Zero tolerance for anti-Semitism

There is no doubt that the State of Israel has been vehemently hated by its neighboring Arab Muslim nations, which have largely viewed it as an un-Islamic evil. In recent decades, several strategic peace treaties have been signed—most importantly between Israel and Egypt—but Israel has been in survival mode for decades. If it weren’t for the economic, military, and political support of many Western nations, especially the United States, Israel would have been completely wiped out by now. When the Hamas fighters slaughtered Israeli civilians, took hundreds captive, raped women, and mutilated children on Oct. 7, the terrorist group didn’t seem to expect the massive Western support for Israel that has come as the Jewish state defends itself against terrorism.

But now, there is a big problem. A deadly curse of our generation is the diligent attempts undertaken by many to disable discernment.

In many Western nations, we are now invited to believe that Hamas is not that evil after all, and that Israel must be stopped in its unlawful “aggression” against Hamas. In numerous places in the West, demonstrations in support of Hamas—not just the Palestinians, to be sure—are happening in droves. Confused groups see Hamas as victims and Israel as the “powerful” perpetrator. Confusion is on the rise and discernment is disabled!

Worse, in these demonstrations, we are all witnessing an alarming pattern: A rise of anti-Jewish crimes and anti-Jewish rhetoric. The director of the FBI warns that anti-Semitism has reached an “historic level” in the United States. Jews are now being targeted. An open hostility against all Jews and everything Jewish is on display. Clarity and discernment are sadly crippled.

How can we overcome this confusion in the West? We cannot defeat harmful ideas and hateful ideologies by standing on the fence. In a remarkable example of clarity, a German politician is teaching the world a lesson by insisting on identifying the terrorists and establishing a zero-tolerance policy against anti-Semitism.

German vice-chancellor Robert Habeck, a left-leaning politician, gave a speech in which he openly stated that terror-cheering marches in support of Hamas aren’t allowed, and hateful anti-Semitism is forbidden for any immigrant who desires to remain in Germany.

Habeck rejected the argument that both parties—Hamas and Israel—are to blame, saying that “both sides argument is misleading here. Hamas is a murderous terrorist group.” This is an important reminder to many in the West who seem to have naively forgotten the massacre perpetrated by Hamas early last month.

Habeck said, “To be clear, anti-Semitism is not to be tolerated in any form—whatsoever. The scale of the Islamist demonstrations in Berlin and other cities in Germany is unacceptable and needs a tough political response.” Identifying many of the demonstrations as “Islamist” is a clear denunciation of radical Islamic agendas flourishing in the West. This reflects Habeck’s perception of the attempts by many Muslim groups to use the freedom granted in Western nations to advance anti-Jewish rhetoric and deploy anti-Western values.

Habeck’s perception goes even further. He understands that many Arab Muslim immigrants left their countries to live and seek a better life in Germany, yet they don’t want to assimilate and integrate into German society by accepting the set of values Germans cherish. While Habeck welcomes these immigrants to live in Germany, he warns them, “Whoever lives here does so according to the rules of this country.” This is a lesson that many Western politicians need to learn, especially in times when societies are confused by the fanciful ideas of cultural relativism, where political correctness and social conformity disable any discernment of good and evil.

Without sugar coating, Habeck has a message for Muslims who immigrated to Germany: Abide by German rules or leave. He explains that “burning Israeli flags is a criminal offense, as is praising Hamas terror. Any German citizen who does this will have to answer for such offenses in court.” Here he plainly identifies that Hamas and Israel are not equally wrong in the current situation. He adds a warning that, “those who are not German citizens will also risk their residency status. Anyone who does not yet have a residence permit will have provided a reason to be deported.”

Germany and the United States have different laws and traditions regarding speech, but the principle that immigrants have to follow the host country’s rules is an important one. While many fanciful dreamers may label Habeck a bigot, Islamophobe, or racist, his clarity and forceful discernment is what many in the West need.

We cannot defeat radical Islamism, hateful anti-Semitism, or any harmful ideologies by playing on the fence or by denying reality. We have to call things what they are.