Watermelon and Strawberries Lies

Face-Palm! 

Druze are being slaughtered in Syria and the trolls, those mentally challenged followers of the "Landless refugee decendants of the eunuchs of the Great Nachba" who suffer from profound Histrionic personality disorder (HPD) are filling "Social Media" with the claim that; "Gaza was a top exporter of strawberries and watermelons" 

And on top of this ludicrous fabrication they make the nefarious claim; That "Israel took everything from us." This ludicris claim is yet another distortion of historical truth lacking historical evidence!

Regarding strawberries:

The DOCUMENT TRUTH is that strawberry cultivation for export in Gaza may have been present earlier. However strawberry cultivation for export was particularly encouraged by Israeli authorities after 1967 following the Israeli liberation of former Mandated Area in the Six-Day War and the improvement in the water infrastructure and advent of "drip irrigation".

FACT: Historical sources indicate that countries like Egypt began cultivating strawberries during the reign of Mohamed Ali, which would be in the early to mid-19th century. These early efforts would have involved introducing the hybrid varieties that had been developed in Europe in the 18th century.

Todays modern strawberry is the result of a cross between two different species:

• Fragaria virginiana (Virginia strawberry): Native to eastern North America. This species brought good flavor and fruitfulness to the mix.
• Fragaria chiloensis (Chilean strawberry): Brought from Chile to France by a French spy named Amédée-François Frézier in 1714. This species contributed the desired large size to the new hybrid.

So, while various wild strawberry species have been found in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres for centuries (including in Europe, North America, and South America), the large, juicy, and sweet strawberry that dominates commercial production today is a relatively modern creation, a product of intentional breeding in 18th-century Europe using parent plants from the Americas.

It is true that prior to 1967, citrus fruits were the dominant crop in northern Gaza. 

Citrus tree growth prior to Israel's liberation of the Gaza strip, was dependent on an inadequate water supplies drawn from wells and cisterns dependent on seasonal rainfall channeled by a traditional method, known as furrow irrigation, which involves creating channels (furrows) between crop rows to guide water flow to the citrus trees. 

This above ground supply of water method was susceptible to evaporation in the dry heat made citrus cultivation more expensive for Gazan farmers due to the massive and improper water use pulled from underground sources to irrigate the citrus groves.

It should be noted that Citrus fruits are not native to the Middle East, but originated in the Himalayan foothills. 

The citron which is referred to in Hebrew etrog (אֶתְרוֹג), was introduced to the area of the Fertile Crescent around the 2nd century BCE.  

The Etrog was brought "back" around 538 BCE and cultivated in Eretz Yisrael by Jews who returned from Babylonian captivity due to it's spiritual significance as one of the Four Species (Arba'ah Minim) used during the week-long holiday of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). 

Even today some Jews eat the etrog or make jam from it, believing it to be a segula (efficacious remedy) for an easy childbirth. It is also sometimes saved and candied for Tu BiShvat (the New Year for Trees).

Regarding Oranges: 

It was Arab conquerors who introduced the sour orange (from Asia) to the Mediterranean region 650CE.

But it was Portuguese traders who brought the sweet orange to the Mediterranean, and it was this form that became the Jaffa (Shamouti) orange that quickly gained popularity and became the basis for the region's prominent citrus industry. 

Regarding Watermelons:

Archaeological evidence, including seeds and paintings in Egyptian tombs, shows their cultivation in Egypt dating back over 4,000 to 5,000 years. From their origins in Africa, watermelons spread to the Middle East, including the Land of Israel, about 3,000 years ago. 

Wait, wasn't that when the Jews returned to Eretz Yirael from slavery in Egypt?  Could it be the same story as with the etrog?

Yes it is, because watermelons are even mentioned in the Old Testament (Numbers 11:5), where the Israelites, after leaving Egypt, lament missing the foods they had there, including watermelons. 

The Talmud also mentions watermelons multiple times, indicating their common consumption as a sweet fruit in ancient Israel

Revised Agriculture:

Once Israel gained control of the former Mandated Area, Israeli authorities constructed a new more modern water infrastructure and introduced Gaza farmers to the Israeli invention of "drip irrigation" which gave them the potential to shift to growing strawberries and flowers, which were higher-value crops with good export potential.

So, while there isn't one single "person" credited with introducing strawberries to the Middle East, let alone "Gaza. The growth in Gaza was a strategic shift in agricultural policy, encouraged by Israeli authorities after 1967, that led to strawberries becoming a significant crop and export for Gaza. Which the lower class Gazan farmers adopted and excelled at in their "labor intense" cultivation, turning them into "red gold" for the region.

It should also be noted that after Israel's 2005 "Disengagement", greenhouses with modernized water infrastructure were left for Gaza farmers. But immediately upon the withdrawal of the last Israeli the "Innocent civilians" of Gaza swarmed in in a wild frenzy, looting and destroying everything.  

So ladies and gentlemen just like the "False Narrative" of the "Great Nachba" the recent linking of the watermelon as a symbol of "Palestinian identity" due to the colors matching the Palestinian flag, is yet another mendacious fairy tale lie...

Elysium

So how was your day dear....WARNING - As old guy this rambles on.....

Well woke up, Oh how delightful! Yet, another day "expleted deleted"!!

Sat up, allowed my old broken bruised and abused body to realize that we are still on this side of the "Marble Garden" or as Maximus Decimus Meridius tells his troop in the movie Gladiator, that if they find themselves alone, in a peaceful, sunlit place, they are in Elysium, and they are already dead. 

I closed my eyes my old mind wandered off ...Ah yes Elysium..When I first heard this line from Gladiator by Maximus, whereby he tells his troops the story he is telling them that ;"That they are already dead, and he is essentially telling them to embrace their fate and fight without fear, as their potential death is not the end." This is how I have lived my life....

As for the "Wife" - she lived in "Her room". Once she retired, as an RN in our local Kupat Cholim (Sick Fund) as "THE" "Well Child" and "Yeladim" ) Children doctor's nurse and our aged cherished Mr Li aka Marley the family pet -the wifes baby- was put to sleep a year ago. The wife "moved on" to live in the "big city" of the "Greater Tel Aviv Area" to be near our youngest daughter, the VP of HR and IDF Captain officer, in the reserves to care for our second and youngest precious and utterly adorable grandson Tom born January 29th,2023.

So to continue, After my thought of Elysium I shook my old head and struggled to my feet and undressed. 

Went to the "Throne Room" did the "SSS" routine -for those who never donned a uniform -more explicitly "Walked the Walk"- it means shit, shower and shave. But because I have a beard I of course didn't shave. But hey some credit ladies I did brush what teeth I have left.... 

Went back to my room. Put on my "house clothes" slowly went down the steps downstairs ( I am handicapped).

As a "Older adult" I went to the fridge took out my insulin and the milk, took my daily regiment of pills injected my insulin and made and had my morning cup of coffee.

Place the milk and syringes of insulin back in fridge and took out my half-filled bottle of frozen water filled it from the Tami4 water bar.

On my way through my empty downstairs to the stairwell once full of my Kinder, who as in life spread their wings and have "flown the coup". 

