.
I'm not leaving either. And if I were forced to leave in the future the last place I'd be going to is Israel. I can not stand the politics of Mr. Netanyahu and like Isaac Bashevis Singer noted, Yiddish was never spoken by men in power. I'll stick with the wisdom of Isaac Bashevis Singer and continue to perfect my Yiddish here in Austria. Although I hate its murderous history I love this country and feel blessed to have planted the seeds of Jewish life for future generations to come.
66
I wish you and your family luck. Just remember that many of your ancestors felt the same way in the past and had no place to go when things got dangerous.
11
First of all, there are more terrorist attacks against Jews in Israel than Europe (e.g. the recent savage attack with on worshippers at a temple in Jerusalem; the Hizbollah attack that just killed two Israeli soldiers; the innumerable missiles launched from Gaza last year). Indeed, the Israeli PM fears Israel's potential annihilation by an Iranian nuke, so one wonders, "If that is the case Mr. PM, why are you trying to assemble more Jews from around the world in one small, easily targeted location?" And what about the potential loss of Jewish voices in European politics and the impact that that might have on Israel's long-term security? Moreover, let's maintain a slight grip on reality here -- Europeans, regardless of religion, also know they are at far greater risk of being killed in an auto accident than a random act of terrorism. In sum, Muslim terrorism does not pose an existential threat to the widely dispersed and well integrated and now more heavily guarded European Jewish population. Israel, by contrast, in the PM's own words, does face existential threats, so why is the Israeli PM summoning more Jews from the relative safety of Europe to a potential ground zero in Israel?
36
If Jews are not spread across the world, imparting their particular brand of brilliance, history and morality -- and all, or most, reside in Israel, ironically, I think, it would be the end of the Jewish people. While it is sensible, as even Elie Wiesel notes, for Israel to bring to the world their vision and fear of Iran, the way Netanyahu has chosen to do so is neither smart, nor will it be productive. I think he is a zealot gone mad and is preparing for Israel to go it alone and bomb, bomb Iran. In the Yiddish so beautifully described in your article, "Gdsalupeiten." G-d forbid.
19
The interesting part about the Jews is that for centuries they demanded the ethnic and religious rights for the minorities in Europe.
Now being the majority in Israel they want to deprive the minorities from those rights and wholeheartedly recommend them to move somewhere else.
Why did the Jews in Israel become so European?
Have you notice what the power can do to the people?
Now being the majority in Israel they want to deprive the minorities from those rights and wholeheartedly recommend them to move somewhere else.
Why did the Jews in Israel become so European?
Have you notice what the power can do to the people?
22
I guess Bibi thinks that if Jews leave all those European countries they will all behave like post-war Germany and be very supportive of Israel despite the scarcity of Jews there.
More likely political realities will prevail and with the absence of Jews and the presence of indigenous antisemitism as shown by the rise of right wing parties combined with a growing Muslim presence, Israel will find itself increasingly isolated and lacking external support. It will probably all end with it blowing itself and the rest of the Mid-East up with its nuclear weapons.
More likely political realities will prevail and with the absence of Jews and the presence of indigenous antisemitism as shown by the rise of right wing parties combined with a growing Muslim presence, Israel will find itself increasingly isolated and lacking external support. It will probably all end with it blowing itself and the rest of the Mid-East up with its nuclear weapons.
9
"The prime minister awoke, shaken. It had been such a vivid nightmare. Too vivid! To himself he murmured, “Careful what you wish for.”"
On the contrary, this is exactly what Bibi wishes for: More European Jews for more excuses to build more settlements closer and closer and closer to the River Jordan, thereby eliminating any land in which a future Palestine can exist.
It seems that even Mr. Cohen has been deceived.
On the contrary, this is exactly what Bibi wishes for: More European Jews for more excuses to build more settlements closer and closer and closer to the River Jordan, thereby eliminating any land in which a future Palestine can exist.
It seems that even Mr. Cohen has been deceived.
19
For all those commenters saying that Netanyahu is encouring European Jews to make Aliyah in order to increase the settlements, know that the vast majority of French Jews move to the area around Netanya--well within the Green Line--so much so that it is jokingly referred to as the French Riviera.
But why let facts get in the way?
But why let facts get in the way?
31
If "Israel is the home of every Jew," why not let every Jew in Diaspora vote in the Israeli election? I don't hear Netanyahu calling for that.
36
If there is renewed anti-semitism in Europe then the well-integrated Jewish community in Europe needs to ask the question "why?". It will not take long to figure out that they themselves have done nothing provocative but the far away State of Israel has. European Jews should be incensed that they are being implicated in the criminal injustices conducted by Netanyahu & Co.
Before the coming election in Israel, European Jewish leaders should dis-associate themselves from the policies and activities of the rogue government in Israel.
Before the coming election in Israel, European Jewish leaders should dis-associate themselves from the policies and activities of the rogue government in Israel.
289
This is anti-Semitic rhetoric, plain and simple. Why is there anti-Semitism in Europe? It isn't because of Israel now, no more than it was because of Jewish bankers before WWII. Anti-Semitism is a constant in Europe. It never leaves regardless as to what Jews do in Israel, Europe or wherever. It defies any rational behavior. I've lived in Europe for work before Netanyahu. The synagogue where I prayed had a tank and armed military men for protection. Blaming Jews for Jew-hatred is explicit bigotry.
13
Greg, Ridiculous nonsense, and really amazing that someone in the NY Times thought this was a "Pick".
Your line is the same old tired nonsense that anti-Semites have used throughout history, namely that it is the actions that Jews have taken that brought on the anti-Semitism. The reality is that anti-Semites object to Jews existence, not to Jews actions.
Your line is the same old tired nonsense that anti-Semites have used throughout history, namely that it is the actions that Jews have taken that brought on the anti-Semitism. The reality is that anti-Semites object to Jews existence, not to Jews actions.
21
To SAR and Ralph:
I am able to distinguish "Jews" from the "current government of Israel". The problem is that anti-semite extremists fail to make the distinction. It seems you are unable to make the distinction as well.
I am able to distinguish "Jews" from the "current government of Israel". The problem is that anti-semite extremists fail to make the distinction. It seems you are unable to make the distinction as well.
6
During 2000 years of exile (and even today), Jewish prayers, liturgy and holidays all included references calling for the return of the Jewish people from exile to the land of Israel.
Every Israeli prime minister and leader since the founding of Israel has encouraged Jews from around the world to immigrate to Israel.
Yet when Bibi Netanyahu says the same thing, it is met with expressions of outrage by the liberal lefties, as if the immigration of Jews to Israel was some new plot cooked up by that fear mongering, war mongering Netanyahu.
Perhaps these critics should first learn some Hebrew, study Jewish history, and get some context and understanding of the historical connection between the Jewish people and the land of Israel, before launching their anti-Bibi rants.
Every Israeli prime minister and leader since the founding of Israel has encouraged Jews from around the world to immigrate to Israel.
Yet when Bibi Netanyahu says the same thing, it is met with expressions of outrage by the liberal lefties, as if the immigration of Jews to Israel was some new plot cooked up by that fear mongering, war mongering Netanyahu.
Perhaps these critics should first learn some Hebrew, study Jewish history, and get some context and understanding of the historical connection between the Jewish people and the land of Israel, before launching their anti-Bibi rants.
32
Mr. Cohen talked a lot about the Jews and their enormous contributions to the European culture.
What about the enormous European contributions to the Judaism?
In Europe, the Jews used to be the most liberal, secular and intellectual community.
Without the European influence, the same people chose completely different set of priorities – kicking the natives out of their homes and homeland, occupying and controlling the territory of Lebanon, Syria, West Bank, Egypt and Gaza Strip, and depriving the locals of freedom to move, travel, return to their homes or vote freely. In Israel, the Jews have become increasingly religious, egocentric, suspicious and bellicose...
See, when the people live together, they bring the best out of each other. Why? Our hubris and egoism make us blind to our own shortcomings and imperfections.
Due to our human nature, it’s always easier to see the failures of the other people than ours...
What about the enormous European contributions to the Judaism?
In Europe, the Jews used to be the most liberal, secular and intellectual community.
Without the European influence, the same people chose completely different set of priorities – kicking the natives out of their homes and homeland, occupying and controlling the territory of Lebanon, Syria, West Bank, Egypt and Gaza Strip, and depriving the locals of freedom to move, travel, return to their homes or vote freely. In Israel, the Jews have become increasingly religious, egocentric, suspicious and bellicose...
See, when the people live together, they bring the best out of each other. Why? Our hubris and egoism make us blind to our own shortcomings and imperfections.
Due to our human nature, it’s always easier to see the failures of the other people than ours...
17
I feel that Netanyahu's statement is quite serious, and its ultimate purpose (and certain result if European Jews largely decided to respond) is to make inevitable more illegal settlements and further squeeze the Palestinians out of land they've always lived on. And he expects the US to militarily back his play whatever he does, so he sees no downside to this strident statement.
15
Netanyahu, whether you abhor his settlement policy or not, is saying it as it is in the minds of so many jews. The studies and statistics are out there. The videos of jews walking in Paris with secreted cameras to demonstrate the daily epithets thrown at them, mostly by the Islamic communities, the new wave of bombings and shootings are real and they are documented. And if the New York times enabled links to this section, I could post dozens
I've studied French for the last many years to prepare an option for retirement. Now I feel that this rug is being gradually dragged out from under me. I can only imagine what it might feel like for someone who has lived there for their entire lives.
The end of the post war European Jewish experiment after 70 years? How sad that would be.
I've studied French for the last many years to prepare an option for retirement. Now I feel that this rug is being gradually dragged out from under me. I can only imagine what it might feel like for someone who has lived there for their entire lives.
The end of the post war European Jewish experiment after 70 years? How sad that would be.
99
Danny B,I saw one of the 10 hour walks through Paris by a journalist wearing a Jewish skullcap (a "kippa"?). He went through hell: veiled threats to be eaten by a dog; spit on; verbally harrassed. Every person I saw in the video who harrassed him appeared to me to be of Arab origin. They also appeared to be on every street corner, but the journalist said that in the tourist areas it was safe and he did go into primarily Arab neighborhoods, so I don't know how much the video was edited. Nonetheless, the insecurity, harrassment and feeling of not being safe in one's home of a lifetime was quite evident,
I too have thought of retiring in France. I am not Jewish, but am a paraplegic, so they probably wouldn't let me stay because of the health costs. Then there are also the accessibility issues when many buildings are hundreds of years old. It looks like for one reason of another, those who can enjoy the enviable French lifestyle are getting smaller and smaller, as is the enviability of the lifesyle. The French government needs to enforce secularism relentlessly and not give in no matter what.
I too have thought of retiring in France. I am not Jewish, but am a paraplegic, so they probably wouldn't let me stay because of the health costs. Then there are also the accessibility issues when many buildings are hundreds of years old. It looks like for one reason of another, those who can enjoy the enviable French lifestyle are getting smaller and smaller, as is the enviability of the lifesyle. The French government needs to enforce secularism relentlessly and not give in no matter what.
Don't believe everything you read. Just last night I was on the Rue Laruriston, the same street where the French Nazi headquarters was located, and not far from my friend's apartment was a kosher grocery store, well lit and open, with its hours advertised on the door: 'Closed on Friday one hour before sundown' I think it said, though my French is very limited. There was not an armed policeman or soldier in sight. When I went up to visit my friend, she didn''t even realize the shop existed. Paris will welcome you if you accept her as she is, has been, and will be.
Yes. The global Jewish community--nebulous as that concept is--is not served by flight to Israel. Jews can only combat anti-semitism through continued integration with the societies of the nations where we are born.
11
They have tried and largely failed that for 2000 years
9
As many Jews live in America as in Israel, but they could more actively remind the US Congress that it is the interests of the US, not the interests of the lunatic fringe in Israel, which that body is supposed to promote and serve. This disconnect is, in fact, a Jewish issue. The US Congress has not been giving Netanyahu, for many years, a blank check and never-questioned support out of desires to win electoral support of Eastern Buddhists, Catholic priests, Vegans, deer hunters, AARP, Wall Street employees, or customers of Hobby Lobby.
12
Netanyahu laid bare his colonization plan when he announced “We are preparing and calling for the absorption of mass immigration from Europe”. Where is the extra land? Where is the necessary water? Where are the necessary sources of energy? Clearly the the extras needed lie in the lands and the territorial waters of the State of Palestine.
A state engaged in neighbourhood intimidation, annexation, and expropriation does not make an attractive home for European Jews. If Netanyahu & Co. win the coming election, there may be another "exodus", but this time it will be from, not to, Israel.
