Unfortunately, for many Jews, being a Jew revolves around being a victim. Once Jews began to defend themselves and win wars, many Jews became uncomfortable with being Jewish. It's almost as if they have a sick feeling of rightousness as a victim. As long as it's always the other Jews being killed, they're OK with it... It also allows them to believe that they're special, as survivors.
It's a rather sick pathology that I've observed in my own family.
Mark
I agree - seen it repeated a number of times both in my 'extended' family and with colleagues.
I read a book on the Eichmann trial and the impact it had on Israel. Up to that point, there was a clear division in Israel. Holocaust victims who had moved to Israel were pretty much despised by the other Israelis, many of which had fought for Israel's independence, because they didn't fight back against the Nazis.
I've noticed this in my family of leftist secular Jews as well--it is most disturbing. I prefer to follow the lead of the Jews in Warsaw who fought back. Fighting back is always better!
"Unfortunately, for many Jews, being a Jew revolves around being a victim."
I find a correlation between Jewish self-hatred & an obsession with the Holocaust. It reinfoces their negative association with the religion.
Jews: stupid smart people.
it may be fair to wonder that if such a trait can be objectively observed among ashkanasi jews (as opposed to safardic jews), not just the american left element, one could argue it could be a selected trait from centuries of a very rigidly controlled role in society in europe. I assume that if you rose up against the christians in european country x in the 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th or 16th centuries, you were dead.
maybe someone who knows more about jewish history in dark- and middle-age europe can elaborate on this.