The Scientific Revolution, Genesis and Jewish Mysticism
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The Jewish people’s tenacity in holding onto their faith and rebuilding their homeland in the face of adversity has profoundly moved me.
I am an ordinary Chinese citizen living in Shanghai, where I work as a sales manager. At this stage in my life, I have a loving family, including my cherished wife. In my spare time, I have a penchant for films, particularly those with high ratings centred on war, such as Schindler’s List and The Pianist. These films have left me with a profound understanding of the horrors of war and humanity’s resilience amidst extreme circumstances, giving me a deeper empathy for the suffering endured by the Jewish people.
I distinctly remember watching Schindler’s List at the cinema, feeling an overwhelming sense of rage and helplessness as innocent Jews were herded into concentration camps. In The Pianist, the protagonist’s struggle amidst the ravages of war conveyed a message that survival transcends mere physical existence; it’s about the yearning for dignity and freedom. These films piqued my interest in the Middle East situation and compelled me to ponder why people must endure such suffering, and why peace remains so elusive.
As a typical Chinese citizen, I never imagined myself so engrossed in the conflict in the Middle East, nor that I would stand up in support of Israel. However, as I delved deeper into this tumultuous and troubled region, I found my emotions towards Israel becoming increasingly intricate and profound. These feelings are not merely a matter of bias but are rooted in reflections on humanity, morality, history, and cultural affinity.
Here are the reasons behind my support for Israel—reasons encompassing historical gravity and a shared human yearning for peace.
In my exploration of Israel, I felt a strong resonance with the history of the Jewish people. Both the Chinese and the Jewish people have endured long and arduous histories; our ancestors faced deep suffering yet revived their respective cultures through resilience. The hardships the Jewish people faced, particularly during the Holocaust and their persistence during periods of exile, culminating in the eventual establishment of Israel, remind me of the struggles and resistance of the Chinese people in modern history.
Simon and his wife
The Chinese endured a century of humiliation, from the Opium Wars to foreign invasions and the War of Resistance Against Japan. These experiences have ingrained in us the significance of national independence and self-reliance. Similarly, the Jewish people endured long periods of persecution and exile, ultimately establishing the State of Israel in 1948. This spirit of national self-reliance resonates deeply with China’s historical revival. The Jewish people’s tenacity in holding onto their faith and rebuilding their homeland in the face of adversity moved me profoundly.
Both Chinese and Jewish cultures place great importance on education and family values. The Talmud in Jewish culture emphasizes the importance of learning and wisdom, while in China, the saying “of all things, education is the highest” has been held as a traditional value for centuries. These cultural parallels make me realize that, despite geographical differences, we share common values and aspirations.
Another reason for my support for Israel is the recognition of its right to national survival and self-defense. Every country has the right to exist—this is not only a basic principle of international law but also an ethical cornerstone of human society. Since its founding, Israel has faced hostility and threats of war from neighboring countries, with several conflicts almost erasing it from the map. Yet, through determination and defensive capability, the Jewish people have managed to avert disaster time and again.
I believe that every country, regardless of size, ethnicity, or faith, has the right to protect its people and defend its territory. Particularly in such a volatile region, survival and security are paramount. Israel’s military strength is not for conquest but to ensure the survival of the nation and the safety of its people. As an ordinary Chinese citizen, I understand the necessity of strengthening self-defense in a hostile environment.
Supporting Israel’s right to exist does not mean denying other nations. In the Middle East, the suffering of the Palestinian people also warrants our sympathy. However, understanding Israel’s defensive measures and recognizing its efforts to survive are fundamental reasons behind my support for Israel.
International media coverage of the Middle East often carries inherent biases, leading to a skewed perception of the conflict. Israel is sometimes portrayed as the “bully,” while Palestinians are seen as innocent victims. However, the reality is far more complex than a simple dichotomy of “strong vs. weak.”
Through reading and research, I have come to understand the Middle East conflict as one with intricate historical and political complexities, involving not only Israel and Palestine but also other Arab nations and global powers. I remember one evening during dinner, my wife and I discussed the conflict. Her eyes were filled with confusion and concern. She asked, “Why can’t they just sit down and talk?”
I replied, “What is there to discuss with terrorists?”
