In late February of 2013, Stéphane Hessel passed away at the ripe age of 95, and unless you have some knowledge of French history, particularly during the Second World War and the Résistance, his name will not ring a bell.
Stéphane Hessel was born in Germany in 1917 of a gentile mother and Jewish father. He became a French citizen in 1939 at which point, refusing to flex to the antisemitic demands of the Vichy government, he fled to London to serve under Général DeGaulle and eventually joined the Résistance Française in 1944. Hessel was captured by the Gestapo and sent to the camps of Dora and Buchenwald were he was tortured. He escaped while being transferred to the Bergen-Belsen camp.
The next sixty years would see Hessel become a diplomat, a human rights activist, an ambassador and towards the end of his life, in late 2010, the author of the controversial pamphlet Indignez-vous! (Time for Outrage!). This very short pamphlet on peace and social justice turned out to be an all-out propaganda piece for the Palestinian cause and against the “Israeli war machine”. Hessel calls Hamas terrorists acts, simple acts of “exasperation” and claims that terrorism is a “misnomer” when applied to Hamas (p. 9).
Using his past notoriety as a member of the Resistance, Hessel even chose to compare Hamas to the very same French Resistance and Israel to the Nazi regime, according to French author Guy Millière. While I don’t doubt that Mr. Hessel acted with bravery during WWII, I find this rather embarrassing and self-deprecating for a man who is half Jewish. There are no laurels large enough to rest on as one dispenses these kinds of diatribes. Of course, France never ceases to surprise me on how low it can get when it comes to the denigration of Israel and the support of those whose raison d’être is actually a raison to cease from being as they offer themselves into martyrdom for Palestine.
Two years ago, in an interview with German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Hessel was quoted saying: « If I may risk a daring parallel with matters I am involved with, I’ll say this : the German occupation (of France) was, if one is to compare it, for instance, with the current occupation of Palestine by Israelis, a rather mild one, excepted for some unusual facts like arrests, internment, executions, or the looting of works of art. »
More than a daring parallel, such a statement is a major slap in the face of world history not to mention the Jewish psyche. Not only Hessel compares Israelis to Nazis but he also belittles the Shoah and the Nazi occupation by describing the events as “mild”, thus virtually eradicating any guilt and responsibility from Nazi Germany.
Such an outrageously antisemitic statement should have instantly ruined anybody’s reputation regardless of their heroic past, but this took place in postmodern, politically correct France, where moral decay has become a national sport!
On March 7, President François Hollande honored Stéphane Hessel as a great hero of the French Republic at the Invalides Plaza in Paris ( the resting place of people like Napoleon), with pomp and circumstance. I sincerely doubt that many French citizen did object to that political parade, but Mr. Hollande should be very careful in deciding who he honors.
It was just one year ago that Islamist Mohammed Merah killed seven people, including a rabbi and three Jewish students in Toulouse, before taking his own life. The Merah Affair hit France during the presidential elections and as it played out, became the problem of newly elected François Hollande. Mr. Hollande has been seen at three different events in regards to the Merah Affair (the last one being March 17, 2013 on its first anniversary). The French President claims to have been affected and of being greatly concerned about the state of antisemitism in France. I think that such a statement is commendable, but only if followed by actions against the oldest hatred. Unfortunately, if the only recent action against antisemitism from the current French president is to honor the memory of a man who thinks that the Nazi occupation of France was a mild event in history, I fear for the Jews of France!
I also fear that Mr. Hollande has shown that he cannot really be trusted when it comes to the protection of the French Jewish community. Additionally, through some of his recent choices, he appears to be encouraging judeophobia.
Again, I do not wish to disregard the many years that Mr. Hessel spent serving his country, but the last decade or so he spent spewing his words of hatred against my people should at least be placed in the scale before he receives such a high honor.
The late Stephane Hessel was no hero and neither is Mr. Hollande who vacillates between empty words of support for Israel and measurable actions against her. At the end of the day it is all about integrity and the will to stand for the truth. But that is already hard to do for those of us who have a personal relationship with the living God of the universe through the death and resurrection of Yeshua of Nazareth for their sins, so why am I surprised about the actions of those who do not know Him? They can certainly use our prayers though!
