I have long wondered what it is about the Jewish sensibility that is so internally divisive it will often jeopardize the very survival of the Jewish people in a perennially hostile world. What is the psychological factor that generates what often looks like a deeply harbored suicidal impulse, an irremediable tendency to set itself against itself, to consort with anti-Semites and even to collaborate with feral enemies who wish for nothing more than the suppression, ostracism or annihilation of every trace of Judaism in the world?
The long saga from the initial brother-slaying after the Biblical expulsion to the war between the Two Kingdoms to the virulent sectarian tensions over the ages that would result in episodes of mutual excommunication and even bloodshed, as amply chronicled in Yoram Hazony’s The Jewish State, to something like virtual warfare between competing political factions, defeats speculation as it defies belief. That this epic of fratricidal strife occurred, for the most part, to a population living in tenuous exile among peoples and nations that regarded so fractious and vulnerable a community with suspicion and hatred is equally bewildering.
These thoughts were brought home to me once again after AIPAC (American Israeli Public Affairs Committee), the largest and most influential pro-Israeli organization in the U.S., recently gave President Obama a ringing, pre-election endorsement, praising him for his “steadfast” support for Israel. Such approbation is as astonishing as it is dispiriting. For no reasonable person can doubt that Obama is one of the most anti-Zionist presidents ever to sit in the Oval Office. A friend of former PLO spokesman Rashid Khalidi who makes no secret of his animus against the Jewish state; a 20-year parishioner of the blatantly antisemitic Reverend Jeremiah Wright; a president who clearly favors the Palestinian cause and narrative and has accordingly worked to reduce the Jewish state to its pre-1967 borders; who snubbed and humiliated Israel’s prime minister during a White House visit; who awarded the Medal of Freedom to Mary Robinson and Desmond Tutu, the first having presided over the Durban I anti-Jewish and anti-Israeli hatefest and the latter damning Israel as an apartheid state; whose administration leaked sensitive information to frustrate Israel’s pre-emptive preparations against the rapidly nuclearizing, genocidal Iranian regime and who refuses to issue clear red lines that Iran’s nuclear advance must not cross; and who has scaled back American participation in joint war games with Israel as it cooperates in military training with Egypt—this is plainly a president who, to put it tactfully, does not love Israel. This is a president who claims he “has Israel’s back” but has done everything he can to stab Israel in the very back he affects to defend. This is the president to whom AIPAC extends its “heartfelt appreciation.”
Such a manifestation of cognitive dissonance would appear unassimilable until one remembers that the Jewish people have always been susceptible to the twin demons of willed ignorance and self-delusion. Scriptural and historical examples are so abundant that massive tomes are required to record them. Closer to our own time, a majority of German Jews refused to recognize the imminent and unmistakable signs of their extinction. The Russian Yevsektsiya (or Zidokomuna) rejected their heritage, throwing in their lot with the Bolshevik revolution in which religious distinctions would be abolished, and reaped the bitter harvest. Factotum Jews have abounded in every problematic national circumstance. Even Israel itself is riven by an insidious left wing constituency that would effectively surrender the country to its enemies. Israel’s emblematic bird is the hoopoe, but when one considers much of its intellectual and celebrity elite, its academic caste and its subversive, foreign-funded NGOs, one might substitute the ostrich.
Today in the U.S., considerably more than half of American Jews are proud of their “liberal” and “Democratic” commitments and will vote for a president who is indisputably inimical to the interests and welfare of the Jewish state and who is conversely sympathetic to the interests and welfare of Muslim institutions at home and Islamist regimes abroad. In the words of Mark Tapson, “we have a president whose sympathies lie with the Muslim fundamentalists seeking to tear down America and the West.”
A conspicuous case in point is provided by the example of Alan Dershowitz, a brilliant lawyer and polemicist who has written eloquently and forcefully in defense of Israel (though not the “settlements”), but is simultaneously an ardent supporter of Barack Obama. Such radical discordance seems inexplicable—until one remembers who we Jews are. And as Andrew Klavan remarks, “Smart Jews know that Israel is important not just for their own survival but for the freedom of the world…Jews who vote for Barack Obama are dumb Jews.”
Not long ago I found myself in earnest discussion of these issues with the host of a Jewish convention where I was scheduled to deliver the keynote address. My host, a man of stalwart convictions, a student of Jewish history and a passionate champion of Israel, was no less perplexed than I by the phenomenon of Jewish tergiversation and self-betrayal. He had pondered this enigma for most of his adult life and could arrive at only one conclusion, namely, that there was something amiss in its genetic pool that pre-disposed the Jewish people to self-destructive behavior. He could see no other explanation apart from a toxic flaw in the “Jewish gene” to account for so irrational and perpetual a disposition to amnesia, ignorance, self-deception, and communal rupture and dismemberment. I must admit that his analysis, at least initially, seemed to me rather farfetched, but on further reflection I had to admit that he had a point. For the lessons of history, as they apply to a comparatively small and always beleaguered ethnicity which its enemies tend to regard as homogeneous, proliferate from generation to generation and cannot be dismissed except by kind of constitutional incapacity to see things as they are.
