Don’t let the victimised become the victimisers

Martin Zagnoev, Johannesburg

At a recent Neo-Nazi march, also in America, marchers chanted, “The Jews will not replace us.”

If you analyse right-wing ideology, there is at base a sense of fear and distrust of the other, bordering on paranoia. If a Jew, or a Mexican, or a black person does anything wrong, it is taken as “proof” that the entire nation is bad. Negative stereotypes are exaggerated.

Taken to an extreme, it then seems “logical” to persecute the other. But, instead of protecting their own race, as intended, greater shame and destruction is often brought on themselves.

We saw this in Nazi Germany, and in apartheid South Africa.

We Jews have suffered so much as a result of such distorted thinking. Yet, there is a saying that if you feel victimised, you are likely to victimise others. Even though we have suffered, we should not be tempted to take on similar right-wing views.

It is sometimes said that anti-Semitism is getting worse, without any evidence to support this. A study by the University of Cape Town’s Kaplan Centre showed that the majority of black South Africans are not anti-Semitic. In America, we are the most favoured minority, and in England, Jews are also viewed favourably by the majority. Gone are the days when the Tsar or a priest could get up and instigate a pogrom. The churches, which caused most of our past problems, have now befriended us.

At first, the majority of nations supported Israel, when more than two thirds of countries voted to establish a Hebrew state. In the early years, much of the world enthusiastically supported Israel’s David versus Goliath struggle for survival.

Unfortunately, the positive sentiment began to change after a right-wing government came to power in the Holy Land in 1977, leading to a deterioration in relations with the Palestinians.

While the right has the best of intentions with its emphasis on security, this will not bring peace. Unfortunately, many cannot see a peaceful solution, and believe that we have to fight in order to survive. Nevertheless, it was the right-wing Menachem Begin who made peace with Egypt (formerly our biggest enemy).