I stopped and unlocked and opened the downstairs door and was greeted by Rustina -the copper colored neighborhood  Kitty Kat who comes to visit. I opened the container of dry cat food I keep in my entrance way and fed her and the others who gather to greet me. I replaced their water patted Rustina -who purred her approval and reentered my empty house.

I climbed back up the 17 steps to the upper floor. Walked the five paces to the entrance of what once was my oldest #1 son now Doctor David's old room. which has been my "Man Cave" for several years. 

I then climbed the four steps to the portion where my bed and desk with the computer are and sat down. 

As I sat down and turned on the computer, I stopped for a moment. I ask all of you who read this to consider your children and your grandchildren as you live in the "other world". 

My grandson as all of my grandchildren as well as my children and myself have lived these past two years under the immediate and very REAL threat of immediate death by the proxies of Iran, the Hezbollah and Hamas. 

For almost 18 months THOUSANDS of Iranian made copies of Chinese rockets were fired INDISCRIMINATLY by Hezbollah and Hamas and in the past year over 800 ballistic missiles from Iran! 

I have attempted to relay my feelings several times in videos of our situation...

All but a handful of you, my "Friends" on Facebook, have shown support and empathy ...

Your silence of those who have not commented reinforces OUR feeling that just like during the Holocaust we Jews are left to fend for ourselves....

Six Million Holocaust Victims

For years it has been my assertion, based on the Nazi regimes use of the Deutsche Hollerith Maschinen Gesellschaft, or Dehomag, and the fact that the Einsatzgruppen Schutzstaffel (SS) did NOT keep an accurate record of those Jews that they murdered in the implementation of the so-called Final solution to the Jewish question (Die Endlsung der Judenfrage), that more than 6 million Jews were exterminated in the Holocaust.

So I asked Gemini AI to verify my claim.

You are correct that the Nazi regime utilized the Deutsche Hollerith Maschinen Gesellschaft (Dehomag), a subsidiary of IBM, for various administrative and logistical purposes, including census operations that helped identify Jews and track their populations. This technology played a role in the systematic nature of the Holocaust, enabling the Nazis to manage and categorize their victims.

You are also correct that the Einsatzgruppen, the SS mobile killing squads, did not keep meticulous records of every single Jew they murdered in the "Holocaust by bullets" in Eastern Europe. Their killings were often carried out quickly and aimed at extermination, with efforts made to destroy evidence, such as exhuming mass graves and burning bodies.

However, the assertion that "more than 6 million Jews were exterminated in the Holocaust" due to these factors requires careful consideration of historical evidence. While it is true that exact figures are impossible to obtain due to the Nazis' efforts to conceal their crimes, the widely accepted figure of **six million Jews murdered** in the Holocaust is a result of extensive and rigorous historical research based on a combination of:

Nazi documents: 

Despite attempts to destroy evidence, a vast amount of Nazi documentation survived, including train manifests, census data, operational reports, and speeches, which provide crucial information about deportations, ghetto populations, and killings.

Nearly every Nazi concentration camp had a "Hollerith Abteilung" (Hollerith Department) that used these machines and punch cards to track prisoners. These cards recorded details like prisoner numbers, transfers, skills for forced labor, and even causes of death (though these were often falsified for those murdered).

These cards were primarily for managing inmate populations for forced labor and logistical purposes, rather than a direct "tally" of those being gassed or executed. The mass exterminations, particularly in the gas chambers, were often carried out with an intent to destroy evidence, making detailed punch card records of those specific acts unlikely to survive in large quantities.

The Nazis destroyed many records as the war drew to a close, including punch cards, to conceal their crimes. However, some records did survive.

Arguably the world's most comprehensive archive on the victims and survivors of Nazi persecution the Arolsen Archives at the International Center on Nazi Persecution (formerly International Tracing Service - ITS) located in Bad Arolsen, holds approximately 30 million documents related to:

• Concentration camps
• Forced labor
• Displaced persons
• Information on 17.5 million people persecuted by the Nazis.

The Arolsen Archives has been digitizing its vast collection, making much of it accessible online

Allied and post-war investigations:

• Allied forces meticulously documented the atrocities upon liberation of the camps, and post-war trials, like Nuremberg, relied heavily on captured Nazi documents and perpetrator testimonies.
• Victim testimonies: Survivors' accounts provide invaluable firsthand evidence of the horrific events.
•  Demographic analysis: Historians have compared pre-war Jewish populations with post-war numbers to estimate the scale of losses in different regions.
•  Forensic evidence: While many mass graves were exhumed and bodies burned, forensic investigations have still contributed to understanding the scope of massacres.

While the Einsatzgruppen's lack of precise record-keeping for every individual murder does introduce a degree of imprecision, their own reports and other German documents provide significant estimates of the numbers of people they killed. For instance, historians estimate the Einsatzgruppen killed over 1.4 million people, most of whom were Jews.

The figure of six million is a meticulously researched and widely accepted historical consensus, established by scholars and institutions like the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and Yad Vashem. 

While it's possible the true number could be slightly higher or lower, the current figure is based on the best available evidence and is considered the most accurate representation of the catastrophe. Asserting "more than 6 million" without new, substantial evidence risks undermining the established historical understanding and is often associated with forms of Holocaust distortion.

Gaza Truth

I recently read a post by a Facebook friend where she writes about how since 2005 the Israeli government had tried to live alongside "innocent civilian residents" of Gaza and had tried to ease restrictions on them. 

So as a historian, and as a person who was very politically involved with many of the “makers and sayers”, and as someone who was actually involved in many of the aspect’s vis-vis Gaza the “Innocent Civilians of Gaza”.

I edited / rewote here what she wrote to reflect all the facts

Years ago, and I refer to the 1970's, we in Israel-the IDF- saw the hardships in the "Disputed Territories".

We at the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) allowed for the increase in the importation of construction materials for the construction of a fishing seaport, grey water purification, desalination plant, sewage -flood water system and expanded and revitalized electricity plant.

Additionally we decided to provide more work permits inside Israel so that the poorer residents specifically of the lower class could improve their and their families lives. 

As we were the Military government in control of the disputed territories prior to a negotiated peace. We strove to improve the lives of those lower class and "dirt poor" landless refugees -the UNWRA receipients- who had been settled by the  Jordanians as well as the Egyptians in squalid "Refugee Camps" .

As such we initiated the construction of proper water "clean water" as well as a proper sewage -and grey water- systems. 

We also built on and improved the hospital facilities as well as clinics. in ALL the "Disputed Areas"

Regretfully with the return of Arafat in the failed "Oslo Accords" and the murderous suicide attacks by the "Shebab" during the "Intifada" and accession of Hamas to power in 2007.  The dream of a "Just and Lasting Peace" a bubble of Western imposed "Kumbayaism" burst!

The threat of waves of murderous suicide attacks from Arab residents of the "Palestinian Areas" of Judaea and Shomron were thankfully curbed by the construction of the "Separation Wall" and increased checkpoints. 

Israel has faced "micro wars" every few years begun by "indiscriminant shelling and rocket fire" by not only Hamas but by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad as well.

In these  Hamas inspired "Micro Wars" the volume of indiscriminant shelling and rocket fire “on the "Gaza Envelope", Israeli towns and cities became more frequent and deadlier, as Chinese and Iranian munitions were smuggled in. 