“What exactly has Hamas done?” she asked.
I explained, “Hamas has carried out suicide bombings, fired rockets and mortars at schools and industrial facilities, and dug tunnels into Israel for incursions or kidnappings. These actions have caused numerous civilian casualties, and the international community has repeatedly condemned Hamas as a terrorist organization.”
She frowned and said, “Isn’t that just an act of war? What has the UN done?”
I smiled bitterly, “Condemnations and a few trivial sanctions.”
We both fell silent for a while. Then she asked, “Why do some media outlets accuse Israel of massacring civilians?”
I sighed, “You know, some people only see their own standpoint, not right or wrong.” After a pause, I added, “And there’s this absurd logic that the weaker party is always right.”
Recently, Israel has found itself besieged from multiple fronts—facing attacks from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, Iraq, Yemen, and Iran. The Israeli Defense Minister reported that the nation is under attack from seven different fronts, including groups like Hamas and Hezbollah in Lebanon. In light of these threats, Israel has been compelled to take wide-ranging defensive measures to maintain security. This multi-front conflict further illustrates the grave situation Israel faces to ensure its survival and the immense efforts required to maintain stability under such conditions.
As an ordinary Chinese citizen, I feel deep unease and repugnance towards the terrorist acts of Hamas and Hezbollah. Organizations like these employ terror tactics—suicide bombings, rocket attacks against civilians, causing fear and death, severely undermining regional stability. Regardless of their political objectives, such acts are unacceptable and an affront to fundamental human values. Witnessing Israeli civilians living in constant fear of rocket attacks, I grasp the brutality of the situation, and I better understand Israel’s necessity for defensive measures. It is not just a national duty; it is an obligation of every society towards its people.
Supporting Israel also means supporting efforts towards resolving conflicts through peaceful means. Despite ongoing conflicts, there have been attempts at peace between Israel and Palestine, such as the 1993 Oslo Accords. Though these attempts did not bring lasting peace, they at least represented the aspirations for peace on both sides. I believe that only peace can bring lasting safety and prosperity to both peoples.
Another reason I support Israel is an appreciation of its achievements in technology and innovation. Despite its small size and limited natural resources, Israel has made remarkable advancements in fields such as agriculture, medicine, and cybersecurity. For instance, Israel’s drip irrigation technology has greatly improved agricultural productivity in many countries, while advances in medical technology and pharmaceuticals have benefited people worldwide.
As a Chinese citizen, I see numerous collaborations between China and Israel, such as in agricultural technology and high-tech fields. These partnerships have not only yielded economic benefits but also fostered exchanges and understanding between our peoples. The spirit of innovation displayed by Israel epitomizes the resilience of a people constantly striving for excellence in the face of adversity, a spirit that drives human progress.
While I support Israel, I also want to emphasize my sympathy for the plight of the Palestinian people. Supporting Israel does not mean ignoring Palestinian suffering. I care equally about Palestinian civilians who have endured immense suffering, losing their homes and loved ones. Whether Israeli or Palestinian, war brings profound suffering to all.
As an ordinary Chinese citizen, I believe that humanitarian principles should always be upheld. Regardless of the complex political factors behind conflicts, we must remember that the victims are often innocent civilians—people like us who simply wish for a stable life. Therefore, while I support Israel, I also hope that the Palestinian people can live in peace. I believe that peace is the shared hope of both peoples and indeed of all humanity.
China has always advocated for peaceful coexistence and non-interference, which is a major reason for its respect in the international community. I hope to see countries, particularly those long embroiled in conflict like Israel and Palestine, resolve their issues through dialogue and negotiation. The cooperation between China and Israel goes beyond politics, encompassing cultural and technological exchanges. I hope the friendship between China and Israel continues to deepen, contributing further to global peace and development.
Though we are far away in the East, we too bear the responsibility to approach international affairs with openness and tolerance, contributing, however modestly, to world peace and stability. Supporting Israel is not about taking sides but seeking a pathway to peace amidst conflict, allowing every nation to live peacefully on its own land.
Supporting Israel does not mean I have all the answers to the Middle Eastern crisis. This support is rooted in reflections on history, humanity, and the future; it is an admiration for a nation’s perseverance through suffering and a hope for peace and stability. I am well aware that peace in the Middle East is challenging to achieve, but I still hope that Israel and Palestine can lay down their arms and pursue genuine peace through dialogue and cooperation.