A state engaged in neighbourhood intimidation, annexation, and expropriation does not make an attractive home for European Jews. If Netanyahu & Co. win the coming election, there may be another "exodus", but this time it will be from, not to, Israel.
26
Mr. Cohen - This is the best op-ed that I think you have ever presented: passionate, as well written as the finest literature and prophetic. It would be a tragedy for Europe if its Jewish population, at the forefront of social progress, would leave. And, as a gentile living in the midst of one of the largest centers of the Jewish People in the US, I see everyday the enormous contribution that the Jewish People make to our society.
Netanyahu mismanages everything he touches. It appears in Israel that his goal is to steal all the land attributed to a Palestinian State, and only then negotiate a two state solution. He has inserted himself into America's political landscape twice now, attempting to sway elections, insulting our President and roughly half of the nation's population. And, his appearance in Europe was a disaster.
I have never heard of a leader of a foreign nation going to another country and telling one of the most important segments of the population to leave and come to his country; but that is what Netanyahu did in France. Joining a mass protest without being invited, which was aimed by every participant to say "we do not support terrorism against secularists, Jews or anybody", he then proceeded to exacerbate divisions in European society.
Hopefully, European Jews see that Europe is turning out full force to protect them, and the answer is to stand their ground in their home.
Netanyahu mismanages everything he touches. It appears in Israel that his goal is to steal all the land attributed to a Palestinian State, and only then negotiate a two state solution. He has inserted himself into America's political landscape twice now, attempting to sway elections, insulting our President and roughly half of the nation's population. And, his appearance in Europe was a disaster.
I have never heard of a leader of a foreign nation going to another country and telling one of the most important segments of the population to leave and come to his country; but that is what Netanyahu did in France. Joining a mass protest without being invited, which was aimed by every participant to say "we do not support terrorism against secularists, Jews or anybody", he then proceeded to exacerbate divisions in European society.
Hopefully, European Jews see that Europe is turning out full force to protect them, and the answer is to stand their ground in their home.
394
HIstory, has left a reflex reaction, fear of reoccurring nightmare, flight response to the current situation. The question one might ask Bibi is who will protect the Jews as he continues to alienate the country's allies. One might also ask would there be any Jews if the Roman diaspore did not force the dispersment of the Jewish inhabitance of Judea throughout the world. What if all the eggs were in one basket,so to speak. The best solution to the issues of today is to redouble the efforts to fulfill the teaching of Hillel as Mr. Cohen
stated." That which is hurtfull to you do not do to you fellow man." That is what Judeism is supposed to be about. Not occupation or settlements. It appears that the middle east is locked in an a apoplectic paradigm.
stated." That which is hurtfull to you do not do to you fellow man." That is what Judeism is supposed to be about. Not occupation or settlements. It appears that the middle east is locked in an a apoplectic paradigm.
1
How about Ben Gurion? He did it. If only they had listened...
1
You have stated what many Americans believe, quietly. Netanyahu should go home and continue his election campaigning in Israel. One can only hope he loses. As an American citizen I am repelled by his pandering to a Republican Congress, insulting the President of the United States on American soil, and his continuing interference with the President's right to negotiate foreign policy in the best interests of the United States. I am old enough to remember the horror of the Shatila massacre of Palestinians by the so-called Lebanese "Christians". Who allowed that? Netanyahu. Now he wants Palestinian land in Israel; he wants that land in a desert area where water is scarce; he wants that land to build apartments for emigrant Russian Jews who will need more water. What else can we do for this begging bully?
4
Why would any Jew pick Israel over the US, or any of a number of other countries? That's the problem Netanyahu faces, as Israel degenerates. This is why he exaggerates every threat, to try and attract Jewish immigrants.
When Russian Jews left, most wanted to go to Europe or the US...not Israel. Israel pressured other countries not to issue visas, making Israel the easy option. These are the extremists now threatening Israel's democracy.
The uncomfortable truth is that Israel is not working, and Zionism is not incorporating liberal Jewish values. Israeli Jews who can afford it have a second passport, leaving behind just the Orthodox and the extreme. It is time for an open discussion of what Israel is becoming, rather than what we all wish it could have been.
When Russian Jews left, most wanted to go to Europe or the US...not Israel. Israel pressured other countries not to issue visas, making Israel the easy option. These are the extremists now threatening Israel's democracy.
The uncomfortable truth is that Israel is not working, and Zionism is not incorporating liberal Jewish values. Israeli Jews who can afford it have a second passport, leaving behind just the Orthodox and the extreme. It is time for an open discussion of what Israel is becoming, rather than what we all wish it could have been.
46
"Why would any Jew pick Israel over the US, or any of a number of other countries?"
They may not have the choice of the US but Israeli is always an option for them. Not to give you a history lesson but don't forget the US did not just open the floodgates for Jews following WWII. Also none of this is new, leaders of Israel have been expressing this message since its founding. Any Israeli leader would do the same. The backlash is just pure policatal nonsense. I agree that Jews leaving europe is bad for all but don't expect the leader of Israel to ever change their tune. Its an obligation to remind Jews everywhere they have a home.
To say Israel is not working and that we need to discuss what Israel is becoming misses the point entirely. Israel is a modern day marvel and once the media focuses on the games Iran is playing with Hamas and Hezzbolla the rest of the world can open their eyes to the biggest sponsor of terror that Iran is. Israeli is dealing with these enemies in the best way they can. If you want an OPEN discussion, I reccomend you learn the history of Israel first before you speak of uncomfortable truths. You will learn 90% of Palestinians problems orginated with their own poor choices. Any intelectual can understand the complexity of the problem they face. The liberal media baffles me constantly for thier double standards and narrow choices they leave for this often picked on country.
They may not have the choice of the US but Israeli is always an option for them. Not to give you a history lesson but don't forget the US did not just open the floodgates for Jews following WWII. Also none of this is new, leaders of Israel have been expressing this message since its founding. Any Israeli leader would do the same. The backlash is just pure policatal nonsense. I agree that Jews leaving europe is bad for all but don't expect the leader of Israel to ever change their tune. Its an obligation to remind Jews everywhere they have a home.
To say Israel is not working and that we need to discuss what Israel is becoming misses the point entirely. Israel is a modern day marvel and once the media focuses on the games Iran is playing with Hamas and Hezzbolla the rest of the world can open their eyes to the biggest sponsor of terror that Iran is. Israeli is dealing with these enemies in the best way they can. If you want an OPEN discussion, I reccomend you learn the history of Israel first before you speak of uncomfortable truths. You will learn 90% of Palestinians problems orginated with their own poor choices. Any intelectual can understand the complexity of the problem they face. The liberal media baffles me constantly for thier double standards and narrow choices they leave for this often picked on country.
10
So"Israel is not working". Having recently visited Israel I was impressed by the
fast pace of development I saw. Tel Aviv resemble a miniature New York City.
with construction everywhere and the the large number of building cranes
everywhere. I am proud to say Israel is flourishing.
fast pace of development I saw. Tel Aviv resemble a miniature New York City.
with construction everywhere and the the large number of building cranes
everywhere. I am proud to say Israel is flourishing.
8
I thank God every day that my Jewish great-grandfather left Germany when he did and went west to Pennsylvania instead of south.
22
@Helen. Well. I am thankful that my grandparents and great grandparents had the opportunity to emigrate to the US in the late 1800s and early 1900s before that door was slammed shut. But I am also thankful that, when released from a DP camp, after having been liberated from a concentration camp, my grandfather's remaining relatives had the opportunity to emigrate to Israel when no other country would take them in and when returning to live freely in Romania wasn't an option.
8
Netanyahu's call for massive Jewish emigration to Israel (and by extension, the West Bank) is the act of an unscrupulous politician in trouble. His message is one of distortion by insinuating that the ongoing terrorism conducted by supporters of ISIS is Jewish centric. This ignores that the vast majority of its victims have been, and will continue to be, all non-salafist/jihadis in the vicinity of its declared caliphate, be they Muslims, Christians, Yazidis, etc. The attacks on Jewish institutions in Europe were, by most evidence to date, lone wolf operations, not unlike the Boston Marathon massacre, which was not directed at Jews.
More importantly, by implication, Netanyahu's call for emigration says that Jews have no responsibility to support and protect the countries in which they live, and that their only real loyalty is to Israel. This can only encourage distrust of Jews and inflame anti-Semitism.
I can hardly wait to hear his attempt at sabotaging the Iran nuclear negotiations in mid-March. Unlike Rehoboam, he's not stupid, just shamelessly unscrupulous.
More importantly, by implication, Netanyahu's call for emigration says that Jews have no responsibility to support and protect the countries in which they live, and that their only real loyalty is to Israel. This can only encourage distrust of Jews and inflame anti-Semitism.
I can hardly wait to hear his attempt at sabotaging the Iran nuclear negotiations in mid-March. Unlike Rehoboam, he's not stupid, just shamelessly unscrupulous.
15
The clocks of Europe are ticking very loudly for Jews these days. What does it really matter to Jewish families that most European Muslims oppose terror attacks, if some, or even a handful, support it and are capable of carrying it out?
When you and your co-religionists can't wear a yarmulke on the street or attend synagogue without feeling fear; and experience difficulty
obtaining kosher meat and getting your infant sons circumcised; and then have occasional terror attacks thrown in your general or specific direction just for good measure, you are in a very bad place and must get away, notwithstanding your love of your country and your attachments to it. European history is already way too full of Jewish families who died waiting for the last train to somewhere better that never arrived. No Prime Minister of Israel could do anything less than what Mr.
Netanyahu is currently doing to save them.
When you and your co-religionists can't wear a yarmulke on the street or attend synagogue without feeling fear; and experience difficulty
obtaining kosher meat and getting your infant sons circumcised; and then have occasional terror attacks thrown in your general or specific direction just for good measure, you are in a very bad place and must get away, notwithstanding your love of your country and your attachments to it. European history is already way too full of Jewish families who died waiting for the last train to somewhere better that never arrived. No Prime Minister of Israel could do anything less than what Mr.
Netanyahu is currently doing to save them.
26
The eloquence of this op-ed reminds me of a piece of historical literature. As Ezra Pound once incanted about the relationship between poetry and math: "Poetry is inspired mathematics, which gives us equations, not for abstract figures, triangles, squares, & the like, but for human emotions. If one has a mind which inclines to magic rather than science, one will prefer to speak of these equations as spells or incantations; it sounds more arcane, mysterious, recondite." What is incredible about the legacy of Ezra Pound, the master of Modernist poetry & creator of elegant emotional & sensual imagery is his trail of hatred.
Pound was simultaneously reviled by the post-WW II world at-large as both an anti-Semite as well as a Fascist traitor known for his provocative writing & treasonous radio broadcasts in Italy. As a writer, Pound penned "The Cantos," a verse narrative that is regarded as the most remarkable pieces of American lit. In his epic poem, Pound incorporates his vision of a new world order. Within this, "new world order," he regrettably states freely his vitriolic beliefs about Jews and period politics.
This is the dichotomy of the dilemma we face when considering the diaspora of European Jews returning back to their ancestral roots in what is now modern day Israel. The schizophrenia between art, economics, demagoguery, political extremism, religious zealotry, fascism & freedom & how these competing ideas can be deconstructed from the violent nature of humankind.
Pound was simultaneously reviled by the post-WW II world at-large as both an anti-Semite as well as a Fascist traitor known for his provocative writing & treasonous radio broadcasts in Italy. As a writer, Pound penned "The Cantos," a verse narrative that is regarded as the most remarkable pieces of American lit. In his epic poem, Pound incorporates his vision of a new world order. Within this, "new world order," he regrettably states freely his vitriolic beliefs about Jews and period politics.
This is the dichotomy of the dilemma we face when considering the diaspora of European Jews returning back to their ancestral roots in what is now modern day Israel. The schizophrenia between art, economics, demagoguery, political extremism, religious zealotry, fascism & freedom & how these competing ideas can be deconstructed from the violent nature of humankind.
5
An America without Jews – the very thought makes my gentile blood run cold. There are the reasons I can freely admit – losing my Jewish friends, losing the culture, losing the reverence for things I revere like learning and family. The other thing I can’t talk about as easily because its really really selfish. The Jews are my canary in the coal mine. If they are free, I am free and if the powers of darkness come for them, I and my liberal (with a small l) ideals will be next. I depend on the knowledge that they will not go quietly, so I will get the chance to stand with them. As I write this I know it is a stereotype and I don’t know if my Jewish friends want to be my canary, but I know I don’t want, and more darkly can’t afford, to lose them. I don't see how Europe can.