Whether this incapacity can be explained, as my host grew convinced, by a kind of genetic defectiveness, or, say, as a tendency acquired by the evolutionary experience of submissiveness, or as a common human frailty historically condensed in the activities and thought-patterns of a small but distinctive human community, must remain moot. But there can be little doubt that it exists and that it threatens to lead, despite temporary periods of abatement, to continual dislocation and suffering.
As a Jew, I must confess that I do not know what to make of my own people. Studies show that this tiny cohort is disproportionately ranked among the most innovative and accomplished people on the planet. At the same time, given its proneness to what I can only call cognicide, I cannot help but regard ourselves, by and large, as possibly the most stupid people on the face of the earth.
@ andrew morris:
Andrew,
You have just proven the thesis of the article
@ andrew morris:
If i may protest, there is something (at least) in Obama’s policy that is certainly bad for Israel: i mean his refusal to set red lines on Iran, which is a clear message to the mullahs that they can get the bomb without fear of a USA military strike.
Considering that a nuclear Iran is an existential threat to Israel, i conclude that Obama is facilitating a regime to become an existential threat to Israel.
That, i think, is really bad for Israel.
Perhaps they carry some form of fatal unexplainable guilt feeling and can’t get rid of it.
Universalism they like to prone as their excuse for “rejecting” Judaism is billion years away and Earth will be gone long before.
Actually many refuse to admit that they are really selfish. But hey claim their love for UNIVERSALISM!!!!!They have in their future a big fight at hand with ALLAH!!!!
About seven years ago I completed the writing of a book titled, “CREVOLUTION” and in one of its chapters I specifically dealt with substantiating evidence of the residual effects on the Jewish population of the Biblical Erev Rav. After receiving very negative, howling responses to a trailer, I decided to not yet publish it. It is ready and will come out early in 2013.
Mr. Solway and many other very well rounded analysts reached the same conclusion.
Somehow a significant porion of our people are affected, I believe genetically and also be other factors and promote almost always the most inimical elements offered for leadership roles.
I am really not interested on searching to solve their distortion. I only desire to have that trash removed from positions of leadership everywhere and from all levels.
Those elements are treacherous, untrustworthy, false, criminally inclined, allied with and promoters of mortal enemies and those being their best attributes.
They must be removed from the MINIAN.
Pinpointing later actions to either reset that into normalcy or totally sending them to the proverbial Mount, is not my TUKTUM.
What a brilliant article! Thanks to Mr. Solwey! His final conclusion is so close to that once made by Keith Davies
“Through our history many Jews have acted in betraying their God and their own people… If we think rationally why we have survived as a people based on our own collective behavior as a nation, we should not have survived at all. The only conclusion I can come to as a Jew is that we have survived because of God himself and his mercy and compassion.”
The emergence of this kind of “nothing-but-ethnic-Jews” carrying that defective “gene”, is a relatively new phenomenon (about 200 years only):
http://www.resonoelusono.com/ApostasyOfJewry.htm
As Vladimir Kigel put it:
Religion is the opiate of the masses (Karl Marx).
Communism is the opiate of the Jews
@ Bill Narvey:
Surely you must be referring to G.W. Bush( May he rot in hell). The bas—rd completely betrayed Israel and the Jews for Saudi oil.
@ Bill Narvey:
YOUR contention that Obama is bad for the Jews and Israel is strictly YOUR very subjective opinion. There is nothing sacrosanct about what YOU express. Contrary opinions are just as valid. History will be the final arbiter.
@ Canadian Otter:
Canadian you got me wrong: it didn’t occur to me even as a fleeting thought that you were advocating censorship. I just explained that my first comment was referring to the fact that some anti-Israel Jews are given time on TV and that this anti-Israel attitude of those Jews does not count as consequential treason for me. I had in mind my country, where no one invites on TV Greeks that entertain positions that are construed as anti-Greek (apparently, the issue of how our neighbor, Macedonia, is going to be named is a very serious national issue, and no one who argues that Macedonians can be called however the hell they like is invited to express her views. And all along we are talking about a nation, Macedonia, that is not firing a single bullet against us).
