The coincidence of the calendar is nothing less than remarkable.
Last week, the European Union laid out new guidelines for labeling products from Israel. Farmers, vintners and manufacturers in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Golan Heights – even those employing Palestinian workers – must tell consumers that the products come from a “settlement” in the territories which were “illegally” captured by Israel in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.
There are over 200 border disputes and “occupations” in the world today but the European Union decided to single out only Israel.
As Prime Minister Netanyahu pointed out, there are over 200 border disputes and “occupations” in the world today – including China, India and Turkey – but the European Union decided to single out only Israel. Only Israel needs to feel the stinging rebuke of a boycott which intends to isolate Jews and Jewish products. The date of this European Union decision? November 11. The significance? Less than a century ago, the horrors of the Holocaust began on Kristallnacht. It was then that Reinhard Heydrich, chief of the Reich Main Security Office, first recommended that Jews should wear identifying badges following the Kristallnacht pogrom of November 9 and 10, 1938 and all Jewish places of business should be identified with the word Jude prominently displayed.
Shortly after the invasion of Poland in September 1939, local German authorities began introducing mandatory wearing of badges and by the end of 1939 all Jews in the newly-acquired Polish territories were required to wear yellow armbands with a Star of David. From then on the idea spread to all territory held by the Nazis. The star was intended to humiliate Jews and to mark them out for segregation and discrimination. The policy also made it easier to identify Jews for deportation to camps.
It all began with a label, a badge, an armband – an outer sign differentiating Jews from the rest of mankind – and it made possible genocide and the extermination of 6 million victims.
Who would have dreamt that the Nazi anti-Semitism of November 10 and 11 in 1938 would be followed by the despicable European anti-Semitism of November 12 in 2015?
It remains to be seen whether the required new labels somehow only necessary and applied for Israeli products will need to be yellow. Surely no fair-minded person, however, will fail to see the striking parallel to the previous effort to single out Jews for pernicious reasons.
It should also be highly instructive to go back in time and to remind ourselves of the original source of this particular method for singling out a specific group to be isolated, condemned, and punished. The history of the yellow armband, long before Nazi Germany applied it to the Jews, has its source in a Christian edict of anti-Semitism. It was at the Fourth Lateran Council headed by Pope Innocent III which in 1215 ruled that Jews must wear a form of distinctive garb to publicly demonstrate their inferior status – and insisted on a yellow badge, yellow being the color of urine, to serve that purpose.
It is a tragic part of the story of Christian anti-Jewish prejudice which filled the pages of the Middle Ages. And remarkably enough, during the time of Michelangelo, it was in the Vatican itself that another message about the yellow armband imposed upon Jews was secretly painted in one of the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel. At the time that Michelangelo was toiling in the Sistine, the status of Jews in the Western world was at an all-time low. The Inquisition was churning at the height of its powers, having already despoiled and expelled the Jews from Spain, Portugal and Sicily. Jewish wisdom literature was being burned in public bonfires all over Europe, and sometimes the holy rabbis and sages who taught these texts were thrown to the flames as well. In the midst of this insane wave of prejudice and hatred, Michelangelo felt the need to go against the tide.
As I point out in my book, The Sistine Secrets – co-authored with Roy Doliner – a striking example is an incredible detail that has come to light in the aftermath of the cleaning and restoration of the Sistine ceiling at the turn of this century. Near the end of his torturous years of frescoing, Michelangelo was painting right over the elevated area where the Pope would sit on his gilded throne. There he placed a portrait of Aminadab, a seemingly strange choice since Aminadab was far from a major biblical hero. On Aminadab’s upper left arm we can today see clearly revealed a bright yellow circle, a ring of cloth that has been sewn onto his garment.
This is the exact badge of shame that the Fourth Lateran Council and the Inquisition had forced upon the Jews of Europe.
Michelangelo placed this powerful illustration of anti-Semitism on Aminadab, whose name in Hebrew means “from my people, a prince.” To the Church, “a prince from the Jews” means only one person – Jesus, the prince of peace. Here, directly over the head of the Pope, the Vicar of Christ, Michelangelo pointed out exactly how the hatred and persecution of the Catholic Church was treating the very family of Jesus in his day. What he was saying in effect was that if Jesus were alive in his day, the anti-Semitism of the church at the time would have demeaned Jesus himself with the forced wearing of a yellow armband just as they did to every other Jew!
