The Blood Libel's Last Gasp: Why "The Passion" Still Hurts

Mel Gibson on the set of The Passion of the Christ,
with Christ (AA Film Archive / Alamy)

In Roman history scholar, Prof. Nathanael Andrade's recent article, (adapted in JTA), rightly challenges the enduring myth of Jewish culpability in the death of Jesus. The scholar dismantles the historical inaccuracies and biased interpretations that have fueled centuries of antisemitism. It's a crucial intervention, yet the persistence of this libel, particularly in popular culture, demands constant vigilance. One need only look at Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" to see how these ancient prejudices continue to fester.

Gibson's film, released to both critical acclaim and fervent condemnation, purported to offer a historically accurate depiction of Jesus' final hours. However, its blatant manipulation of scripture, its graphic violence, and, most insidiously, its portrayal of Jews as bloodthirsty antagonists, served only to reinforce the very narratives that Dr. Andrade so effectively debunks.

The film leans heavily on extra-biblical traditions and embellishments, often presented as historical fact. The Sanhedrin is depicted as a monolithic entity, driven solely by malice towards Jesus. Individual Jews are shown sneering and demanding his crucifixion. This is a far cry from the complex socio-political landscape of Roman-occupied Judea. The Gospels themselves offer varying accounts, and even within those accounts, blame is far from universally assigned to the Jewish people.

But "The Passion's" most egregious offense lies in its perpetuation of the deicide charge – the accusation that the Jewish people are collectively responsible for the death of God. This charge has been the cornerstone of antisemitism for millennia, justifying persecution, pogroms, and even the Holocaust. To visually reinforce this accusation on the silver screen, with all the power of cinematic storytelling, is not just irresponsible, it's dangerous.

Moreover, the film conveniently omits or minimizes the role of the Roman authorities. Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, is presented as a reluctant participant, almost sympathetic to Jesus' plight. This glosses over the brutal reality of Roman rule and the empire's history of crushing dissent. It's crucial to remember that Jesus was executed by the Romans, for what they perceived as sedition – a direct threat to their authority.

Fortunately, voices have emerged to challenge this harmful narrative. Scholars Jeremy Cohen and Andrade's work is vital, but so too are visual resources that offer alternative interpretations. Here are a few examples that challenge the Church's historical narrative:

• Antisemitism Uncovered Video: Myth of Deicide: Many YouTube channels offer theological and historical analyses that dismantle the deicide charge, highlighting the Roman role and the complexities of the Gospel accounts. Search for videos addressing "deicide myth" or "who killed Jesus."

• The Passion of the Christ - (Renegade Cut): Several film critics and theologians have produced video essays analyzing the antisemitic tropes present in Mel Gibson's film. Search for "The Passion of the Christ anti-Semitism" on YouTube or Vimeo.

• Jews & Christians: A Journey of Faith | Abrahamic Religions Documentary: Documentaries exploring the historical relationship between Judaism and Christianity can offer valuable context and challenge prejudiced assumptions.

It is our responsibility, as Jews, to actively combat the persistent myth of Jewish culpability in the death of Jesus. By engaging with scholarly work, critically analyzing popular culture, and promoting alternative narratives, we can help to dismantle the structures of antisemitism and build a more just and equitable world. "The Passion" may be a film, but its legacy of hate lingers on, and we must be vigilant in confronting it.

"Here There Are Blueberries" Holocaust-themed drama at The Wallis in L.A. impresses Television Academy Governor, Kim Estes

Mr. Kim Estes, actors' Governor, TV Academy

While covering the Santa Monica Film Festival on March 15th, Nikki Carbonetta, the festival's Creative Director introduced me to Mr. Kim Estes. In addition to his career as an actor, Mr. Estes also serves (with Kate Linder) as a co-representative of the Television Academy's Board of Governors to the Performers (i.e., Actors) Members.

Mr. Estes related how impressed he was having just attended the play "Here There Are Blueberries," performed at the Wallis Annenberg Theater in Beverly Hills which plays until March 30th. Mr. Estes described the performance as spectacular and deeply poignant. 

"Here There Are Blueberries" stage
performance scene, May 2023

Mr. Estes says that this L.A. production addresses the Holocaust and Auschwitz through previously unseen photographs found by an individual in a trash can in Germany. These photographs depicted the lives of German officers, prompting a moral dilemma for the Holocaust Museum about whether to accept and showcase them. 