75
The American Jews have been in the front lines of every progressive fight in 20th century America, from the labor movement to the cvil rights, from fighting the fascists in Spain in the Lincoln Battalion, to their support for progressive ideals at home.
I have a better idea for any Jews wishing to immigrate, forget Netenyahu and come to the US!
I have a better idea for any Jews wishing to immigrate, forget Netenyahu and come to the US!
1
For a non-Jew, Mr. Cohen's essay was deeply touching, but strangely familiar. We are all on the same journey, to seek and dwell in the one God's Love. Ralph G Conte.
3
Could you blame them?
European states and people were complicit in a genocide that decimated the Jewish population. Hence the refuge that is Israel. Europeans have made it perfectly clear for centuries that Jewish people are unwelcome, in fact, despised, and as virulent antisemitism rears its head again it is naive to think that Europeans are not capable of atrocities.
We saw the confiscation of property, the eradication of the ability to work, to provide for a family, to feed oneself, to house oneself and ultimately we saw the mass murder of Jews. It could happen again. You can not ignore the past. You can not assume that the following generations are not capable of the same evils of their forefathers, even if such evil is simply passivity.
Bibi is right. Be safe, thrive, prosper, create, think, be a contributor to humanity -- and do it in a place where you are safe and welcome. It is not the responsibility of the Jewish people to open the hearts and minds of the Europeans. The Europeans have had 2000 years of coexistence with Jews and still spout hate. It is the right of the Jewish people to live in peace, safe from the anti-Semitic tendencies of the Europeans extremists.
European states and people were complicit in a genocide that decimated the Jewish population. Hence the refuge that is Israel. Europeans have made it perfectly clear for centuries that Jewish people are unwelcome, in fact, despised, and as virulent antisemitism rears its head again it is naive to think that Europeans are not capable of atrocities.
We saw the confiscation of property, the eradication of the ability to work, to provide for a family, to feed oneself, to house oneself and ultimately we saw the mass murder of Jews. It could happen again. You can not ignore the past. You can not assume that the following generations are not capable of the same evils of their forefathers, even if such evil is simply passivity.
Bibi is right. Be safe, thrive, prosper, create, think, be a contributor to humanity -- and do it in a place where you are safe and welcome. It is not the responsibility of the Jewish people to open the hearts and minds of the Europeans. The Europeans have had 2000 years of coexistence with Jews and still spout hate. It is the right of the Jewish people to live in peace, safe from the anti-Semitic tendencies of the Europeans extremists.
21
With all due respect, I didn't realize that Israel was so safe. I have wanted to visit for years but refuse to travel anywhere in the Middle East, including Israel, due to terrorism.
By the way, I lived many years in Japan, which I consider to be a truly safe and peaceful nation (at least for the past 60 years), so please don't flame me with "America has plenty of its own violence" retorts.
By the way, I lived many years in Japan, which I consider to be a truly safe and peaceful nation (at least for the past 60 years), so please don't flame me with "America has plenty of its own violence" retorts.
1
The policies of Benjamin Netanyahu and his cohorts have doomed Israel to failure. His invitation to European Jews to migrate to Israel is liking asking rats to get aboard a sinking ship. I hope Jews in Europe and the USA stay where they are. It would be a tragedy for all of us if they leave.
16
Netanyahu and his partisans better wake up to some truths, and they'd better wake up fast.
First, there would be no Israel in the first place without the efforts of Diaspora Jews.
Second, there probably would be no Israel today without the efforts of Diaspora Jews.
Lastly, as soon as Netanyahu and his partisans succeed in getting every Jew to go to Israel, and there are no more Diaspora Jews, neither Israel nor the Jews will have another friend left in the rest of the world, and neither Israel nor Jews nor Judaism will survive.
What all Jews need to wake up and understand, very quickly, is that unless there are Jews living everywhere, there will be Jews living nowhere.
First, there would be no Israel in the first place without the efforts of Diaspora Jews.
Second, there probably would be no Israel today without the efforts of Diaspora Jews.
Lastly, as soon as Netanyahu and his partisans succeed in getting every Jew to go to Israel, and there are no more Diaspora Jews, neither Israel nor the Jews will have another friend left in the rest of the world, and neither Israel nor Jews nor Judaism will survive.
What all Jews need to wake up and understand, very quickly, is that unless there are Jews living everywhere, there will be Jews living nowhere.
13
Israel is the big stick of the American War Party. They have attempted to co opt the opinion of American Jews in the service of an American Crusade equally as much as have the politically motivated Jihadists attempted to hijack Islam to their secular purposes. To deviate from the PC of the War Party, which is of course perpetual war, is normal for Americans, but to criticize Israel can bring down the accusation of anti Semitism which is a career ender.
Those who the War Party can't seduce into its recurring themes of Crusade and Evangelical Democracy are today few and far between. The idea that Israel is the last refuge of Jews from Jihad and Christian Pogroms is powerful for good reasons . However; a Likud Program which has so much ideological serendipity with the logic of Anschluss fur Lebensraum: high walls, checkpoints, a ceaseless land grab for living space, and "transference," can never be a safe harbor for American Jews who are among the most enlightened, cosmopolitan and diverse people in the world.
Those who the War Party can't seduce into its recurring themes of Crusade and Evangelical Democracy are today few and far between. The idea that Israel is the last refuge of Jews from Jihad and Christian Pogroms is powerful for good reasons . However; a Likud Program which has so much ideological serendipity with the logic of Anschluss fur Lebensraum: high walls, checkpoints, a ceaseless land grab for living space, and "transference," can never be a safe harbor for American Jews who are among the most enlightened, cosmopolitan and diverse people in the world.
11
Monoculturalism is as detrimental to societies and as mono speciesism is to biological systems. The lack of diversity weakens it. When racism, hatred, and bigotry take hold, societies are pushed toward monoculturalism. This is the hidden danger of extreme right wing politics and its desire for racial and ethnic purity.
Jewish culture forms a perfect incubator for ideas, innovation, and artistic achievements. It is no accident that Jews are prominent in the arts and sciences. There is a reason for it and it's not just about being smart. The Christian submits to God. The Jew argues with God. This argumentative spirit naturally questions the established order which fosters creativity and the new ideas it generates.
It also causes Jews to become targets of ultra-nationalists and bigots. Jews (we) don't quite fit in. We are just a little too different. We are just a bit too successful. Success breeds contempt, not admiration.
This is what Europe stands to lose from a Jewish exodus. How many wonderful novels and plays were never written because of the holocaust? How many symphonies? Scientific discoveries?
The intolerance and hatred that is pushing Jews away from Europe will add to Europe's decline. Tolerating the intolerant is not liberty. It enslaves all.
Jewish culture forms a perfect incubator for ideas, innovation, and artistic achievements. It is no accident that Jews are prominent in the arts and sciences. There is a reason for it and it's not just about being smart. The Christian submits to God. The Jew argues with God. This argumentative spirit naturally questions the established order which fosters creativity and the new ideas it generates.
It also causes Jews to become targets of ultra-nationalists and bigots. Jews (we) don't quite fit in. We are just a little too different. We are just a bit too successful. Success breeds contempt, not admiration.
This is what Europe stands to lose from a Jewish exodus. How many wonderful novels and plays were never written because of the holocaust? How many symphonies? Scientific discoveries?
The intolerance and hatred that is pushing Jews away from Europe will add to Europe's decline. Tolerating the intolerant is not liberty. It enslaves all.
17
Mr. cohen conveniently forgets the reason for the creation of Israel: European unimaginable crime against its Jews. So now the cat is out of the bag: there is an active pondering of the European Jews leaving, again, in order to survive. Mr. Cohen, the court Jew, has thoughts on the subject. So intellectually brave of him.
The Holocaust generation is still alive, Mr. Cohen. You have no right to question their actions and motivations.
The Holocaust generation is still alive, Mr. Cohen. You have no right to question their actions and motivations.
8
This call for European Jews to return to Israel seems to me more of a political ploy masked in ancient religious beliefs. I say this because Israel’s long-term survival depends on two things:
1. The more Jews that are embedded in more strong and powerful European nations, the better Israel’s interests will be represented and served.
2. Israel must not be viewed as a Jewish nation and must welcome non-Jews to emigrate there as well.
The 21st century will be a more peaceful and prosperous place without monikers such as Buddhist nation, Christian nation, Hindu nation, Islamic or Muslim nation, and a Jewish nation.
So if the Israeli Prime Minister is really smart and loves his country, this “Great Jewish Exodus” must never happen and he should not get what he foolishly wishes for.
1. The more Jews that are embedded in more strong and powerful European nations, the better Israel’s interests will be represented and served.
2. Israel must not be viewed as a Jewish nation and must welcome non-Jews to emigrate there as well.
The 21st century will be a more peaceful and prosperous place without monikers such as Buddhist nation, Christian nation, Hindu nation, Islamic or Muslim nation, and a Jewish nation.
So if the Israeli Prime Minister is really smart and loves his country, this “Great Jewish Exodus” must never happen and he should not get what he foolishly wishes for.
2
Who listens to Bibi, anyway? A more likely scenario: the flocks flock to New York, Miami, Chicago, Houston, LA and start over again, undiminished and happily forgetful. Or more likely: enter into effective, though under-attack, security arrangements with Israel to protect Jewish communities across Europe.
1
As was suspected, It was too good, to crystal clear to last. After Cohen's spot-on analysis of the problem with Islam in his previous piece, he has quickly relapsed and returned to form. Many more European Jews will come to Israel than anywhere else. As they are typically those with a strong sense of Jewish identity as opposed to the more secular, assimilated Jews, the nation will greatly benefit from their arrival. Unlike Cohen and the Left, they will not agonize over their right to live in their ancestral homeland and will give even less thought to the necessity of security controls over an arab population which has never shown a willingness to accept the existence of a Jewish nation and its people who lived there as a nation long before the arabs and their Islam subjugated the region. It's perfectly fine for the dozens of arab/moslem nations to exist as Islamic states but it's not okay for Israel to be a Jewish state.
14
Diaspora Jews are a nation, no matter which country into which they have assimilated in the past aeons. Is the State of Israel a "panic room" for Jews from Europe or other parts of our world? No. There is no safe place on earth for the living, whether Jews or not. This planet, Earth, offers each living generation the odd opportunity - one generation after the other - into their greatest adventure - death. What does Premier Benjamin Netanyahu have left to say in his Joint Session of Congress address in Washington DC in 2 weeks? Diaspora Jews and Israel's great Jewish leaders from Solomon on down through the 20th Century to our day, have made clear the right of Israel to exist. It would be mad of the Jews to leave Europe these days. But it was mad of the Jews NOT to leave The Third Reich as soon as it raised its hydra head in the 1930s. It would behoove Netanyahu to withdraw instanter from the sly invitation to speak by the Republican Leader of the House, John Boehner. What can Bibi Netanyahu say that he hasn't said before?
2
Mr. Netanyahu has many faults and perhaps the time has come for a new Prime Minister. But there is one thing for which he cannot be faulted: There is no doubt that Mr. Netanyahu as well as most (Jewish) Israelis, including Mr. Herzog, Ms. Livni, Mr. Lapid Mr. Bennett etc. etc. believe that the place of the Jewish People is in the Jewish homeland. The Diaspora might exist, but that does not make it a required or necessary default. While one might quibble about the political expediency of announcing this belief, when push comes to shove, the son of an Israeli general and grandson of a Chief Rabbi of Israel and the daughter of two Irgun leaders also believe that this represents the heart of Zionism. Every Zionist in Zion believes this!
The only fault of Mr. Netanyahu over this is that he is abrasive about it. But in my opinion he is also correct.
My parents, brothers, cousins etc. can live in the Diaspora and they are entitled to their views and preferences. And I (as well as Mr. Netanyahu) am entitled to mine. Their place is in Israel but they will most likely keep Mr. Cohen company.
Mr. Cohen will never be convinced and there will always be this or that reason, but that is not Mr. Netanyahu's fault.
Sic transit gloria mundi for European Jewry. It is only a matter of time until the view of Mr. Netanyahu, Mr. Herzog, Ms. Livni et al will be proven correct. Alas, European Jewry will not rest in peace.
The only fault of Mr. Netanyahu over this is that he is abrasive about it. But in my opinion he is also correct.
My parents, brothers, cousins etc. can live in the Diaspora and they are entitled to their views and preferences. And I (as well as Mr. Netanyahu) am entitled to mine. Their place is in Israel but they will most likely keep Mr. Cohen company.
