Since the October 7 massacre by Hamas, there has been an exponential increase in anti-Semitic incidents globally. In addition, Israel and its supporters have been attacked throughout our country and the world. We see in America the pro-Palestinian rallies, whether on city streets or on college campuses. More members of Congress have turned against Israel.
It has been repeatedly mentioned how important it is to get involved and show our support for Israel. Unfortunately, many people have not stepped up yet. As bad as that is, there is one thing worse: to make statements or arguments that can be used by our enemies to undermine our arguments and justify their hatred toward Israel and Jews. Rabbi Schonfeld’s column last week, “Kahane Chai!”, falls into that category.
One way we have been able to defend ourselves is to point out that the anti-Israel protest over how the Palestinians are being treated in Gaza is just a cover for their ultimate goal. They use the phrases such as “From the River to the Sea.” That is another way of saying there should not be a State of Israel and the area should be Jew-free. Our response is that this is blatant anti-Semitism and those who say it must be condemned.
Another claim by our enemies is that Israel is engaging in ethnic cleansing. They argue that Israel’s response to the Hamas massacre and kidnapping is an excuse to get Arabs out of Gaza. Others say it is also done to get Arabs out of Israel and the “West Bank.” Our response has been that this is nonsense. Israel only wants to eliminate Hamas. It has no beef with those who are not members of Hamas or other terrorist organizations. Arabs in Israel have the right to vote and have members of their parties in the parliament.
A third accusation is that “settlers” in the “West Bank” are using the Hamas attack in Gaza as an excuse to commit violent acts against Arabs in these areas in order to force them out and take their homes. This claim has also been denied by those who support Israel. We argue that whatever is being done is defensive in nature to stop those who are trying to attack Jews.
But there is one Jew who makes the case for our enemies as to our intentions: It is Rabbi Meir Kahane, whom Rabbi Schonfeld speaks highly of. And Rabbi Schonfeld is not the only one.
Rabbi Kahane had a plan to expel all Arabs from Israel, the “West Bank,” and Gaza. He stated at the debate that was cited by Rabbi Schonfeld: “With G-d’s help, when I become Prime Minister, not a single Arab will ever be killed in Israel, because not a single Arab will be there.”
He also defended Jews who committed unprovoked violence against Arabs, calling them modern-day Maccabees.
The Palestinian protestors can now argue, “Why is our mantra ‘From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free’ considered anti-Semitic when Rabbi Kahane is saying, “From the River to the Sea, Israel will be Arab-free”?
Also, they can say that Rabbi Kahane proves that Israel’s ultimate goal is to eliminate all Arabs from Israel within the Green Line, the “West Bank,” and Gaza. They are using the response to Hamas’ attack as cover.
Also, they can cite Rabbi Kahane’s position as proof that the “settlers’” goal is to get rid of the Arabs from the “West Bank,” and are using the war as an excuse.
There were two debates between Alan Dershowitz and Rabbi Kahane, in November 1984 and March 1985. One of the points of contention was whether to support the end of the White apartheid government in South Africa to be replaced with the African National Congress led by Nelson Mandela. Rabbi Kahane wanted to support the apartheid government and Alan Dershowitz wanted to support the ending of apartheid and thus have the new government. Rabbi Schonfeld cites the fact that South Africa now brought the case in the International Court against Israel as proof that Rabbi Kahane was correct.
To put this in terms Americans can understand, Rabbi Kahane would have supported keeping the Jim Crow laws, keeping the south segregated and stopping Black people from voting, because years later there would be a Black Lives Matter movement that is anti-Israel. Just as that argument is absurd so is the argument that we should have supported an apartheid government because a South African government two generations later brought a proceeding in the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide. The irony is that some of the evidence presented by South Africa includes statements by followers of Rabbi Kahane.
During World War II, there was a common expression: Loose lips sink ships. The idea is if you are not careful when you speak, you may give the enemy information that can be used to sink American ships. It applies here as well. Do not say publicly or write in a paper that you believe in policies proposed by Rabbi Meir Kahane. If you believe in him, keep it to yourselves or discuss in private. To do otherwise is helping our enemies, which I am sure is the last thing Rabbi Schonfeld wants to do.
Warren S. Hecht is a local attorney. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
