A cooperative solution to global hatred

By Shuli Weinstein

Paris, France. These words typically conjure up visions of the Eiffel Tower, world-class art exhibits, and renowned restaurants serving croissants. Unfortunately, over the past few weeks, Paris has instead become known for the acts of violence committed by Islamic Radicals. For Jewish people, in particular, extremist acts of violence have resulted in a mass emigration out of France. In the year 2014, French Jews became the largest group to move to Israel, a number that has increased twofold year after year for the past decade. In fact, in Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, many wealthy French Jews have, over the past several years, purchased second homes as a hedge against the seemingly inevitable need to escape the militant anti-Semitic feeling rearing its head in France.

The Jews of France have faced increased violent attacks, primarily at the hands of Islamic extremists, since the beginning of the 21st century. By way of example, in 2012 in Toulouse, France, an extremist murdered 3 Jewish children and their teacher outside of their school. In May of 2014, another militant opened fire at a Jewish Museum killing 4 people. And again, in late July of 2014, during a riot led by terrorists, a synagogue in Sarcelles, France was firebombed.

Most recently, on January 9, 2015, in the shadow of the Charlie Hedbo massacre, a gunman linked to ISIS opened fire in a kosher supermarket in Porte de Vincennes, Paris. The gunman, supported by Islamic extremist groups, claimed responsibility for committing this act of terrorism that resulted in the death of four innocent civilians. An additional 15 civilians at this supermarket were also taken hostage, but fortunately were rescued after Parisian police stormed the market. Many, if not all, of the hostages taken in the supermarket incident were Jewish, and the gunman had proudly stated to the people in the supermarket his ties to Islamic organizations that committed anti-Semitic acts against Jews.

This scourge of violence against Jews and Jewish institutions in France comes against the backdrop of larger incidents in France targeting freedom of speech, a basic right held dear to the citizens of France and the United States. France was founded on the principles of Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite (liberty, equality and fraternity), ideals that are important to Americans as well. So it should come as no surprise that an attack on one group, the Jewish community, occurred at the same time as Islamic extremists in another location stormed a French cartoonists office, the Charlie Hebdo, killing 12 people. Why? As with the attack on the Jewish community, it was simply due to the fact that these extremists disagreed with the beliefs and thoughts of the editorial staff. With the Charlie Hebdo incident, the trigger was a derogatory drawing of the Prophet Mohammad displayed in their magazine.

Unfortunately, these terribly sad acts represent a growing trend of hatred in France and in our world. The question is whether a solution exists. In order to eliminate, or at least reduce, attacks against the larger concepts of freedom of speech and freedom of religion, Jews, Christians, and Muslims must act in a united fashion, to combat hate, violence and, sadly, ignorance. If we as a group do not fight back against these acts of terror, then violence against many groups, not simply Jews and satirical cartoonists, will continue to spread.

Lest we think these acts will not reach us, consider the words of Pastor Martin Niemoller (1892-1984), “First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”

It is important to start now to ensure “them” does not become “us.” People should not have to live in fear of losing their lives due to their religion or their opinions. If we work together, no French citizen will feel endangered by terrorists. So too, cartoonists will not fear lifting a pencil to express their opinions, popular or unpopular.

In the United States as well as at LM, it is important that we remain informed of these horrific terrorist acts and take actions to stop terrorism from occurring again. We cannot look at these attacks against French Jews and satirical cartoonists as isolated incidents in a land and culture far away from our own. We must support the citizens of France against these types of incidents. Furthermore, we must remind the people of France that they are not alone in this fight.

For many years I have attended a Jewish summer camp in New Hampshire. There are campers from around the United States and around the world. This past summer, one of my close friends at overnight camp was from Paris. I had a chance to speak with her after the events in early January to make sure she was okay. In our correspondence, I learned of her feelings of fear and her optimistic belief that her fear could be defeated, by fighting hatred as strongly as hatred has fought her beloved France and her beloved French Jewish community.

LM is a school that is recognized as No Place for Hate. As we all hope that the tragic events that have occurred in France come to an end without more loss of life, it is my hope that as a school and community we can lead by example and work together to challenge bias and hatred here at home, and be a light unto the nations in our fight against hatred abroad.

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