Mr. Cohen will never be convinced and there will always be this or that reason, but that is not Mr. Netanyahu's fault.
Sic transit gloria mundi for European Jewry. It is only a matter of time until the view of Mr. Netanyahu, Mr. Herzog, Ms. Livni et al will be proven correct. Alas, European Jewry will not rest in peace.
11
I assume the Jews of Europe are attractive immigrants--educated, cultured, people of means--none of your tired and poor, no huddled masses yearning to be free. Ol' Netanyahu knows what he's doing. He sees a thriving new diamond market in Jerusalem and a Rothschild chateau in the wine country of Israel. Think of all the new language teachers he acquires. Hey, where would American physics have been in the mid-century if Hitler hadn't chased those physicists out of Germany?
6
From Nina Castro:
Netanyahu is a fear-mongering politician who, I suspect, has cynically calculated that the emigration of the young Sabras in recent years, due to the instability they feel from being involved in perpetual warfare, can be offset by immigration. It wouldn't be such a bad idea except for the character of this particular politician who immediately seized on this, fanning the flames of divisiveness, rather than going out of his narrow vision to help foreign leaders to manage anti-Jewish hatred. He always supports a bunker mentality, and his tunnel vision leads him straight into the heart of Israel's most ardent supporter the United States where he will inappropriately try to drive a wedge between our Congress, and our President. He needs to get his own house in order, sooner, rather than later with a global vision born of a solution to a problem right under his nose.
Netanyahu is a fear-mongering politician who, I suspect, has cynically calculated that the emigration of the young Sabras in recent years, due to the instability they feel from being involved in perpetual warfare, can be offset by immigration. It wouldn't be such a bad idea except for the character of this particular politician who immediately seized on this, fanning the flames of divisiveness, rather than going out of his narrow vision to help foreign leaders to manage anti-Jewish hatred. He always supports a bunker mentality, and his tunnel vision leads him straight into the heart of Israel's most ardent supporter the United States where he will inappropriately try to drive a wedge between our Congress, and our President. He needs to get his own house in order, sooner, rather than later with a global vision born of a solution to a problem right under his nose.
5
The experience of Jews in Europe was an unequivocal 1000 year long disaster full of hate, violence, murder and absence of basic civil rights that ended with near total annihilation in WWII. My family, what little was left of it, left in 1949 for good reason. I do not share one drop of the nostalgia Mr. Cohen possesses for this dreadful and tragic period of Jewish history.
11
I hope for peace for the Jewish communities of Europe and elsewhere, but say this:
Come to America. Bring your gifts, talents, and rich culture to our nation. Come continue the long history of enriching all aspects of American life.
For all of it's faults, America is still a place of religious freedom and still untapped economic opportunity.
Come to America. Bring your gifts, talents, and rich culture to our nation. Come continue the long history of enriching all aspects of American life.
For all of it's faults, America is still a place of religious freedom and still untapped economic opportunity.
5
Worth keeping in mind the trajectory of Spain's once great empire following the 1495 expulsion of the Jews.
7
The Edict of Expulsion, actually 1492 not 1495, occurred before the development of the Spanish Empire, not after. The expulsion was part of a larger political program by the Spanish monarchy to consolidate its power after the fall of Granada in 1491 - the last Muslim emirate on the Iberian peninsula. The lone surviving Muslim community in Spain was finally expelled in the middle of the 16th Century. Within the Christian community, all dissent was ruthlessly and murderously suppressed. There is no relationship between the destruction of Spain's former religious pluralism and the growth or eventual decline of the Empire. Period.
What is disturbing in many of these comments and alluded to in Mr. Cohen's essay, is the suggestion that the Jewish community has some secret pivotal role in European history and culture. Indeed members of the community have made enormous contributions to thought, science, sports and culture. And the once vital Jewish communities were very special and their loss a terrible, irreparable tragedy. But to ascribe to the community some determinant central influence over the course of European history is to play the same game invented by 19th Century anti-Semitism.
What is disturbing in many of these comments and alluded to in Mr. Cohen's essay, is the suggestion that the Jewish community has some secret pivotal role in European history and culture. Indeed members of the community have made enormous contributions to thought, science, sports and culture. And the once vital Jewish communities were very special and their loss a terrible, irreparable tragedy. But to ascribe to the community some determinant central influence over the course of European history is to play the same game invented by 19th Century anti-Semitism.
2
You flatter yourself if you think it's anything to do with the expulsion - or that its effect took place 200 years afterwards with the loss of the colonies.
1
The value of assimilating Jews into society is exemplified by Israel itself. No group has been oppressed more, or has achieved more, over many centuries in different parts of the world. Since the partition of Palestine in 1947, and the declaration of Israeli statehood in 1948, Jews have built an economic, agricultural, and democratic powerhouse in a region still bereft of any progress whatsoever. Unfortunately, for whatever reasons, Europe in particular has rarely been a place of comfort or security for Jews. The problem now is exacerbated by huge Muslim influxes which Europe is powerless to influence, much less control. Bibi is correct to offer Israel as a haven for European Jews: the Jewish State will be all the richer for it.
18
One could hardly blame Jews for feeling this way about Europe, as history shows us that the Jews of Europe followed a path of assimilation into European and more specifically, German society for most of the last half of the 1800's and into the 1900's only to be exterminated. A cruel joke. Why believe that assimilation will work when such a dramatic example of how wrong that could be is so fresh. There will still be Pogroms....except in Israel, theoretically....
8
Of the world's 15 million Jews about 40% live in a civil liberal secular plural egalitarian democracy where they are divinely naturally created equal with certain unalienable rights including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness called the United States of America.
Another 40% of the world's Jews live in an ethnic sectarian Zionist Jewish supremacist theocratic colonial apartheid Jim Crow state sponsor of terrorism with nuclear weapons named Israel. A land where 6 million Christian Muslim Arab Palestinian Israelis live under occupation, blockade/siege, exile and 2nd class citizenship with none of the rights that Jews enjoy in Israel or America.
From the beginning there has never been" a land without people for a people without land" in this part of the Middle East. Abram and his heirs were invader occupiers from Ur, Sumer (modern Iraq) who used ethnic cleansing violence and terror against men, women and children to take the land. Modern Israel was born of European Jewish ethnic cleansing violence and terror with the aid of a U.N. dominated by European empires, Jim Crow America and the Soviet Union with a vote of 33-for, 13-against and 10 abstentions. There are now 195 UN members.
Any great Jewish exodus should preferably be to America. Since World War II America has given more economic and military aid to Israel than any other nation. But neither Israel nor the proposed Palestinian state offer any rights or refuge for America's Christian majority.
Another 40% of the world's Jews live in an ethnic sectarian Zionist Jewish supremacist theocratic colonial apartheid Jim Crow state sponsor of terrorism with nuclear weapons named Israel. A land where 6 million Christian Muslim Arab Palestinian Israelis live under occupation, blockade/siege, exile and 2nd class citizenship with none of the rights that Jews enjoy in Israel or America.
From the beginning there has never been" a land without people for a people without land" in this part of the Middle East. Abram and his heirs were invader occupiers from Ur, Sumer (modern Iraq) who used ethnic cleansing violence and terror against men, women and children to take the land. Modern Israel was born of European Jewish ethnic cleansing violence and terror with the aid of a U.N. dominated by European empires, Jim Crow America and the Soviet Union with a vote of 33-for, 13-against and 10 abstentions. There are now 195 UN members.
Any great Jewish exodus should preferably be to America. Since World War II America has given more economic and military aid to Israel than any other nation. But neither Israel nor the proposed Palestinian state offer any rights or refuge for America's Christian majority.
4
Really? It should be to America? I would've thought you'd be advocating for the return of America to the native population, the ones that were here before the Europeans violated their lands and cultures.
Of course, that Jews have continuously lived in the place now called Israel for over 4000 years has no bearing on their right to be there. The Jews predate the Christians who predate the Muslims. But they have no right to live in their own homeland....or so you complain.
They are there to be shot at, blown up, and marched into the sea by a population so uninterested in a peace process that they have repeatedly turned town their own state multiple times in favor of a covenant that wants the entire place Judenrein...Jew free.
Of course, that Israel has free speech, free press, and a multicultural population is reason enough to want to see it swallowed into the Levant where no such rights exist for anyone, much less women or minorities.
So, let's tell all the Jews to come to America? And you thought immigration laws are draconian now? Just wait until more Jews want to come.
http://wifelyperson.blogspot.com/
Of course, that Jews have continuously lived in the place now called Israel for over 4000 years has no bearing on their right to be there. The Jews predate the Christians who predate the Muslims. But they have no right to live in their own homeland....or so you complain.
They are there to be shot at, blown up, and marched into the sea by a population so uninterested in a peace process that they have repeatedly turned town their own state multiple times in favor of a covenant that wants the entire place Judenrein...Jew free.
Of course, that Israel has free speech, free press, and a multicultural population is reason enough to want to see it swallowed into the Levant where no such rights exist for anyone, much less women or minorities.
So, let's tell all the Jews to come to America? And you thought immigration laws are draconian now? Just wait until more Jews want to come.
http://wifelyperson.blogspot.com/
10
In the dream, when all of Europe's Jews get off the planes and ships in Israel, Netanyahu will not awaken in a sweat, wondering where they all will be housed; he will up his campaign of "lebensraum" and take even more land from Palestinians and wake up feeling powerful.
12
Where to house them? Follow the money -- Netanyahu and the right wing are preparing to send them all to settlements in the West Bank.
13
To put it mildly, Jews have enriched our culture, our arts, our sciences, our understanding, our humanity in outsize measure relative to their tiny percentage of the population. Any nation should consider itself lucky to have Jewish citizens, smart, educated, industrious, creative, an essential part of the body politic. Their success despite centuries of persecution is a triumph of the human spirit over barbarism. I for one would not want to live in a place empoverished by their absence.
38
Netanyahu's call and the self-indulgent hysteria that regularly makes its way into the press are positively idiotic. Antisemitism is a growing problem in Europe, but it is not a crisis on the order of magnitude that it was in 1937 or 1906. We Europeans have learned a great deal from the catastrophies of the past and we care about preserving our Jewish friends, neighbors and colleagues.
22
If that were only true.
1
European Jews were a small but significant part of the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and the spread of democracy in the 18th and 19th centuries. But tribal loyalties and Bronze Age mythologies are rapidly being purged from Modernity. It remains to be demonstrated that tribalism and religion can be important elements in a modern progressive democratic state.
8
The sadness in this is that it is the twenty-first century, and here we are, forced to consider diasporas and maniacs and genocide once again.
Reformation of Islam is necessary and about a millennium overdue. It's been said a million times, where are the moderate (one almost wants to say shamed) voices within the faith? The moderates outnumber the fanatics by a wide wide margin.
I wonder which if any prognosticators in 1945 saw ahead to our particular moment now.
Reformation of Islam is necessary and about a millennium overdue. It's been said a million times, where are the moderate (one almost wants to say shamed) voices within the faith? The moderates outnumber the fanatics by a wide wide margin.
I wonder which if any prognosticators in 1945 saw ahead to our particular moment now.
12
I was thinking this week of the 18th century. I was thinking of the birth of America. I was thinking of Milton and his progeny Jefferson, Adams, and Franklin and of course his other child the Baal Shem Tov. The metaphysicians. The people that believed we were put on this earth to make it a better place
The people that believed the creator put us in charge and we were to be the change we were looking for.
It is hard sitting here reading and thinking to realize that 250 years later we have regressed to the creatures that sacrificed their children to Mardock to incur the favour of a deity who seeks only our pain and suffering.
What the Jews gave the world was a Messiah who was, is and always will be flesh and blood, for as Kafka said, there is a Messiah in every generation. The priests of ancient time deprived us of the belief in our own power. The age of reason has only reinforced that belief.
If Jews give up on this world who will pick up the torch when even America has given up hope that humanity can make the world a better place.
The people that believed the creator put us in charge and we were to be the change we were looking for.
It is hard sitting here reading and thinking to realize that 250 years later we have regressed to the creatures that sacrificed their children to Mardock to incur the favour of a deity who seeks only our pain and suffering.
What the Jews gave the world was a Messiah who was, is and always will be flesh and blood, for as Kafka said, there is a Messiah in every generation. The priests of ancient time deprived us of the belief in our own power. The age of reason has only reinforced that belief.
If Jews give up on this world who will pick up the torch when even America has given up hope that humanity can make the world a better place.