The narrative also includes a story about a woman who, after being cared for by an ex-Nazi officer, discovered more photographs of prisoners and officers, which she kept for 60 years before feeling compelled to share their history. 

Here, There Are Blueberries" is noted for its contemporary setting and the heavy, yet enlightening exploration of these historical moments, ultimately revealing the complexity of the human experience during such a harrowing time.  

Ought entertainment award ceremonies tolerate the exploiting of acceptance speeches for recipients' political causes?

Vanessa Redgrave redux: In view of the politicized acceptance speech given by directors of "No Other Land," (Oscar for Best Documentary 2025) we republish our article produced on the topic of exploiting the telecast in 2017.

Marlon Brando boycotted the 1973 Oscars to draw attention to Hollywood's depiction of American Indians and Wounded Knee. In 1978, Vanessa Redgrave danced with a PLO Kalashnikov rifle in her anti-Israel documentary, "The Palestinian." In her acceptance speech for her Oscar for "Julia," she made a political statement, calling opponents of her award "Zionist hoodlums" which drew audible disapproval from the audience. 

Meryl Streep exploited her microphone at the 2017 Golden Globe Awards telecast to condemn conservatism, Pres. Trump's vetting of immigrants from troublesome Islamist countries, and to praise multiculturalism.

Should opinion-leader actors and singers exploit the live award-shows' telecast spotlight to preach their politics to a global audience? Is Hollywood's esteemed diversity extended to political views? Would liberals tolerate it from conservatives? Does it needlessly risk alienating half of an artists' fans? Or does virtue-signaling grow an artist's popularity enough to compensate for it?

We took our camera to the red-carpet at Norby Walters' 2017 "Night of 100 Stars" $1000-per-plate, Oscar viewing-party at the Beverly Hilton to investigate the celebrities' perspectives. How has Hollywood become too political? Do Liberals discriminate professionally against those of alternate views? How much politics (if at all) is it appropriate to foist on an entertainment awards-ceremony TV audience?

We spoke to actors and singers of varying ages and genres: Jon Voight, Richard Lewis,  Ed Asner, Lou Gossett Jr., Richard Grieco, Frankie Valli, Charles Martin-Smith, Tanya Tucker, Trace Adkins, Courtney Stodden, (non-entertainer and anti-Trump operative) Gloria Allred, Wink and Sandy Martindale, Shadoe Stevens, Yakov Smirnfoff,  Tia Carrere, (HBO's Mike Tyson star) Michael Jai White and wife Gillian, Hollywood stylist Daniel DeCriscio. 

In most cases, those who endorsed political speeches were liberals and those opposed it were conservatives. Former Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich tied it all together. "(I think) it's not healthy... We want to have everybody enjoy the arts, because the arts are for everyone, regardless of race, color, creed, or political persuasion. ... I'd like to see that restored, once again, as it had been in the past." 

Antonovich agreed there has been some discrimination against non-liberals in Hollywood. "If we're going to support diversity, we need to respect different points of view- and still respect one another and work with one another. ... Respect is what's important."

How Oscar docu, 'No Other Land' is a false, Palestinian propaganda

“This is a propaganda film that serves the false Palestinian narrative, and seeks to undermine the legitimacy of the State of Israel.”

According to Kassy Akiva's "The Truth About The Oscar-Winning Anti-Israel Documentary ‘No Other Land’ published in The Daily Wire March 3rd '25 

According to Israeli NGO Regavim, the documentary No Other Land relies on a “concoction of misrepresentations and outright fabrications.”

“This is a propaganda film that serves the false Palestinian narrative, and seeks to undermine the legitimacy of the State of Israel in the international arena in order to cause boycotts and sanctions of IDF fighters,” Meir Deutsch, director-general of Regavim, said in a statement.

Throughout the film, Palestinian co-Director, Basel Adra, documents his struggle to stop the Israeli Defense Forces from demolishing what are described as “ancient villages” in an area called Masafer Yatta, which is east of the Palestinian Authority town of Yatta. In reality, Regavim points out, all of the so-called villages of Masafer Yatta did not exist when Israel declared the area an IDF training zone for live-fire exercises in the early 1980s.