What Do Seth MacFarlane and Martin Luther Have in Common?
To many of us, prior to the 2013 Oscar Ceremony, the name “Seth MacFarlane” meant very little. As a matter of fact, the man is widely unknown to most people 35 and older, unless you are part of the entertainment industry. MacFarlane is the creator and the many voices behind the cartoon “Family Guy” that contains nothing I could recommend for family viewing. He is also the director, writer and producer of the recent movie “Ted” starring Mark Wahlberg and an animated nymphomaniac teddy bear with a very dirty mouth. No, I have not turned my blog into a movie review platform, but since I need to bring our attention to MacFarlane’s pathetic Oscar performance, I felt it necessary to list some of his credentials.
I used to await Oscar night with great anticipation when movies were still made to make us think, laugh and cry. The ceremony seldom disappointed, as it was always a perfectly well balanced blend of wit, class and wholesome entertainment. This last Sunday, I did not watch the Oscars, primarily because I had only seen two movies that made the list and I felt a big disconnect between what Hollywood praises and what I consider worth watching.
The morning after, a plethora of articles and YouTube snippets were a testimony to the horrendous hosting job done my Seth MacFarlane. In short, he bombed! His jokes included some extremely disturbing comments on weight gain, sex, gays, blacks, Lincoln’s assassination, Hispanics, pedophilia, and of course Jewish people. None of those topics should ever be used as joke material and hopefully, Hollywood will have learned to choose their host more carefully next time (I do not hold my breath though). While I abhor all these racist and sexist jokes that are usually only used to cover-up for lack of real comedic talent, let me now turn to a skit involving Mark Wahlberg and Ted the teddy bear.
The Sting of Antisemitism: What We Can Learn from Europe
I left Paris 28 years ago and decided to make America my home. Back then; the dream of being successful, respected and appreciated in the “Land of Opportunity” was a major reason why I left my “Old Europe” behind.
All these crimes were committed by “devout” Muslims, and while it must be re-iterated that NOT ALL MUSLIMS ARE JEW KILLERS, the last 9 deaths of Jewish people in France were all at the hands of radical Muslims.
So, what can the United-States learn from the state of Antisemitism in Europe? As I see it, there are only three options: Ignore, move-out, or fight back!
1. Can we IGNORE Antisemitism?
This question obviously begs for only one kind of answer: NO! Yet when we look around and witness the reactions of the media, government agencies and political figures, one is to wonder how much the world really cares about the monster of Judeophobia.
French President Jacques Chirac in an interview with the New York Times in 2002 said:
“To imagine that France, the very first country to recognize the rights of Jews, could be Antisemitic, is propaganda, not reality”
What color was the sky in your world Mr. Chirac? Well, to be fair, I must also mention that Mr. Chirac within a year after that statement, felt like adding that: “Attacking a Jew in France is an attack on all of France”. Wow, quite a different statement from someone who one year prior declared that Antisemitism didn’t exist in his country!
Nicolas Sarkozy has done very little to combat “La Nouvelle Judeophobie” as French author Pierre-André Taguieff calls it. His relations with Netanyahu took a turn for the worse when he was recorded calling him a liar in a conversation he had with President Obama.
As for François Hollande, he has the remainder of his 5 year mandate to “put his money where his mouth is”, so to speak. As Europe continues to ostracize Jews in Denmark, Sweden, Great Britain, Italy, Hungary and Spain to list just a few European countries, France, far from being immune to the “oldest hatred” is going to have to realize that antisemitism CANNOT BE IGNORED.
As for us in the United-States, it is time we stop pointing the finger across the ocean to denigrate “those antisemites” on the other side, because we have plenty of work to do in our own backyard.
Campus antisemitism is on the rise all across the country and remains basically unchallenged if not encouraged in some cases by school officials and the media.
Muslim enclaves such as the Dearborn, Michigan are promoting hate and violence against Jews (and Christians for that matter). It has now become dangerous to walk some areas of Dearborn if you are Jewish, Christian or even slightly pro-Israel.