From the ascension to power of the Jihadist fundamentalist Hamas, associated with the Muslim Brotherhood under Sheikh Ahmed Yasin, the true purpose of the Hamas leadership, was the planning, orchestrating and launching terror attacks to "expel and murder Jews". 

In the beginning we were terribly mistakenly mislead by Shiekh Yasmin's acts to improve the lives of the downtrodden lower clases and had once supported him before his true intentions were known to us.

It was Sheikh Yassin who personally gave his approval for the launching of Qassam rockets against Israeli cities, as well as for the numerous Hamas terrorist bombings and suicide operations. 

In his public appearances and interviews, Yassin called repeatedly for a continuation of the 'armed struggle' against Israel, and for an intensification of the terrorist campaign against its citizens.

During the period 2007-2025 military advisers, members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) began to train and develop plans for a major assault on Israel just as they were doing with the members of Hezbollah in Lebanon. 

These plans based on "Asymmetric Warfare" inspired the network of underground terror tunnels and installations in both Lebanon and Gaza. The plans and preparations that resulted in the infamous butchery and slaughter of October 7th, 2023, were carried out in a secretive and complex manner just as the plans of the Yom Kippur War were made.

During this current "War", Prime Minister Netanyahu has often been accused of supporting the "Innocent civilian residents of Gaza". The rationale behind this, was that the "Innocent civilian residents of Gaza". who have systematically been abused as "cannon fodder /human shields" in the vain attempt to regain what they "lost" have been told for too long to direct their pain and anger at Israel and NOT towards their overly corrupt leadership. This pain and their loss is due to the fact that they have been brainwashed for way too long with the "False Narrative"

There are way to few in the world who have the moral dignity to see that in the past we Israelis have made numerous efforts for a "Just and Lasting Peace" such as the ill-fated 1995 Oslo Accords to "Win" the  "Hearts and minds" not only of the "Innocent civilian residents of Gaza" but those of Judaea and Shomron to end this murderous cycle of death and destruction.

We know that when Israel "disengaged" from Gaza in 2005 we left behind substantial infrastructure for a successful future for Gazans. We literally provided the "Innocent civilian residents of Gaza" several "hot house' complexes with intricate watering systems that produced millions of dollars’ worth of exports and 15% of Israel’s fruit and vegetable production. 

However, upon our "Disengagement" the "Innocent civilian residents of Gaza" rushed in, in a frenzy of hatred and destroyed it all! 

Their utter frenzy of hatred was so intense that they even ripped out of the ground the entire underground water and sewage system of pipelines we had made and turned over! These same pipes were cut up and made into homemade Qassem rockets to murder Israelis by Hamas!

I have heard Arab voices talk about Gazans needing aspirations, needing to see what other Arabs achieve and live in Peace in order to want that. This, they say, could be a way to deradicalize. Give them hope for the future. 

But this is exactly what many of the fanatical residents adherents of the false narrative and Hamas do not want. 

It could all have been so different, no war, lives lived well, in peaceful collaboration with Israel. 

But that would have meant accepting the truth and Israel’s existence. For these extremists that is never going to happen.

Most of those who support the "Arabs of the Mandated Areas" still cling to the belief and do not accept that they -those who turned down the UNR181 Partition and lost in 1948, to those "Jews /Zionists" whom they see as subservient "Dhimmis". 

For them to accept Israel would mean a loss of "Arab Machismo”, the view that male chauvinism, male dominance and supremacy which is so overwhelmingly pervasive in many Arab societies.

So, it is no surprise that as much as everyone wants the hostage’s home as a priority, leaving Hamas in power means Israel will never have a "true peace". 

Even if the overwhelmingly vile vulgar eruption of Jew hatred, a byproduct of this war and continuation of that age old antisemitism will continue. 

Pressure must be put on other Arab nations to try to bring peace to Gaza by ousting Hamas. 

The Arab states have been muted in their response to Gaza, but now, for a real change to actually happen, they must get involved, if we are ever going to move forward. 

So, can it happen?

Or will something happen among those in the Arab world to cause them to wake up and realize the commercial and financial gain to be made by  intervening  tostop this senseless deadlock. 

We hear talk about those willing to join the “Abrahamic Accords” and that the “heartbreaking” situation with the "Innocent civilian residents of Gaza" must be finally resolved.

For this to finally happen, the Arab states will have to get their hands dirty. Not military, but realistically and diplomatically.

They need to comprehend that they-specifically those who were the members of the Arab League that participated in the Nachbah and collectively bear responsibility for this sad saga. They above all others need to awaken to the potential of prosperity for all those alongside Israel. 

To do that, they - the Arabs- have to become involved in the resolution of the situation "Gaza". 

So, the real burning question now is, "Which of any of our Arab neighbors be the first in the region step up?". 

• Will we see Trump pressure Qatar?
• Will the UAE have enough influence or Saudi Arabia?

We can only hope that at some point it will serve Arab countries enough to stop ignoring this situation and work to solve it.

Palestine? The Llinguistic origin of "Filastin" in Arabic

So "Who choose the "Term Palestine" for the area assigned Great Britain by the League of Nations as a Mandate? 

There are many historians who have stated that it was Sir Mark Sykes, who was an expert on the Middle East and familiar with its traditional nomenclature, that had played a highly significant role in the initial planning for the post-Ottoman Middle East and was an expert on the Middle East and familiar with its traditional nomenclature. 

Many historians have stated that Sykes was instrumental in the choosing of the term "Palestine" for the area assigned Great Britain by the League of Nations as a Mandate. But he wasn't solely responsible for  naming it "Palestine" in the context of the Mandate. 

Sykes certainly would have used the term "Palestine" informally, as it was the common geographical name in Western diplomatic and historical circles. 

Additionally, while the Balfour Declaration (1917) promised British support for a "national home for the Jewish people in Palestine," and Zionist organizations strongly advocated for "Eretz Yisrael" (Land of Israel), the British opted for "Palestine" as the official name of the Mandate. This was likely an attempt, at least on the surface, to maintain a degree of neutrality and not immediately endorse one group's national claim over another in the official designation of the administrative entity.

 However, the British did acknowledge Jewish wishes by agreeing that in Hebrew official documents, the word "Palestine" (פָּלֶשְׂטִינָה) would be followed by the initials Aleph-Yod (א״י), standing for "Eretz Yisrael" (ארץ ישראל).

In essence, the choice of "Palestine" was a blend of historical convention, practical administrative considerations, and an attempt to navigate the complex and conflicting promises made to both Arab and Jewish communities regarding the future of the land.

Regarding the status of the former Ottoman Turkish area of the Holyland called by cartographers as "Palestine" under Ottoman rule, one must emphasize its fragmented nature rather than a unified "Palestine" province. This point is indeed crucial for understanding the historical context leading up to the British Mandate.

First: The name the "Holyland", was the biblical name taken from the Hebrew term "Eretz HaKodesh" (Land of the Holy) and "indigeneity of the Jews":

"Eretz HaKodesh" (and also "Eretz Yisrael," Land of Israel) represents the geographical area correctly linked to the Jewish People Its deep significance as well as its historical and religious connection to the land, is fundamental to the  concept of Jewish indigeneity.

"The Land of Zion" is not just a geographical location but a powerful symbol that embodies the historical, religious, national, and eschatological aspirations tied to Jerusalem and the entire Land of Israel, particularly for the Jewish people. to the land of Zion. It is the very basis of "Zionism".

