Stephane Charbonnier of Charlie Hebdot was unafraid. Charlie Hebdot published cartoons that made fun of Christians, Jews and Muslims. Charbonnier said he would rather “die on his feet than live on his knees.” He and his colleagues knew the risks. They were threatened and their office firebombed. They continued to publish their paper. This week, they were killed because they refused to succumb to fear.
At least President Hollande called the attacks Islamic terrorism. He didn’t lie to his citizens by calling the act, “workplace violence.”
Within hours of the attack, media around the world was crying, “Je suis Charlie,” but many were careful not to reprint the cartoons or show them to their viewers. One paper chose to reprint half of a cartoon. The Muslim chap was blurred out, so as not to offend, but the caricature of the hook-nosed Jew remained. “Je suis Charlie”-not.
The same media that feel they are under attack are the same media that attack Israel, Israelis and Jews at every turn. They vilified Israel for protecting its citizens from rockets and terror. They printed whatever Hamas fed them, because they were afraid their “reporters” would not be allowed into Gaza and they feared for their lives. They were afraid their offices would be burned. They succumbed to the hoax of “anti-Zionism.” They aid anti-Semites at every turn, but are shocked by the increase in anti-Semitism. Their hypocrisy knows no bounds.
As France and the free world reeled, the terrorists made their next move. In an act which has become all too common, they attacked Jews. The people at Hyper Cacher were not challenging the limits of free speech. They were not trying to offend. They were doing what I do every week. They were buying sweets, wine or something special to take home for Shabbat. In France and much of Europe, it is dangerous to be a Jew. The Jews are “Charlie” every day.
“First “they” came for the Jews,” begins the prose of Pastor Niemoeller. He warned the world of the consequences it would face when good people allow indifference to trump good. What has happened this week in France, and what will probably happen soon in the U.S. is the fulfillment of Niemoeller’s prophecy.
For years, Europe’s “leaders” turned a blind eye to rising anti-Semitism. With straight faces, they told Jews to stop being Jews. “Leaders” told Jews not to go to synagogues, community centres or stores. The police were told not to investigate attacks against Jews. Arrests were not made and convictions were rare.
“They” listened. “They” learned. “They” became increasingly bold. “They” came for the Jews and found the Jews would be gladly offered as a sacrifice on the altar of appeasement.
Knowing that the leadership of Europe will do little to protect its Jews, “they” are free to kill others that refuse to submit. This week was Charlie Hebdot. Soon it will be another element that “offends.”
Something has changed since Niemoeller wrote those words. Jews do not have to live on their knees. They have a choice their parents and grandparents did not have. They have Israel. They can pack their bags and leave.
Today hundreds of thousands of people will march against terror and anti-Semitism. Among the marchers will be Mahmoud Abbas. The man who terrorizes his own people and who believes the only good Jew is a dead Jew will now show “solidarity” with the victims. The press will be all over him as a man of peace whose sympathy knows no bounds. He will make himself into a victim, and we will let him. What a crock.
I want to believe the Prime Minister Valls when he says “France without Jews is unacceptable.” He is a mensch and I think he believe what he says. As a Jew, I know I know things will only get worse for us.
Next week we will watch funerals. We will hear poignant eulogies. We will cry. We will say, “never again” but we will not learn. “They” have won. “They” will continue to attack Jews, and move on to the next group with whom they disagree.
How do I know? Je ne suis pas Charlie. Je suis Juif.
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