It reminds me of Lot, who was willing to send his daughters out to be raped and murdered, in order to avoid a confrontation with the men who wanted to break in and rape his visitors, or when Abraham pretended Sarah was not his wife, willing to give her up to protect himself. Even if they were to face the truth, would they be willing to do anything about it?
I'm reminded of those elitist Hellenistic loving Jews who were willing to give away their birthright along with that of their "unwashed" coreligionists who refused to do so. Fortunately the Macabees took care of it in battle known today as Hanukah