Courage is the ability to face fear, discomfort or danger. It is about acting in the face of adversity, whether physical hardship, moral opposition, or personal loss. Courage is doing what is necessary even when it’s difficult or scary.
We see this when someone speaks out against injustice or stands up for their beliefs, even if it means facing opposition or potential consequences. This might be refusing to go along with something that is wrong, or actively helping those in need.
Historically, the famous “Dreyfus Affair” exemplified a courage and determination that tore through late 19th century France and rocked the country’s claim of “Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.” It was the Dreyfus Affair that convinced Theodore Herzl – founder of Political Zionism (later led by Chaim Weizmann) – of the need for a Jewish state, which became a reality with the formation of Israel by the United Nations in 1948.
The 1894 “Dreyfus Affair” was an espionage trial that occurred in France. Captain Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish officer, was erroneously convicted of treason for allegedly passing military secrets to the Germans. He was sentenced to a solitary confinement for life on Devil’s Island, France’s notorious penal colony off the remote coast of South America.
How could this occur in 19th century France, where Jews had been equal citizens? In fact, Dreyfus’ trial coincided with the growth of antisemitism in Europe; and this was one of the factors in his unjust and fabricated trial.
On January 13, 1898, the most famous front page in the history of journalism appeared in a French paper L’Aurore (Aurora) beneath a two-word headline: “J’accuse” (I accuse!). In a long and fearless article, France’s leading and prolific novelist, Emile Zola (1840-1902), accused the French government of having orchestrated the conviction of an innocent man.
This man’s brave article immediately caused French society to split into Dreyfusards and anti-Dreyfusards. At the heart of the controversy was a toxic and rapidly growing anti-Semitism in France. In fact, the Dreyfus Affair and anti-Semitism in France contributed greatly to the rise of Jewish political leader Theodor Herzl and the Zionist movement. Thus, Zionism was a nationalist and political movement, founded as a political organization in 1897, that advocated for the establishment and maintenance of a Jewish state in the historic Land of Judea (Israel).
Zola’s intention in publishing “I accuse!” was to provoke the French government to prosecute Dreyfus for libel, which would allow facts of the case to be made public. Accordingly, Zola was tried, convicted, and sentenced to jail for his provocative (courageous) act – a penalty he evaded by urgently fleeing abroad to England.
Zola fled without luggage, without sufficient resources, and unable to speak fluent English.
Several years later, in 1906, Dreyfus was finally vindicated after Zola’s death in 1902.
Historic patterns tend to repeat. Today’s pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel rhetoric masks deep-rooted antisemitism in our country and worldwide, regardless of who advocates either for or against Israel, or those who demand a release of remaining Jewish hostages that are still been held in the tunnels of Gaza by Hamas terrorists.
ALASKA WATCHMAN DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX
It really is surprising how silent most Jews seem, today, about all the widespread antisemitism sweeping the United States and Europe. In fact, Juneau’s synagogue does not seem unusual in that respect. I don’t see how today’s politics cannot be terribly upsetting to any Jewish person anywhere in the world.
What Emile Zola did in his 1898 article echoes today, as silence in the face of antisemitism grows louder worldwide. Clearly, “Free Palestine” is not just a slogan, it is a genocidal call echoing the darkest chapters of history. It takes courage for all peace-seeking people, regardless of their political and religious affiliations, to stand resolutely against this terrorist organization and its virulent and antisemitic agenda.
The views expressed here are those of the author.
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How is it that with one broad brushstroke you characterize all Palestinians as terrorists? How is it that you can, I assume, approve of the starvation and murder of women and children is in any sense justified. That medical and basic supplies should be withheld from fellow human beings in Gaza? That people’s homes be reduced to rubble? I don”t see how illegal confiscation of Palestinian properties and perhaps hundreds of settlements erected, against international law, in agreed upon Palestinians territories of the West Bank could promote an aura of peace by any means. How about BB’s claim documented for over more than 30 years pontificating that Palestinian supporters like Iran were on the verge of creating a nuclear weapon? Or perhaps you can research the USS LIBERTY incident in 1967, where a” PEACE SEEKING” government attempted to sink a US surveillance vessel in an attempt to create a false flag for the purpose of perhaps getting the US to assist in fighting the Egyptians? Not to mention the complicit, feckless and corrupt president who covered up the tragedy.
How is it that BB is facing charges for war crimes? Is it antisemitism to recognize and to criticize injustice and corruption where it actually exists?
Truly, blood exists on the hands of all parties involve, but it is really ironic that a people that suffered the horrors of the holocaust should be visiting similar treatment upon others also created in the image and likeness of God!
Is anyone aware the ZIONISM is spoken against by the Catholic Church? I feel it is best to research what is REALLY going on instead of rehearsing the same old message of, do not ever speak negatively about the Jewish people because you will labeled as being antisemitic. I love Jews. I have Jewish relatives. Yet, I am strongly against the ZIONIST. There are Jews who find the ZIONIST as heretics. My suggestion is research, read the Old Testament and the New Testament
Once this research is done well, one will discover that the ZIONIST are not in God’s will and are fabricated by man and it is evil.
Zionism is a movement for the re-establishment and today’s development and protection of a Jewish nation in what is now Israel. It was established as a political organization in 1897, just about the same time as the Captain Alfred Dreyfus trial of 1894-1895, under the Jewish political leader Theodor Herzl, and was later led by Chaim Weizmann. In fact, Dreyfus’ trial coincided with the growth of antisemitism in Europe; and this was one of the factors of an unjust and fabricated trial against Dreyfus by the French government.
French prolific novelist and political activist Emile Zola’s courageous involvement with the captain of French army Alfred Dreyfus case cost him heavily: his extra-marital affair was exposed; his estate was put up for auction to pay the fines; sales of his books declined considerably; and he also became the target of vast amounts of hate mail and death threats.
However, Zola felt genuinely that it was his duty as a human being—and as a Frenchman—to defend the innocent Dreyfus against well-connected authorities and elites, and protect the values, such as Truth, Justice and Liberty, of the country he loved. His next series of novels, Fécondité (1899), Travail (1901) and Vérité (1903), dealt with these ideals. The last one, Justice, was never to be completed for, because on September 29, 1902, Zola and his wife were found dead in their home in Paris, as a victim of a highly suspicious accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.
What Emile Zola did in his 1898 letter “J’accuse!” echoes today, as silence in the face of antisemitism grows louder worldwide.