Zionism: The Realization of ‘Never Again’

Chloe Valdary

Chloé Simone Valdary is a Zionist and pro-Israel activist. She is a senior and an International Studies major at the University of New Orleans. In 2012, Chloé created the group Allies of Israel on her campus to promote the Jewish state

On one cool Sabbath afternoon, an elderly lady sat at lunch surrounded by many who were waiting in line to shake her hand. They wanted to tell her how much she meant to them, how much her message had touched them. When she graced the podium in Shul only a few hours earlier, she spoke of how *it* was happening again. She spoke of how Jews were coming under attack in France, Israel, Argentina, and elsewhere. She spoke of how we needed to stick together, to be strong, to hold each other up.

I reflected on her words and glanced out the window of the Shul. A guard kept watch at all times during the service. A police car was parked across the street to ensure our safety.

Today, we commemorate the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz; yet there are guards outside the places of worship where Jews congregate. Today we remember the tattooed arms, the lamp shades made out of human flesh, and the gas chambers; yet there are debates on the BBC on whether or not we should “lay the Holocaust to rest,” as though our memorialization were some science project we should have grown tired of dealing with. Today we think back to the time when Jews were forced to wear yellow badges of ignominy and we proclaim, “Never Again.”

“Never Again.” But a dozen Jews were stabbed on a bus in Tel Aviv last week.
“Never Again.” But Jews who were peacefully praying in their synagogue in Israel were butchered last year.
“Never Again.” but an 11-year-old girl was wounded in a firebomb attack last year, when a Palestinian Arab attempted to lynch her and her father.

Yet, all is not lost. Where anti-Semitism spread in the past — and still continues to do so with impunity in many areas of the world — Zionism remains the political embodiment and the true realization of the very concept of ‘Never Again.’

Though many claim that Jews should be powerless, Zionism proclaims that Jews should be empowered.
Though many claim that Jews should be disenfranchised, Zionism proclaims that Jews should have political representation.
Though many claim that Jews should be murdered, Zionism proclaims that Jews should not only live but should prosper.

“Never Again,” thus did not fall on deaf ears. Every year, we should take pride in knowing that the slogan was actualized in the reestablishment of the state of Israel. It is actualized in every policy Israel takes to ensure its people are secure and self-sufficient. It is actualized by the very existence of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

We were never meant to stop at commemoration; at sloganeering; at 24 hour days of dedication where we mourned the desolation and slaughter. We did not simply remember what occurred in the 1930s. We responded to it and continue to do so today. Our response to Auschwitz is unified Jerusalem. Our response to the gas chamber is the roar of the IDF fighter jet. Our response to the Dreyfus Affair is the very presence of the Israeli Knesset.

Zionism, then, is both an affirmation of and a response to “Never Again.”

This past Shabbat, I sat beside Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis — the woman who had graced the podium just a few hours before lunch;the survivor of Bergen-belsen who had just warned us of the growing anti-Semitism and who told us to be strong. I looked at her and told her how much I appreciated her words. I will never forget that moment for as long as I live. It was the first time I had met her, but immediately, she felt like family. She stroked my face gently and said she would always be there for me.

The feeling is mutual.

The author is a consultant for the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America and a fellow at the Lawfare Project.

Senators pledge not to support Palestinian aid until US reviews ICC bid

75 senators send letter to Secretary Kerry.

United States Capitol building in Washington, DC. Photo By: REUTERS

WASHINGTON – Three in four US senators pledged not to support assistance to the Palestinian Authority until the Obama administration reviews the admittance of Palestine to the International Criminal Court.

“Current law prohibits economic assistance to the Palestinian Authority if the Palestinians initiate an ICC investigation of Israeli nationals or ‘actively support such an investigation,’” said the letter sent Thursday by 75 senators to Secretary of State John Kerry.

“Although we believe it is in the interest of the United States for urgent humanitarian assistance to continue to be provided to the Palestinian people, we will not support assistance to the Palestinian Authority while you undertake a review of this matter,” it said.

It is not clear that the Palestinian Authority violated US law with its actions. The ICC prosecutor, not the Palestinians, initiated the preliminary examination of whether crimes were committed during last summer’s Gaza war, and a formal investigation has yet to be launched. Typically it takes years for examinations to become investigations.

However, some legal experts argue that by granting the ICC jurisdiction in its territory, the Palestinian Authority may be legally understood to have “initiated” an investigation.

The exemption in the letter for humanitarian assistance “to the Palestinian people” means much of the $500 million in annual US aid will likely continue, although a cutoff could affect security assistance for the Palestinians.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee praised the letter, which was initiated by Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.).

“The Palestinian effort to seek an ICC investigation of Israel is a direct attempt to delegitimize Israel’s right to self-defense against Hamas terror,” the lobby said in a statement.