How remarkable that Michelangelo’s message resonates with powerful importance in our day as well. It is Christian Europe which today seeks the favor of the Arab and Muslim world by joining in the now popular pastime of anti-Jewish measures. It believes it can assuage those dedicated to the destruction of Israel by joining with them in the infamous yellow armband tradition of singling out Jews for unequal treatment. What the European Union forgets is the Muslim mantra which doesn’t conceal its ultimate goal: “First we will eliminate the people of Saturday and then we will take care of the Sunday worshipers.”
The European Union should not only feel ashamed. They should be seriously frightened – frightened that their willingness to silence their conscience so soon after the Holocaust will be remembered not for its boycott but for its boomerang. Christian Europe will pay with its own decline for so willingly joining fanatic Muslims in their hatred for Jews and their plan for world domination.
VIDEO: This week, Europe decided to single out Israel -- among 200 countries with territorial disputes -- and label Israeli products. It was wrong when Europe targeted Jewish stores 75 years ago and it is wrong to target Jewish goods now.----> Never again. Fight anti-Israel, anti-Jewish hate. Join over 70000 people who signed PeaceNotHate.comThanks to the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs
Posted by The Israel Project on Friday, November 13, 2015
(12) Anonymous, November 18, 2015 12:37 PM
response to Sean
Eventually is most appropriate Sean. As a Historian I know of the long reigns of terror via meglomaniacs and despots. I have always tried to bring them down sooner. Social Justice. There is always another to fill their shoes. The work never ends.
(11) Marcus May, November 18, 2015 3:47 AM
A new boycott!
Perhaps Jews across the world should demand that all European goods be labelled as coming from 'settlements', illegally captured during a few thousand years of arrogant wars led by European megalomaniacs. And then additionally apply a 'We Support Israel' boycott on every European product.
(10) Anonymous, November 17, 2015 8:11 PM
European anti-Semitism
1500 years of church inculcated Jew hatred effects most Europeans.
(9) Marvin Finkelstein, November 17, 2015 5:34 PM
Singling Out is Always Harmful
We must be aware that any time a country, person, group, or any other entity is singled out for any reason hostile reactions often ensue.
It can lead to some of the most hostile governments in history as happened during the last century in the 1930's.
In fact one of the first acts was the tearing up of what was seen as a humiliating political agreement.
(8) Anonymous, November 16, 2015 6:27 PM
God's side
Today, we possess the gates of our enemies as promised to Abraham's descendants. We are on the borders facing in on communism and islam, and this was done by German American Dwight D. Eisenhower. Even Churchill was a Saxon. God is funny that way.
(7) Harvey, November 16, 2015 12:19 PM
Muslim Country Labeling
There should be a label with knives & guns to label all products, including oil, from middle east muslim countries.
(6) Sherry Miller, November 15, 2015 10:44 PM
Those who choose to boycott Israeli products should do so completely. Do not use medical , technical , agricultural or military products and research produced , manufactured, or shared by Israel. Don't get sick, don't use a computer , don't ....farm. ,
(5) Anonymous, November 15, 2015 6:37 PM
Don't equate settlements with Israel or with all Jews
The author is wrong, deliberately wrong from the plain sense of the article, to equate the European action with an attack on all Jews or on all Israelis, regardless of how wrongheaded the settlement labeling requirement may be. Many Jews in Israel and many more abroad oppose the Israeli government's settlement policies. An even greater number, I'd bet, oppose the dozens of illegal settlements and settlement expansions to which the Israeli government turns a blind eye. The writer seemingly arrogates to himself the authority to equate the interests of the settlements with those of world Jewry. He might be surprised to learn how much of world Jewry disagrees -- even those who are dismayed by labeling.
Irene, November 16, 2015 12:11 PM
You are wrong
Maybe not about jewish opinion, but, you are wrong when it comes to what you call settlements. The area where those you call "settlers" live are part of Israel, even the area they today try to call "Palestine" or "Hamastan" is part of Israel. The land of Israel belongs to the God of the Bible, the book given to us by the Jews, and God has given the land to the decendants of Israel for them to live and thrive in. God has promised that when He brings His people back from captivity (which is now), He will plant them in Israel's land, and none is going to uproot them. Those you call "settlers" are planted there by God himself, don't mess with God... - He is the creator of heaven and earth.
