1.
As the war continues, voices condemning Israel grow louder across the old continent. For two millennia, the central symbol of Europe was a crucified Jew. Now, many Europeans struggle to accept Jews who refuse to be crucified by their enemies and, surprise, aim to annihilate them.
Antisemitism in Europe has soared to heights unseen in recent years. Jews are suffering under the blows of our haters and online attacks. High-ranking officials in relatively friendly governments are criticizing Israel and threatening to revisit their agreements with us. Labor unions call for boycotts, Israeli artists are removed from festivals, and there's no end in sight.
2.
If some among us have forgotten what happened on October 7 and are busy with fratricidal disputes, can we really blame outsiders? The Israeli government has invested little to nothing in justifying its actions since the war began. There is no hasbara. Yet the accusations leveled by Europeans can be easily refuted.
We possess damning evidence not only against Hamas' military wing but also against the cooperation of the Gazan population in acts of murder, looting, rape, and actively hiding our hostages in residential homes.
In January, following a round of hostages returning, journalist Omri Haim published a video showing a Gaza resident telling television cameras: "We are all proud. I am from this area, which has seen all kinds of suffering, oppression, sorrow, and destruction, and despite it all, we stood firm. From among us we gave out their (Israeli) prisoners, whom we held for the entire war."
This is the so-called "uninvolved population", and yet, she proudly admits that they hid the Israeli hostages in their homes and assimilated them into the "civilian" population of Gaza. And she's not alone. Europeans are unaware of this content. But Israel remains silent. We've given up on Europe.
Israel actively invests in protecting Jewish communities abroad, especially where they are threatened. Promoting Israel's narrative is also a form of active defense for Diaspora Jews, not only in traditional media but also across social networks. As a cyber-power, Israel has the technological tools to spread the truth.
3.
Let us reiterate the principle, surprisingly articulated by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in her Bundestag speech last October:
"Self-defense means, of course, not just attacking terrorists, but eliminating them. That's why I made it clear that we are facing very difficult situations, with Hamas terrorists hiding behind civilians and in schools. But we will not back down [from supporting Israel]. I made it clear to the UN that civilian facilities can lose their protected status when terrorists exploit them. This is Germany's position and our understanding of Israel's security."
This should be our core message to all our allies. We are not asking them to support our right to self-defense and off course neither Israel's right to exist . With all due respect, we don't need validation for what is self-evident. We expect them to support our right to destroy our enemies.
Either way, we must make clear to our European friends: The Jewish people have returned to their historic homeland, as foretold by the prophets. You expelled the Jews 80 years ago and failed to protect us, even refusing to bomb the railways from Hungary to Auschwitz. A moral disgrace. Hundreds of thousands of Jews could have been saved by that simple act. We learned the historical lesson.
Fortunately, we live in an independent Jewish state, accountable for our own fate. We will not live next to barbarians whose raison d'être is the murder of Jews. If you are unhappy with that, then we must agree to disagree.
4.
Europe, the historical center of Western and Judeo-Christian civilization for two thousand years, is now facing an existential crisis. Centuries of secularization have eroded much of its tradition and faith.
Despite the media fanfare around papal elections, the Catholic Church today has more adherents in Africa and South America than in Europe.
After World War II, Europe's intellectual elite blamed nationalism for fascism and Nazism, and academia and the media worked to dismantle even healthy forms of national identity, such as that espoused by 19th-century Italian thinker Giuseppe Mazzini.
Lacking the foundational defenses of civilization, Europe in the 21st century is contending with millions of immigrants who possess strong religious traditions and identify with the global Muslim "Ummah" (nation).
In such a scenario, radical Islam gains ground in Europe and influences elected officials, reviving both new and old forms of antisemitism.
Jews are being attacked, living in fear, and the Jewish state itself is under assault, often with little serious pushback from authorities. It reflects a childish hope that avoiding confrontation will make the danger go away.
5.
Numerous violent conflicts rage worldwide, yet Europeans elevate the plight of Gazans above all. Why? Because they happen to be fighting Jews.
Muslims killing Muslims doesn't attract global concern. But Jews fighting and defeating their enemies - that demands a reckoning.
Europe's anti-Israel measures are nothing new. We've grown accustomed to them over decades. The essence remains: harm Jews (or their state) to secure yourself.
In the 1970s, Italy entered a tacit agreement with the Palestine Liberation Organization to ignore its activities as long as no attacks occurred on Italian soil. The Italian press has confirmed this. And that is just one of many examples.
If this was Europe's conduct when political Islam had no real power, how much more so today.
Israel, however, can offer much to Europe - in intelligence, cybersecurity, counterterrorism, military expertise, agricultural technology, and facing new threats like drones.
Just as Israel needs Europe, Europe needs Israel.
Israel contributes significantly to Europe's security. We are not beggars at Europe's doorstep but the modern embodiment of an ancient civilization on which the West was built.
6.
We are fighting for our survival in a long and complex battle that requires both patience and resolve.
This war is not about the right to defend our lives, it is about eliminating the terrorists and uprooting the threat.
Just as no rational person would live at the foot of a volcano that erupts every few years, Israelis will not return to normal life as long as the barbarians remain just a few kilometers away.
If Europe is concerned about the people of Gaza, it is welcome to accept tens of thousands of refugees into each of its member states.
No boycott threat will stop us from fighting the new Nazis at our borders.
Israel's war is part of a global battle by the free world against tyranny that seeks to enslave Western civilization in the name of a death cult.
Parts of Europe refuse to recognize this. As in many instances throughout history, they use the Jews as scapegoats, hoping to be spared. Thankfully, we are no longer in Europe. We are home, and able to fight.
Dear Europeans, you fail to see the threats you face. When have you, ever?
In the 1930s, you ignored Churchill's warnings about Hitler.
You thought it would end with the Jews.
You learned nothing; after us, it will be your turn.
