The hard truths of being Jewish

• Author: BRUCE PORTNOY
• Published date: 27 September 2021
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

– George Orwell

The tragic events that befell Jews over the centuries seemingly perpetuate themselves in different forms at different times. The destruction of our 1st and 2nd Temples in Jerusalem was followed by exile from England; the Spanish Inquisition; Diaspora viability challenges associated with the Crusades, Ottoman rule, and the Pogroms that followed. Each, in its own way contributed to the ultimate Nazi-inspired, "Final Solution."

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Jews who survived learned three hard truths: no one will stand up for us, we must never project weakness; and the murder of six million of our People during the Holocaust must forever guide our responsibility towards our ancestral and present day homeland, Israel.

Within the blessing of our 1948 reinvigoration of Israel, our people found themselves, no longer forsaken to second class existence, enduring unwarranted poverty, or discrimination without recourse. They instead, flared a new found pride. Yet, it was not to be a painless birthing and sublime aftermath.

The Jews of Israel were repeatedly tested in brutal battles. They fought bravely and consistently mastered challenges.

Yet, after seventy three years, peace and acceptance still proves elusive. Newer and stronger pockets of organized Anti-Israel/ Antisemitism sentiments are waiting in the wings, to once again test our resolve.

The risk level has risen as our adversaries cleverly intersected themselves with legitimate causes: claiming kinship of destiny with oppressed blacks, women, marginalized indigenous populations, Asians and other minorities; with the notable exception of Jews. The purveyors of hate convinced the susceptible to band with them to challenge Israel and its Jewish legitimacy in the Middle East.

They actively promoted economic terrorist tactics; including Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) maneuvers; all the while, spreading unconscionable misrepresentations and deceptions. By repeating them over and over, at every opportunity afforded; they too easily enabled animosity towards our heritage Israel; an integral part of our Jewish faith. They knew that by eliminating one would place the other in jeopardy. Nazi propaganda techniques perfected in the 1930s seemingly have once again found a home, in current times.

Amazing how easy it was and still is for passionate haters to convince their gullible followers of the virtue of lies. Baselessly, they label Israel an "apartheid," "ethnic cleansing" and "Nazi-like" entity; and the verbal...