According to Naomi Kahn, the director of the international division of Regavim, the Palestinian Authority encourages and supports the illegal construction as a way of taking over Area C.

“Since the announcement by the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority in 2009 that the Oslo framework was no longer binding, the Palestinian Authority has poured all of its resources into de facto annexation of Area C.”

Kahn stresses that more than 60% of Areas A and B — the territory already under Palestinian Authority control — is empty and available for construction and development.

“They are putting facts on the ground in strategic points, forming the map of a Palestinian state in the entirety of Judea and Samaria — without the bother of negotiation or compromise with Israel.”

Aerial photographs dating as far back as 1945 — some of which the Arabs submitted themselves to the Israeli Supreme Court — show no signs of a residential presence before the 1980s. Not until the 2000s does the area have signs of habitation in the images.

According to a thread of posts by Tweeter: @GazaWood1 (who exposes Palestinian, fabricated scenes and imagery created as propaganda) on X.com "The Film 'No Other Land' Sparked Significant Controversy. "

In reality, the film is based on a complete Palestinian falsehood known as “Masafer Yatta.” Let’s talk about it for a bit.
🧵🔎 

1️⃣ First of all, the film tells the story of an area in the Disputed Territories the Muslims named Masafer Yatta. 
The film attempts to convey the narrative that Palestinians have lived there for hundreds of years and that Israel suddenly decided to evict them.
In reality, this was abandoned land that nomadic Bedouins occasionally used for grazing and sometimes took shelter in the caves there. 

2️⃣ In fact, Palestinian construction in the area only began in the 1990s.
Before that, there were caves that Bedouins used as seasonal dwellings. 

3️⃣ The most important point: Until 1993, the Israeli Air Force conducted attack training in the area.
These were full-scale military exercises—of the kind that made permanent residence impossible. This fact alone proves that no permanent settlement existed there.
ynet.co.il/news/article/r…Only in 1999 did Palestinians file a petition with the court. The simple reason? Until then, the area was of no importance to them, and no one lived there permanently.
It’s also worth noting that even afterward, they never presented any ownership documents.

Summary:
Palestinians have never provided evidence that the area belonged to them. Even more striking, it was only many years after the military had been active there that they began constructing homes.

4️⃣ Attached is a screenshot of the court ruling, with an English translation:
ynet.co.il/news/article/r…

בג"ץ: אפשר לפנות מאות פלסטינים המתגוררים בשטח אש בדרום הר חברוןבתום מחלוקת ארוכת שנים, דחה בג"ץ שתי עתירות של פלסטינים החיים בשטח שנמצא בשליטת צה"ל. השופט מינץ קבע כי "ערב ההכרזה על שטח אש לא היו מגורים קבועים בגבולותיו", אך הוסיף כי העותרים יוכלו להיכנס לאזור לצ…https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/ryxs6swuq

5️⃣ The judge rebuked the petitioners for exploiting the legal battle to continue illegal construction,
even though the court had conditioned its injunctions against demolition on a halt to further illegal building.

🔴 In other words: All the demolition footage was staged.
They built in a prohibited area precisely so that the IDF would demolish their homes, allowing them to document and publicize it. 

6️⃣ A side note relevant to the previous point:
At 11:15 in the film, they explicitly discuss their strategy to prevent what they fear most:
🗣️ "I think we can stop the eviction. It will happen if we document and work on the ground."

It’s astounding how openly Palestinians reveal their well-worn tactic that Israel has been blind to for years: provoking a confrontation, standing by with cameras, and capturing the perfect moment.

This is textbook Pallywood.  Anyone familiar with Palestinian tactics— not Westerners unfamiliar with their methods— knows that this means: "Let’s stir up trouble, capture the perfect moment, edit around it, and publish."

This is the same trick they’ve used thousands of times: A soldier turns his rifle, they freeze the frame the moment it’s aimed at a civilian, and they frame it as if he is targeting an innocent bystander.

7️⃣ By the way, the Arabic word ‘Masafer’ means ‘nothing.’
Many believed the area was worthless. 

