Hamas Attack Aimed at West, Not Just Israel, Official Claims

The October 7th Hamas attack was not solely directed at Israel but represented a fundamentalist Islamic assault on Western values, intended to sow division with the aid of collaborating Western left-wing organizations, according to Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, Special Envoy for Combating Antisemitism under the Trump administration. He stated that recent global events and attitudes toward Israel suggest the attack was the start of a worldwide campaign to delegitimize the Jewish state, a well-planned and extensively funded effort.

Ofir Akunis, Israel's Consul in New York, asserted that this war has already led to the "Islamization of Western politics," citing the Netherlands, Britain, and France as deeply affected. He noted that in Britain, the environmental wing of the Green Party has been largely replaced by Islamists. Akunis warned of a similar trajectory for America, predicting that upcoming elections will demonstrate this "Islamization" process, potentially leading to the most "Islamist" U.S. Congress ever. He pointed to the rise of figures like Abdul El-Sayed as evidence of this trend, particularly within the Democratic Party, where activists and their radical left allies have effectively gained influence.

Akunis identified Qatar as a primary funder behind this long-term campaign, which has influenced academic curricula, brought in sympathetic lecturers, and engaged influencers and organizations. He expressed concern that this political maturation of the campaign has arrived, and without a significant awakening, the West will face severe problems. He also criticized media outlets like The New York Times for publishing "fabrications and lies" against Israel, accusing them of losing professional direction and ethical standards.

The article also highlights internal divisions within the American Jewish community. Actress Selma Blair recounted experiencing professional ostracization in Hollywood after publicly supporting Israel post-October 7th. In Vermont, a local Jewish community organized a fundraising event for Mohamad Mahdawi, a Palestinian student involved in anti-Israel protests, despite allegations of his support for Hamas. Some community members, like Tobi Weissman, voiced opposition, citing Mahdawi's alleged support for Palestinian "resistance" and terrorist organizations. Others expressed fear of retribution for not aligning with the anti-Israel sentiment prevalent in some circles, with one activist reportedly receiving death threats and wearing a protective vest.

Dr. Kobi Barada, a researcher at the Jewish People Policy Institute, attributes some of the radicalism against Israel within the Jewish community to a misinterpretation of the concept of "Tikkun Olam" (repairing the world), leading some to view Palestinians as the primary vulnerable group. He also noted a shift among younger generations less connected to the Zionist narrative, joining movements like "Not In My Name" and "Jews for Palestine." Conversely, he observed a significant increase in Jewish votes for Donald Trump and a migration of Jewish students to Florida and Christian universities seeking safer environments due to perceived hostility on some campuses. Barada suggested that violence against Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza is causing some Jews to distance themselves from Israel, viewing it as an "outcast and violent" entity, contrary to traditional American Jewish values of supporting minorities and human rights. He also mentioned the divisive impact of the Western Wall compromise and the perceived capitulation to Haredi demands on inter-communal relations.