Tuesday, January 2nd, 2023

Our leaders speak out against anti-Semitism and its Muslim counterpart: Islamophobia. The idea is that no one is supposed to hate Jews and no one is supposed to hate Muslims. That part I understand. And I, of course, agree. Hate is bad. Love your fellow man in order to achieve peace. But has anyone noticed what I noticed? The thing about the word they use?

They don’t say “anti-Islamism“. They say “Islamophobia“. FEAR of Muslims. Actually, to be specific, it’s an irrational fear of Muslims. I’m wondering, is there a term for a rational fear of Muslims? How can Jewish people not be afraid? It’s pretty inevitable since October 7th and the horrific rise in anti-Semitic hate crimes since then. Has anyone done anything to quell the rational Jewish fear of Muslims?

Not to generalize.  I know that there are good Muslims, forgiving Muslims, Muslims who truly want peace with Israel. We love them. We embrace them when they make themselves known. But the others — the ones who want us dead and who teach the next generation that they should want us dead? The pro-Palestinian throngs?  Am I afraid of them? Heck, yeah. I wish I weren’t, but I am.

Terrified, in fact. Just watching videos of the keffiyeh-covered people who calmly take down the Kidnapped posters while staring down the person holding the camera fills me with dread and anxiety. And the fist-pumping throngs who shout “Gas the Jews! Hitler was right! Death to the Jews!” in my city, on the bridges, in the malls – my goodness, how am I supposed to feel? How can one NOT be fearful when viewing that? 

So although I am truly against anti-Islamism, I am absolutely gripped by a rational fear of those who wish to kill me or cause harm to me and my People. I will speak out against anti-Islamism (and any racism, for that matter). But fear?  Sorry, until someone reassures me that there is truly nothing to be afraid of, I am blatantly and appropriately afraid.

One more thing. Does anyone talk about Judeophobia? Anyone afraid of us? Of course not. The pro-Palestinian Muslims don’t think twice about needing security at their demonstrations or celebrations. They know that the Jewish people will not be lashing out at them. Nothing to fear. And that’s something. 

So as I enter this New Year, and a I will take comfort in knowing that, regardless of the rest of the world, at least the Jewish people are mensches. We celebrate life, we give tzedakah, we work for Tikun Olam – repairing the world. May this world indeed be repaired in the New Year, may we see the release of the hostages, and may it be a year that leads to peace and an end to fear.

Am Yisrael Chai!