8️⃣ What bothered me personally the most was the use of children.
And it’s a shame Hollywood enables this. 
The same way they arm their children and encourage them to commit acts of terror,
The same way Hamas builds tunnels under schools,
The same way they always send their children—whom they love less than they hate us—into the line of fire, hoping they’ll get hurt so they can parade them in front of cameras,
That’s exactly how children were used in this film.
Why use children and force them to live in a conflict zone solely for political purposes? 

9️⃣ Did you know they even stole the film’s title from the Jews?
See here:

🔟 Summary: Why are Palestinians trying to seize Masafer Yatta?

The Palestinian push to take over Masafer Yatta is not coincidental and not simply a ‘survival struggle’ as international media portrays it.  This is a well-planned strategy motivated by demographic, political, and territorial considerations in the battle for control of the West Bank.

🔹 1️⃣ Creating ‘facts on the ground’ as part of the fight for Area C

📌 Masafer Yatta is in Area C—territory under full Israeli control according to the Oslo Accords.
📌 The Palestinian Authority knows it has no official authority there, so it promotes illegal construction to establish footholds and turn them into permanent settlements.
📌 The goal? International pressure leading to de facto recognition of Palestinian control over the land.

🔹 2️⃣ Establishing Palestinian territorial continuity and breaking Jewish settlement

📌 Masafer Yatta lies between southern Hebron and the Negev—a strategic area linking West Bank Palestinian communities with Bedouin populations in the Negev.
📌 Palestinian control there isolates Jewish settlements, preventing Jewish territorial continuity between the Negev and the Hebron region.

🔹 3️⃣ European Union & international support

📌 The EU directly funds illegal Palestinian construction in the area, despite it being a designated military firing zone.
📌 Palestinians receive financial and logistical aid from European left-wing NGOs looking to push an anti-Israel narrative by manufacturing a "forced eviction crisis."

🔹 4️⃣ Exploiting legal and media platforms

📌 Palestinians use courts and media to frame the issue as “forced displacement of traditional residents,” even though the area was historically used only for grazing, not for permanent settlement.
📌 Branding the conflict as a ‘human rights project’ recruits global support and hinders Israeli sovereignty enforcement.

🔴 Conclusion: This is a strategic battle, not a defense of ‘ancient villages.’

📌 The Masafer Yatta narrative as “historical villages” is not backed by facts—permanent settlement began only in the 1990s.
📌 The real goal is political: To create Palestinian territorial continuity, isolate Jewish communities, and weaken Israeli control over Area C.

📌 The use of media and courts is a calculated move to generate international pressure and solidify Palestinian presence as an irreversible reality.

❌ This isn’t about "another Israeli injustice"—it’s a deliberate strategic operation backed by European funding and a manipulated narrative. 

Despite Holocaust-Survivor Ceremonies, Certain Jewish Leaders Haven't Applied This Lesson

The Mensch Foundation held its annual awards ceremony at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills on Friday, which honored Holocaust survivors and emphasizing the importance of remembrance and education. This year's recipients included Gabriella Karin, Joseph Alexander, and David Wiener, whose stories of resilience serve as poignant reminders of the atrocities faced during the Holocaust. Alongside them, Holocaust educator David Meyerhof was recognized for his commitment to teaching future generations about the dangers of hatred and intolerance.

The Mensch Awards not only celebrate individual achievements but also highlight a critical lesson from history: how a civilized society can be propagandized into vilifying an ideology or identity, leading to devastating consequences. The Holocaust serves as a stark reminder of this potential for societal decay, urging vigilance against propaganda that fosters division and hatred.

The Current Landscape: A Crisis of Identity and Ideology

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has reignited fierce debates within the Jewish community regarding support for Israel and responses to rising antisemitism. This internal struggle is exacerbated by a media landscape that often portrays Israel unfavorably, leading many to feel caught between conflicting loyalties.

President Trump's recent proposal for the temporary resettlement of Gazans has sparked significant controversy and backlash. In a full-page advertisement in The New York Times, over 350 rabbis and Jewish public figures condemned Trump's plan, stating, “Trump has called for the removal of all Palestinians from Gaza. Jewish people say NO to ethnic cleansing!” This advertisement reflects a broader concern among liberal Jews about the implications of such proposals, which they view as reminiscent of historical injustices.

