The other target of the demonstration was Lahava, an organization dedicated to preventing intermarriage in Israel.
I asked some of the demonstrators how that was racist. After all, Jewish law does not bar any race from the ranks of the Jewish people. The ban is on marrying into another faith. This, by definition, is not racism. Jews come in many colors.
I did not convince them.
I did ask one of the demonstrators why it is that as Jews are increasingly coming under attack in Jerusalem, he and his friends never raise their voices on behalf of their own brothers and sisters.
“As a Jew,” he responded, “I am responsible for what Jews do and I am ashamed of Jewish racism against Arabs.”
I persisted: “But what about your own people? Is there no room left in your heart for them as they suffer from Arab violence?”
His response was that we have a police force that takes care of that. “I rely on them,” he said.
There is an old Jewish saying: “When it truly hurts, you scream.” Somehow I did not pick up any real anguish or hurt in his reply.
But of course this is not a new phenomenon. We’ve seen Jews throughout our history who identified with our oppressors, from the Hellenists right down to the “Jewish section” of the Communist party and those supporting the Palestinian cause.
Indeed, this unique Jewish malaise was envisioned by our prophets. Zachariah 12:2 foretells, “All the nations and Judah will besiege Jerusalem…” I often wondered what was meant by “and Judah.” It’s clear to me now.
The good news is that Zachariah prophesied this bizarre situation as part of the final redemption.
May we merit it quickly.
Shalom Pollack
Jerusalem
Editor’s Note: The writer, an occasional contributor to The Jewish Press’s weekly Magazine, is a popular tour guide in Israel (www.shalompollacktours.co.il).