I found Jake Wallis Simpson's book Israelophobia really instructive when I read it back in October. It should be required reading for anyone interested in the subject. He makes much the same arguments that you do and does trace the history of the demonization of Israel.
It is impossible to be pro-Hamas/Muslim Brotherhood/takfiri movement and not be antisemitic as it curled its ways around the entrails. People who deny this are engaging in taqiyya or dissembling for 'pious purposes' as it furthers the aims of the movement. Once one understands about the taqiyya and its historical significance for the Muslim Brotherhood much falls into place.
It is possible to wish the Palestinian people well and that they start to live in peace and prosperity with their neighbours but I fear that will not happen until they turn their back on this poisonous strand of Islam (one which also falsely denies education and other rights to women -- see what the Taliban have done in Afghanistan for example - Hamas also have banned singing and dancing by women)
“Such liberal and left leaning folks, who have bought into the oppressor/oppressed/antiracist/critical social justice ideology, seek to separate themselves from “the bad Jews” and be on what they imagine will prove to be “the right side of history”
They haven’t understood that unreasoning bad faith is at the heart of their simple ideology. I wish for them a long learning experience.
James: Although you are a “voice crying out in the wilderness” your beautifully crafted words move those who are ready to hear. I know the group of which you speak, and I still participate. I share, however, your discomfort, which was amplified a couple months ago when I stated “Islam is a problem.” The response was “what about the history of Christian domination and violence?” “I am,” I said, “referring to modern religions. Christianity accommodated, in fact contributed to, Western liberal values; Islam has not.” (Judaism developed differently, of course, but, like Christianity, it endorsed “Enlightenment values,” not to mention having a mature humanistic tradition.)
Technically, I should have said “Fundamentalist Islam”—if only to convey I am not a bigot, and I do not oppose reasonable Muslims—but as Obaid Omer discusses in his article at Quillette on Aug 23, Islam, by and large, is Fundamentalist.
There is a common delusion on the Left that all civilizations are equally valuable and all religions share the same vision. (I’m ignoring for a moment that cohort on the Left that is distinctly anti-Western). All we need to do is sit down to tea, listen sympathetically, and the bell of peace and freedom will resound throughout the land. People of this ilk are shockingly ignorant of history, religious texts, and human nature.
Keep the up good fight James. Your writing, in form and content, is exceptional. I’m upgrading to a paid subscription.
I think technically the term -- takfiri movement is better than fundamentalist Islam or even Islamism. The takfiri movement arises as a reaction to Atatürk's secularization after the Ottoman caliphate collapses and employed many of the techniques of the fundamentalist bible belt/tent revivals and has for a number of reasons become the dominant voice, much to the frustration of many moderate or secular Muslims. The Muslim Brotherhood and the Taliban are both examples of the movement. They are virulently anti-Western (so not just anti-Jewish). It seeks to recreate the conditions of the late 7th century when Islam appeared to be winning everywhere. Using the umbrella term helps because the Taliban and the Muslim Brotherhood do have certain differences even if they share common aims.
One huge difference the takfiri movement has from other forms of Islam is its downgrading of women's education. One of the oldest universities in the world in Morocco was founded by a Muslim woman to promote educate of all.
If you haven't read it, Osman's Dream about the history of the Ottoman Empire is interesting as ultimately the Israel/Palestine conflict stems from the ashes of that great empire rather than say the ashes of the Moghul Empire in India and South Asia which is some of the root cause of the Hindu/Muslim conflict in Bangladesh and Kashmir.
I also found Jake Wallis Simpson Israelophobia huge instructive on giving the background as to why the Left loathes Israel. It is interesting, particularly when one considers that Stalin gave arms to ensure Israel existed.
"luxury beliefs" describes it exactly. Their preferred political group demands that they adopt it, so they do, regardless of whether it makes any sense.
Throughout history people have been trying to wipe out the Jews using all the tactics you write so intelligently about here. And we must never forget that history, nor underestimate the ferocity and insidious danger of antisemitism. One must wonder - what makes them so afraid of us, that they want to wipe us off the face of the earth?
On October 7, the Hamas terrorists were armed, the Israelis massacred were defenseless. The unanswered question is why did Israel disarm its citizens most of whom are IDF veterans and leave them vulnerable to mass rape and murder by Hamas? An incredibly stupid decision and the Israeli government is clearly culpable. Every Jewish family in Israel (and the US) should have a 9 mm handgun, an AR15 rifle and plenty of ammunition for both. Every adult and teenage member of the family should be proficient in their use. Have anti-gun Jewish politicians in both countries learned nothing from the Holocaust and the latest slaughter? Isn't it time for the Jewish people to tell them to go fuck themselves?
They don't only target the ones in Israel. But think about the fact that there are 15 million Jews worldwide. HALF of them live in Israel. Israel is the size of New Jersey, and is surrounded by huge majority Muslim nations. If you're a bloodthirsty jihadist, and you want Jews dead, and half the Jews are in Israel...? Do the math.
Good for you and an excellent essay.
I found Jake Wallis Simpson's book Israelophobia really instructive when I read it back in October. It should be required reading for anyone interested in the subject. He makes much the same arguments that you do and does trace the history of the demonization of Israel.
It is impossible to be pro-Hamas/Muslim Brotherhood/takfiri movement and not be antisemitic as it curled its ways around the entrails. People who deny this are engaging in taqiyya or dissembling for 'pious purposes' as it furthers the aims of the movement. Once one understands about the taqiyya and its historical significance for the Muslim Brotherhood much falls into place.
