Traitors

Recently, the term “traitor” has entered mainstream use. If in the past, an accusation of treason entailed an investigation and trial, now this term is used broadly, without due process or legal evidence. And it’s not only applied to individuals who have lost the trust of another person. In this manner, social groups, communities, political parties, and even states are characterized. Consider the buzzing article by Senator Ted Cruz, written in July 2023: “Biden’s White House stabs Israel in the back.”

Even more intense, Liel Leibovitz in the publication “American Betrayal of Israel” claims: “A decade of perverted American policy has paved the way for mass murders.” According to the author, Obama and Biden abandoned the policy of supporting Israel, where they saw not an ally but a problem, fantasizing that by appeasing the enemies of the Jewish state, the U.S. would gain geopolitical advantages in the new world order. Obama and Biden had particular hopes on appeasing Iran, fully aware that the aspiration to annihilate Israel is inseparable from the fundamental objectives of the fanatical regime. It’s no secret that Iran subsidizes terrorists, supplying them with tens of thousands of missiles, fully arming them, providing intelligence, and planning acts of sabotage and subversion.

The political crisis and chaos in Israel are largely due to the Biden administration doing everything possible to discredit the democratically elected Prime Minister of the country, Netanyahu. If the adversaries of the Jewish state hadn’t perceived a crisis in U.S.-Israel relations, they would have thought a hundred times about the consequences of their provocations. But now, they await calls from America and its allies to halt military actions, to be left unpunished, and to prepare for the next frenzy of terror.

Netanyahu recalls in his autobiography how, in response to actions by the Israeli army after another wave of terror, Biden called him and said, “Bibi, I have to tell you, I’m under a lot of pressure here. This isn’t the old Democratic Party,” and suggested stopping the retaliation. That his party is no longer a friend of Israel is true. The Democrats have nurtured and embraced a team of brazen anti-Semitic “progressives” who have made their way into Congress, government institutions, the education system, and culture, and even today, when the atrocities of Palestinian terrorists are visible to the entire world, they defend them.

These days, there are not only pro-Israel but also, in no smaller number, pro-Palestinian demonstrations taking place across the country, with many Americans participating. With signs “Israel go to hell”, “NY stands with Gaza”, “Free Palestine”, “End occupation of Arab land”, “Zionism is racism” they denouncing Israel and demanding that USA stop support for Jewish state. In major cities people chanting “Gas the Jews”.

It would be essential to conduct a representative, non-propagandistic sociological study showing America’s attitude towards the current tragedy – the number of its victims in Israel is more than ten times greater then on September11th in proportion to US population. I fear the actual picture significantly diverges from official statements. Legislation punishing support for terrorists doesn’t work in this case, and the question of impeaching Congress members – haters of Israel is not raised.

The editors of “Tablet”, in my opinion, currently the best magazine publication, published an overview “A Brief History of What Happened in Israel”: “The goal of the Obama-Biden team is to create a regional order opposite to the ‘Abraham Accord.’ “”- the agreement on normalizing Arab-Israeli relations.

Many would see such an assessment of current US-Israel relations as extreme. But the “New York Times” publishes an extensive review “New World Order,” the first paragraph: “Russia has started the largest war in Europe since World War II. China has become more belligerent towards Taiwan. India has taken the path of fervent nationalism. Israel has formed the most extremist government in its history. Hamas brazenly attacked Israel.” This is the company Israel, the only democracy in the region, finds itself in. And the Hamas attack appears to be a consequence of electing a new Israeli government. Iran, North Korea, and many other authoritarian regimes are not on the list.

Israel is being asked to return to the 1967 and even 1949 borders and recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the Palestinian state. But strictly internal issues – the judicial system, the role of religion in public life, family and daily relationships should also be resolved in the spirit of liberal democracy demands. Meeting all these conditions means that for Israel, not only would it cease to be a Jewish state, but it would also be suicidal, as defending the country would become impossible.

Today, people sometimes recall Kissinger’s Middle Eastern “shuttle diplomacy” and lament that there’s no one like him who could soften the crisis’s intensity. Kissinger acted with free rein, with full support from Congress, mainstream media, the elite, and the public. These conditions do not exist today. But the American diplomat, who was Jewish, primarily acted in the interests of his country, which did not always align with Israel’s interests.

Contrary to legends about the unity and mutual aid of Jews, the concept of betrayal is now widely used in dead-end discussions about the true interests of the Jewish people, about its enemies, and allies. The authors of the recently published book “Betrayal. The Failure of American Jewish Leadership” argue that Jewish organizations have refused to defend the interests of the Jewish community, succumbing to liberal ideology and mirages of universal peace and prosperity.

I do not undertake to justify Jewish organizations, most of which have proven to be shortsighted and ineffective. But they reflect the mood of the majority of American Jews, 70% of whom, under all circumstances, maintain liberal beliefs and vote for the Democrats. Here’s a telling example – an extensive collection of articles “Battle with Zionism. The Response of Progressive American Jews to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict”, where prominent Jewish intellectuals condemn the idea of Zionism as represented by Theodor Herzl, Ze’ev Jabotinsky, founders of the Jewish state, and thousands of Jews who gave their lives for it. The views of the publication’s authors differ little from Soviet publications “Zionism Unmasked.”

On the topic of “How to Combat Anti-Semitism,” there are countless monographs, articles, studies, surveys, dissertations, conferences, discussions, and numerous resolutions and appeals have been adopted, and school programs include Holocaust study lessons and visits to Jewish museums. The continuous growth of anti-Semitism testifies to the effectiveness of this activity.

If eradicating anti-Semitism is impossible, it would be good, at the very least, not to contribute to what amplifies it, not to show solidarity with, and not to support Jew-haters.

I do not claim pluralism and attempt to represent all points of view; the views of the authors I mention are not mainstream in the Jewish community of America, deeply imbued with liberal ideology, ideas of progressive democracy, multiculturalism, “inclusivity”, “awakening”, and the like.

Yet, betrayal – an expression of extreme indignation and condemnation – not only burns bridges to rapprochement and understanding but is also fundamentally inadequate. America has not betrayed Israel. This country, like most others, has always primarily followed its interests. The world has changed, the geopolitical situation has shifted, paradigms and priorities have changed, and alignment with the Muslim world appears to the political establishment today more appealing than firm support for Israel. And liberal Jews are not traitors but victims of naive belief that through enlightenment, good convictions, and deeds one can improve the world, overcome evil, and achieve universal peace and prosperity.

Nevertheless, recent events offer hope that we can better see and realize the new world picture, rid ourselves of illusions, understand what is necessary to preserve civilization and resist barbarism. The current tragedy is also a moment of truth. The near future will show the path America and its allies will choose. Perhaps enlightenment will come to Jewish organizations and liberal Jews as well.

Yesterday I participated in a rally and vigil “NY stands with Israel” organised by coalitions of Jewish organisations. Among speakers were Israel ambassadors, NY Governer, NYC Mayor, other city autorities, Jewish leaders and representatives of many communities. Speeches were passionate and determined. Lets see actions.

Photos by Inna Goldina