The Hamas lovers show how incredibly dumb they are.
Many things look monolithic from the outside. I remember in Madison a time when my Chinese-American roommate was watching TV. I don’t know how he got himself to a Chanukah broadcast from Chabad world headquarters. There were hundreds of Orthodox Jews dressed in jackets and black hats singing and otherwise rejoicing in the holiday. As I entered the living room, he turned to me and said, “How can you tell them apart? They all look the same!” I chuckled to myself as we used to say the same thing about Chinese when we were kids.
The “ultra-Orthodox” or “Charedi” community is made of many moving parts. There are many unique groups, all having different customs and histories. While some things, like keeping kosher, giving charity, etc., are universal, there are many different approaches to Jewish life and observance. One area where there can be stark differences concerns the state of Israel. When the state was formed, there were rabbis and associated groups who considered the state to be in contravention to Jewish law. This is not the place to go into great detail, but suffice it to say that in Israel and outside her there are opinions within the ultra-orthodox world that range from completely embracing the state to the majority that neither hates nor wildly loves to those who claim to be absolutely opposed to the existence of a secular Jewish state. It’s always kind of funny when just before any elections, signs go up in the ultra-orthodox neighborhoods: one set of signs says that it is forbidden to vote for the Knesset, with the signatures of big rabbis. The other signs say that it is an iron-clad obligation to vote, signed by other rabbis. The overall trend in the ultra-orthodox community is towards integration into the state and its institutions and activities. One of our boys knows several friends who have joined the new IDF unit for charedi young men.
Why do I give you all of this information? The other day, Hamas lovers decided to do one of their “Free Palestine” riots in Borough Park, Brooklyn. The place is home to many ultra-orthodox Jews of all types and backgrounds. If one wanted to find a Jewish neighborhood that is nominally lukewarm to the state of Israel, then Borough Park would be a great place to start. The locals understood that the protests of those who love rape and baby killing was not directed specifically against the state of Israel or Israelis; it was directed at them as Jews, period. The morons from the Middle East and their bored lefty friends don’t distinguish between more Zionistic groups of Jews and those whose connection to the state is none to minimal. That which they hate, in order:
*Israel and Israelis
*Jews anywhere
*The United States
*Western democracies
The locals engaged in fisticuffs with the brutes, and the police put a number of people on both sides in the penalty box. One Hamas lover tried to stab a Jew, while others chanted and created mayhem in what is usually a bustling but safe neighborhood.
One thing that my family and I have noted over the past year is the more pronounced presence of Americans all over Jerusalem. It used to be that you would hear lots of English specifically during the major holidays. Now, all year round one hears American students and families speaking the mother tongue, whether it is in downtown Jerusalem or on the light rail. The large presence of Americans is no longer related to time of year or any particular holiday or event. As it is not my business, I do not know who is visiting and who has made “aliyah,” the process of moving to Israel. As nonstop tickets from New York seem to be hovering around $3,000 round-trip, I would not be surprised if many have moved here permanently.
I know a young family who last year picked up from the U.S. and moved here. On paper, they should not have done so. As we say in chemistry, there is a very large energy barrier to moving: expenses, logistics, packing and shipping, major changes for the kids, jobs, language, etc. For someone to move countries means that there is a significant driver to such an action. They had a big house, they were making good money, they were very close to both families for help bringing up their young children. Everything on paper would scream: “Stay put!” But they moved. Initially, it was a probing action, to see if it works. Now, they are here, their kids are in Hebrew-language classes, and they took a very serious haircut to their income. Why would they make such a move? While I have not discussed the details, as I feel that they are none of my business, my guess would be that they are looking way down field. They want a solid and healthy Jewish future for them and their children. While I have no doubt that the Trump White House will be much more supportive of the besieged Jewish communities of the U.S. than was the intifada-friendly Biden White House, the events in Borough Park the other night are a warning that being Jewish and not just a flag-draped Zionist is potentially to be a target for these lunatics.
If America does not take appropriate action against the Muslim and lefty agitators, many American Jews might start looking at the real estate listings in Israel. There has never been a better country for the Jews than the United States. That is what made the post-October 7th explosion of antisemitism on and off campus such a painful shock. There have always been individuals and groups that did not like Jews for various and sundry reasons; there had never been such an organized program demanding the liquidation (“intifada revolution”) of Israel and the Jews. Much of it is paid for by Qatar and Iran. If the U.S. does not put a lid on this hatred, then I think that more Jews, however much they love America and how much more comfortable and cheaper life there is, will think about a new life in Israel. Life here is generally more expensive with fewer buying options and smaller living spaces at astronomical prices. Still, people are either moving or considering it.
Jews have been part of the American fabric since before the founding of the country. Jews have fought in every war and have contributed to all aspects of American life. The hooligans who made provocations in Borough Park hate not only the Jews but also the U.S. The U.S. does not have to tolerate their presence or behavior. The Department of Justice must make an effort to throw out visa-holders who participate in anti-American activities. Jews have given to and received from the U.S. a great deal. The Hamas lovers are pampered ingrates. It’s time to send them back to Garbagestan.
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