A Necessary Perspective: Israel as Jewish Survival

By Jonathan Seidel

 A Necessary Perspective

The Israeli-palestinain conflict is very complex but beyond the current political and logistical issues, it is important to genuinely look at Israelis. Why are they hurting Palestinians? Are they just ruthless individuals? Do they just hate them? Such a mindset completely misses the prevalence and necessity of Israel for Jews. The extremes Jews go to protect and provide for Israel is insane. It is not simply a religious or messianic vision, but a survivalist opportunity. Looking at the history of Judaism honestly demonstrates the perpetual annihilation of the Jewish people. The rise of christianity and its anti-jewish sentiment punished Judaism. Islam was not all too sweet either. The pre-modern theological supremacy stirred ire between religions. 

Jews suffered the most as second class citizens and scapegoats. They were barred from equality and were unable to rise up. Some did but many were poor and attacked. Think about the crusades as one example. The christians in their pursuit of reconquering Israel from the muslims slaughtered Jews in their path. They killed them for being Jews. This model continued for generations. Blood libels and Talmud trials were additional forms of Jewish persecution. Jews were at the mercy of their religious counterparts and could do nothing but suffer in their waste. Jews were expelled from each land. They were brought in and then expelled. Massacred and hunted.  

The dawn of modernity brought hope to the Jew. Now he would be equal. He would finally be respected. The enlightenment dawned a dignity to one another, we are all humans. Secularism will provide ethical stability. Yet, this did not occur. Jews were still targeted. Communism outlawed the Jew for being Jewish. Only Russian was a possibility. The Russians would draft Jews at a young age in order to wean their Judaism away. Nazism came later which was another attack on Jews for their Judaism. Yet, even crazier is not the Nazis themselves but the Ukrainians who aided them eagerly and the poles who butchered Jews after they returned from the camps. The holocaust as terrible as it was, was not the end. Many Jews who went through hell were still treated inhumanely by their former friends upon return. 

The possibility of a place where Jews could live freely was a utopian dream. A critic may argue then why not Uganda but not only would that have had its own share of issues, there is no connection for the Jew. It would be a safe haven potentially but complications with natives among other imperialistic ideals would wreak havoc. Survival-wise it was good but not ideologically. Jews need a place for themselves to be safe but also a place they can thrive. The zionist movement emerged to counter the rampant antisemitism. To find a home Jews could not only live peacefully, unharmed but could also practise freely. Recall the puritans who fled England in search of religious freedom. The Jews did the same. It was more survivalist in the beginning but it also had a powerful cultural component.

There is more than enough evidence to demonstrate the Jewish link to Israel. Tradition repeatedly notes the importance of Israel to the Jew. The Jew is the most infatuated with Israel. It is the most central location and holiest place. He prays thrice daily, yearning to return and live in the messianic serenity. He reads a twenty-four volume set encapsulating the history of Jewish narrative and sojourning in Israel for generations. Despite his exile, the Jew recalls his past, his homeland, hoping to return one day. He has never forgotten his home. The zionistic force recalled the land of old and saw its destination as vital for Jewish survival. Jews never left. Many were exiled but many remained and returned. It was never devoid of Jews. Constructing a new Jewish area for Jews with Jews enamoured affinity to the homeland and prosperous future. 

The most ridiculous critique is the nonsense critique of European colonialism. Forgetting all the Middle Eastern jews who fled to Israel to protect themselves from their Arab neighbours. Jews do not live in Iran, Lebanon, Pakistan or other areas because they fled. They ran away because they were treated terribly. Israel was a calling of hope. A better life than endless persecution. Revisionists attempt to turn the conflict into a forty year story when really it’s a longer narrative. It runs much deeper and way more complex. There are obvious issues but to neglect the Jewish plight and their escape for survival. Jews are not some colonial tyrants but refugees searching for a life of tranquillity.