Israel Alone is a powerful new work penned by author Bernard-Henri Lévy. Often identified as BHL--- the French intellectual, philosopher, journalist, political activist, provocateur, filmmaker, humanitarian---analyzes Israel’s global isolation in the aftermath of the “Event.” BHL defines “Event” as an occurrence unprecedented in savagery, “a Black Swan that changes the future”, unpredictable, incalculable, “distant from what the mind can conceive”, October 7th.
BHL is confident about Israel’s survival in perpetuity. He writes, “Tragedy is Greek not Jewish.” Hamas knew they could never win the war against Israel. However, Hamas calibrated the Event “would tarnish the image, prestige and radiance of Israel---its splendor cooling, dimming” after October seventh. “BHL asserts “There is now nowhere in the world where Jews are safe. “ With antisemitsm accelerating, “an icy wind is blowing once again in the diaspora.”
BHL excoriates the response of nations who have become unjustifiably critical of Israel after the atrocities of Oct 7th. “The Kremlin has yet to condemn the massacre,” Turkey’s Erdogan declares, “Hamas was not a terrorist organization rather a group of mujahedeen defending the land.” He eviscerates the words of the UN Secretary General Antonio Gutierrez, who set the tone for others with his utterance, “the attack did not occur in a vacuum” blaming “the suffocating occupation” of Gaza for provoking the Event--- though Israel has not occupied Gaza since Ariel Sharon withdrew in 2005. He bristles at UNRA naming it “a party to the crime.” One of its aids called Oct 7th “a splendid spectacle.” He quotes other groups who demonized Israel with “yes but ” phrases such as, “Yes, the pogrom of Oct 7th happened but… what about Israel’s apartheid society”? claiming “context” matters.
BHL lambasts the “context“ issue at Harvard and discredits the global call for “restraint” and “proportionality,” from 82% of nations reacting to Israel’s response following October 7th. He deconstructs the call for a quick or protracted “ceasefire” and disparages the global demand for an “exit plan” with premature questions such as what will happen “the day after,” even when the war was raging.
As the number of antisemitic acts around the world heightens, with demonstrations and rallies against Israel, encampments at universities, harassment and intimidation of Jewish students, the International Court of Justice ( ICC) ironically demands the arrest of “war criminal” Netanyahu. Columbia’s Professor Joseph Massad however celebrated the Event as “awesome.”
BHL acknowledges Israel has some allies, though not a solid coalition of support. How much support, BHL asks, would Israel receive if, for example, “Israel decided to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities?”
A “cri de Coeur,” in an emotionally gripping work, BHL reaffirms his advocacy for “Am Segula” -- a cherished possession --- that is Israel. He dedicates his book to the hostages in Gaza, many tragically no longer alive.