“When people criticize Zionists, they mean Jews. You are talking antisemitism.”

— Martin Luther King Jr.

Nowadays, there is an abundance of vocal elements demonizing Israel—even in the wake of atrocities committed against Jews not seen since the Holocaust. This is happening not only in the Arab world but also in the West. From politicians and celebrities to professors and college students, protests and violent attacks have been occurring all over the globe under the cloak of hating the Jewish state but not Jews. One would think that more developed nations would be more civilized, but often the opposite is true. This was precisely the case in Nazi Germany during World War II. As then, so now.

Ironically, some of the most eloquent defenders of Israel and the Jewish people over the years have been non-Jews. A poignant example can be found in a letter by civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. in which he repudiated the argument of a friend. Although the letter was never officially verified, those closest to Dr. King affirmed that the message reflected his sentiments:

“When people criticize Zionism, they mean Jews—this is G-D’s own truth. Anti-Semitism, the hatred of the Jewish people, has been and remains a blot on the soul of mankind. In this we are in full agreement. So know also this: Anti-Zionist is inherently anti-Semitic, and ever will be so. Why is this? You know that Zionism is nothing less than the dream and ideal of the Jewish people returning to live in their own land. … And what is anti-Zionist? It is the denial to the Jewish people of a fundamental right that we … freely accord all other nations of the Globe. … The anti-Semite rejoices at any opportunity to vent his malice. The times have made it unpopular, in the West, to proclaim openly a hatred of the Jews. This being the case, the anti-Semite must constantly seek new forms and forums for his poison. How he must revel in the new masquerade! He does not hate the Jews, he is just ‘anti-Zionist!’ … Let my words echo in the depths of your soul: When people criticize Zionism, they mean Jews—make no mistake about it.” (Martin Luther King Jr., August 1967)

Another one of those unique individuals was Eric Hoffer, an American social writer who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Approximately a year after the Six Day War, Hoffer wrote an open letter that was published in the Los Angeles Times. Below are some of his words about the world’s double standard when it comes to Israel:

“The Jews are a peculiar people. Things permitted to other nations are forbidden to the Jews. Other nations drive out thousands, even millions of people, and there is no refugee problem. … But in the case of Israel, displaced Arabs have become eternal refugees. … Other nations, when victorious on the battlefield, dictate peace terms. But when Israel is victorious, it must sue for peace. … Other nations—when they are defeated—survive and recover, but should Israel be defeated, it would be destroyed. Had Nasser triumphed last June he would have wiped Israel off the map and no one would have lifted a finger to save the Jews. No commitment to the Jews by any government, including our own, is worth the paper it is written on. … The Jews are alone in the world. If Israel survives it will be solely because of Jewish efforts, and Jewish resources. … I have a premonition that will not leave me; as it goes with Israel so will it go with all of us. Should Israel perish the holocaust will be upon us.” (Eric Hoffer, May 26, 1968)

Finally, here is an insight from Yehuda Ashlag, also known as Baal HaSulam for his magnum opus on the Book of Zohar. Ashlag explains this phenomenon on an even deeper level. He describes how antisemitism is rooted within human nature and transcends all rationalizations:

“It is a fact that Israel is hated by all nations, whether for religious reasons, racial reasons, capitalistic reasons, communistic reasons, or for cosmopolitan reasons. It is so because the hatred precedes all reasons, but each merely resolves one’s loathing according to one’s own psychology.” (Baal HaSulam, The Writings of the Last Generation)

Israel is the Jewish people, and the Jewish people is Israel. There was plenty of infighting before, during and after Israel declared its independence as to whether the establishment of the Jewish state was religiously permissible or politically tenable. In this regard, international legal expert Natasha Hausdorff uses a simple analogy: a couple may consider having a child, but once the baby is born a discussion to get rid of the child is unconscionable. Israel is here to stay (God willing). We have spiritual and physical roots as well as family throughout this small piece of real estate. Modern-day Israel is a gift. Although we usually have to unite before receiving the Land, this time around God provided us the place from which to subsequently unite and become a model nation. Now it’s up to us to fulfill our end of the bargain.

God is one. The Torah is one. The Land of Israel is one. There is a single element missing from this picture: the Jewish people. If we strive to connect above all differences, our unity will draw a positive response from humanity. As it is written, “When the Lord returned the captivity of Zion, we were like dreamers. Then our mouths filled with laughter and our tongues with glad song. Then they declared among the nations, ‘The Lord has done greatly with these’” (Psalms 126:1-2). When we become one, the circle will be complete, antisemitism in all its forms will end and the world will be at peace.