Tea at Trianon: The Rising Tide of Antisemitism

John Wilson Croker on Marie-Antoinette

"We have followed the history of Marie Antoinette with the greatest diligence and scrupulosity. We have lived in those times. We have talked with some of her friends and some of her enemies; we have read, certainly not all, but hundreds of the libels written against her; and we have, in short, examined her life with– if we may be allowed to say so of ourselves– something of the accuracy of contemporaries, the diligence of inquirers, and the impartiality of historians, all combined; and we feel it our duty to declare, in as a solemn a manner as literature admits of, our well-matured opinion that every reproach against the morals of the queen was a gross calumny– that she was, as we have said, one of the purest of human beings."

~from History of the Guillotine by John Wilson Croker, 1844

Edmund Burke on Marie-Antoinette

"It is now sixteen or seventeen years since I saw the queen of France, then dauphiness, at Versailles; and surely there never lighted on this orb, which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful vision. I saw her just above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated sphere she had just begun to move in, glittering like a morning star full of life and splendor and joy. Oh, what a revolution....Little did I dream that I should have lived to see such disasters fall upon her, in a nation of gallant men, in a nation of men of honor and of cavaliers! I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards, to avenge even a look which threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone; that of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded...."

~Edmund Burke, October 1790

Monday, October 23, 2023

The Rising Tide of Antisemitism

What a nightmare. From RAIR Foundation:

As we witness the erosion of classically liberal societies and the rising tide of antisemitism, it becomes evident that leftist influences have played a significant role in fostering not only divisions but also the spread of Islamic hatred towards Jews. In recent days, Germany has seen more violent Jew-hatred, reminiscent of its dark Nazi past. The Star of David has been brazenly graffitied on the doors of Jewish homes in Berlin, marking a horrifying echo of anti-Semitic persecution during the Nazi era. This deeply troubling development is a grim reminder of the consequences when hatred is left unchallenged.

This global trend of antisemitism has intensified, particularly following the outbreak of violence in the Israel-Hamas conflict, which erupted on October 7. Tragically, more than 1,300 Israelis have lost their lives, and over 3,200 individuals have sustained injuries. Additionally, hundreds have been kidnapped by Hamas forces during their invasion. This day is marked as one of the deadliest for Jews since the Holocaust, as Hamas indiscriminately targeted anyone within their reach.

Immigration Policy and Antisemitism

The country’s open-door policy towards Muslim migrants, spearheaded by former Chancellor Angela Merkel, has played a significant role in shaping the current landscape in Germany and has contributed to the proliferation of anti-Semitism. The recent acts of vandalism, intimidation, and violence are a manifestation of the deep-seated Islamic antisemitism that has taken root in parts of German society.

Acts of Vandalism and Fear

Disturbing images of the Star of David emblazoned on the doors of Jewish homes have sent shockwaves across the nation. Jewish residents in Berlin have reported a sharp increase in abuse following the recent Hamas attacks on Israel. One young Jewish woman returned home to find her door graffitied with this symbol. She spoke of her shock and fear, highlighting the deeply troubling impact of such incidents on individual lives. (Read more.)