Well-Being Australia chairman Mark Tronson notes that Jews have suffered a history of Anti-Semitism wherever they settled. Christians throughout the ages have unfortunately referred to them as Christ killers. Yes, the Jewish leaders did say that the blood of Jesus would be on their shoulders (Matthew 27 verse 25), but Jesus forgave them for 'they knew not what they did', (Luke 23 verse 34).
From the Middle Ages in Europe, Jews were forbidden to work in many trades as the Guilds (forerunners of Trade Unions) kept them out. As a result the Jews tended to live together and dress alike which created fear of them as 'foreign', and led to some vilification of them as a group. One of the trades they were 'allowed' was clothes-making, and many fine tailors in London and Europe until recent years came from generations of Jewish tailors. Interestingly, they were 'pushed' into the financial industry because it was considered un-Christian to charge interest on money, so the Jews were encouraged into those areas. Their brightest young men were suited to business and finance, as the culture encouraged education and study.
However, because they were money-lenders (and Christians were forbidden from being money-lenders), Jews were often vilified once again – this time gaining a reputation for being greedy and 'tight' with money. From there, many branched out into the jewelry trades, particularly the large numbers that later migrated to South Africa to flee the persecution elsewhere in the world.
As the education systems in Europe became more open to wider participation, this fostering of education led many Jewish people into studying medicine, the Law and the sciences; and the migration and 'saving' of top-level scientists from Germany kick-started the American (and British) explosion in scientific and technological knowledge that was so obvious, and well-funded by the 1960s. The most famous of these refugees was Albert Einstein, but there were dozens of others who later worked closely with scientists who came together from all over the world.
As western European societies became more industrialised and the political systems became more democratic, all citizens gradually became freer to find accommodation and employment and education. Many Jewish people (and many migrant communities, and many other religious denominations and sects) just became assimilated into the society and ceased to be regarded (or to regard themselves) as 'separate', apart from the fact that they may have practised a minority religion (if they chose to maintain the traditions).
This happened all through western Europe, including – significantly because of what happened in the 1930s – in Austria and Germany. It is to be noted that Jewish people migrating to Australia in the 1700s and 1800s or coming as convicts were never isolated or treated separately, and this reflects their position in English society at the time. Our first Australian-born Governor General, and a Knight of the British Realm, Sir Isaac Isaacs, was Jewish.
Another reason given for Israel's re-establishment is the conviction of Bible prophecy, such as Isaisah 11 verses 11 and 12; which states that God would reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the remnant of His people, and gather the exiles of Israel, from the four quarters of the earth. No-one who takes the Bible at face value would see any thing other than the hand of God in that political decision of 1948. It required gaining sufficient 'yes' votes on the floor of the United Nations, although the proposal was bitterly opposed by the Arab Islamic world.
The miracle of the State of Israel some would say was the natural working of good and decent men over against those who would see evil prevail, but others would deem it a 'divine miracle' and 'fulfillment of Biblical prophecy'.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children. Mark is a qualified Holy Land tour guide with InnerFaith travel and was one of 48 Gentiles to be invited to the 60th anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz in 2005.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html