As much as we try to define and re-define the commonalities and differences between Antisemitism, anti-Israelism and anti-Zionism, we need to accept that they are all rooted in a hatred for the worldwide Jew whoever he/she might be, wherever he/she might live, and whatever he/she might have done. The Boycott Divestment & Sanctions (BDS) movement is a perfect symptom of that chronic disease. SIMPLY PUT, WE CANNOT IGNORE ANTISEMITISM.
2. Should Natives MOVE OUT Because of Antisemitism?
Great Britain has one of the most virulent Muslim communities in Western Europe. Muslim leaders such as Anjem Choudary who was behind the organization known as “sharia4UK”are very vocal proponents of Sharia implementation. Choudary has publicly proclaimed that sharia in the UK and the US is inevitable, but only a matter of time:
“I am 100 percent certain that the sharia will be implemented in America and in Britain one day. The question is, ‘when?’ and how it will come to fruition.”2
3. Should We Fight Against Antisemitism?
I have come to the very sad realization that most people don’t bother fighting against Antisemitism. It is too often ignored for lack of understanding or even worse, because of of a chronically apathetic condition of our postmodern society.
While I frankly believe that the last 2000 years should serve as our teacher, if antisemitism still need to be defined, it is our responsibility to do so. But defining is only the first step, because once we have identified the problem and its source(s), it is incumbent on us to develop the tools and platforms to fight Antisemitism.
Various organizations have sprung up in the last few decades in Europe to keep track, report and fight Antisemitism. Their work is tedious and emotionally draining, yet critical. They keep us all abreast of what is happening.
We should also be aware of the history of the Jewish people through the lens of Antisemitism and I could recommend the reading of one book to start, and that is the superb work by Catholic priest Edward Flannery dated back to 1965 “The Anguish of the Jews”. 3
Additionally, we should speak up when we witness either words or deeds against the Jewish people. It should concern us as much as it concerns them. Reporting to the authorities is also necessary even if we feel that little might be done. IF WE DON’T SPEAK UP, WHO WILL?
Europe should serve as a barometer for Antisemitism. We Americans can no longer ignore the gravity of the situation or try to convince themselves that it is Europe’s problem not ours. We cannot ignore or move-out, and we must fight back!
In a few days on the 14th of Adar (Feb 24, 2013), Jewish people around the world will celebrate the Feast of Purim and remember how a loving and just God protected the children of Israel against the enemy Persian Empire. The Book of Esther will be read in synagogues and we will be reminded that Esther was brave enough to speak up on behalf of her people.
It doesn’t matter if you are Jewish or not, but as you realize that the welfare of Israel and the Jewish people is at stake, you must do your part and speak up. After all it isn’t just the welfare of the Jewish people that is in danger but also the welfare of western civilization as a whole. I would like to believe that in preserving western civilization, we also carve a place of respect for those of Muslim upbringing who want to live with us in harmony. Anything less would be unbiblical.
2. Anjem Choudary on CBN News World: UK Islamist Leader:Islam will dominate America (Aug. 2012) http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2012/August/UK-Islamist-Leader-Islam-Will-Dominate-America/.
3. Flannery, Edward: The Anguish of the Jews: 23 Centuries of Christian Antisemitism (Quest Books, 1965)
http://www.amazon.com/The-Anguish-Jews-Edward-Flannery/dp/B000WBCBFY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1361401310&sr=8-3&keywords=anguish+of+the+jews+flannery
Is There Another Holocaust Coming?
I am always extremely hesitant to use the term “Holocaust” to describe anything other than the events that took place in Nazi occupied Europe in the 40s. The gruesome horror of the Shoah (Hebrew word for the Holocaust meaning “the Catastrophe”), places it in a league of its own in the annals of human depravity and ethnic cleansing. This is of course not meant in any way to minimize any other genocide, but simply to recognize the unique place held by the Holocaust.
This catastrophe could be summarized as “the systematic attempt at the complete destruction of European Jewry” and even though the words “Shoah” and “Holocaust” have become somewhat taboo within most civilized circles, various components from the events that these two words describe remain a threat to my people worldwide.
The current Iranian regime has repeatedly stated that Israel deserves complete annihilation and that they would be “honored” to take part in such an event.