It is possible to wish the Palestinian people well and that they start to live in peace and prosperity with their neighbours but I fear that will not happen until they turn their back on this poisonous strand of Islam (one which also falsely denies education and other rights to women -- see what the Taliban have done in Afghanistan for example - Hamas also have banned singing and dancing by women)
“Such liberal and left leaning folks, who have bought into the oppressor/oppressed/antiracist/critical social justice ideology, seek to separate themselves from “the bad Jews” and be on what they imagine will prove to be “the right side of history”
They haven’t understood that unreasoning bad faith is at the heart of their simple ideology. I wish for them a long learning experience.
Wonderful essay. You should publish this in the Times. It says so much about beliefs and ignorance and who we are. Never forget.
LOVE xo
James: Although you are a “voice crying out in the wilderness” your beautifully crafted words move those who are ready to hear. I know the group of which you speak, and I still participate. I share, however, your discomfort, which was amplified a couple months ago when I stated “Islam is a problem.” The response was “what about the history of Christian domination and violence?” “I am,” I said, “referring to modern religions. Christianity accommodated, in fact contributed to, Western liberal values; Islam has not.” (Judaism developed differently, of course, but, like Christianity, it endorsed “Enlightenment values,” not to mention having a mature humanistic tradition.)
Technically, I should have said “Fundamentalist Islam”—if only to convey I am not a bigot, and I do not oppose reasonable Muslims—but as Obaid Omer discusses in his article at Quillette on Aug 23, Islam, by and large, is Fundamentalist.
There is a common delusion on the Left that all civilizations are equally valuable and all religions share the same vision. (I’m ignoring for a moment that cohort on the Left that is distinctly anti-Western). All we need to do is sit down to tea, listen sympathetically, and the bell of peace and freedom will resound throughout the land. People of this ilk are shockingly ignorant of history, religious texts, and human nature.
Keep the up good fight James. Your writing, in form and content, is exceptional. I’m upgrading to a paid subscription.
Shalom!
Thank you Patrick! I appreciate your support!
I think technically the term -- takfiri movement is better than fundamentalist Islam or even Islamism. The takfiri movement arises as a reaction to Atatürk's secularization after the Ottoman caliphate collapses and employed many of the techniques of the fundamentalist bible belt/tent revivals and has for a number of reasons become the dominant voice, much to the frustration of many moderate or secular Muslims. The Muslim Brotherhood and the Taliban are both examples of the movement. They are virulently anti-Western (so not just anti-Jewish). It seeks to recreate the conditions of the late 7th century when Islam appeared to be winning everywhere. Using the umbrella term helps because the Taliban and the Muslim Brotherhood do have certain differences even if they share common aims.
One huge difference the takfiri movement has from other forms of Islam is its downgrading of women's education. One of the oldest universities in the world in Morocco was founded by a Muslim woman to promote educate of all.
If you haven't read it, Osman's Dream about the history of the Ottoman Empire is interesting as ultimately the Israel/Palestine conflict stems from the ashes of that great empire rather than say the ashes of the Moghul Empire in India and South Asia which is some of the root cause of the Hindu/Muslim conflict in Bangladesh and Kashmir.
I also found Jake Wallis Simpson Israelophobia huge instructive on giving the background as to why the Left loathes Israel. It is interesting, particularly when one considers that Stalin gave arms to ensure Israel existed.
You are missed Jaime!
I joined right after you left.
Mormons are almost compelled by the many Book of Mormon prophecies to be Zionists.
Yet the church leadership has taken a neutral position.
I am a loud Zionist.
https://jennyhatch.substack.com/p/healthy-families-podcast-episod-16?utm_source=publication-search
Bless you!
Jen
Bless you, Jenny! Keep up your work.
"luxury beliefs" describes it exactly. Their preferred political group demands that they adopt it, so they do, regardless of whether it makes any sense.
Throughout history people have been trying to wipe out the Jews using all the tactics you write so intelligently about here. And we must never forget that history, nor underestimate the ferocity and insidious danger of antisemitism. One must wonder - what makes them so afraid of us, that they want to wipe us off the face of the earth?
On October 7, the Hamas terrorists were armed, the Israelis massacred were defenseless. The unanswered question is why did Israel disarm its citizens most of whom are IDF veterans and leave them vulnerable to mass rape and murder by Hamas? An incredibly stupid decision and the Israeli government is clearly culpable. Every Jewish family in Israel (and the US) should have a 9 mm handgun, an AR15 rifle and plenty of ammunition for both. Every adult and teenage member of the family should be proficient in their use. Have anti-gun Jewish politicians in both countries learned nothing from the Holocaust and the latest slaughter? Isn't it time for the Jewish people to tell them to go fuck themselves?
Great piece. Sorry you were attacked. Proud of you!
Thank you!
For bloodthirsty jihadist antisemites, they objectively do not do much actual killing of Jews. Nor, clearly, do they have the materiel to do so.
If they want all Jews dead, why do they only seem to target the ones in Israel?
They don't only target the ones in Israel. But think about the fact that there are 15 million Jews worldwide. HALF of them live in Israel. Israel is the size of New Jersey, and is surrounded by huge majority Muslim nations. If you're a bloodthirsty jihadist, and you want Jews dead, and half the Jews are in Israel...? Do the math.
Who have they targeted outside of Israel?