Jonathan Tobin, Jewish News Syndicate's Editor-in-Chief, argues that the signatories to this advertisement are not primarily concerned with Israeli or Palestinian safety.  Rather, they are aligning themselves with those who favor the destruction of Israel.  Mr. Tobin asserts that their actions serve as a signal to the left-wing political ecosphere that many prominent Jews oppose Israel’s existence while supporting those who wish to eradicate Hamas terrorists. Tobin emphasizes that this stance is more about virtue signaling against figures like Trump and Netanyahu than about advocating for peace or justice.

Rabbi David Baron echoed similar sentiments in a post-awards ceremony interview with JooTube. He expressed deep concerns regarding Hamas's actions and their implications for Israeli security. Describing the October 7th attacks as a "genocide," he highlighted the brutality of these events as evidence of Hamas's monstrous cruelty.

Rabbi Baron emphasized that these actions necessitate a strong response from Israel to ensure its survival. He expressed disappointment with fellow rabbis who signed letters criticizing U.S. policy towards Israel, labeling their stance as naive. According to Rabbi Baron, October 7th effectively ended any possibility for a two-state solution, given the indoctrination of Gazan children with hatred from a young age.

Rabbi Baron also addressed rising antisemitism in America, citing anti-Israel demonstrations in various cities and calling for stronger actions against those who threaten Jewish students' safety. He criticized organizations like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for failing to confront antisemitism stemming from radical Islam, arguing that without acknowledging these realities, meaningful solutions cannot be found.

Daphna Ziman: The Role of Media in Shaping Perceptions

Adding another layer to this discussion is Israel-American entrepreneur, Daphna Ziman’s perspective on media representation and its impact on public perception of Israel. In this interview with JooTube, she lamented that supporting Israel has become unfashionable amid ongoing demonstrations since October 2023. 

Ms. Ziman articulated her belief that society is suffering from a “trust deficiency disorder,” where people no longer trust media or governments—leading to distorted narratives about complex issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Ms. Ziman emphasized that exploitation of truth has become rampant in modern discourse. She pointed out how media narratives often fail to account for Hamas's use of civilians as human shields during conflicts. “Nobody is realizing that it's a ploy,” she stated emphatically, highlighting how human life is devalued by terrorist groups like Hamas. She noted that this manipulation contributes to a broader misunderstanding among various communities about the realities on the ground.

Learning from History: The Dangers of Ideological Manipulation

The current discourse surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict reveals a troubling trend among liberal circles, particularly in their failure to learn from the Holocaust. This historical atrocity serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of propaganda and ideological manipulation; yet many liberals appear to have fallen prey to a new form of Islamo-Marxist propaganda that vilifies those who do not share their views.  (Article continues)

Irony-alert: Mayhem as anti-Zionist protesters antagonize Hassidic Jews in Borough Park - under the pretense of protesting purchase-a-residence-in-Israel Fair

Muslim protesters clash with Borough Park Brooklyn, neighborhood Jews defending a live-in Israel, real-estate fair. (Photo courtesy: The Times of India)

Last night, the streets of Borough Park, Brooklyn, known for its Orthodox Jewish community, transformed into a battleground of ideologies. On February 18, 2025, the anti-Israel group Pal-Awda organized a protest against a real estate fair turned volatile, leading to clashes between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and local Jewish residents.

Video courtesy: Search Sift

The demonstration was initially set to protest what was described as the sale of "stolen Palestinian land." However, the location near several synagogues in Borough Park sparked immediate concern among community leaders and residents. The chants of "Zionists go to hell" and "settlers settlers go back home, Palestine is ours alone" were not just heard but felt through the neighborhood, escalating tensions.

As the evening progressed, the situation deteriorated. Protesters, shouting slogans like "How many kids did you kill today?" and making offensive gestures towards Jewish residents, crossed the line from political expression into targeted harassment. The Jewish community responded with a demonstration of their own, waving Israeli flags and defended their neighborhood's sacred spaces. Orthodox Brooklynites defend their neighborhood from anti-Zionists including Neturei Karta Hassids from northern NYC suburbs. Video courtesy: FreedomNews TV / ScooterCaster The confrontation led to physical altercations. Videos shared on social media captured moments where the crowd broke through police lines, resulting in a scuffle that required immediate intervention by law enforcement. Police arrested Rohann Gill, a 28-year-old Pakistani registered male nurse from Brooklyn. He reportedly spent his summer at a Hamas Youth Camp. He was arrested for reportedly attempting to stab Jewish counter-protesters. The atmosphere remained charged with emotion and fear.

