The Fern Sidman Commentaries:
August 9th, 2006: "JEW HATRED, THE U.N., AND REDEMPTION"

Since the current war began between Hezbollah terrorists and the State of Israel on July 12th, it has been reported by The Jewish Agency that there has been a dramatic rise in anti-semitic incidents directly related to mounting tensions in the Middle East. According to Ynet News, “During the past two weeks, at least 50 anti-Semitic incidents were recorded around the world, ten of which were violent. The most extreme incident occurred July 28th, when a Muslim-American of Pakistani origin went on a shooting spree in a Jewish Federation building in Seattle, killing one woman and wounding five more.

Since the start of the war in Lebanon, Jews, Israelis and Jewish landmarks across the world have been victims of a wave of anti-Semitic attacks: In Turkey two Israeli families were assaulted when merchants learned of their country of origin; a Jewish Community Center was brutally attacked in Australia; a youth vandalized an Oslo synagogue and defecated at the entrance; and in Brazil a synagogue was sprayed with the slogan, "Lebanon - the real Holocaust."

The report goes on to say that, "recent reports received by the Jewish Agency reveal a difficult picture of an exacerbation of anti-Semitic incidents. Many mass demonstrations worldwide against Israeli policy in Lebanon have descended into violence and unruly incitement against local Jewish communities. Most of the incidents occurred in countries with large populations of Lebanese, Arab and Muslim immigrants. At many of the anti-Israeli protests, demonstrators have waved Hizbullah flags and swastikas and called out slogans comparing IDF soldiers to Nazi storm troopers. The JA further noted that the offices of numerous Jewish communities have reported receiving threatening emails."

The revelation of these disturbing facts deserves closer examiniation. It would appear that the rise in anti-semitic incidents is directly related to multiple factors. It is clear that Hezbollah, aided by the worldwide media has launched a highly successful propoganda campaign aimed at discrediting Israel, of portraying Israel as a mammoth and ruthless murder machine bent on wanton destruction with no regard for "civilian" lives in Lebanon. While we know that the contrary is true and Israel takes great pains to minimize civilian deaths and casualties, little can be done to harness the deep seated malevolance that the media and the world has for Jews and Israel. Jew hatred is alive and well as it always has been. Those haters of Jews and Israel need little persuasion as an excuse to manifest their vitriol towards Israel and we can expect much more of the same.

The world remains silent in the face of this banal form of racism, because as students of Jewish history know full well, the Jew has no real allies and the eyebrows of the world are never raised when it comes to confronting Jew bashers. The world stood silent during the Holocaust as it stands silent now. It would be delusional to believe that their will be a impassioned outcry from the world. We are alone and it is best to get used to it.

Speaking of being alone, it also comes as no surprise that on the diplomatic front, the moribund United Nations are busying themselves with condeming Israel and concocting resolutions that will demand that Israeli troops withdraw from Lebanon before Hezbollah terrorists are defeated. There is talk of having an impotent Lebanese army replace Israeli troops in southern Lebanon. Talk about having the fox watching the hen house. Let us remember that a great majority of the Lebanese army are supporters of Hezbollah as are the current leaders of the ostensible democracy that calls itself the current government of Lebanon.

We must never forget that Hezbollah representatives are members of the Lebanese parliament. Let us never forget that a great majority of the Lebanese population are steadfast and loyal Hezbollah supporters. Let us never forget that no international peacekeeping force can quell the Syrian and Iranian backed Hezbollah terrorists. They are a well funded and thoroughly trained army of highly skilled militia who are driven by deeply held religious beliefs and passions and are dedicated to spreading their own brand of Islamic facism.

While the agenda of the United States is to support Lebanon’s fledgling "democracy", this will be no easy task. If the United States has learned anything from its involvement in Iraq is that imposing a democracy on a people that does not desire it can be the recipe for civil war, death and destruction. Creating a new world order in the Middle East will be an arduous, if not impossible goal. Hezbollah’s agenda on the other hand is to create yet another Islamic state in Lebanon, ruled by Shiite Muslims. Their agenda is one that is within their grasp and within the realm of reality.

The people of Lebanon would clearly welcome a stronger Hezbollah presence in government and in the military. In the eyes of the Lebanese people, Hezbollah is the brave and courageous underdog. A voice of strength and truth and an organization that has a credible track record of helping the Lebanese Shiite population, in the form of providing social services that the people have relied on. Hezbollah has won the hearts and loyalty of its following and they can smell victory. With the exception of the United States, Hezbollah has the support of the world.

The question has been raised as to whether Israel can still win this war. Every day over 140 Katyusha rockets still rain upon Israeli towns and cities on its northern border, and the death toll rapidly climbs. A Hezbollah drone aimed at Tel Aviv was intercepted by Israel this time, but who knows what will occur on their next attempt at mass destruction and genocide. There is no question that the handling of this military operation has been less than adequate.
At this moment the Knesset is discussing the possiblity of a larger, more massive ground offensive.

Time is running short and the hesitation and confusion of the Israeli government has put the Jewish State between a rock and a hard place. Hindsight is always 20/20, however had the government of Israel been able to quash its fear of world opinion and had engaged in a massive ground offensive at the beginning of this conflict, perhaps the situation might look brighter for an Israeli victory over Hezbollah terrorism. The events that will unfold in the days ahead will be crucial in the outcome for Israel.

There is no question that we are living in the times of "Chevlei Moshiach", the birthpangs of the coming of our righteous Messiah. We have witnssed prophecies unfold before our very eyes. We must remember that all is not bleak. Birthpangs can be painful and protracted or they can come swiftly with relatively little pain. It is all in our hands. It is imcumbent upon the Jewish people to be actively involved in becoming the harbingers of the redemption. We are obliged to place our faith and trust in the Almighty G-d of Israel and to become devoted to His Torah and His commandments.

We are commanded to fear only G-d and to not fear our enemies. It is time for the entire nation of Israel to speak with one collective voice, and with great resolve and determination to declare to the world that we demand that our government use all of its powers to destroy and annihliate our enemies. There is no time for guilt and apologies, rather it is a time to plunge into battle with the goal of the ultimate preservation of the Jewish nation. It is time to know in our hearts that we are commanded by G-d not to fear our enemies, for the Almighty G-d of Israel will be with is. Moshiach is knocking and kicking on the door, it is up to us to let him in. Salvation is in our hands if we only seek it.

In the difficult days ahead let us beseech the Almighty G-d of Israel to gird His nation Israel with strength. May our fervent prayers reach the gates of Heaven and may we merit to see victory and salvation.