For generations for Jews in diaspora throughout history, "Zion" has been the ultimate symbol of their lost homeland and the hope for return. This deep historical and spiritual connection is central to understanding the Jewish people's relationship with the land.

This contrasts with the later, externally applied name "Palestine" used by Christian Cartographers where it became a common designation in Western (including Christian) cartography and discourse, solidifying its use in Europe over centuries. This was often divorced from the specific administrative realities on the ground under Ottoman rule.

Throughout the FOUR hundred year history of the Ottoman Empire (1516-1917), there NEVER WAS a single, unified Ottoman province named "Palestine".

While "Filastin" is the Arabic word for "Palestine," it is undeniable that the term "Palestine" (Palaestina) was famously applied to the province of Judea by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century CE, likely as a punitive measure after the defeat of the expulsion and enslavement of the Jews in the Bar Kochba revolt in 135CE as a means to sever the Jewish connection to the land.

Its journey into Arabic is not directly from the Latin New Testament:

• Ancient Roots: The name's roots are much older than the Latin New Testament.
• It traces back to ancient Egyptian records ("Peleset") and Hebrew ("Plishtim"), referring to the Philistines, a "Sea People" who settled the coastal region.
• The Ancient Greeks were the ones who truly popularized "Palaistínē" (Παλαιστίνη) in their writings (e.g., Herodotus in the 5th century BCE) to refer to the broader coastal land.
• Roman Solidification: The Romans solidified "Syria Palaestina" as an administrative name in the 2nd century CE. This Latin form is where the modern English "Palestine" directly comes from.

Arabic Adoption ("Filastin"): When Muslim armies conquered the region in the 7th century CE, they encountered a region already known by its Greek/Roman designation, "Palaestina." The Arabic word "Filastin" (فلسطين) is an Arabized form of the Greek/Roman "Palaestina." Arabic, like many Semitic languages, doesn't have the "P" sound, so it's typically rendered with an "F" sound (ف).

Early medieval Arab geographers and historians commonly used "Filastin" to refer to one of the districts (jund) of Bilad al-Sham (Greater Syria) during the Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates. Its usage was largely administrative and geographical.

The name "Palestine" referred to the geographical area name used by locals and outsiders. 

So why is the term "Palestine" not taken from Latin New Testament"?

Well mainly because the New Testament itself (originally written in Greek, later translated into Latin) does not use "Palestine" to refer to the entire region in the same administrative or geographical sense that the Romans later imposed. It uses terms like Judea, Galilee, Samaria, etc.

The term "Palaestina" was a post Bar Kochba revolt Roman administrative designation, which was then inherited and transliterated into Arabic. It wasn't specifically a term from the Latin New Testament.

There NEVER was a pre-existing "Palestinian State", no "state of Palestine" or a single "Palestinian" administrative entity in the modern sense under Ottoman rule. 

The administrative divisions were based on Ottoman imperial logic, not on a pre-existing national identity.

In the aftermath of the "rise of nationalism" a sense of regional identity emerged among the "Western educated"  Arabs the administrative fragmentation meant that a unified "Palestinian" national consciousness, distinct from broader "Southern Syria" or Arab identities, developed more significantly in the late Ottoman period and especially under the British Mandate, in response to Zionist immigration and later, the prospect of an independent Jewish state.

Complex Boundaries: 

When the British Mandate for Palestine was drawn up after WWI, its boundaries encompassed areas that had previously been under different Ottoman administrative units. This was a new political construct, drawing lines that did not perfectly align with pre-existing Ottoman internal divisions.

Mutasarrifate of Jerusalem's Significance: 

The  "Mutasarrifate of Jerusalem" (also known as the Sanjak of Jerusalem or "Kudüs-i Şerif Mutasarrıflığı"): This was a special independent district directly reporting to Constantinople (Istanbul), the Ottoman capital. It covered Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Hebron, Jaffa, and Gaza. Its special status was due to the unique religious importance (to Islam, Christianity, and Judaism) in the Ottoman Empire's eyes, distinguishing it from other areas that fell under broader provincial administrations like Beirut or Damascus.

Another critical aspect of the history of the former Ottoman Turkish area of the "Holyland", is that  the area was  not a single, unified administrative province under the name "Palestine." Instead, it also included the several administrative units:     

• From the "Vilayet of Beirut" (including the Sanjaks of Acre and Nablus). This covered much of the Galilee and the northern West Bank.
• And a smaller part of the "Vilayet of Syria" (Damascus).

While "Palestine" (or "Filastin" in Arabic) was not an official administrative province, it was a widely recognized geographical term in the region, particularly among Arabs and Europeans. 

Cartographers, travelers, and local populations used it to refer to the area roughly encompassing the Holy Land. Ottoman maps themselves sometimes used "Filastin" to label areas, particularly the Mutasarrifate of Jerusalem.

Towards the end of the 19th century, among the educated Arab classes in the Mutasarrifate of Jerusalem, there was a growing sense that "Palestine" or the Mutasarrifate of Jerusalem formed a distinct political entity, contributing to the later development of a Palestinian national identity.

Judeo-Bolshevism

The idea of "Jewish communism" or "Judeo-Bolshevism" is an antisemitic conspiracy theory that distorts this historical reality for nefarious purposes.

Though it is a historical fact that in the late 19th and early 20th centuries a notable number of Jews were involved in communist movements, it's crucial to approach this topic with nuance, avoiding generalizations and recognizing the complexities involved.

So why were there Jews consistently invovled in communism?

It's a historical fact that a notable number of Jewish individuals were involved in communist movements, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 

It is also crucial to approach this topic with nuance, by recognizing that many Jews were consistently involved in social and liberal causes which can be attributed to a combination of deeply rooted religious values, historical experiences, and intellectual traditions.

One should also take into consideration the complexities and history of Jewish marginalization and condemnation by Christianity.

The idea of drawing special attention to the Jews by the terms "Jewish communism" or "Judeo-Bolshevism" is a vile antisemitic conspiracy theory that distorts historical reality for nefarious purposes.

Here are some of the key reasons and factors that contributed to Jewish involvement in communism:

1. The Historical Context of Oppression and Marginalization: 

In Eastern Europe, particularly the Russian Empire, Jews faced severe state-sponsored persecution, including violent pogroms, legal discrimination, forced settlement in "the Pale of Settlement" and by economic hardship. Communism, with its promise of a classless society free from oppression, appealed to many who saw it as a path to liberation from this systemic antisemitism.

Jews were often excluded from traditional mainstream society, professions, and land ownership. This pushed many into intellectual pursuits or urban trades, where radical ideas found fertile ground.

The rapid social and economic changes of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, combined with centuries of marginalization, many who had survived extreme predjudice, pogroms felt dislocated. Many Jews sought a new, universalistic identity that transcended ethnic or religious boundaries and they believed Communism offered such a vision.

2. Appeal of Communism's Ideals:

As Communism preached a powerful message of a vision of a world where all people, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or class, would be equal. As a people that had long suffered discrimination Jews welcomed the message.

Many aspects of communist ideology resonated with the Jewish prophetic tradition of social justice, advocating for the poor less fortunate, the oppressed, and the workers. 