Hamas continually and indiscriminately shoots rockets from Gaza onto Israeli targets. Even though they result in very little damage to Israel in terms of actual death toll, they do cause a tremendous psychological strain on the population. Commentary columnist Alana Goodman said it best when she wrote:” The truth is, Hamas’s rockets don’t cause as many casualties as they otherwise would because Israel goes to great lengths to protect its people. It spends fortunes on bomb shelters and missile defense systems. In contrast, Israel’s military responses cause more Palestinian casualties than they otherwise would because Hamas goes to great lengths to endanger its people. It shoots missiles out of hospitals and schools, uses children as human shields, and tell Gaza civilians to ignore Israeli warning pamphlets that advise them to leave targeted neighborhoods”.
I could continue (like I regularly do) to expose the Jew haters of the world like Hezbollah, Al-Qaeda, various dictators and world leaders as well as many liberals, but as I have also done in the past, I cannot help but remember that God has promised to never, EVER completely destroy Israel! (Jeremiah 31:35-37). And that, if you ask me is the glorious future that I am hanging on to, when it comes to my people.
But today, I am drawn to a passage of the Bible that is very disturbing and that very few, including myself, care to comment on. This is a passage found in Zechariah 13:8-9 and that has yet to be fulfilled:“And it will come about in all the land,” Declares the LORD, “That two parts in it will be cut off and perish; But the third will be left in it. “And I will bring the third part through the fire, Refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are My people,’ And they will say, ‘The LORD is my God.’”
This most troubling passage describes the land of Israel during the last days (a time of history that is drawing near). Anyone holding to a pre-tribulational and pre-millennial view of the end days (I would put myself in that category) would understand these two verses to contextually describe Israel towards the end of the 7 year Great Tribulation. At that time, two-thirds of all Jews–by then in the Land–will be decimated, leaving only one-third to be refined like silver and gold or in other words “saved”.
Christians have often been accused of anti-Semitism simply because of the fact that they voiced their desire for Messiah’s Second Coming to take place “now”, which seems to imply that they are pushing for the destruction of two-thirds of all living Jews (about 10,000,000 by today’s numbers). In reality, those accusing Christians need only to take it up with God.
So, what are we to do in light of such a burdensome passage of Scripture? We certainly cannot ignore it (too many have done exactly that). We could, through a series of theological gymnastics, change its meaning, but then we would have to live with the consequences. Maybe you can, but I am certainly not willing to do that.
Instead, we must accept that by the end of God’s program, before the return of Yeshua, two-thirds of the Jewish people will perish. Yet, and that is a detail of extreme importance, God said two-thirds but never gave us an exact number. So, instead of dwelling on the fact that if it happened today it would decimate 10,000,000 Jews, let us work together on reducing that unknown total number of Jewish people that will populate the land of Israel during the Tribulation. Oh, and by the way, if you are unsure about the timing of the Rapture, the Great Tribulation and/or the Millennium, you are still faced with the same dilemma, except that you might live through it with the two-thirds of Israel instead of being caught up in the air prior.
Let us work together at reducing the number of Jewish people who do not know Yeshua thus reducing the final two-thirds of Zechariah 13:8-9.
Fighting anti-Semitism is crucial but it must be paired with sharing the hope we have in Yeshua. Additionally, if there is indeed another Holocaust on the horizon, it looks like we can all play a part in reducing its death toll, and that to me, put us smack in the middle of God’s will (Genesis 12:3).
The Two Sides of Philo-Semitism!
The world has survived the demise of the Mayan Calendar and the holiday season, yet I am still unclear on which was actually more dangerous to humanity. As we enter a new year as well as a second term for President Obama, I believe that the United States is about be faced with some decisions that could affect us and the rest of our world community for years to come.
The global financial crisis continues to take us down what appears to be an economic drain with no end in sight but the total collapse of western civilization. But lest I am ONLY accused of being somewhat negative, allow me to also continue with the dispensing of my usual leitmotif about the blessing and cursing of Israel and the Jewish people and its consequences (Genesis 12:3).
In France, where I was for the last three weeks, there is a period of time between Christmas and the new year known as la trêve des confiseurs or “the sweets shops truce”when it is considered highly uncouth to approach any serious or difficult subject of any kind in the public arena. So, by virtue of this yearly truce started in 1875, the subject of antisemitism was not on anybody’s list. The reality of course, is that antisemitism never takes a break.