16
This comment probably includes huge holes. Nevertheless, it seems that at least on the streets of Europe and the USA those who aren't wearing identifying religious garb melt into the crowd. Without the garb It would be impossible to determine who subscribes to Judaism, Islam, or Christianity etc. So it could be said that those who are often targeted in this crazy mixed up world are noticeably setting themselves apart. And that in no way justifies maltreatment. It just points out a present outrageous reality that for safety's sake might be somewhat modified by our behavior and the garments we wear.
15
How much of your identity would you be willing to surrender to ensure your safety? And, in the end, would it even matter? When things have gotten ugly in the past (and the past was not so long ago) no amount of assimilation has been enough to save Jewish lives.
5
Terrorists get that non-Orthodox Jews look like everybody else. This is why they like to target Jews in synagogues. Are you suggesting they're "setting themselves apart" by going to their own houses of worship, just as people of other religions do? Talk about blaming the victim!
7
If that wearing that 'garb' is essential to a person's religious identity, do you think 'those people' should just stay out of the public eye and hide out in their ghettos so they don't face being targeted?
6
The latest crazy from Netanyahu is the open invitation for the rest of the European Jews to immigrate to Israel where they already have a space issue for the ones that are there already. Is this the latest idea to outnumber the Palestinian population - or just another ploy to push the Arab world surrounding Israel into full scale conflict?
The world is better off with the Jews among us throughout societies and enriching them, rather than cordoned off in a dangerous and provocative niche of the world, separate, isolated and homogeneous.
The world is better off with the Jews among us throughout societies and enriching them, rather than cordoned off in a dangerous and provocative niche of the world, separate, isolated and homogeneous.
55
There are other places for Jews to go. For example, the USA. That's where my family (finally) found refuge during WWII tribal wars of Europe.
It's sad that Jews are being killed in Europe, but I don't blame those who are leaving. Sadly, they are the smart ones. About Netanyahu, I have little positive to say.
It's sad that Jews are being killed in Europe, but I don't blame those who are leaving. Sadly, they are the smart ones. About Netanyahu, I have little positive to say.
1
That's true but Europeans, do not despair. While Europe is becoming Juden-frei, it has gotten a tenfold replacement by other Semites with Middle Eastern roots, of Islamic persuasion.
17
Stefan,
If Israel discriminates today against the other Semites with Middle Eastern roots of Islamic persuasion by preventing them to return home, is it correct to claim that Israel is an anti-Semitic country too?
If Israel discriminates today against the other Semites with Middle Eastern roots of Islamic persuasion by preventing them to return home, is it correct to claim that Israel is an anti-Semitic country too?
in very short , Muslim hatred to Jews is not comprehensible, In three Abrahamic religion, Islam and Judaism in many ways overlaps and strong similarities.
However in todays condition, Muslims are on the wrong path. Israel -Palestine conflict is not a religious one, will never be.
In many ways, hostility towards Israel is not legitimate or reasonable.
However in todays condition, Muslims are on the wrong path. Israel -Palestine conflict is not a religious one, will never be.
In many ways, hostility towards Israel is not legitimate or reasonable.
10
In all ways.
4
It's all about the Land (Israel). During the Crusades - Muslims protected Jews from Christians. Looking at the "right now" of history is a mistake.
1
thanks, Mr. Cohen. A very well said essay. Those who wish for a better world are well advised to try to make it happen. Wishing that "tribalism" would end or that the threats to Jews were not what they are, will not make it happen. And while Israel is a necessary safe haven, and must be protected from the hate that is everywhere, it is not the only home for Jews.
3
It is for each Jew to decide whether to live in a place where he or she will be attacked or insulted on the street for wearing religious insignia, where his or her children will be bullied in school for being Jewish, and where army or police protection is required for all communal institutions-- places of worship, parochial schools, community centers, stores, etc. Where they are attqacked by many politicians.
If a person or a family does not wish to live under these conditions, why should they not leave? What do they owe a nation in which they have to live like that?
If a person or a family does not wish to live under these conditions, why should they not leave? What do they owe a nation in which they have to live like that?
26
sorry Roger
I have to disagree on this one.
The entire reason Jews created Israel was to recreate the home we once had.
It was hoped at the time that the world's Jews would all make aliyah.
They chose not to. But for you to paint this as a new thing and specifically a Netanyahu thing is completely false. I live in the US and I have also lived in Israel, the Israeli's have always encouraged Diaspora Jews to come home. This is not a new thing.
I have to disagree on this one.
The entire reason Jews created Israel was to recreate the home we once had.
It was hoped at the time that the world's Jews would all make aliyah.
They chose not to. But for you to paint this as a new thing and specifically a Netanyahu thing is completely false. I live in the US and I have also lived in Israel, the Israeli's have always encouraged Diaspora Jews to come home. This is not a new thing.
19
Netanyahu was deeply insulting in his invitation to Danish Jews. After all Denmark was the one country in the German occupied territories during WWII that managed to protect the majority if its Jews.
279
It was not insulting at all. It's good to remind the people that they don't have to live in fear and dread. It's good to remind their governments that they don't have to take it, they can live somewhere else. Maybe now these governments will do something, but I don't think so.
5
Yes but the Danish govt supports a two state solution. Hence it is anti-semetic and racist. Israel, as Netanyahu and his supporters understand, is a "Jewish" land. Why can't the Danish understand this?
Thats what Bibi does best. Just wait for his speech to Congress.
2
The faith unites the people.
If not, if it divides us, if it makes us hateful, if it pushes us into the endless wars over a land, then it isn’t the faith at all.
Why should living together be beneficial to everybody? The different people around us make us think, make us analyze our ancient habits, make us evaluate our system of values.
Our forefathers assured us that we are perfect, but in our hearts we know perfectly well that nobody is. If somebody else is different and the Almighty let them be different for many centuries, then the faith isn’t what our clergy claimed to be.
What is the faith? If it comes from the Almighty it has to be perfect. One verse cannot contradict anything else. He doesn’t forget what is prescribed.
If God told us to love our neighbors, it means ALL OUR NEIGHBORS. The Almighty would never direct us to kill the natives to take over their land. If He wanted anybody anihilated, God would have done it to protect our souls.
For centuries the people wrongly claimed God said something to justify their desires.
If God wanted anybody in the Holy Land, Moses would have taken them there. He didn’t. Why? If you killed somebody to take over their land, you would commit genocide.
The Holy Land is a land of love and tolerance, a land without wars and atrocities, a land without a crime and greed.
There is no Holy Land in our world yet.
If not, if it divides us, if it makes us hateful, if it pushes us into the endless wars over a land, then it isn’t the faith at all.
Why should living together be beneficial to everybody? The different people around us make us think, make us analyze our ancient habits, make us evaluate our system of values.
Our forefathers assured us that we are perfect, but in our hearts we know perfectly well that nobody is. If somebody else is different and the Almighty let them be different for many centuries, then the faith isn’t what our clergy claimed to be.
What is the faith? If it comes from the Almighty it has to be perfect. One verse cannot contradict anything else. He doesn’t forget what is prescribed.
If God told us to love our neighbors, it means ALL OUR NEIGHBORS. The Almighty would never direct us to kill the natives to take over their land. If He wanted anybody anihilated, God would have done it to protect our souls.
For centuries the people wrongly claimed God said something to justify their desires.
If God wanted anybody in the Holy Land, Moses would have taken them there. He didn’t. Why? If you killed somebody to take over their land, you would commit genocide.
The Holy Land is a land of love and tolerance, a land without wars and atrocities, a land without a crime and greed.
There is no Holy Land in our world yet.
14
I once told Martin Gilbert that as a Jew I wanted to be able to live anywhere, not Israel. He replied that he lived in England, of course we had the right to live anywhere. But for some Jews who had nowhere to go, it was good to know that there was a place for them."
24
Which is all this call for Aliyah is. Antisemitism is an ideology whereby everything Jewish is evil. This animus towards Israel may not be properly called antisemitism because it is about Israel not Jews. But it serves the same purpose and is constructed the same way. In fact, it cynically uses Jews and pretends to be the moral heir of persecuted Jews as another means of robbing Israel of any positive aspect.
8
As long as the Jews in the world stand on the sidelines while the atrocities of Israel go unanswered, then this will continue. They made room for everyone in Israel except the native peoples whose land it sits on. There were thriving people there before 1947, they were violently pushed aside. Perhaps this is what fuels anti semitic atrocities, but we will never know, because Israel admits to nothing.
173
Well said!
Oh please, go back and read your history. A 'thriving people', not quite. Yes, make any eXcuse for anti-semitism, rationalize all you want. The arabs could have made peace any time, but just don't care too. That's the truth.
8
What utter nonsense. The Arabs are native to no place but Arabia. They were not thriving before the establishment of Israel, they were second class citizens in a Turkish empire.
11
'They refused to be part of the settlements'? A dream indeed. That they will expand the settlements is exactly what the PM hopes for. 'If they come, we will build it.' But I do not think they will come.
However, you are right about Israel as, at least theoretically, a haven of last resort. If the Jews learned anything from the Holocaust, it should be that assimilation will not save you. Rather, the Jews were reminded of it; the Inquisition looked on converts with suspicion, called them 'marranos', i.e., pigs, and watched them closely for any signs of secret practice.
But as the acceptance of slavery was the crippling flaw in the founding of America, the placement of the new state in what seemed, historically, the logical place, and the displacement of the previous occupants, has been its crippling flaw. In both cases the flaw was bred in the bone and perhaps unavoidable. (If not Palestine, where? Was there anywhere on Earth in 1948 where a Jewish homeland would have been welcome? Anywhere not already being lived on by someone? Antarctica maybe? The moon?)
However, you are right about Israel as, at least theoretically, a haven of last resort. If the Jews learned anything from the Holocaust, it should be that assimilation will not save you. Rather, the Jews were reminded of it; the Inquisition looked on converts with suspicion, called them 'marranos', i.e., pigs, and watched them closely for any signs of secret practice.
But as the acceptance of slavery was the crippling flaw in the founding of America, the placement of the new state in what seemed, historically, the logical place, and the displacement of the previous occupants, has been its crippling flaw. In both cases the flaw was bred in the bone and perhaps unavoidable. (If not Palestine, where? Was there anywhere on Earth in 1948 where a Jewish homeland would have been welcome? Anywhere not already being lived on by someone? Antarctica maybe? The moon?)
33
Your observations are spot on. Not to belabor the details but Converso was probably more commonly used than 'marrano' in Spain. Ironically many of the "converted" Jews probably did continue to adhere to their fath in secret. The sugar trade - with it's inevitable ties to the creation of slavery in the New World - was essentially founded by conversos (in Brazil & Jamaica). It's a fascinating, little documented period in history.
1
“We are preparing and calling for the absorption of mass immigration from Europe” of Jews.
Now, how could this be construed to legitimatize additional illegal settlements?
Now, how could this be construed to legitimatize additional illegal settlements?
31
Yes that is what Hillel in his interpretation of Torah said," — “What is hateful to yourself, do not to your fellow man” —
1
The same way that any article pointing out the necessity for a Jewish homeland is construed as propaganda for anti-semites.
2
It is hard to believe that these European countries gave free and easy access to tens of millions of muslim immigrants without understanding what would be the outcome....agroup which refuses to assimilate, maintains its sharia law and culture as if it were still back home and has brought with it the same intolerance and hatred for Jews which it has always held from its very beginnings. Europe is going to lose most of its Jews, a loss which will be felt throughout its artistic,intellectual , financial and scientific communities and in their place will be a huge mass of muslims who will mostly remain outside the cultural ethos of these democracies and who primarily see themselves as muslims living in the land of the infidel.
103
I really don't mean to sound crass here, but how is your miscategorization and stereotyping of millions of peaceful muslims that have lived in Europe for generations any better than the stereotypes and lies that were used in the past to sow hatred against Jews? As someone who actually grew up in Europe with many muslim neighbors and friends, I find your statements just baffling. The vast majority of Europeans of any background share many interests, including the basic desire for peace, democratic representation and economic stability. Yes, integration is difficult and takes time, but the extreme fringes do not represent the majority.
16
"in their place will be a huge mass of muslims who will mostly remain outside the cultural ethos of these democracies and who primarily see themselves as muslims living in the land of the infidel."
You are aware that there are many Jews in Europe (and the US as well) who view Goyim in a not very different light? I have worked at law and consulting firms were Jews made clear their racist views towards the "Goys". AIPAC oppenly labels anyone opposed to continuing the very expensive $ transfers to Israel in their innumerable forms, a benefit no other ethnic group receives, as anti-semetic and racist. The very aspect of mass Jewish immigration to a Jewish is not only for reasons of safety but also has racial overtones too (i.e., living with fellow Jews is great but with the Goys not so).