Hamas War revived Nazi propaganda techniques to incite hatred & violence towards "Zionist Jews"; Antisemitism watchdogs abandon Jewish-American casualty

Paul Kessler stood-up for Israel at an L.A. protest
by Hamas-propagandized Islamists. Loay Alnaji
faces manslaughter charges, but is defended by
advocate C.A.I.R. affiliated attorney, Ron Bamieh
Photo: NewsVCNews

The hollowness of Jewish Holocaust defense apparatus is evinced by the public's complacency towards effecting justice for L.A.'s Paul Kessler, 69. Mr. Kessler was killed for carrying an Israeli flag alongside an anti-Zionist rally by the Muslim Society of Simi Valley on 5 Nov '23. The case against his alleged killer, Jordanian immigrant, Loay Alnaji, is up for trial before April with no Jewish establishment activism or public intervention.

Under the grey skies of Auschwitz, on the 80th anniversary of the camp’s liberation, Ronald Lauder’s words carried the weight of history and the urgency of the present. Speaking in the shadow of the gas chambers where over a million Jews were murdered, Lauder’s address was not merely a commemoration—it was a warning.

“We don’t want our past to be our children’s future,” Lauder declared, invoking the haunting words of Holocaust survivor Roman Kent. But as he surveyed the current state of the world, Lauder admitted that such hope seemed tenuous. “If Roman Kent were here and saw what’s happening to the Jewish people around the world in 2025, he would cry.”

There has been an exponential rise in anti-Semitism in Britain
since the October 7 attacks Credit: Alishia Abodunde/Getty

Lauder’s speech was not limited to recalling the horrors of the Holocaust. It was a call to vigilance against a rising tide of antisemitism—one that is not confined to the fringes of society but is increasingly mainstreamed. And it was here, amidst the solemnity of Auschwitz, that Lauder addressed the uncomfortable truths that much of the world, Jews and non-Jews alike, seems reluctant to confront.

But despite 'leaders" professing for years that we ought to prevent such Jew-hatred from recurring, the response to its resurgence since October 7, 2023, reveals a devastating truth: neither Jews nor gentiles have truly learned, nor not yet effectively applied the lessons of the Holocaust to thwart its resurgence.

The Silence Surrounding Islamist Antisemitism

Lauder’s address pointed to the “step-by-step progression of antisemitism” that led to Auschwitz. It began slowly, he noted: Jews excluded from universities, boycotted in businesses, and vilified in the media. It culminated in the unthinkable. Today, he warned, the signs are disturbingly similar.

Among the most insidious modern manifestations of this hatred is the antisemitism propagated by Islamist movements. Groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Muslim Brotherhood espouse ideologies steeped in a supremacist hatred toward Jews and Zionism. They cloak their agenda in the language of resistance and liberation, but their objectives—the annihilation of Israel and the subjugation of Jews—are unequivocal. Hamas, in particular, has made no secret of its goals. Its charter explicitly calls for Israel’s destruction, and its actions—from launching rockets at civilians to orchestrating terrorist attacks—are a grim testament to this ideology.

Pro-Palestinian protesters attend a “Flood Brooklyn for Gaza” demonstration, as the conflict between Israel and the terror group Hamas continues on 10/28/23.  REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs

Yet, as Lauder alluded, much of the world remains silent. The mainstream and social media often downplay or ignore the overt antisemitism of these groups. Instead, they frame the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a binary struggle between oppressor and oppressed, erasing the complexities and ignoring the genocidal rhetoric of Hamas and its allies.

“Silence and indifference—that’s what led to Auschwitz,” Lauder reminded his audience. He recalled the world’s muted reaction to Kristallnacht in 1938, an event that signaled the beginning of the Holocaust. “When Hitler heard that silence, he knew he could do anything he wanted with the Jews.” Today’s silence in the face of Islamist antisemitism, Lauder suggested, risks emboldening those who seek to harm Jews and dismantle the Jewish state.  (Article continues).