I am not an Israeli, but I doubt that those who call the PA “partner in peace” really mean it: I mean, a cursory survey of the incitement that the PA perpetrates (Palestinian textbooks with maps of a Palestine up to the Mediterranean, glorification and compensation of terrorists, TV shows for children that nurture anti-Semitism) makes it clear that the new Palestinian generations will never want peace. I have no idea why some Jews would use this expression, but, if I had to make a guess, I would go for the explanation that they (at least the well-meaning ones) are trying to guard against Israel’s being perceived as belligerent in the eyes of the international community which is already very anti-Semitic.
Then again, there must be other Israeli Jews who are not well-meaning, who actually hate Israel, and do promote any view that they think will hurt Israel (if Judith Butler lived in Israel, she would be the perfect example).
So should we give them TV time? I answer with a resounding “yes”. Any political view, with the exception of those calling for gratuitous violence, should be allowed to be heard because such an arrangement is vital to our feeling that we live in a free society. But especially for Israel, anything related to Nazism may be legitimately banned, given the emotional impact that it will have on a nation that has experienced the Holocaust.
Should we hire them in academia or the government? Well, how can we exclude them without hurting the idea that we live in a society of equal opportunity? I am certain that the two states solution is not viable, but I also think that it would be bad for Israel to exclude from academia those Israelis that believe in it.
I am not a liberal, except in the issues of abortion and same-sex-marriage (you were spot on concerning my social agenda!).
You are right about the law. When I said that an Israeli’s wish for the destruction of Israel is treason in intention, not treason in effect, I picked my words wrong. I should have said “treason in wishing”. The term “intention” connotes that our brain is already set up to act and is waiting for the appropriate time to take action to implement the desired outcome. Anyway, I meant that such wishes are inconsequential, they cannot do damage unless the Israeli public falls for them. But then again, if the majority of Israelis decide to go for the (untenable to my mind) two state solution, I think they have the right to do so without being considered traitors – with the exception of those who actively advocate it so as to harm Israel, these are traitors indeed.
We don’t need to agree or disagree, we are just chatting.
It is always fascinating to speculate as on the reasons for what appears to be an historically accurate assessment, that Jews rarely are united and often a significant faction, if not majority faction of Jews hold and act on views that are injurious to all Jews either in the short or long term.
Such appears to be the case where a majority of American Jews continue to support Obama for re-election, notwithstanding so many reasons not to. Obama’s disposition, thinking, treatment and actions that have undermined Israel in a number of ways, is perhaps reason enough to unite against his re-election. There are however other critical reasons to do so when objectively assessing his success or lack thereof, in his domestic and foreign policies.
Barring some circumstance that comes to the fore between now and November that significantly elevates Romney and reduces Obama in the eyes of voters, Obama is very likely to win re-election.
If that happens which will likely be the end result, I expect never before would a presidential candidate for re-election whose term in office was marked by so many of his ignored, broken and failed promises with consequent harmful results to America, Americans and America’s allies would still hold so many Americans in his spell to help him win re-election.
Call it the Obama magic, if you wil, but clearly it is already mindboggling that Obama has not long before lost the trust of the American people.
One can only offer up a prayer that God willing, Jewish leaders like AIPAC and others that have thrown their support to Obama and induced 2/3 of American Jews to do so as well, will not find themselves uniting with the 1/3 of anti-Obama American Jews, at some point to put on sack cloth and ashes to mourn Obama’s re-election.
This article, along with most of the cooments, is just another exercise in blaming the target. Take any random group of people, subject them to two millenia of global relentless opposition and antagonism, and they would not have held up nearly as well as the Jews.
Genetics aside, even a cursory glance at Jewish history should give us a clue. When were the Jewish people ever unified? Only once, when they stood at Mount Sinai and received the Torah. They encamped as one with one heart. That episode has never been repeated but it certainly suggests that Torah study and observance is a, and perhaps the only, unifying force that can unite Jews. But you’ll point to disparate factions of so called “religious” Jews that are at each others throats. On closer examination, these disputes are invariably between “Orthodox” Jews on the one hand and Conservative, Reform, Egalitarian, Reconstructionist, etc. on the other. With no disrespect intended to that latter groups, they are not the descendents of Torah from Sinai any more than Islam is, but rather something else and true Torah observant Jews – the “Orthodox” tend to be on the same page in support of the theory. In fact it was that one cataclysmic event that forged the Jewish people, so it should come as no surprise. The “Chosen People” where a “people” by virtue of being chosen to live a Torah life and when they don’t, well then, that I suggest is the answer.
Why would my sentence “MY REPLY TO YOU WAS HELD FOR MODERATION” be regarded as objectionable by Spam Filter and held for moderation?
As I mentioned before, the problem is not just that comments are blocked, but that once they are released they are placed in chronological order.
When we check at the latest comments on a particular discussion we are following, we miss those talkbacks that were held, released later, and placed way up there, hidden among old comments.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I understand that Spam Filter does a lot of good, but it may need a tune up. 🙂
@ dionissis mitropoulos:
My reply to you was held for moderation.
