The Holocaust stands as one of the darkest and most horrific chapters in human history, a stark reminder of the depths to which hatred and prejudice can lead. It is a moral imperative that we never forget the Holocaust, for in doing so, we commit ourselves to preventing such horrors from happening again. The recent attack in Israel, while not comparable to the Holocaust in scale, serves as a painful reminder of the enduring presence of anti-Semitism and the need to remain vigilant in the face of hatred.
The Holocaust, which took place during World War II, was a systematic genocide in which the Nazis and their collaborators murdered approximately six million Jews. Beyond the sheer scale of the atrocity, it was the calculated brutality and dehumanization of the victims that distinguishes the Holocaust as an unparalleled tragedy. People were stripped of their dignity, subjected to unimaginable suffering, and ultimately murdered in gas chambers, through forced labor, or other means. The world was shocked by the horrors uncovered in the concentration and extermination camps liberated by Allied forces, and the cry “Never Again” emerged as a global commitment to prevent such a catastrophe from happening in the future.
While it is crucial to emphasize that the recent attack in Israel cannot be equated to the Holocaust in terms of scale or intent, there are troubling parallels that remind us of the insidious nature of anti-Semitism. The attack was a shocking act of violence against innocent civilians, echoing the hatred and intolerance that were at the core of the Holocaust.
Women and girls were raped in front of family members, baby’s heads were cut off, maximum effort was made to kill civilians in true barbaric fashion to create terror. I have heard of the Hamas fighters described as militants, but I reject that because militants do not target civilians. Terrorists and cowards do that.
What concerns me the most is the recent surge in protests in support of Hamas and in the anti-Semitism in our own country. I have heard chants in these protests such as “Freedom for Hamas from the river to the sea”. Maybe those who chant this don’t know that means the destruction of Israel and the Jewish people? I have heard chants of death to Israel. Again, that means the destruction or the extermination of an entire race of people.
A good example of this in addition to the protests, over the weekend anti-Semitic threats were made against Cornell Universities Jewish community. Statements were made such as “I’m going to shoot up 104 West”, which is the schools Kosher dinning hall. Threats were made to shoot Jewish students and encouraged others to shoot Jewish students. These are direct threats to Jewish people here in America. Whether true or not this shouldn’t happen.
Here in our own State of Iowa, the University of Iowa Democrat Club made the statement that they fully support Palestine and that they support freedom of Palestine from the River to the Sea. Once again, maybe they don’t know what that statement means. It fully means for the extermination of Israel and the Jewish people. In addition, the statement flies in the face of America supporting one of its greatest allies. The full statement is here:
The recent attack in Israel, while distinct in scale, is a tragic reminder of the ongoing presence of anti-Semitism in Israel as well as in the United States and reminds us of the need for constant vigilance. Remembering the Holocaust and standing against all forms of hatred and discrimination is a moral obligation we owe to the victims of the past and the generations to come.