The Tikkun Olam (repair of the world) concept, with its emphasis on creating a more just society, could be interpreted as aligning with revolutionary aims by some.

For many Jews who lived under oppressive tsarist regimes or in societies rife with antisemitism. The revolutionary goals of communism offered hope for dismantling the very structures that persecuted them. The Bolshevik Revolution, in particular, was initially seen by many as ending the official antisemitism of the tsarist era.

3. Involvement in Labor Movements: 

Many Jewish immigrants from Europe to America during the later part of the 19th Century were as all lower classes,  concentrated in industrial centers. These new immigrants of the lower classes worked in difficult conditions in industries, like the garment trades. 

This led to significant to the involvement of Jews in labor unions and socialist movements, which often had communist wings or evolved into communist parties.

For those of the lower classes and immigrants who experienced the harsh realities of the cynical misuse of workers  - firsthand by "industrial capitalism" in the later part of the Industrial Revolution. 

The ideas of socialism and communism offered a radical solution to the economic exploitation and inequality of the "less fortunate".

The involvement of Jews in the Labor movement stemmed from a combination of factors, including their experiences as immigrants facing challenging working conditions and their commitment to social justice and worker rights. 

Some of the prominent figures in the American labor movement,were:

• Samuel Gompers, who was born to Dutch-Jewish parents who became the first president of the American Federation of Labor (AFL). 
• David Dubinsky, who was President of the ILGWU for over three decades, he was a strong advocate for worker rights and social justice. 
• Sidney Hillman who was President of the ACWA, he was also a leader in the JLC and a key figure in the formation of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO). 
• Rose Schneiderman who was a prominent leader in the women's labor movement, she played a key role in advocating for protective labor legislation for women. 

4. Intellectual Traditions: Emphasis on Education and Critical Thought:

Jewish culture has always had a strong tradition of intellectual inquiry and debate. This emphasis on education fostered an environment where complex political theories, including Marxism, could be rigorously discussed and embraced by some.

 Secularization: As some Jews moved away from traditional religious observance, communism offered an alternative secular ideology that provided meaning, community, and a framework for understanding and changing the world.

5. Prominent Figures: 

Though Karl Marx was of he was of Jewish descent, had a complex and at times problematic relationship with his Jewish heritage and he wrote critically about aspects of Judaism. His intellectual legacy formed the basis of communism.

Leon Trotsky, Grigory Zinoviev, Lev Kamenev, all of Jewish origin, were prominent figures in the early Bolshevik leadership. Their high-profile roles, though not representative of all Jews, contributed to the perception (and the antisemitic myth) of disproportionate Jewish influence.

It is highly important to note and crucial to remember, that even at the peak of Jewish involvement, the vast majority of Jews were NOT communists! 

Those Jews, who joined communist parties, represented a minority from within the Jewish population and an even smaller minority within the broader population.

Despite some initial promises, communist regimes, especially under Stalin, became deeply antisemitic. 

Jewish cultural and religious institutions were suppressed, and many Jewish communists themselves became victims of purges (e.g., the Doctors' Plot). This later led to widespread disillusionment among many Jewish communists and former sympathizers.

Many Jewish individuals had joined communist movements for a wide range of reasons, from genuine ideological conviction and a desire for social justice to personal ambition or a belief that it offered the best hope for Jewish survival.

Nazism -antiSemitism and the slander of "Judeo-Bolshevism"

As Germany faced defeat in WWI, widespread unrest and revolutionary fervor led to the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II in November 1918. A new democratic government the Weimar Republic was established and its constitution was drafted in the city of Weimar (hence the name). This marked Germany's first attempt at a constitutional republic.

In post World War I Germany, the economy of Germany collapsed there were several prominent Jewish individuals who played key roles in the German communist movement.  

Kurt Eisner was a Jewish socialist who led the Independent Socialist Party (USPD) and the initial revolutionary government in Bavaria, became Minister-President of the newly proclaimed People's State of Bavaria after the German monarchy's collapse. He was assassinated in February 1919.

Rosa Luxemburg was a Marxist theorist and revolutionary. Luxemburg co-founded the Spartacus League, which later became the Communist Party of Germany (KPD). She was a vocal critic of the war and advocated for socialist revolution. She was murdered in January 1919 during the suppression of the Spartacist uprising. 

Eugen Leviné was a communist leader that played a prominent role in the Bavarian Soviet Republic, serving on its central council. He was executed after the republic's suppression. 

Ernst Thälmann rose to become a leading figure in the Communist Party of Germany (KPD), eventually serving as its chairman. He was allied with the party's left wing and became a member of the politburo in 1924. 

These individuals, among others, contributed to the complex political landscape of post-World War I Germany, where the rise of communism and the legacy of the war fueled intense social and political upheaval.

In conclusion, 

Jewish involvement in communism was a complex historical phenomenon driven by a confluence of socio-economic conditions, the appeal of communist ideals for an oppressed minority, and a shared intellectual and cultural heritage that often valued social justice and radical thought. However, it's vital to distinguish this historical reality from the antisemitic canard of "Jewish communism," which falsely blames Jews for the evils of communist regimes and seeks to perpetuate stereotypes.

Post-World War I Germany

Post-World War I Germany, from 1918 to 1933, was known as the Weimar Republic. This period was a tumultuous and complex time, characterized by a fragile democracy, economic hardship, political extremism, and a vibrant cultural scene.

The key aspects of the period were:

• The Birth of the Republic: Abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II: As Germany faced defeat in WWI, widespread unrest and revolutionary fervor led to the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II in November 1918.
• Establishment of the Weimar Republic: A new democratic government was proclaimed, and its constitution was drafted in the city of Weimar (hence the name). This marked Germany's first attempt at a constitutional republic.

The Treaty of Versailles (1919):

This peace treaty, signed by the new German government, was deeply resented by many Germans and profoundly shaped the post-war period. Its key provisions included:

• Germany lost significant territory in Europe (e.g., Alsace-Lorraine to France, parts of Prussia to a newly reconstituted Poland) and all of its overseas colonies.
• The German military was severely limited in size (100,000 men), conscription was forbidden, and the production of certain weapons was banned.
• War Guilt Clause (Article 231) was a highly controversial clause forced Germany to accept sole responsibility for starting WWI, leading to widespread humiliation and anger.
• Germany was required to pay enormous war reparations to the Allied countries, a burden that severly crippled its economy and caused irrepetible economic hardship on the German people. 

The most devastating effect caused by the "Reparation Payments" the was the hyperinflation (1921-1923) economic crisis caused by the Weimar Republic government's decision to print more money to pay for war debts and to support striking workers in the Ruhr, which was occupied by France and Belgium due to unpaid reparations). 

This period of uncontrolled printing of worthless currency led to an astronomical devaluation of the German mark. Prices skyrocketed, savings were wiped out, and the middle class was particularly devastated. At its peak in November 1923, one US dollar was worth over 4 trillion German marks! 

Two international agreements; The Dawes Plan (1924) and Young Plan (1929), helped to stabilize the German economy by rescheduling reparations payments and providing loans. This led to a period of relative economic stability and prosperity known as the "Golden Twenties."