I believe that 2013 will see a continued increase in antisemitic acts both verbally AND physically all around the world. I also believe that now more than ever is the perfect time to STAND WITH ISRAEL when most of the world will stand and speak against her. The liberal bias against my people will not stop, rather, it will increase. Islamists will renew their common goal to eradicate Israel and for the most part, the rest of the planet will switch their TV sets to the newest reality show because let’s face it, “real” news about the middle- east (if even available) is too depressing!
Fortunately for Israel, there are still some decent people, albeit in decreasing numbers, who care enough to take a stand and speak up in her defense. These people display the opposite of antisemitism, known as “philo-semitism”. The word philo is Greek for “having an affinity or preference for”. To be philo-semitic thus refers to a person or organization that will display love and care for Israel and /or the Jewish people. So, it’s all good right? Philo-semitic people are the friends of the Jews after all, so what could be wrong?
Technically, the word describes a very positive attitude towards Israel and the Jewish people, but is it possible that there are two sides to philo-semitism? This requires us to take a closer look at philo-semitic people’s motives.
The good side of philo-semitism
While in Paris, I recently lectured about the French village of Le Chambon sur Lignon in central France where about 5,000 villagers (most of them descendants of French Huguenots) saved about 5,000 jewish kids from the Nazi death machine. I even had the privilege of meeting Armand Laferrère, the grandson of a Parisian Huguenot who sent many of these kids down to Le Chambon.
When asked why they did what they did, the villagers of Le Chambon all gave a similar answer, something like “it was the most natural thing to do”. They also understood from the Bible that the Jews were the chosen people of God and that as such they had to be treated with the utmost respect and much love, WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED! To the villagers, they were human beings first and Jews second.
When expressed properly, philo-semitism should be an unconditional love of the Jewish people as human beings AND because they have a special place in God’s eyes (Zechariah 2:8). Additionally, if displayed ethically, philo-semitism should never cause one to turn a blind eye on any injustice caused by Israel or the Jewish people. That is pretty much black and white when you think about it! Yet there is another side to philo-semitism that I find hypocritical at best and potentially lethal at worse.
The bad side of philo-semitism
It is one thing to have a special place in our hearts for Israel and the Jewish people, it is another thing to be interested in Israel simply from an eschatological perspective (eschatology is the study of the end times). Unfortunately, many Christians’ understanding of Israel and the Jewish people, even though it is a biblical one, is also an eschatological one, and that can possibly create a very unhealthy agenda.
Too many Christians visit Israel or the “Holy Land” with biblical lenses that are slightly out of focus. Their farsightedness forces them only look at Israel and the Jewish people from a biblical/historical perspective and in the process, they can miss the fact that modern Israel (as different as it might be from their expectations) is a real country, with real people facing some real issues daily.
These believers need corrective lenses to help them see Israel today and support the Jewish people for who they are!
Additionally, way too many Christians only see Israel eschatologically. In other words, modern Israel is a fulfillment of prophecy and one of the key components in the Second Coming of Yeshua after two thirds of Israel is destroyed during the bloody carnage known as the Great Tribulation (Zechariah 12:10, 13:9, Romans 11:26, Jeremiah 31:31-34).
While all this is true biblically and gives us and Israel a glorious future to look forward to, Israel absolutely cannot be used as the catalyst for the Second Coming of Yeshua.
Instead, all those who have put their trust in Yeshua for their present life and their awesome future should look at Israel and the Jewish people with compassion and a genuine desire to see them all join us into eternity with the God of Abraham. Isaac and Jacob. Our philo-semitism should never be motivated by Israel’s role in God’s program for the last days–as true and biblically validating as it is–but by our burden to see the lost sheep of the tribe of Israel find their Messiah before time runs out.
Yes, we should support Israel!
Yes, we should fight antisemitism!
Yes, we should anticipate a great future for those who trust Yeshua as their Savior!
and Yes we should boldly share His message of salvation with the Jewish people, but we must also remember that:
PHILO-SEMITISM IS THE OPPOSITE OF ANTISEMITISM ONLY WHEN IT IS UNCONDITIONAL, ANYTHING LESS IS DOING A DISSERVICE TO MY PEOPLE!
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