By Sheila Orysiek
SAN DIEGO –As I watch the heart rending plight of the refugees from North Africa in tiny boats desperately trying to reach safety and freedom in Europe – who could not be moved? And so many more tearing themselves away from home and country – leaving the anarchy of Syria and environs; walking across a continent to freedom and safety they hope to find in Europe – again, who could not be moved? As an American daughter of immigrants, their plight reminds me of the life granted to me because of the courage of my forebears.
And then I remember Emile Zola’s article, “J’accuse” which appeared in the newspaper L’Aurore, January 13, 1898. It was written in defense of a French Army General Staff officer, Alfred Dreyfus, who had been falsely accused of espionage and condemned to lifelong servitude in the penal colony of Devil’s Island. Dreyfus’ true crime was that he was Jewish. Though he was eventually exonerated, the anti-Semitism in Europe which condemned him is still the same today as it has always been, if not worse.
Today we are witnessing the continuing exodus of Jews from the European continent which began over four hundred years ago. The two thousand years that Jews have lived in Europe were fraught with horrors inflicted upon a small community of people who in all that time never harmed the countries within which they dwelt. In fact, they were often invited in by the host government, as they were valued for their skills in commerce, crafts, arts and letters; a literate and enterprising people. And, then, when they became successful, or their skills no longer needed, or the host government didn’t want to repay the money they often forced the Jewish community to lend to the government, they were attacked and expelled.
The Ottoman Sultan thought the Expulsion of the Jews from Spain was virtually suicidal for Spain, and he gladly invited them to his domain. But this was not the first expulsion. England forced its tiny Jewish community to leave, only allowing a few back to live secretly because England belatedly recognized their economic value. France expelled them. Russia forced them to live within certain areas.
Through all the horror of two thousand years of living in Europe, the Jewish population was never a violent one. They did not riot, attack, kill, behead, or hold hostage those who tormented them. And yet – as six million were pushed to their deaths, the people they considered neighbors – jeered and cheered as they were tormented and led away. In a number of countries the people rounded up their Jewish neighbors, eager to steal their property, even before the Nazis arrived. Only Denmark saved its Jewish citizens.
When World War 11 was over, Europe needing labor to rebuild, invited in another people who shared almost none of Europe’s culture, language, or religion. In fact, these people came from countries such as Turkey and across Northern Africa which had for centuries threatened Europe with war and had a history of expelling Christians from their lands. Constantinople became Istanbul. Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Arabian peninsula, Lebanon, Syria and all of North Africa at one time had large Christian communities, often majorities of the population – and now no longer have any Christians left. And yet, Europe invited in its avowed centuries long enemy who made no secret of wanting to overwhelm Europe.
And – now – we see a “new” rising anti-Semitism across the European continent even though the Jewish population has been decimated and the communities are very small. This is not “new” anti-Semitism – just a continuation of the old – and it is not “rising” – it’s always there. The new mantra of “We love Jews – but we hate Israel” is merely the newest iteration of an old virus. Europe seeks yet again a “reason” for its history of hatred. bigotry and murder.
But while Europe has been busy with its irrational hatred – it is itself being consumed by another irrational hatred.
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Orysiek is a freelance writer who specializes in arts and literature. Comments may be made in the space provided below this article or sent to the author at sheila.orysiek@sdjewishworld.com