The infamous "Crash" of the Ameican Stock Exchange on Wall Street, is often remembered as "Black Tuesday". This event, occurred in October 1929 and it led to "The Great Depression". The effects of the collapse of Wall Street and the US Economy spread around the globe. This diasterous collapse and subsequent global economic downturn hit Germany particularly hard, as it relied heavily on American loans. Unemployment soared, and the fragile economic recovery collapsed, creating fertile ground for political extremism.

The Weimar Republic was plagued by political instability from its inception, facing threats from both the extreme left and right:

Left-wing Uprisings:

• Spartacist Uprising (1919): A communist revolt in Berlin, brutally suppressed by the Freikorps (paramilitary groups of ex-soldiers).
• Other communist uprisings in Bavaria and the Ruhr.

Right-wing Threats:

• "Stab-in-the-Back" Myth (Dolchstosslegende): The pervasive belief that Germany had not lost the war militarily but had been betrayed by socialists, Jews, and liberals on the home front, particularly those who signed the Treaty of Versailles ("November Criminals"). This myth was heavily propagated by right-wing groups.
• Freikorps: Nationalist paramilitary groups, often anti-democratic, who were instrumental in suppressing left-wing uprisings but also posed a threat to the Republic.
• Kapp Putsch (1920): An attempted right-wing coup led by Wolfgang Kapp, which failed due to a general strike.
• Beer Hall Putsch (1923): Adolf Hitler's failed attempt to seize power in Munich, leading to his imprisonment.
• Political Assassinations: Numerous prominent politicians were assassinated by right-wing extremists.

Besides all these there was also the weaknesses in the German Constitution:

• While the Weimar Constition was democratic and allowed for proportional representation, this led to a multitude of small parties, making it difficult to form stable coalition governments and leading to frequent changes in chancellor.
• Under the emergency clause "Article 48" which allowed the president to rule by decree in times of crisis; bypassing the Reichstag. Its increased use eventually undermined the democratic principles and allowed for a ruthless leader to concentrate power.

As previously mentioned that even with the political and economic turmoil, the mid-1920s saw a remarkable cultural blossoming in Germany, particularly in Berlin referred to as "The "Golden Twenties". This was an era characterized by:

• Innovation in Arts: Expressive art movements (e.g., Expressionism, Bauhaus), experimental theater, and groundbreaking cinema.
• Social Liberalism: Greater social freedoms, particularly for women, and a thriving nightlife.
• Scientific Advancements: Germany remained a leader in scientific research and development.

The cumulative impact of the Treaty of Versailles' harshness, the trauma of hyperinflation, the political instability, and most critically, the economic devastation of the Great Depression, created an environment where extremist ideologies found fertile ground. 

Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, capitalized on public discontent, fear, and nationalist resentment, antisemitism and "Judeo-Bolshevism". Hitler and the Nazi Party gained increasing support in this post WWI period vrom 1929- 1933. Hitler and the Nazi Party promises to restore Germany's honor, rearm the military, and provide economic stability resonated with a population weary of crisis.

The Weimar Republic ultimately succumbed to these pressures, with Hitler's appointment as Chancellor in January 1933 thereby marking the end of Germany's first democratic experiment and the beginning of the Nazi dictatorship. 

The American Nazi Bund and the communist Jews of post WWI Germany

The American Nazi Bund, more accurately known as the German American Bund (Amerikadeutscher Volksbund AV), emerged from an earlier organization called the "Friends of the New Germany"(FONG, FDND in German), was a pro-Nazi organization active in the United States from 1936 to 1941.  

The German American Bund aimed to promote German culture and Nazi ideology among German Americans. 

They held rallies, often adorned with Nazi symbols (like swastikas) and American flags, and featured Nazi salutes alongside the U.S. flag salute.

They vigorously promoted antisemitism, claiming Jews were enemies of both the U.S. and Germany, and spread conspiracy theories like "Judeo-Bolshevism." Additionally, the Jews were blamed for the defeat of Germany in the "Stab in the back" accusation and for the spread of communism.

They promoted false ideas and spreading the lie that Jews controlled politics, the economies, the media and other areas of society. 

• The Bund published its own newspaper, the "Deutscher Weckruf und Beobachter" (German Call and Observer), and circulated other propaganda materials.
• They established recreational camps across the U.S. (including in New York, New Jersey, Wisconsin, and California) and created an American version of the Hitler Youth to indoctrinate children in German language, history, and Nazi philosophy.
• The organization had a uniformed, paramilitary wing called the Ordnungsdienst (OD), modeled after the Nazi Party's SA, which provided security at their events.

The Bund sought to create a community that embraced Nazi principles and to influence American public opinion in support of Nazi Germany.

They insisted they were a patriotic American organization, claiming there was no contradiction between American patriotism and support for Nazism. Their vision for the U.S. included establishing white Christian supremacy, expelling Jews from labor and government, and isolating the U.S. from international conflicts.

While their leader Fritz Julius Kuhn, a naturalized American citizen born in Germany, claimed over 20,000 members. Historically documented evidence revealed that their actual membership peaked at around 6,000 to 10,000.

Despite its public presence and alarming activities, the Bund ultimately had a negligible impact within the broader German-American community, with the vast majority not supporting it. Even the German government disavowed the organization and restricted its activities in 1938 due to its ineffectiveness.

In the end the Bund faced increasing scrutiny from the U.S. government, including investigations by the FBI and the House Committee on Un-American Activities (Dies Committee).

Additionally, their leader Fritz Kuhn was jailed in 1939 for embezzling Bund funds, which significantly weakened the organization.

After the disasterous attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7th 1941, and the declaration of war by Japan's Axis Ally Nazi Germany. The Bund rapidly declined and was officially banned. Many of its leaders were subsequently tried for sedition.

Honest Reporting

As I have frequently stated I so dislike those po-Israel people who in their rush to write they do not do "Due Diligence" and verify the truth of what they say or PUBLISH! 

There are many of those whom I have chastised for their mistakes. who think of me as an cantankerous old coot.

As a truthful historian one must relay the documented truth! 

As a JOURNALIST, one must maintain journalist integrity-by doing "Due Diligence", which regretfully we see now is a thing of the past.

By relaying incorrect or false information it merely plays into the arsenal of mendacious lies of the backers of the "Landless refugee decendants of the eunuchs of the Great Nachba".

In an article ,that I read recently the writer relayed the nefarious claim that President Richard M. Nixon helped Israel in 1973 because of: "A Promise To His Mother".

This statement is incorrect.

It is an undocumented assertion that President Nixon aided Israel in 1973 primarily because of a promise he had made to his mother. This statement is not supported by any historical evidence. (Bovine Excrement)

Richard Nixon's personal sentiments and background are often discussed in relation to his presidency but here is ABSOLUTELY NO historical evidence to support this statement!

Historians and analyses of the Yom Kippur War and of Nixon's foreign policy point out that there were several key geopolitical and strategic motivations for the massive U.S. airlift of military supplies- (known as Operation Nickel Grass) to Israel.

• The most significant factor was the Cold War conflict with the Soviet Union, who was heavily arming and supporting Egypt and Syria. 
• A decisive Arab victory, especially with Soviet backing, would have greatly enhanced Soviet influence in the Middle East and been a major strategic blow to the U.S. and its position against communism. 
• US President Nixon and his then Secretary of State Henry Kissinger saw the Arab-Israeli conflict as a proxy war between the superpowers.
• Preventing Israel's Defeat (and Potential Nuclear Escalation) was a major consideration. 