You are aware that there are many Jews in Europe (and the US as well) who view Goyim in a not very different light? I have worked at law and consulting firms were Jews made clear their racist views towards the "Goys". AIPAC oppenly labels anyone opposed to continuing the very expensive $ transfers to Israel in their innumerable forms, a benefit no other ethnic group receives, as anti-semetic and racist. The very aspect of mass Jewish immigration to a Jewish is not only for reasons of safety but also has racial overtones too (i.e., living with fellow Jews is great but with the Goys not so).
1
I beg to differ. Most Muslims assimilate just fine. There are radical Muslims, just as there are Radical Christians and Radical Jews. There are groups that refuse to integrate into society everywhere- Hassidic and Orthodox Jews and Fundamentalist Christians as well as Muslims. Intolerance and hatred is not solely a Muslim trait, it is frequently due to a lack of education and opportunity. To say that disenfranchisement is self inflicted ignores the reality of the situation in which people are thrust when fleeing their homeland for a foreign country. PS there is a very long tradition of art and literature in the Muslim world as well- try reading Omar Khayyam or Hafez sometime.
2
"As in the Arab world, Europe wondered what it had lost. " Really? The Arab world mourns the loss of its Jews? Does Mr. Cohen even read the newspaper he works for? I'm thinking of that article on Yemen today. None of the Arabs in that article seem unhappy about this. Where, Mr. Cohen, are they unhappy about the Jewish exodus? i think the opposite, they are very happy the Jews have left and I think most Europeans feel the same way. Or at least don't care much one way or the other, as long as they aren't bothered. About the only feeling the Europeans have over this might be a twinge of embarrassment, but I'm sure that will fade, as will Europe. They decided to trade their Jews for Muslims and have tolerated Muslim anti-Semitism for too long to make any changes now. Here's an example of what being Jewish in France is like now:
http://time.com/3711649/paris-abuse-jews/
http://time.com/3711649/paris-abuse-jews/
90
Perhaps he means, that the Arab and even the European world does not yet know it is unhappy, has not yet realized what it has lost and what it has cost them in civilization, in a well rounded society...
10
As the great writer Philip Roth once satirized in one of his novels, "Poland needs Jews," many years after the Holocaust.
1
Check out this speech by French Prime Minister Manuel Valls:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU6xkFNfu24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU6xkFNfu24
1
Mr. Cohen suggests that Jews are now responsible for Europe having "lost the very right to a conscience" by disappearing.
I am one of those Jews who left Europe because I was not wanted there. I still come to visit there to pay respects to the mass Holocaust grave where most of my once large family was dumped.
For what it is worth, I have never been to Israel, and Israel is certainly not to blame why there are no Jews left in Europe or what is now virtually monolithic Muslim world.
I am one of those Jews who left Europe because I was not wanted there. I still come to visit there to pay respects to the mass Holocaust grave where most of my once large family was dumped.
For what it is worth, I have never been to Israel, and Israel is certainly not to blame why there are no Jews left in Europe or what is now virtually monolithic Muslim world.
261
Please pay attention. Cohen is saying that Jews would be responsible IF they all abandoned Europe. Which they have NOT done, at least not yet. He is writing in praise of people like you who continue to live outside of Israel. I don't know what column you read, but it wasn't this one.
3
Alexander,
The very idea behind creation of Israel is that the Jews and the Muslims cannot live together in the same country.
Do you really blame the Muslim world for being deprived of the Jewish population?
You would be right only if the Jews have never lived within the Muslim world over the last 14 centuries.
If they used to coexist even through those extremely cruel medieval times when anything different was a reason to viciously exterminate, then you should not blame the Koran for the current situation on the ground.
The very idea behind creation of Israel is that the Jews and the Muslims cannot live together in the same country.
Do you really blame the Muslim world for being deprived of the Jewish population?
You would be right only if the Jews have never lived within the Muslim world over the last 14 centuries.
If they used to coexist even through those extremely cruel medieval times when anything different was a reason to viciously exterminate, then you should not blame the Koran for the current situation on the ground.
2
Alexander, there are thriving and vibrant Jewish communities in every capital of Europe. Perhaps you need to leave Minnesota occasionally.
2
Who on earth thinks of Israel as a SAFE country for anyone?
204
To Dee: Anyone who's visited there, not just read about it in the columns of the New York Times.
7
Uh....maybe the 6 million plus Jews who live there? or the millions of other Jews around the world who support Israel? or the thousands of Jews from Europe who are immigrating there every year?
As one recent immigrant to Israel from France, who was interviewed after the latest Islamic terrorist outrage in Paris, stated: in Israel, he knows the country has enemies and faces numerous threats, but at least he doesn't have to worry about his or his kids safety if they are walking around the streets with a kippah.
As one recent immigrant to Israel from France, who was interviewed after the latest Islamic terrorist outrage in Paris, stated: in Israel, he knows the country has enemies and faces numerous threats, but at least he doesn't have to worry about his or his kids safety if they are walking around the streets with a kippah.
10
There are less murders in Israel in a year then in Chicago in a week. Israel is indeed a safe country, far safer than the US. Let's not let political and religious rhetoric get in the way of quantifiable, verifiable facts.
8
Bibi is a right wing blowhard
Of real insight barely a shard,
He would tell the Jews flee
Seeing no tragedy,
For Israel Bibi is no bard.
Of real insight barely a shard,
He would tell the Jews flee
Seeing no tragedy,
For Israel Bibi is no bard.
44
"Israel is indeed the home of every Jew" It is *not*. And it's not for Israel, or Mr. Cohen, to decide where a Jew's home happens to be.
24
Roger, absolutely correct.
Israel is already encroaching on too much Palestinian land as is; for Netanyahu to encourage further emigration of European and American Jews could only compel even greater efforts at naked imperialism.
The original fault lies with the ancestors of the current generations within Christendom - in Europe, in America, across the world. In consequence, the message we send to these Islamic fascists must be brutal and uncompromising.
There is more worth savoring in the cultural or scientific contribution of an Irving Berlin, or Jonas Salk, or Arthur Miller, or Sigmund Freud, or Saul Bellow, or Stephen Spielberg, or Gustav Mahler than in anything the Muslim world has produced in nearly a thousand years.
Mess with the Jews of Europe or America and you mess with all of us. They are as tightly woven into the shimmering fabric of western civilization as any thread in our weave.
Israel is already encroaching on too much Palestinian land as is; for Netanyahu to encourage further emigration of European and American Jews could only compel even greater efforts at naked imperialism.
The original fault lies with the ancestors of the current generations within Christendom - in Europe, in America, across the world. In consequence, the message we send to these Islamic fascists must be brutal and uncompromising.
There is more worth savoring in the cultural or scientific contribution of an Irving Berlin, or Jonas Salk, or Arthur Miller, or Sigmund Freud, or Saul Bellow, or Stephen Spielberg, or Gustav Mahler than in anything the Muslim world has produced in nearly a thousand years.
Mess with the Jews of Europe or America and you mess with all of us. They are as tightly woven into the shimmering fabric of western civilization as any thread in our weave.
66
Matthew,
You write "the message we send these Islamic fascists must be brutal and uncompromising". How does this square with "What is hateful to yourself, do not to your fellow man"? Uncompromising - yes; brutal - please not, or there will be no good end.
You write "the message we send these Islamic fascists must be brutal and uncompromising". How does this square with "What is hateful to yourself, do not to your fellow man"? Uncompromising - yes; brutal - please not, or there will be no good end.
3
Matthew,
I recommend that you read Mark Graham's book "How Islam Created the Modern World"
I recommend that you read Mark Graham's book "How Islam Created the Modern World"
2
"Israel is already encroaching on too much Palestinian land as is; for Netanyahu to encourage further emigration of European and American Jews could only compel even greater efforts at naked imperialism."
But this land is for Jews as Israel is a Jewish land. The Palestinians, as Ariel Sharon, Sheldon Adelson and Newt Gingrich have all pointed out are an "invented" people. They are really Jordanians and need to move there. Only after this happens will there be peace. This is something that Europeans (and Obama) are too racist to understand. Fortunately the Republican party may win the next Presidential election and make Netanyahu's dream of a true Jewish land a reality.
But this land is for Jews as Israel is a Jewish land. The Palestinians, as Ariel Sharon, Sheldon Adelson and Newt Gingrich have all pointed out are an "invented" people. They are really Jordanians and need to move there. Only after this happens will there be peace. This is something that Europeans (and Obama) are too racist to understand. Fortunately the Republican party may win the next Presidential election and make Netanyahu's dream of a true Jewish land a reality.
3
I fervently hope that Europe will continue to be a hospitable home for those of the Jewish faith, and I hope that the world will evolve to this point as well.
While it is best if Europe continues as a vibrant Jewish home, Israel and the recent remarks of Prime Minister Netanyahu are hardly the problem. It is perverse for Mr. Cohen to respond to the horror of the recent attacks in France as a platform to-- once again-- criticize Netanyahu.
While it is best if Europe continues as a vibrant Jewish home, Israel and the recent remarks of Prime Minister Netanyahu are hardly the problem. It is perverse for Mr. Cohen to respond to the horror of the recent attacks in France as a platform to-- once again-- criticize Netanyahu.
156
Did you expect him to praise Netanyahu?
No, I did not, but Mr. Cohen's consistent disparagement of Israel and its government remains disappointing in the extreme.
3
The question is, and I should probably interject that I am adamantly not antiMuslim nor antiArab, whether people have the right to bring, not their religions; but their tribal feuds with them to their new home, and get said new home embroiled in a conflict with which it has no actual connection.
1
Every Jew is a human being, first and foremost. The identity Jewishness is of ones own choosing. One is not born Jew Christian hindu or Muslim. we may be born in a family that observes Judaism but that does not make us the person, a Jew. Our real self, the one that is witness to our thoughts, feelings, perceptions, sensations, world views, is not corruptible by any religion. Our mistaken self, the identity we create, adopts its tribe, religion, faith, because it is conditioned into thinking that it belongs to such and such. But our real self, the consciousness, awareness, that is common to all living things, is non religious, it is not made up of anything except causelss happiness, peace and love. To the extent we keep identifying oursleves as a bundle of Jewishness, tribe, nationality, we only limit oursleves to a narrow viewpoint. The more we identify the stronger is our ego identity. Which is the shortest path to suffering.
403
While you are hardly the first to suggest that Jews can end antisemitism (as if they were the cause of it) by moving beyond Judaism, History has repeatedly exposed the fallacy of that prescription. The simple truth is that antisemitism has nothing to do with flesh and blood Jews and never did. It is a distorted worldview that seeks a simple solution to explain the otherwise chaotic and unfairness of life. To begin to understand the incredible staying power of this ever evolving phenomenon, you might read the historian David Nirenberg's book, Anti-Judaism.
46
Okay..we are humans first and foremost...and have the capacity to think, feel, and attempt to comply with established Judeo-Christian values..many of us do..but many of us fall short..Latent prejudice wrapped in political correctness is prevalent. What are you really thinking is the question to be asked of us humans, assuming the courage is there to do so and is stronger than self-denial. Netanyahu is a human and a politician..he is neither perfect nor pure..but like many political humans, he has his agenda. Agree or not, his recent statements inviting Jews to come home resonates with many Jews and Christians in many different ways...whether you are a perfect human being or not.
2
As Joseph Campbell explained, Jew religion is base on ethnicity grounded by a covenant. Christianity and Islam are by contrast aspirational, devoted to a creed. I sincerely hope your secular aspirations succeed. Jews are bound to heredity, hence constancy which has proven too much like a box canyon, while OTOH, the creed religions justify all sorts of behavior on hopes that the creed itself will solve all secular disparities through forced societal adaptation. One is perfectly befitting, peg to hole, nonetheless, fixed and narrow in scope, the other so expansive that it presses to narrow the hole to fit the peg.
3
Rather than only counting anti semitic atrocities we would benefit from enumerating the work of governments and Jews in Europe to achieve successful assimilation, what and how. In France, for example, the Great Emancipation was accompanied by organizations, consistories in which the government and Jewish leaders worked side by side with positive results. The list is long and while it doesn't imply an absence of antisemitism it suggests a more complex picture than presented by Netanyahu. His actions evidence a complete disrespect for national boundaries in his own country and everywhere else.
70
The great emancipation occurred before and was negated by the Holocaust. Yes Europe allowed Jews to assimilate and compete and when they competed too well, Europe killed most of them and kept their money. Read the book, "Why the Germans, Why the Jews?"