@ dionissis mitropoulos:
WHY NOT GIVE TV TIME and academic and government jobs to child predators? Or to Nazis? Or to other genocidal maniacs? The sad thing is that Israel does not denounce traitors and genocidal maniacs. It even calls the PA Nazis “partners for peace”. And keeps mum about the ongoing practice of child abuse in Arab areas.
I suppose some liberal minds would consider that to be a sign of tolerance and elevated morality – as long as nobody questions any of their pet projects dealing with women’s “health” or gender issues, of course. (I’m being deliberately vague here to dodge Spam Filter.) Had you really read my talkbacks, you would understand that I’m not in favor of censorship. Only in favor of ending the tacit legitimization of treason. By continuing to hire, elect, and honor those who promote treasonous policies, we are granting them a status of normalcy and legitimacy they don’t deserve! And as far as making a distinction between intention and actually perpetrating an illegal act, the law takes “intention to do harm” quite seriously.
And at this point we’ll just agree to disagree.
Jew-haters the world over regard AIPAC as right wing Zionists. Yet AIPAC endorses Israel surrendering territory for the creation of a “palestinian” islamic terror state and is endorsing the most Anti-Israel U.S. president ever. Unfortunately this is the most powerful “pro-Israel” lobby in America. So much for the myth of the omnipotent Zionist lobby controlling America for the interests of Israel. One wonders why antisemites are even threatened. But anyone who isn’t in favor of the obliteration of Israel is considered a Zionst to these nazis.
On the other hand the truly powerful muslim lobby does not equivocate, their postions and demands are for the absolute victory and domination of islam.
@ Canadian Otter:
Canadian Otter Said:
I meant the fact that they are being given TV time to present their views, like you said it happens.
Entertaining wishes for the destruction of Israel is immoral, but it is treason in intention, not treason in effect.
Israel’s toleration of treason in intention is, to my mind, a moral plus – and a real asset in terms of PR. When I get caught up in arguments with my Greek compatriots about Israel, I always bring up the issue of Israel’s openness despite the threats she faces – not that my argument works with them, but there are people throughout the world that do value that openness.
Of course, Israel’s tolerating treason in effect (e.g. providing intel to the Palestinian terrorists) would be suicidal and, consequently, immoral.
@ dionissis mitropoulos:
“ELEVATED MORAL STATUS”??????
Tolerating treason is not moral – in any possible way.
And it does not stop there. Israel also tolerates Nazis, terrorists, sociopaths and perverts. ~~~ Nazi ideology, advocacy of genocide, as well as child abuse are rampant in PA and Israeli Arab areas. I don’t understand how anyone would even consider Israel’s tolerating all that as a good thing. Particularly in view of Israel’s twisted enforcement of the law.
Israeli police pounces on Jews who dare to pray at Temple Mount. They continue to arrest Jews, including Moshe Feiglin, for breaking an immoral, illegal, offensive and shameful law. Latest news: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/160494
Bill Levinson Said:
Judjing from the newsletters of the AJC and the ADL that i receive, both Harris and Foxman are genuinely concerned about Israel, and never blame it. Chomsky on the other hand badmouths Israel. The latter is giving intellectual ammo to enemies of Israel, the former are trying to defend Israel – whether they are successful or not is a different issue.
I don’t think they should all be lumped together.
Canadian Otter Said:
I think that this is part of Israel’s elevated moral status: tolerating even the inimical.
Part 2 – Stop giving them jobs, honors, awards. Denounce their attitude as nothing less than TREASON. Stop funding traitors ensconced in academia, and demand the resignation of those occupying public office, whether their jobs are big or small, elected or appointed.
As for the Diaspora, let’s stop being silent at the treasonous nature of many of those heading Jewish advocacy organizations. As for anti-Zionist Jews in the arts, academia, politics, and other influential positions, theirs is not just another opinion.
And Jews are not just any ordinary group. Jews are the never-ending innocent victims of hate and genocide! Jews are a permanently endangered group that deserves respect and protection – not just because of Jewish important contributions to humankind – but because they have the right to life, safety, and to their own ancient land.
WORSE THAN JEWISH TREASON – and much more revolting – is Jewish tolerance for, and even legitimization of, treason. In no other country but Israel would you see those advocating for the partition of the country, and those openly siding with the enemy, treated with so much deference. You see them on TV discussion panels, as if betraying your own country and your own people were just another “opinion”. You even see political parties with a disgraceful history of betrayals – or openly advocating for treason – being elected to office again and again.
Never mind whether they are suffering from a genetic mutation or a psychological aberration! Treason is treason! It’s a crime, for Pete’s sake! We must learn to recognize it as a crime! Not give it legitimacy.
The best (and simplest) explanation is masochism.