(4) Howard Sanshuck, November 15, 2015 6:37 PM
Effect of a Boycott
Here in the USA all tobacco products are labeled with a warning that they could cause cancer. That hasn't stopped smoking. Besides all the trouble that Europe will bring on itself from a divine source because we seem to be in fact "God's Chosen People," just not worrying about it and labeling the products will not change anything. People will still consume Israeli products made in West Bank settlements, the Golan Heights, and East Jerusalem. There is one problem though. The intent of the EU lawmakers who voted for this measure in the EU Parliament is to create a boycott atmosphere by encouraging consumers to put pressure on businesses not to buy Israeli products made in the places described. Again, what will actually happen is that persons who want to boycott Israel will start destroying businesses if they enter the business and find something made in Israel. Markets that specialize in Jewish consumer products will start to have a booming business because non Jewish consumers will want those products, and those that fall to the boycott pressure will see their customers start to disappear. Soon non Jews will be keeping Glatt Kosher, (no more bacon!) and the markets that stopped buying Israeli products will hire security guards with guns to keep the bad elements out, then devote large parts of their store to Israeli products
(3) Edoardo Recanati, November 15, 2015 4:52 PM
labels and coincidences
Some 800 years ago, the King of France Philippe II decided to expel the Jews, after seazing all their money and property. After less than 10 years, the finances of the kingdom were a disaster because no banker wanted to lend money to France, because of the treatment of the Jews. The king consented to return the Jews to France, with two conditions. They had to wear a ridiculous yellow hat in the streets and every product manufactured had to specify that it had been made by Jews.
France took the initiative to label the products of Judea and Samaria and pressed for the labelling. Eventually Europe did accept the French proposal and made it a law. They only had forgot that G.d promised Avram to bless those who will bless the Jews and to curse those who will curse them. A few hours after this stinking decision, Paris was victim of the worst attack in its history. I am terribly sorry for the suffering of the innocent victims but I ask myself: was it a coincidence?
(2) William, November 15, 2015 4:35 PM
Was it the Christians this time?
While it is easy (and certainly to a large part correct) to mention the historic fact of the Christian's hatred (at the very least, disaffection) of the Jew, is it your belief that the recent insane act of the EU is Christian? Is it not merely more the work of the Social(ist) (In)justice "Worrier"? -- the "crybullies" of the "PC" mob?
Dvirah, November 15, 2015 6:17 PM
But They Cooperate with Terror
Christian regligious institutions no longer rule in Europe, but it is still (just barely?) the dominant religion - certainly, the official religion of many EU countries. So yes, Christians are involved, and their existing institutions still have influence - which they have not used to quell the hatred, but all too often done the opposite; and at best, are markedly silent. Christianity, therefore, is not blameless.
(1) Anonymous, November 15, 2015 2:58 PM
Rabbi Benjamin Blech: Yellow Star of David
The worst of Tyrants always fall...ALWAYS! The true humanity is there are those who survive and often by their own wits or with the rare assistance of others. Hitler's aftermath is still alive in this World today. Because generations are aware that there is no price to be paid for the ruthless blood letting across the Globe. It's a free for all where no life is respected including the mass extinction of wild life. For me to list Israeli Products would be a godsend as I would buy ONLY Israeli but the true racist intent of the EU is not lost on me. A smack in the face also of every American who liberated Europe from the trenches of Nazism and a kick in the rear ends of the children and grandchildren of the "Greatest Generation" . Who knew another generation thought WW11 and the aftermath the loss of true religion, personal accountability, ethics, moral accountability and the unconscionable ruthlessness to single out Jews again for economic oppression. After Nazism's defeat we allowed the EU's rise to power, Hitler's dream come true, by a new generation of knucklehead racist who SHOULD know this never worked before and the current consequence of their mindless racism is the end of humanity as we know it! Good grief!
seankraft, November 16, 2015 6:53 PM
"The worst of Tyrants always fall...ALWAYS!" Hmmm. I could name a long list of monsters who had long reigns. Do you just mean they eventually fall?