3
Diaspora Jews, particularly influential ones, keep Israel from getting even more isolated and are hence good for Israel. Admittedly this works better in the US than in Europe, but it's true there, too. What Netanyahu is calling for is a counsel of despair. The Exodus of Jews from Europe would make things worse -- for Europe, and especially for Israel.
Thanks for yet another good column.
Thanks for yet another good column.
146
It works worse in Europe not just because there are fewer Jews, but because of strict laws that prevent the formation of large lobbying groups.
So urgently true & so deeply understanding! Even if it were only a survey of Europe's (& the world's) vast benefit from its Jewish leaders & thinkers -- but it's more than that in its timeliness & bearing.
Netanyahu hasn't your insight or truth.
Netanyahu hasn't your insight or truth.
31
The European Jews have had many of the same circumstances and have also lived rich lives. I think it is the obligation of Jews to push their rights as citizens for support from their governments for the mutual benefit of all. And to the benefit of Israel, to have partners in the diaspora, who continue the enlightenment. Per Hillel, "If I am not for myself who,will be? If I am only gor myself. . .
7
This column touches me deeply since I span the time from the Holocaust to this present. Since WWII Jews have reached an equality as citizens in this country not seen elsewhere except,for,Israel.
32
Jews in India enjoyed equality long before they attained it in the USA. Asking Jews to leave India and move to Israel was a mistake.
6
Evidence referenced in this column shows that Jews' equality as citizens is also found in countries such as Denmark, The Netherlands, Sweden and others. Israel is and has been home to non-Jewish people since before 1948. How the Israeli government has treated or abused them since the founding of that state reflects the reality that no religion/ethnicity has a singular hold on righteousness or ethics.
Is there continuing sometimes violent anti-Semitism in the world? Of course. And, as recent reactions to the Paris killings showed, a majority of the world's people oppose it. The Likud Party's appeal to narrow even bigoted victimhood may attract the dollars of American billionaires and Zionist zealots but it does little to advance the interests of Jews everywhere in the world.
Mr. Cohen's column illuminates the cynicism, if not madness, of Netanyahu's views and actions actions which betray the core humanity of Jewish values which have, till now, stood the test of time in the face of the tyranny of others.
Is there continuing sometimes violent anti-Semitism in the world? Of course. And, as recent reactions to the Paris killings showed, a majority of the world's people oppose it. The Likud Party's appeal to narrow even bigoted victimhood may attract the dollars of American billionaires and Zionist zealots but it does little to advance the interests of Jews everywhere in the world.
Mr. Cohen's column illuminates the cynicism, if not madness, of Netanyahu's views and actions actions which betray the core humanity of Jewish values which have, till now, stood the test of time in the face of the tyranny of others.
1
Actually Jews have more equality in the US than in Israel. Because non-Jewish Americans have more equality in the US than in Israel.
4
Judaism, like Americanism, has a responsibility to exist in all parts of the world. It is part of their Mission Civilatrice,as the French called it.
Showing the world how to be better is partly the reason for these two cultures importance. The competition of cultures is local, and learning to live together peacefully is a big part of civilization.
Other groups proliferate worldwide too, and contribute to humanity at each location. The most famous example is the Chinatowns in almost every city, and there are others.
To see more ideas to save the world, go to YouTube and watch Comedy Party Platform (2 min 9 sec). You will be glad you did.
Showing the world how to be better is partly the reason for these two cultures importance. The competition of cultures is local, and learning to live together peacefully is a big part of civilization.
Other groups proliferate worldwide too, and contribute to humanity at each location. The most famous example is the Chinatowns in almost every city, and there are others.
To see more ideas to save the world, go to YouTube and watch Comedy Party Platform (2 min 9 sec). You will be glad you did.
1
While the Jews may be a particular target of Muslim extremists, they are far from alone. Witness the senseless slaughter of 21 Egyptian Christians, the brutal subjugation of ethnic and religious minorities who are unfortunate enough to live in certain parts of the Middle East: the Yazidis, the Kurds, etc. Even Muslims are not exempt, not if they don't Believe or if their existence is inconvenient, like that Jordanian pilot who was publicly incinerated. Making it All About the Jews obscures the larger point: that a major world religion, Islam, has spawned a radical fundamentalist movement that seeks to exterminate not only the Other but also those of its own kind who are not down with the Caliphate. Despite the pathetic babblings of a couple of ineffectual Muslim intellectuals, I don't see any effective counterweight to ISIS in the Arab world. That's the real story.
241
You're doing the obscuring. In Europe it's the Jews who are the primary target of muslim hate. Not Yazidis,not Kurds,etc. And you can be sure that if the arab states had not forced most of their Jews to flee for their lives before and after the reestablishment of Israel in 1948, the primary target of ISIS and the other Islamofascist terror gangs in Syria and Iraq would be those same Jews.
16
"I don't see any effective counterweight to ISIS in the Arab world. That's the real story.'
exactly. when american education is based upon feely good and when the leaders of the West are men without vision and fortitude like Hollande of France and Obama there exists no counter force and terrorist groups with fervent believers fill the void.
exactly. when american education is based upon feely good and when the leaders of the West are men without vision and fortitude like Hollande of France and Obama there exists no counter force and terrorist groups with fervent believers fill the void.
2
This is the most succinct and accurate description of the plight of the Mid-East. There is no "effective counterweight to ISIS in the Arab world" or in America or Europe. Even the American president is unable to say the words "Islamic Terrorists" in the face of a "radical fundamentalist movement that seeks to exterminate not only the "Other" but also those of it's own kind..." The Jews are not the only minority escaping the killing fields. What we are witnessing is not only a Great Jewish Exodus, but a greater Exodus from civilization. Across the MId-East, "rich and poor, religious and not, with bags, babies and not much else" are pouring from their homelands to become refugees from civil war and the terror of ISIS, Hamas, Hezbollah and Assad. At the end of WWII we believed that we had destroyed totalitarianism, industrialized mass killings and extermination of minorities. Now America and Europe stand idly by as those horrors are resurrected in Libya, Nigeria, Iraq, Syria and Gaza. Iran and the New Soviets support the terrorists. Once America, Canada, Great Britain, France and Australia stood against the forces of evil and crushed it. This is not just about a The Great Jewish Exodus. It's about the new Exodus, indeed the rout and extermination of Western civilization.
8
The ongoing pervasive nature of antisemitism and racism of any kind over ages is one of the most tragic and saddest act of mankind, inflicted by the humans on each other. I fail to comprehend the reason why one would target one group for so long in the name of their faith and belief, especially in this day and age. The basic virtues of mankind, namely tolerance and humility are in such a short supply in the midst of the turmoil all around the world.
13
I wonder if Netanyahu will articulate or expand upon those sentiments when he makes his grand appearance before Congress next month. If so, how many of our legislators will be heard applauding when he appeals to all Jewish Americans to leave their homes and purchase a one-way ticket to Tel Aviv (en route to their brand new condominium on the West Bank)? Has it ever been more clear that Bibi has no intention of EVER ending the construction of settlements and agreeing to the creation of a Palestinian state? At least the folks in Hamas are out-front about clearing the Holy Land of Jews.
227
I doubt that Netanyahu will do this. He knows and respects his sponsors. He will not tell Mr. Adelson where to live.
2
Why would he need too? Are we attacked here as in Europe? Yes, we do have guards on our temples at holidays and when hebrew school is on. That is bad enough, I think. After Israel, this is the best place to be a Jew. Maybe Canada, too. It's good to remind people that Jews don't need to just shut-up and take it anymore. They can leave and go to a place where they can live and worship without threat. Aside from the huge Arab threat anyway. Will America take in lots of European Jews like it does illegal aliens from central america, because of the threat of violence? I somehow doubt it.
4
Netanyahu is fear mongering and appealing to tribalism.
Tribalism of all kinds, religious, ethnic, economic, whatever.. has no place in the 21st century - it separates and divides at a time when global problems call on all humanity to look for what we share in common as human being rather than the superficial affect, customs and styles that keep us divided.
I am offended by his suggestion. There is enough craziness and violence going around without heaping more fuel on that old fire.
I would rather focus on some of the good beginning to emerge from this darkness. Like the Muslims on Oslo forming peace ring around their local synagogue in a show of solidarity and acceptance.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/muslims-protect-norway-synagogue
Tribalism of all kinds, religious, ethnic, economic, whatever.. has no place in the 21st century - it separates and divides at a time when global problems call on all humanity to look for what we share in common as human being rather than the superficial affect, customs and styles that keep us divided.
I am offended by his suggestion. There is enough craziness and violence going around without heaping more fuel on that old fire.
I would rather focus on some of the good beginning to emerge from this darkness. Like the Muslims on Oslo forming peace ring around their local synagogue in a show of solidarity and acceptance.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/muslims-protect-norway-synagogue
299
You are aware, of course, of the difference between wishes and reality. Your desire to focus on the few examples of good do not, in any meaningful way, counterbalance the everyday violence and vilification many Jews throughout Europe experience. Notwithstanding their small percentage in the total population, anti-Jewish hate crimes form an absolute majority of the total reported in Europe.
You have the right to your opinion of being "offended" by Prime Minister Netanyahu's statement of (frankly) the obvious. However, as you are not in the cross-hairs, please know that your opinion probably doesn't weigh very heavily in the balance of these directly affected. A little empathy might serve you well.
You have the right to your opinion of being "offended" by Prime Minister Netanyahu's statement of (frankly) the obvious. However, as you are not in the cross-hairs, please know that your opinion probably doesn't weigh very heavily in the balance of these directly affected. A little empathy might serve you well.
14
then there were good good Germans it did not help the Jewish people to survive the camps. your focus is out of focus.
6
@Ellen, very noble thoughts. But perhaps, if you were a Jew in Paris who was afraid to go outside wearing a kippah for fear of being abused and attacked, or who sent her kids off to Hebrew school every morning wondering whether that would be the day that an Islamic terrorist would be lurking outside and spray them with machine gun fire, rather than someone sitting in the safety of Williamsburg and pontificating on chat boards, you might feel differently.
15
Not to make light of it - but the pontification is strange. Why? Well the Jewish people are bonded by te precepts and so forth handed down by the bible (except the agnostic ones).... Well the bible explained many times that these things would happen... You can be a skeptic all you want... What the Jewsish prophets spoke played out over and over thousands of years ago - up to now. They also explained exactly why it would. Sorry if that doesn't fit the intellectual heights of editorial boards - not the readership of the mass media.
5
Instead, let's invite all those wonderful, energetic, intelligent Jews living in Israel to come to the U.S. Let's welcome them all. We could ask them to bring a little soil dug out from under the mosque now on the site of the Temple, and a chip off the Wailing Wall. Then they could scatter that earth, that divine earth, here in America and rebuild their Temple here. Then they could enshrine that chip of the Wailing Wall in a beautiful sculpture. America would benefit and those Muslims for whom the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been like a bone in the throat could begin to heal their own lands.
32
The fallacy of much of the world is that once the Israeli Jews are somehow magically vanished from Israel, that the Muslim world will suddenly become peace loving. On the contrary, they'll demand reparations for all their misfortunes - allegedly imposed on them by the west and the Jews - and their appetite for power will be stoked Their jihad will never stop until the last Eskimo and last Indian in the Amazon jungle has been converted to Islam.
104
they do come here... and go back once a year to visit, NOT stay but vidit
7
Yes! Congress should offer citizenship to all Israelis! I'll bet a lot of Israeli Palestinians would take up the opportunity, as well.
2
He could wish for Israel, Part II. Part I saw a small concentration of people turn a sliver of desert not that different from the Arab lands that surround it into a regional economic powerhouse, a real democracy, and an abundantly fertile land that hadn't seen such bounty in millennia. What wonders might a messy, rapid doubling of its population portend?
Europe and other parts of the world will be less by the loss, but then Europe has been receding in heft for many decades as its people ceded global significance for what they believe is a sustainable socialism, until they discover that they manifestly can no longer defend themselves against either a chador or a bear, and their traditional protector has grown weary of protecting them on his own dime. All things fade that don't constantly reinvent themselves, and Europe is not proof against this reality: look at Rome, look at Constantinople.
My big concern as an observer isn't so much what becomes of Europe but what becomes of Israel and its neighbors: if Europe and other places exerting duress on Jews empties of them, where will Israel put the immigrants? Can there be doubt that they will be put on land that otherwise might go to a Palestinian state? Can there be any doubt that this plays to the interests of those who demand total hegemony over what once was Judea and Samaria?
