For Hamas, The Final Solution Does Not Stop With Israel
In 2011, a Life-Changing Visit to the Holocaust Museum
In 2011, my then 10-year-old son Jonah and I embarked on a journey that would forever change our lives. We visited the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC, and what we experienced there was both heartbreaking and eye-opening.
A Glimpse into a Lost World
As we entered the two-story room, a wall of photos immediately caught our attention. The images of hundreds of families from a small Lithuanian town, once home to 4,000 Jews, brought tears to my eyes. These people, frozen in time, looked so familiar. They resembled my own relatives, my uncle, my cousin, and even my son Jonah. It was a haunting reminder of the lives lost in just two days, wiping away nine centuries of history and tradition.
Jewish history is filled with senseless and gut-wrenching massacres like this. For centuries, Jews have been targeted simply because of their religion, customs, and traditions. The Nazis, in their horrific scale, continued this dark legacy of pogroms.
After World War II, a miracle happened – the Jews finally had their own state, Israel. However, this newfound homeland was surrounded by 20 Arab countries that wanted nothing more than to see Israel destroyed. Israel, a nation of musicians and scientists, had to put down their violins and pens to defend their country.
Leaving the Holocaust Museum, I felt a mix of sadness and relief. The words ”never again” held a special meaning for Jews, promising that such horrors would never be repeated. But then, in October 7th, Hamas unleashed a sadistic massacre, slaughtering 1,500 Jewish civilians in just a few hours. The brutality of this act forced Israel to respond, even though they did not want to send their sons and daughters to die in Gaza.
The United States lost 2,977 people in the 9/11 terrorist attack, and we responded with full force. Israel, with a population of only 9.3 million, suffered the equivalent of losing 45,000 people in a terrorist attack. Yet, the world seems to turn a blind eye to Israel’s plight.
Imagine if Mexico had been launching rockets into American cities for over a decade. The response would be swift and decisive. But for Israel, this has become a grim reality. They face constant rocket attacks, with Hamas using hospitals and schools as launching sites, and hiding in tunnels.
Hamas, the elected government of Gaza, cares little for the Palestinians they claim to represent. They use them as human shields, restrict fuel to their own hospitals, and steal humanitarian funds. Israel finds itself fighting two wars – one against Islamic jihadists and one against public opinion.
University campuses have become breeding grounds for anti-Semitism, with Jewish students facing bullying and threats. It is a painful reminder of the anti-Semitism I experienced in the Soviet Union. University administrators should protect all students from racism and discrimination.
Remembering the Pastor’s Words
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out — because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me.
We must not be fooled by the version of Islam propagated by Hamas and ISIS. It is a religion of hatred and intolerance, seeking to destroy not only Israel but also the values of the Western world. We must stand up against this darkness and remember the pastor’s words: “And there was no one left to speak for me.”
Vitaliy Katsenelson is the CEO of IMA. He is the author of “Soul in the Game – The Art of a Meaningful Life” (Harriman House). His essays can be read on investor.fm.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.
How does the visit to the Holocaust Museum in 2011 shed light on the ongoing struggles faced by the Jewish people?
The visit to the Holocaust Museum in 2011 not only provided us with a glimpse into the lost world of millions of Jews, but it also served as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by the Jewish people. The atrocities committed during the Holocaust were not isolated incidents; they were part of a long-standing history of discrimination and persecution against Jews.
The Jewish people have endured countless massacres and pogroms throughout history, solely based on their religion, customs, and traditions. The Nazis, with their systematic and brutal extermination of millions, only continued this dark legacy. However, after World War II, the Jewish people were able to establish their own homeland, Israel.
Israel, a nation that emerged from the ashes of the Holocaust, was surrounded by Arab nations that sought nothing less than its destruction. Despite facing immense challenges, Israel thrived, becoming a hub of culture, innovation, and progress. However, the threat to its existence has never ceased.
Leaving the Holocaust Museum, the juxtaposition of sadness and relief was overwhelming. The phrase “never again” held a new and profound meaning for Jews, promising that such horrors would never be repeated. Sadly, this promise was shattered when Hamas unleashed a sadistic massacre, brutally taking the lives of 1,500 Jewish civilians. This act of brutality forced Israel to respond, even though they did not wish to send their sons and daughters to die in Gaza.
It is disheartening that the world seems to turn a blind eye to Israel’s plight. The United States, with a population of over 300 million, lost 2,977 people in the 9/11 terrorist attack and responded with full force. In comparison, Israel, with a population of only 9.3 million, suffered the equivalent of losing 45,000 people in a terrorist attack. Despite this, the world fails to acknowledge the severity of Israel’s situation.
If any other country were subjected to a decade-long barrage of rockets launched from its neighboring country, the response would be immediate and definitive. Yet, for Israel, this has become a grim reality. They face constant rocket attacks, with Hamas using hospitals and schools as launching sites and hiding in tunnels.
It is crucial to recognize that Hamas, the elected government of Gaza, cares little for the Palestinians they claim to represent. They use innocent Palestinians as human shields, restrict fuel to their hospitals, and divert humanitarian funds. Israel finds itself fighting two wars – one against Islamic jihadists and the other against public opinion.
In conclusion, a visit to the Holocaust Museum in 2011 opened our eyes to the unending struggles faced by the Jewish people. It emphasized the importance of remembering the atrocities of the past while also acknowledging the current challenges faced by Israel. It is our duty to stand against discrimination, support the protection of human rights, and strive for a world where such horrific events are never repeated.
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