In the Yom Kippur War of 1973 Israel suffered significant initial losses. There were credible fears that if the tide of the war didn't turn, Israel might face a catastrophic defeat, potentially even leading to a desperate use of its undeclared nuclear capabilities. US President Nixon was determined to prevent Israel's collapse.

Nixon and his Secretary of State Henry Kissinger believed that an Israeli victory, or at least a strong negotiating position, would be necessary to bring about meaningful peace talks between Israel and the Arab states. They aimed to establish a new diplomatic order in the Middle East that would be favorable to U.S. interests.

 As an ally, the U.S. had a vested interest in demonstrating its commitment to Israel thereby maintaining U.S. Credibility.  By abandoning Israel in its hour of need would have severely damaged U.S. credibility with allies worldwide.

The Nixon administration was still heavily dealing with the utter fiasco from the aftermath of the US actions in Viet Nam and the US Administrion strove to avoid yet another geopolitical disaster.  

US President Nixon and his then Secretary of State Henry Kissinger were in their commitment to avoid another prolonged and costly military quagmire, as well as to prevent a situation that could escalate directly into a U.S.-Soviet confrontation.

Here is an exerpt from a book published by the Insight Team of the London Sunday Times, page 376-Regarding Nickel Grass:

"In this struggle, the U.S. resupply effort was now crucial, as the Egyptians realized. "We could see the effects of American aid after October 16," Egypt's deputy premier, Mohammed Abdel Hatem, said afterward. "From October 6-16, there was a marked decline in the effectiveness of the Israeli Air Force. They began with 3,000 sorties a day and declined to about 1,500 on October 16 [the day Sharon crossed]. But after October 16, the number of daily sorties increased sharply once more."

New tanks were arriving as well. At first, the giant U.S. C-5A Galaxy transports landed only at Lod Airport; but as the airlift got under way through the week of October 14-20, some Galaxies carrying M-48 and M-60 tanks landed in Sinai itself, at the airstrip at El Arish. This got the tanks to the front a few hours."

While Nixon's personal views on Jews and Israel were complex and at times contradictory (with some evidence of anti-Semitic remarks in private). 

His decision-making during the Yom Kippur War was overwhelmingly driven by strategic national interests within the context of the Cold War.

There is no widely accepted historical account that attributes his decision to a promise made to his mother. FACT!!

In his article the author also stated that; "Prime Minister Golda Meir was in a state of shock." 

Golda was NOT in anyway in "Shock". I know because when I had made aliyah in 1974 I was fortunate to meet and speak with Golda. She relayed to me how her "top" advisers -she OVER relied on Moshe Dayan- counseled her not to worry, saying they would have adequate notice before any war broke out. 

Shock? No! If anything she was deeply and emotionally sorrowful over the terrible price in lives we have paid for our homeland 

What angered her the most was the betrayal of "Court Jew" Henry Kissenger.

As Golda was a politician and party member and had never served in the military. She "over relied" on those "Generals" who were subservient to her.

and as I once contributed to Wikkipedia I wrote:

"In the days leading up to the Yom Kippur War, Israeli intelligence could not conclusively determine that an attack was imminent. 

However, on 5 October 1973, Meir received information that Syrian forces were massing on the Golan Heights. Golda was alarmed by the reports, and believed that the situation was similar to what preceded the Six-Day War. 

The advice of the "Generals" made sense at the time; after the Six Day War, since most of those in the Israeli intelligence community considered the Arabs unprepared to launch another attack.

Consequently, although the Knesset passed a resolution granting her power to demand a full-scale call-up of the military (instead of the typical cabinet decision), Meir did not mobilize Israel's forces early. 

Soon, though, the threat of war became very clear. Six hours before the outbreak of hostilities, Meir met with Minister of Defense Moshe Dayan and General David Elazar. Dayan continued to argue that war was unlikely and favored calling up the air force and only two divisions. Army Chief of Staff Elazar advocated a full-scale army mobilization and the launch of a full-scale preemptive strike on Syrian forces."

On October 6, Meir approved full-scale mobilizing but rejected a preemptive strike, citing concerns that Israel might be perceived as initiating hostilities. 

Take special note of this:

"She had made it a priority to inform Washington of her decision. U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger later confirmed Meir's assessment by stating that if Israel had launched a preemptive strike, Israel would not have received the backing of the United States." 

Golda was distraught after her telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Henry Kissenger. She realised that an Israel pre-emptive strike may save many Israeli lives but she also knew that Israel would be dependent on access to crucial foreign aid and military support, in particular from the United States, in the resulting conflict. 

In the continuation of the article that I mentioned the writer blithely stated: 

"Israel, with less than 200 tanks facing an enemy with 1400 tanks was totally ill-equipped to counter an onslaught of this magnitude."

As a historian and IDF veteran I wish to correct the article with the true facts!!!

In October 1973, at the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had a diverse tank inventory of some 1200, primarily consisting of modernized Western-made tanks.

The main types of tanks in the IDF's possession were:

Centurion tanks (Sho't): 

These British-made main battle tanks were heavily modified by Israel, receiving a new powerpack (Continental AVDS-1790-2A diesel engine and Allison CD850-6 transmission) and a 105mm L7 gun. 

These upgraded versions were known as "Sho't Kal" (Alef, Bet, Gimel, Dalet sub-variants). The Sho't Meteor, an earlier upgrade with the original Rolls-Royce Meteor engine but also armed with the 105mm gun, also saw some combat. By the start of the war, 293 Centurion tanks were operational.

M48 Patton (Magach-3): 

These American-made tanks were upgraded by Israel, primarily by replacing their original 90mm gun with the 105mm L7 gun and receiving other improvements such as new engines and transmissions. These were known as "Magach-3."

M60/M60A1 Patton (Magach-6): 

Newer American-made tanks that were also in Israeli service, sometimes referred to as "Magach-6."

In terms of numbers, documented sources indicate that Israel had approximately 540 of the modified M48A3 (Magach-3) and M60A1 (Magach-6) tanks as well as Centurions, 293 were operational at the beginning of the war. 

While older Sherman variants (M-50 and M-51, sometimes referred to as "Super Shermans") had largely been replaced in regular units, they were still used by reserve units on both the Sinai and Golan Heights fronts during the Yom Kippur War. 

TRUE DOCUMENTED FACTS!

The Patriotism of the American Jew

Why knowledge, education and historical fact are desperatedly needed today.

"My sympathies are with this brilliant race.Centuries ago its nationality was destroyed in Palestine. It was dispersed over the face of the globe. The laws of almost all nations have discrimminated against it; and yet it has shown such marvelous vitality that it has made for itself a proud place."

Samuel W McCall, House of Representatives on the abrogation of the Russian Treaty, December,1911 

Some 70 years ago my grandmother Jesse Abromson, wife of my maternal grandfather Ben Levy passed away. 

My mother Beverly Roseman Levy -their only child-went to clear out their home as my grandfather moved to live in our home. 

Among my grandmothers belongings was a book presented to, her father, my great grandfather Hyman Abromson in 1929, by the then standing Member of the House of Representatives George Huddleston, entitled: "The Patriotism of the American Jew"  by Samuel W McCall.

