The Hate That Starts With the Jews

Mother knows best.

In my opinion it should be a pyrography seal at the entrance of each house. For my children it is the punchline of a joke.

Every time I try to use my age/motherhood as a reason for my wisdom, my children burst out laughing. They call me hysterical, exaggerated, old-fashioned...

Objectively, it took me a long time to understand that, in many things in life, my mother was right. So I hope one day they will understand.

But this time, on this issue, I'm right.

For those who do not know me, and for you to understand this text, I tell you: I have two children studying at universities in the United States.

Recent times, particularly last weekend, have been horrifying for us parents who have Jewish children studying at Universities in the United States.

The level of violence in anti-Israel demonstrations has reached overwhelming levels.

Hysterical and exaggerated?

When you see demonstrations with 600 people camping, shouting “Death to The Jews” and attacking Jewish students, 3 blocks from your daughter's dormitory, I think you have real reasons to worry.

University after university (not in all but in many), the scenes are one of panic.

And undoubtedly, I agree with preserving the American Way of Life and what the right to free expression implies (you don't always hear things you like to hear). And I am aware of the political chaos that the Israel-Hamas war has become.

But the fact that the rabbi of Columbia University in New York (the second city in the WORLD with the most Jews) asked students to leave the Campus until further notice because their safety cannot be guaranteed, does not even fall within the right of freedom of expression nor in the complexity of war.

It is plain and simple (badly) veiled anti-Semitism and it DOES NOT HELP AT ALL TO SOLVE THE SITUATION OF THE PALESTINIANS IN GAZA.

So I embrace and accept my hysteria and hype. I consider it prudent and necessary.

Mother knows best.

Why the anguish? I try to put my head in order and prudence, after a weekend of bad sleep, by recounting the worst possible scenarios.

My psychiatrist would be proud of my ability to self-analyze.

Ironically, what worries me most is not that someone will attack them. Let me explain: Obviously I am worried that they will be hurt, but that is not what worries me the most. Objectively, the possibility of an assault, accident or problem living in Mexico City (our home) is much greater than that of suffering an individual attack, even in this situation.

But there are two things that echo in my mind.

The first is the action and lack of control of the masses. Masses are Asses. Hordes of people emboldened and angry and with a purpose in mind are like spilled gasoline, any pretext is a spark. That makes me panic. Anyone with knowledge of violence in riots knows that if things get out of control (and losing control is very easy) the results can be terrible and very very very difficult to stop.

But what gives me the most anguish is the total breakdown that these incidents mark. The point of no return of what it means to be Jewish in today's world.

Yes, since October 7 we had indications that things for Jews in the diaspora were going to get tough, this is the unmistakable sign.

I hate to be pessimistic, but I see no turning back.

And this anguish and hysteria is felt not only for my sake, but for the sake of my children and, also, for all non-Jews (whether they understand it or not)

For me it is a total debacle. Watching the scenes destroys me. Hearing the songs that protesters sing takes my breath away. Seeing the inability of the authorities to provide strong answers and solutions fills me with anger and helplessness.

For my children, the world that awaits them hurts me. Because, as my daughter said, “Antisemitism will always exist. I am worried that they may disperse the marches, but what now? Instead of being contained in one place (visible and open) they will now be everywhere. Also angry.” Because these same “students” of today are the doctors, businessmen, politicians and citizens of tomorrow.

And, this anguish is also for all NON-Jews, who probably neither grieve nor feel that what is happening TODAY, affects them.

Well, I have news for you. This is not just against us. The mixture of fundamentalism (Islamic in this case) + mass manipulation + woke liberalism + the authorities' inability to act is an equation that threatens us ALL.

Against the basic values of Western society.

Today it is against Jewish students, tomorrow against homosexuals, the day after tomorrow against any other group.

Nobody is exempt.

In the words of the great Rabbi Jontahan Sacks:

"The hate that begins with Jews never ends with Jews. Antisemitism is the world's most reliable early warning sign of a major threat to freedom, humanity and the dignity of difference. It matters to all of us. Which is why we must fight it together "

No doubt Rabbi Sacks always knew best.