Regarding Exhibit A.

Steve I am pleased to know you listened to Rabbi Shapiro. His is a voice heard throughout the ages, and he did a masterful job of explaining the Jewish perspective on their persecution before the 1903 Kishinev pogrom, which ushered political Zionism into Jewish life throughout Europe.

You might find, In The City of Slaughter, a poem written in Hebrew by Chain Nachman Bialik helpful in understanding this point of departure from tradition (link and excerpt below).

Please note there are different sects of Orthodox Jews, and this gathering was speaking directly to Netanyahu and the Israeli far-right, on behalf of Israel’s Haredi Jews (aka ultra-Orthodox). Rabbi Shapiro was also speaking on behalf of a very large percentage of reform and ethnic American Jews. I hasten to note, that Jewish life revolves around traditions rarely practiced or seen in other ethnic cultures here in America. Chief among those traditions is a life of study.

Unfortunately, Netanyahu’s never-ending use of the military, to stay in power, created division between those who served and those who did not. Since Orthodox Jews are a minority in Israel, and of little ‘use’ to Netanyahu, he was preparing to appease secular Jews, by lifting the military exemption for Orthodox Jews, including Haredi Jews – which is akin to rounding up nuns, priests, and monks from monasteries, shoving guns in their hands, then forcing them onto the battlefield.

As I said in my first comment, Netanyahu depends on American Christian Zionists (or evangelicals if you prefer) to stay in power. As the far-right ascended to power in America Netanyahu began remaking the Israeli courts the same way Trump remade the United States Supreme Court.

Five months ago, in June 2024, Israel's Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Haredi Jews were eligible for compulsory service, ending nearly eight decades of exemption. The Israeli army began drafting Haredi men the following month.

Orthodox Jews still believe in G-d’s promise to return Jews to the mountain of Zion on which Jerusalem was built. A thousand years later, Jesus Christ was crucified, buried, and resurrected in Jerusalem. 621 years later, the Prophet Muhammad was transported from Mecca to Jerusalem, where he prayed, then ascended to heaven.

1,376 years later, in 2017, an American President claimed ownership of land within Jerusalem for Christian Zionists by formally recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, then, moving his embassy to Jerusalem. Five years and 306 days later, Palestinians brutally attacked Israeli civilians. The battle for Jerusalem had begun.

Steve, set aside your secular views for a moment, and try to see Israel and Palestine through their eyes. Secular life leaves no room for religious life in thought or care. Nonetheless, this is a religious war, not a secular one. Steeped in religious history, Jerusalem is the prize.

The far right is rising and once again, there will be blood all around the world.