The Lost Instinct to Survive, Part I

I am often asked by my Christian friends and readers why my fellow Jews so frequently vote for Democrats, especially given the Democrats' decreasing support for Israel. And while many have commented on that issue - and there are multiple reasons I believe - we are now way past that. We are now at the point where many Jews (and other Americans) do not seem to care about their own personal survival, nor that of their children and grandchildren.

We already know that Jews have been under attack both verbally and physically throughout Europe. Marseilles, France had been an exception, as Jews felt relatively safe there. But since last October there have been stabbings of Jews there as well. Recently, one of the perpetrators was a 15 year-old boy of Turkish Kurd origin, who explained that his attack had been inspired by ISIS. In October, a Rabbi and two congregants were stabbed outside a synagogue. There have been other attacks as well.

Said one former Jewish leader: "Now every aspect of communal life happens under protection by the military. They are in our schools, in our shuls (temples), reminding us that we are no less threatened here than in Paris - or Israel." A recent French poll (by Etude IFOP) found that 43% of French Jews said they had been attacked for being Jewish, 51% were threatened for being Jewish, and 63% were ridiculed for being Jewish.

The persecution, murder and displacement of Christians living in North Africa and the Middle East is happening to the Jews of Europe. More French Jews left France last year for Israel than ever before. I suspect 2016 will end up with even greater numbers leaving for Israel. The perpetrators against the Christians and Jews have virtually always been Muslims.

Even one who only casually follows the news will undoubtedly know of many of the attacks around the world carried out by Muslims. Jakarta, Istanbul, Cairo, Paris, London, Ankara, Mumbai - to name just a few - have all been targeted by radical Muslims. And now, we can add the small African nation of Burkina Faso to the list.

But there have been many attacks right here in the USA as well. It would take up too much space to list every Islamic terror attack in the USA since 9/11/01. So, here are just a few of the most recent ones. December, 2015, a Jewish shop owner in the upper west side of Manhattan was attacked and hit in the face. Yelled the Muslim attacker: "Fuck the Jews." Also, we had the San Bernardino attack. In July, 2015, four US marines were shot and killed in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In September, 2014, a woman was beheaded in Oklahoma. In April, 2014, two men in Seattle and one in NJ were shot and killed. In April, 2013, we had the Boston marathon bombers. In February, 2013, two Coptic Christians were shot and killed and then beheaded. And in September, 2013, three Jews had their throats slashed in Massachusetts.

Again, this is a very limited list. Then there is the list of Muslims killing other Muslims (again, here in the USA) for dishonoring Islam by doing the following: dating a non-Muslim, refusing to convert to Islam, filing for divorce, going to a strip club, becoming too Westernized, not adhering to Islamic customs, renouncing and denouncing Islam, being a woman who was molested by another, and being a lesbian.

So how is any of this related to the title of the post - "The Lost Instinct to Survive"? Please see Part II.