Samuel Walker McCall served twenty years (1893–1913) as a member of the United States House of Representatives, and he was elected to be the 47th Governor of Massachusetts, serving three one-year terms (1916–1919). 

Later in life he authored the book "The Patriotism of the American Jew" which was published in 1924.  This book explored the historical and ongoing contributions of Jews to American society and our Jewish strong sense of patriotism. 

The book, revolutionary for its time during the post WWI  "Isolationism Period", marked by a desire to avoid entanglement in European conflicts and a focus on domestic affairs, a national desire that significantly shaped American foreign policy throughout the 1920s and 1930s.

During this period of American history was an Anti-immigrant sentiment, partly fueled by post-WWI anti-European feelings and concerns about economic competition. This period gave rebirth to the largest and most widespread iteration of the Klu Klux Klan. Its revival was significantly influenced by D.W. Griffith's 1915 film "Birth of a Nation," which glorified the original Klan. 

This "second Klan" expanded beyond the South and gained millions of members nationwide, particularly in the Midwest. It broadened its targets to include not only African Americans but also Catholics, Jews, immigrants, and others perceived as threats to "100% Americanism." 

This version of the hate filled Klan wielded significant political power in some areas. Its influence "only" waned by the end of the 1920s due to internal strife, public exposure of its violence, and changing societal attitudes.

American isolationism in the post-WWI era also had a profound and often devastating impact on Jewish communities, particularly in the context of the rise of fascisim and rising antisemitism in Europe. 

This period was characterized by restrictive immigration policies, public xenophobia, and a reluctance to intervene in international affairs, all of which limited the ability of the United States to offer refuge and aid to Jews facing persecution.

In light of the "Wave of Isolationism", Samuel W. McCall argued in his book "The Patriotism of the American Jew" published in 1924. That Jewish Americans have consistently demonstrated their loyalty and commitment to the United States while also maintaining connections to their cultural and religious heritage, particularly their relationship with Israel. 

McCall writes of  the historical and ongoing contributions of Jewish individuals to American society and how Jews have consistently demonstrated their loyalty and commitment to the United States while also maintaining connections to their cultural and religious heritage, particularly their relationship with Israel. 

The book highlighted how Jews have been involved in American history since its founding, participating in the Revolutionary War and how Jewish Americans have actively participated in civic life, military service, and various social movements, contributing to the nation's progress and development. 

The book addresses the common misconception of dual loyalty, arguing that Jewish Americans' connection to Israel does not diminish their patriotism towards the United States. 

The book emphasized that the Jewish connection to Israel is rooted in cultural, historical, and religious ties, which are natural expressions of identity and heritage, not a conflict of loyalty. 

"The Patriotism of the American Jew" serves as a testament to the rich history of Jewish contributions to American society and challenges any notions of conflicting loyalties. 

Furthermore, It underscored the idea that one can be both a proud American while being deeply connected to our Jewish heritage and Israel.

William Shakespeare and Shylock

As a retired English teacher who once, some 50 odd years ago, wrote a dissertation regarding the antisemitism found in Shakespeares portrayal of Shylock in the Merchant of Venice. I wanted to clarify for those who skipped English Literature lessons.

I wish to re emphasize the effect of the reformation and the Catholic versus Protestant conflict of the era and how there were NO schools for the middle and lower classes so theatrical plays were just not plays at this period in History but were written to teach virtue and morality.

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in the year 1564, the exact date of his birth is unknown.

Shakespeare is often referred to as England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon" (referring to his birthplace on the River Avon) as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist
His father, John Shakespeare, was a successful glove-maker and alderman.
He married Anne Hathaway in 1582, and they had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith.

Shakespeare began his career in London as an actor and playwright, rising to prominence in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He was a founding member and shareholder of the Lord Chamberlain's Men (later renamed The King's Men under King James I), one of the most successful theatre companies of its time.

Shakespeare wrote approximately 38 plays, including comedies, tragedies, and histories.

Some of his most famous plays include:

• Tragedies: Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, King Lear, Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar
• Comedies: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, Twelfth Night, The Merchant of Venice, As You Like It
• Histories: Richard III, Henry IV (Parts 1 & 2), Henry V

He also wrote numerous sonnets and narrative poems.

Shakespeare's works are renowned for their profound exploration of the human condition, their rich language, and their enduring relevance. He coined many words and phrases that are still in use today, significantly impacting the English language.
His plays are performed and studied more often than those of any other playwright in history, and his influence on literature, theatre, and culture is immense.

Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616, in Stratford-upon-Avon, at the age of 52, and was buried in Holy Trinity Church.

Regarding "Shylock"

As I mentioned in my previous post,(on Facebook). Readers or those who see the play, need to understand and comprehend the playwright and the time period (pre 1600) and place where it was written and for WHOM it was written.
Those who know and understand fully the History of Elizabetan era England, know that the period was deeply shapened by the religious upheavals of the Reformation.

Only those knowledgeable of the Era can fully understand the gest of the famous high dramaticly charged soliloquy by Shylock in Act 3 Scene 1, of "The Merchant of Venice". The speech is spoken in termnology that was intended for those of the lower class audience members to understand. Shakespeare was a genius in his ability to craft language that resonated with all levels of society.

While England was officially Protestant, under Elizabeth I, the memory of Catholicism was still fresh, and religious identity was intensely scrutinized.

Having been massacred, in 1290 in York, England and those who remained expelled. Jews were NOT officially readmitted until the 17th century.

This absence, from Christian English society, paradoxically, often fueled misconceptions and reinforced negative stereotypes inherited from centuries of European anti-Judaism, particularly from Christian theological perspectives that often demonized Jews as "Christ-killers" or figures of usury.

The play, therefore, operates within a society where anti-Jewish sentiment was very prevalent and largely unchallenged.

Shylock's soliloquy uses relatively straightforward, visceral language to articulate his humanity and his suffering:

"Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions?" These are universal human attributes.

"Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is?" These are common human experiences.

"If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die?" These are direct, undeniable physiological reactions.

This directness ensured that even the groundlings, those lower class uneducated Englishmen and women standing in the pit of the Globe, could grasp the fundamental assertion of shared humanity, even if their societal prejudices might still lead them to condemn Shylock.

While entertainment was certainly a goal, the function of theatre in Elizabethan England plays often served didactic purposes.
They explored moral dilemmas, showcased the consequences of various actions, and reinforced societal values (or, in some cases, subtly challenged them).

The Merchant of Venice can be seen as engaging with questions of justice, mercy, revenge, and the nature of prejudice.

The portrayal of Shylock as a Jewish moneylender, while undeniably problematic from a modern perspective, can be argued to have, perhaps unintentionally, revealed the hypocrisy and cruelty inherent in the treatment of outsiders, even as it played into existing stereotypes.

The "virtue" being taught in the play might have been Christian mercy, which is intentionally contrasted with the "Pound of Flesh" "vengeance" demanded by Shylock.
In his plays, Shakespeare masterfully wove together social commentary, historical context, and accessible language to create a powerful and enduring piece of theatre.

Therefore the "full gist" of Shylock's soliloquy truly does lie in understanding the specific cultural and religious landscape of Elizabethan England, and the function of theatre within that society.