I hope that people around the world can understand each other’s suffering and aspirations and find common values and goals. Only then can we truly transcend differences of ethnicity, religion, and culture and build a better world together. Supporting Israel is my humble call for peace and my hope for a shared future for all humanity.
Just to say thank you to Simon Wong for his enlightened, compassionate, encouraging and hopeful article. So heart warming and lovely to know someone far away in China feels the same as me, here in U K.
Getting to the ROOT of UNDERSTANDING this supposed complex problem - & all the nebulous discussion(s) - about all the tertiary humanistic symptom issues - can be hopefully ended - by going to the HEART of the issue. The HEART - ROOT of the issue is - READING - LEARNING & ACCEPTING that - "4000 YEARS AGO - G-D - gave Abraham & his descendants Isaac & Jacob - the WHOLE LAND OF ISRAEL - as described in G-D's WRITTEN TORAH". G-D - also qualified - WHO - can live in Israel with the Jews - THEY ARE THE "CONVERTS" - who "ACCEPT ALL OF G-D's Written Torah Commandments & Laws"! Unfortunately - many people - choose to IGNORE the HISTORICAL EVIDENCE - & DENY it's VALIDITY - FOCUSING INSTEAD ON - HUMANISTIC TERTIARY ISSUES.
I read in the Jewish Press newspaper a article war dairies and in the article it says that China controls the port in Haifa in Israel a long term contract which the lady Barabra Diamond that writes the article that is insane and biazzare if someone ever so the show " The Twlight Zone" Israel is putting themselves in danger for letting this happen, in the sci- fi show what mentioned strange things happen and this is the stragest to me
When I went to Israel there were a lot of Chinese in the hotel then too, Jews and Asian both have their heritage month in May, also the Chinese don't much about the so called " Palestinans" the real Palestinans are the Jews the others are really Muslim Arabs, in raeliy
His article is much appreciated, and it is great to see that some outsiders are making a real effort to learn the history, but I was curious that when his wife asked "What exactly has Hamas done?" he didn't appear to be aware of (or at least explain) the full horrors of Oct 7th. The article also brings home the sad reality that for an 'outsider' to have some sympathy for Israel, they have to put in the hard work of educating themselves, whereas hating Israel requires no education at all, in fact it normally stems from lack of knowledge, and unfortunately human nature leans towards the lazy approach.
More than that, the liars make a ruckus, yelling & shaking their fists, wearing kaffiehs and carrying signs with snappy jingles whose words they bellow into the crowd -- so the spectacle attracts many mindless onlookers who can't be bothered to find out the truth (or else they simply don't want to know it).
You are right unfortunanely
Mr. Wong undoubtedly has the permission of the Chinese government to write and publish this opinion piece. He makes some good points, but given the lack of free press in China, I wonder about his government’s agenda. These could include staving off the consequences of tariffs, seeking trade and investment between Israel and PRC, and seeking alliances for Chinese plans in the South China Sea. I would not take this statement at face value.
Explanation for the difference in Chinese & Jewish populations.
Had the Jewish people not suffered persecution, antisemiticism and anti-Jewish descrimination down the ages our population would be between 500 - 750 Million today. This demonstrates the extent of the constant persecution over the last 2000 years. In addition, the internal pressures, intermarriage, assimilation, and people opting out of the religion, accounted for the lack of growth.
Because of constant persecution which in every generation 'cut down' and decimated people in their prime the population never had a chance to grow. Compare the growth of capital if one continues to take from the kernal. It's growth is minimised, or may even become negative!
China never experienced any of this.
With respect to your sentiments for the suffering and persecution of the Jewish people over the centuries compared to that of the Chinese people as presented here, the comparison is only partially valid, for the following reaons.
Part2) They have absolutely NO interest in dialogue....they have an agenda.....and will NOT rest till they either succeed...or are driven out! Interesting how not one Muslim/arab country has reached out to these 'innocent" palestinians....you know - the "innocent" ones who allowed tunnels to be built under their homes, hospitals and schools...and kept arsenals.
