Denouncing my invitation, anti-Zionists smashed over 25 plate-glass windows in two nights of vandalism. Their graffiti proclaimed: “Stop your Zionist war propaganda” and “stop zios.”

Can you imagine what it’s like to read about a Persian prime minister seeking to destroy the Jews – as the Jewish army is finally fighting back with the American army against the Persian Jew-haters?

It turned out that this first round of sirens was a wake-up call, a warning that Israel and America were attacking – so we could expect a different day of rest than all of us had planned.

Two realities coexist today: some settlers are violent – but crying “Settler Violence” distorts, weaponizes and essentializes. The charge slurs all settlers to question Israel’s legitimacy.

Herzl recognized nationalism as a powerful but neutral tool, capable of bringing out the best in us – or the beast in us.

Let’s keep saying, proudly, defiantly — well-aware of the many traumas haunting us and the work still facing us — We Won!!!

The “un-Jews” continue to undo timeless Jewish connections.

There’s more work to do. The haters still hate. But, thanks to Zionism, we won – and will continue winning, while teaching the West about self-defense, self-reliance, and self-respect.

Tenth in a series

Ninth in a series