Fortress Israel might be very interesting to watch developing, but tragic in its consequences to Palestinians incapable of coalescing as a people.
Europe and other parts of the world will be less by the loss, but then Europe has been receding in heft for many decades as its people ceded global significance for what they believe is a sustainable socialism, until they discover that they manifestly can no longer defend themselves against either a chador or a bear, and their traditional protector has grown weary of protecting them on his own dime. All things fade that don't constantly reinvent themselves, and Europe is not proof against this reality: look at Rome, look at Constantinople.
My big concern as an observer isn't so much what becomes of Europe but what becomes of Israel and its neighbors: if Europe and other places exerting duress on Jews empties of them, where will Israel put the immigrants? Can there be doubt that they will be put on land that otherwise might go to a Palestinian state? Can there be any doubt that this plays to the interests of those who demand total hegemony over what once was Judea and Samaria?
Fortress Israel might be very interesting to watch developing, but tragic in its consequences to Palestinians incapable of coalescing as a people.
16
Much of what Fortress Israel does is not because of Judaism's teachings, but to preserve its survival. This is unlike other religious states, whose militancy derives from religious interpretations and aspirations.
8
Oh please, can you think of the suffering of the Jews and not bring the palestinians into it. They will never be a nation because they don't have the will. They are just endless victims locked into their little tribal identities, as are most arabs. Look at the arab countries, much less the muslim ones.
14
“This wave of terror attacks is expected to continue, including these murderous anti-Semitic attacks.”
Much as I might want someone other than Bibi as PM of Israel, I find it hard to doubt his statement above. And Mr. Cohen does us no favor to pick at it. "Never Again" does not seem such a lock as it once did.
Much as I might want someone other than Bibi as PM of Israel, I find it hard to doubt his statement above. And Mr. Cohen does us no favor to pick at it. "Never Again" does not seem such a lock as it once did.
47
Sadly, Israel's actions do not do much to promote peace and understanding. The ridiculous demand that Palestinians, oppressed and disrespected for decades, declare their love for Israel before peace talks can start, together with constant new actions of the type or the Gaza wars, ensure that the status quo of mutual hate and constant war will continue.
8
Thank you for your advice, but we Jews will no longer sit by as missiles are fired toward our civilians. We have learned it is better to fight back and be hated than to die on our knees and be mourned.
The only people disrespecting the Palestinians are their fellow Arabs. When Jews were kicked out of the Arab world, Israel took them in, such that they make up the majority of Israel. When Arabs fled Israel (and 1.6 million live in Israel), their Arab brethren kept them in camps.
The only people disrespecting the Palestinians are their fellow Arabs. When Jews were kicked out of the Arab world, Israel took them in, such that they make up the majority of Israel. When Arabs fled Israel (and 1.6 million live in Israel), their Arab brethren kept them in camps.
11
Please document that.
1
It *is* a scary nightmare. And, there is not enough room for all Jews in Israel. But, the world still embraces antisemitism: Enough so that it is almost laughable to think of a Jewish President of the United States. That's why Axelrod had to have Barack Obama: As his non-Jewish proxy. And, it's why Bernie Sanders can't possibly run or win. We are a sad people: Humans. Unable to overcome our prejudice no matter what it costs.
25
There is plenty of room for every Jew in the world in Israel.
2
I condemn Israel's atrocities against the people of Gaza and its theft of Palestinian lands, and I'd like to go deer-hunting in thickly forested terrain with Netanyahu some day.
But I'd vote for Bernie Sanders, a New York Jew, in a heart beat. He's smart, honest, and holds Western values in high esteem. He's A Democrat's democrat.
But I'd vote for Bernie Sanders, a New York Jew, in a heart beat. He's smart, honest, and holds Western values in high esteem. He's A Democrat's democrat.
14
I find Bert Gold's assumption that Obama is a proxy to be offensive as well as unlikely. As for Bernie, can you seriously believe that as a Socialist he ever had a chance to run for President with a major party? Let's have some realism and decency.
5
Mr. Netanyahu would do well to ponder the story of Rehoboam, the successor to King Solomon. Rehoboam was the egotistical, arrogant, and rather stupid man whose misuse of power drove the ten northern tribes to break away from the united kingdom of Israel and eventually be destroyed by the Assyrians. His name has been ever associated with folly, hubris, and short-sightedness.
The lesson is there, should anyone care to learn it.
The lesson is there, should anyone care to learn it.
135
Where do we go and whom do we trust? I am an American Jew and so had no say in the election of Israel's government, but no one anywhere in the world will speak for us and protect us. Is Netanyahu protecting us? Not if you listen to the anti-Jewish rants couched as anti-Zionism, but I don't think we need to be defined by our enemies' take on us. We are sadly learning, through crimes like swastikas on our garages and driveways in Wisconsin to insults in the streets in Paris and Malmo to outright murder in Toulouse, Paris, Brussels, Copenhagen and Buenos Aires, that the only Jew the world can stand is an assimilated one, one they do not know exists. Or a dead one. For those of us who refuse to be either, these are dangerous times.
42
This is the saddest thing I have ever read. It's not right that you should have to feel this way. But you did get to participate in the election of America's government and you did help form our place in the world. Even though there are apparently always those who are willing to persecute others, you should know that there many of us who would be more than willing to speak for you and protect you. And we know that you would do the same for us.
2
The Prime Minister's words about European Jews coming to Israel have as a direct translations "we need more settlers, so we can seize more of the West Bank". And the hypocrisy is astounding. Imagine if during the period when suicide bombings were a regular occurrence in Israel, some western leader, e.g. Obama, had said "it's clearly not safe for Jews in Israel, why don't you move to the US where you won't be blown up", this would have been seen by the Likud, not just as a grave insult, but as practically a declaration of war by the US on the state of Israel. But of course when Netanyahu says the same thing about Europe, it's supposed to be further proof of his greatness and humanity.
425
Also, there is in Israel quite a reverse migration of Israelis who have lost hope in the future of their beloved country. They see no chance for their children to live in a normal country, which does not promote hate and fear as its main raison d'être. They do not want their precious children to be perpetual soldiers in a constant war against a desperate, oppressed population. They do not want to put their children in harm's way to protect a bunch of lawless, fanatic settlers who see themselves as the chosen ones, entitled to steal lands and dignity from people whose only is was that the land they have loved and worked for thousands of years had a history claimed by others.
So yes, Israelis who care and can leave, and Mr. Netanyahu must recruit new hands to man the war. In the past he used the Holocaust as an excuse. Now he has new ammunition in his recruiting efforts.
So yes, Israelis who care and can leave, and Mr. Netanyahu must recruit new hands to man the war. In the past he used the Holocaust as an excuse. Now he has new ammunition in his recruiting efforts.
20
@Mike, complete and total nonsense. There is nothing new about an Israeli leader encouraging Jews, particularly Jews living in dangerous communities and/or who do not feel free to practice their religion in safety, about moving to Israel.
15
I guess it's better for them to just die in Europe? Sorry, we don't do that anymore. Too bad you're so put out by that.
13
Europe lost its Pagans and its Manicheans centuries ago. The rise of aggressive Christianity did this. The same Christianity decimated Jewish communities. While politically incorrect to think so (thought crime!) it is possible that the rise of Islam within Europe - combined with latent anti-semitism - will lead to the loss of its Jews. Europe's loss will be America's gain. Israel's fate will be an interesting topic for deep future historians.
6
BRILLIANT: " “What is hateful to yourself, do not to your fellow man” — refused to be part of the spreading settlements in the West Bank, Israeli rule over another people." If only Netanyahu, cared more about his own people than himself.
And I would so miss the special character and charm of the Rue des Rosiers in Paris.
And I would so miss the special character and charm of the Rue des Rosiers in Paris.
28
I'm confused - why should the West Bank, of all places in the world, be Jew-free?
13
Think again and you might not be confused anymore. Trans-Jordania, now called the West Bank by some, was part of Jordan until the 1967 war and originally supposed to be a home state for Palestinians per UN resolution.
Mr. Cohen in his op-Ed is clearly explaining what damage Netanyahu is causing with his loose talk about all European Jews coming home to the 'motherland'.
The vast majority of American Jews, myself included, consider his public declarations and his upcoming speech in the hallowed halls of Congress an election stunt and an outright meddling in the politics of independent nations, be they European or the US.
Mr. Cohen in his op-Ed is clearly explaining what damage Netanyahu is causing with his loose talk about all European Jews coming home to the 'motherland'.
The vast majority of American Jews, myself included, consider his public declarations and his upcoming speech in the hallowed halls of Congress an election stunt and an outright meddling in the politics of independent nations, be they European or the US.
13
Europe without Jews ll be poor , Jews is a great enterprenure race..this race has suffered terrific genocides throughout it`s history but everytime they have risen only because of their determination evenwhen whole world was bent on exterminating them..Jews are welcome in India..Bless Israel / Jews..Shalom !!!
25
Roger, I agree it was a really weird thing to an Israeli PM to say. It was like admitting defeat and, critically, there is no land (and water) for all these people in Israel. However, it then occurred to me that someone in Israel showed Bibi an statistical projection that in 100-200 yrs, there will more Muslims that Jews in Israel, and a new diaspora would forcefully occur. By that time, Christians would be minorities in France, Germany and the UK, and Jews would be all gone much earlier. It is evident that democracy and the State of Laws are failing in many parts of the world, and even S. America is turning anti-semitic. I always wonder: how did Jews in central Europe, 1935, see their situation then? only those who gave up and fled survive, isn´t it? How a savvy Jewish patriarch, Auschwitz-survivor, sees ISIS and our stance towards it?
4
South America turning anti-semitic! When has it been other?
7
SHOULD EUROPEAN JEWS GO TO ISRAEL?
When I visited Israel, my relatives urged me to emigrate to the 'holy land from the U. S. But without Jewish pressure in the U. S., the defense of Israel would be compromised. In fact, sans Jews (and the born again Christians. politicians like the Aynrandians (Rand & Ron Paul) would end foreign aid. So the survival of Israel, is in fact a result of Jews and others in our nation.
If all Jews reside in Israel, the minor support for Zionism around the world. A reverse diaspora where Jews existed only in Israel would be quite dangerous for the survival of Zionism and all Jews.
When I visited Israel, my relatives urged me to emigrate to the 'holy land from the U. S. But without Jewish pressure in the U. S., the defense of Israel would be compromised. In fact, sans Jews (and the born again Christians. politicians like the Aynrandians (Rand & Ron Paul) would end foreign aid. So the survival of Israel, is in fact a result of Jews and others in our nation.
If all Jews reside in Israel, the minor support for Zionism around the world. A reverse diaspora where Jews existed only in Israel would be quite dangerous for the survival of Zionism and all Jews.
20
So Jews should manipulate the political process of the countries in which they live for their own and Israel's interests?
13
Orthodox, fiercely Zionist Jews are the ones who leave. They are not French or American or etc. Jews per se, but Jews who happen to live in France, America, etc. Secular, assimilated European Jews won't leave for another, often overlooked reason: Their country gives them everything, literally cradle to grave. The US and Israel have fewer social services, and employment at will. It would be like dropping a child into an Arctic wilderness and telling them to find their own way, find and keep their own job, figure out how to pay for their own healthcare, their own retirement etc.
3
A lot of American jews are, in fact, tepid at best in their support of the the state of Israel under it's present leadership. That said, an enormous amount of that support is generated by AIPAC and trust me, those guys aren't going anywhere. Nor would Bibby want them too.
2
Indeed. This is not the first time Bibi has missed the forest due to his excessive focus on the tree. The reality that Likud and more extreme right-wing politicians would not like what many of their new citizens would say or support has likely never occurred to the Prime Minister. President Hollande has made many mistakes, but his words in response to Bibi's grandiose rhetoric was definitely on point. Europe would lose an enormous part of itself without its Jews.
30
In my own Jewish family, we vow never to be driven from whatever place we call our home. I will make aliyah someday but until then I will abide wherever I choose and no one will tell me in any way where that may or may not be.
157
No one questions your right to reside wherever you want. Jews did not chose to escape the nazis. The exodus was imposed on them.
9
The Palestinian families in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza are taking the same vow and refuse to be driven from their own home land by the Israelis. That's why we have this sickening conflict.
3
I strongly agree with you. In the meantime the adage every Jew a 7.62 is worth consideration. There is a great deal of virulent anti-Semitism in the United States. Florida is castle doctrine state and in my home or car I do not have to retreat. Out of good judgement I will certainly first try and get out of the way but, in my home no, you're not driving me out or harming my family. This is still America and self defense is reasonable.
2