Heads in the sand

According to a popular and widely accepted myth, it is believed that ostriches spend a large part of their day with their head in the sand.

In actual fact this is a fallacy.

The only forms of life which, in reality, often seem to bury their head in the sand are humans.

Continuing to vote for political parties which habitually take the side of Israel bashers is a classic case. Pretending that the victim is to blame and, therefore, somehow deserves everything directed at it is another symptom. Joining the lynch gangs in the vain hope that this will deflect attention and gain approval is an old failing tactic. History should have taught us that self-flagellation and attempted assimilation never work in the long run.

This past week has provided yet more examples of what happens when reality is distorted and deliberately manipulated.

These are just a few samples that are worth noting.

Advocates of a post-Shoah secure Jewish future in Europe make much of the fact that the return of Jews to Germany and the resurrection of decimated communities there and in other countries on the continent proves we have triumphed over evil. The largest Jewish communal centre since pre-Shoah times has been opened in Berlin. This has been heralded as a wonderful renaissance of Jewish life in a country where 90,000 Jews are affiliated with a communal organisation and 100,000 are unaffiliated. In the same breath, as communal leaders celebrate the dedication of the US$43.7 million edifice and wax lyrically about Jews returning to the fatherland, one can discern some discordant signs.

Efforts to ban Shechitah and Brit Milah in Europe continue and the increasing popularity of political parties with dubious past histories as far as Jews are concerned all point to trouble ahead.

The German antisemitism Commissioner has declared “that German schools must teach that Jews belong in our country”. Based on the recent past one can assume that this will be a wasted exercise in shutting the stable doors after the racist horses have bolted.

In a report to the Austrian Parliament, it was revealed that, based on data collected, one-third of Austrians think Jews are trying to take advantage of the Nazi era while forty-seven percent think that Jews have too much power in the country. More than one third of Austrians think Jews dominate the international business world.

Meanwhile, it is reported from the Netherlands that one in ten Dutch teachers encounter students who deny that the Shoah ever occurred.

One of the best examples of “head in the sand” syndrome is the statement by the President of the EU Union of Jewish students on whether Jews in Europe have any future. She remarked that “she is confident that European Jews will continue and become stronger than ever. As much as antisemitism is a threat, it is also part of the European Jewish identity for better or worse. It makes Jewish communities resilient and active.”

I have yet to discover anything more detached from the grim realities of rising Judeophobia. It is the same hallucinatory conclusions that communal leaders, lay and religious, spouted pre 1939. A report released earlier this year stated “antisemitism has been rising in Germany since the country’s reunification in the 1990s. In the modern day, antisemitism takes many forms, including hate speech, violent attacks, and anti-Jewish conspiracy theories.”

It may not be politically correct to say so but the stark reality is that there is no future for identifying Jews anywhere in Europe, west or east. Increasing restrictions on religious life and rising hate combined with rampant assimilation will inevitably decimate even those who may think they are welcome citizens.

Meanwhile, “down under” another variation of the “head in sand” affliction has manifested itself.

The City Council of Wellington, New Zealand’s Capital, with the support of its Mayor, moved to enter into a “sisterly” relationship with Ramallah. A further proposal to recognize “Palestine” and light up the town hall with its national colours on Nakba Day was for the time being at least put on hold. The Mayor declared her intention to host a meeting with the “Palestinian” Ambassador to Australia in order presumably to express solidarity and support.  This decision by Greens and leftist progressives earned the enthusiastic support of a local group which described Wellington and Ramallah as being “remarkably similar.”

True to form, someone identifying as an “alternative Jewish voice” welcomed the advent of Ramallah to Wellington. This is a classic case of the intended victim embracing her eventual fate.

As a Jewish Israeli, if I was ever to set foot in Ramallah, I would be lynched by the “peace-loving” gangs there. However, for woke progressives, facts like that are seemingly irrelevant.

The official slogan by of the Wellington City Council is “LET’S GET WELLINGTON MOVING” which reads more like an advertisement for laxatives. According to news reports, with potholes galore, failing water infrastructure and burst water pipes, gang violence and robberies commonplace, transport chaos, one would think that those elected to run the city might have more important challenges. Instead of obsessing about things which show their ignorance and cluelessness, they should be busy fixing all the major problems in their own backyard.

Meanwhile, back on ground zero here in Israel, the sight of Jews settling in their historical homeland causes international anguish and sleepless nights.

President Herzog has rung PA President for life, Abbas, and asked him to do something to prevent further terror attacks against Israeli civilians.

While this request may possibly gain a few brownie points from the White House, the State Department, the EU and the UN Secretary General its general effect will be zero. The media no doubt has already ignored or buried this news item.

I have lost count of the number of times that Israeli as well as Diaspora Jewish spokespersons have trodden this same failed path.

How on earth can any intelligent person believe that an individual who stands up in front of the UN General Assembly and spouts slanderous lies about Israel will actually do anything to rein in the terror gangs now running the PA and associated groups?  If you read the incitement pouring forth on a daily basis from Ramallah and Gaza you will immediately understand why appealing to the likes of Abbas and his partners in crime is a futile and self-defeating exercise. It merely reinforces in the warped minds of those concerned that Israel is desperate and weak.

The facilitators of terror and delegitimizers of Jewish sovereignty only understand one language and it certainly is not pleading telephone calls asking them to suddenly transform into paragons of tolerance.

If all those who currently are unable to see reality were to actually open their eyes and unblock their ears progress towards genuine peace might be made.

Unless and until that occurs it is imperative to expose the lies, double standards and hypocrisy as well as settling in greater numbers in our Promised Land.

Michael Kuttner is a Jewish New Zealander who for many years was actively involved with various communal organisations connected to Judaism and Israel. He now lives in Israel and is J-Wire’s correspondent in the region.