Like Esther, I Stand for Jewish Peoplehood

Discourse ^ | 23 Mar 2024 | Rabbi Seth Adelson

[Rummyfan]

In normal circumstances, the Oscars could be filed under “things I don’t watch.” However, something occurred during the recent awards ceremony that should be addressed—in particular, the following statement by Jonathan Glazer, director of the Holocaust film “The Zone of Interest,” which won the Academy Award for best international film :

“We stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people. Whether the victims of October the 7th in Israel or the ongoing attack on Gaza—all the victims of this dehumanization.”

This statement contains several confusing elements that require further examination. First, Glazer did not actually “refute his Jewishness”; rather, he awkwardly objected to the assumption that his Jewish identity means he supports the State of Israel’s “occupation” of land in historical Palestine. And of course, he is entitled to his opinion. But let’s explore this a little further. What did he actually mean?

Did he intend to say that the State of Israel exists because of the Shoah? If so, he is wrong. The contemporary movement to return Diaspora Jews to our ancient homeland began nearly a century prior. Furthermore, Jews have been continuously settled in the land of Israel, stretching all the way back to the Roman occupation and before.

id he intend to say that “the occupation” has caused the conflict in the region? If so, he is wrong. The conflict long preceded the existence of the State of Israel, let alone the occupation of the West Bank, which began in 1967. We must not forget that Israel, within its pre-1967 borders (the “Green Line”), is not occupied territory. It is a sovereign state that is recognized by most of the world...

[Hiddigeigei]

Islam is a threat to civilization and the world, not just Israel. I am an agnostic of Christian heritage, but the Islamic religion is beginning to make me believe in Satan and demons.

[Rummyfan]

I am an agnostic of Christian heritage, but the Islamic religion is beginning to make me believe in Satan and demons.

If Satan invented a religion, it would be islam.

[Hiddigeigei]

I inherited a set of the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica (it’s on the Internet) published before WWI. There is an interesting article in it about Palestine with an completely different perspective than is now proclaimed.