Part 1) As many of the contributors below have stated....1) The Hamas org is driven solely by their mantra....kill the Jews and take the land. As their charter states: The Covenant of the Islamic Resistance Movement was issued on August 18, 1988. Its Covenant is a comprehensive manifesto comprised of 36 separate articles, all of which promote the basic HAMAS goal of destroying the State of Israel through Jihad (Islamic Holy War).
I was raised in the Jewish faith. However, when I questions my father's mother about her ancestry I found out something amazing. My father's mother's mother's father was Asian. Not only that she should me a "family photo". It was amazing all these Jewish faces and on the front row center was sitting an Asian man. That was my great great grandfather. Years later I talked to my husband's cousin who is Jewish on her mother's side, she revealed to me that her mother also has asian ancestors. I figured out a legitimate reason for this. Both Jews and Asians who emigrated to the US around the same time were "outsiders". We were both the "other". No Christian white people would ever deal with us, so we had to seek compainship and friendship and even love elsewhere. Jews and Asians toget
This gentleman belongs in the "Witness Protection Program"
Some of the statements of Simon Wong are ironic considering China's stance on Taiwan, Tibet, the Uyghurs, and Kashmir. They apparently do not have a right to their own country and self rule.
和平需要双方共同努力。太多巴勒斯坦领导人宁愿摧毁以色列，也不愿实现和平。
Mr. Wong, thank you for your support. But if you truly want to understand what Israel is facing vis-a-vis the “Palestinians” read the 1988 Hamas Charter - and then consider that they were voted in by a majority in 2006.
The Chineese government right now are commiting a genocide of the Muslim Asians. I am concerned about the Chineese genociding the Muslium Ughars, that is the real genocide of musliums and the Arab musliums could give a sh-t about that apparently. Why they are not Arabs they are Asians. I personally do not care what they are, a genocide is a genocide.
True but only tangentially relevant. Indeed the indifference to real ongoing genocides by both Arabs and the West only highlights their hypocrisy.
Right
Perhaps the biggest thing that this regular Chinese citizen fails to take into account with respect to the innocent civilians of Arab Gaza is the significant role of religion in Arab culture and society. The way I see it is that Islam is not a religion but in fact it is a death cult masquerading as a religion. These innocent civilians are taught (more at indoctrinated) to hate us with their mothers milk, until that changes we are at war.
"These innocent civilians are taught (more at indoctrinated) to hate us with their mothers milk".
I remember my Shoah-surviving Mom descibe the Poles the same way.
You are right, my mom( obm) was also a Shoah - surviving person from Poland
The Chineese are fully aware of the Muslium religion. They are genociding the Musilium Chineese Ughars. They say the Musliums as a threat. Not Arab Musliums becuase they do not live in China, but Chineese Musliums. There are more Chineese Musliums than Arab Musliums and they are a threat to the current Chineese government which is why they are currently being genocided.
I appreciate the author's support but I think he needs to understand first, that peace and statehood was never a Palestinian goal. And second, that their society is rooted in Jihadist ideology that wants Jews dead. Period. It is taught in grade schools and is part of their everyday belief system. Third, Islamists in the Middle East regard Western values as a joke. The desire for peace is seen as weakness. They respect strength. I encourage him to study the issue more.
You are right
Thank you for publishing this writer’s article. I pray his words reach millions of people.
I appreciate the efforts of this young man to understand the complexities of the Middle East. Such a pity that the intransigence of Hamas insures that the rate of innocent victims cotinues to increase. Hamas could end the war tomorrow if it were to give up the hostages
They are indeed wonderful words, but as has been proven repeatedly, mere words and the best of intentions are clearly not the formula for peace in the Mideast: as long as Israel's enemies refuse to tolerate its existence despite all the benefit it has sought to bring to its neighbors (a proven record, btw), there can be no lasting peace. (The author himself seems to realize this.)
Any suffering by so-called Palestinian civilians is caused by the intransigence of its own people -- the terrorists whom they elected to power, and the general indifference of other Arabs who use them as political pawns; otherwise, how can, e.g., Egypt's refusal to take in Gaza's refugees be explained. (Jews never act this way towards others, much less to their own.)
These so called civilians picked the Hamas leadership for their govrernment, and use human shields to make Israel look bad it is part of their agenda