By ALEXANDER DOLITSKY
People can peacefully protest to express dissatisfaction with policies or actions, to raise awareness about a cause, to connect with like-minded individuals, and to push for negotiation, compromise and policy changes.
Terrorism, however, is the unlawful use of protest, force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce governments, civilian populations, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives. This includes actions that cause death, serious bodily injury, or hostage-taking, with the intent to provoke a state of terror in the public or to intimidate a population or compel a government. Indeed, Hamas’s horrific attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, was an act of genocidal terrorism under the slogan of “Free Palestine.”
Historically, Nazi’s propaganda against Jewish people from 1933 to 1945 often used slogans and phrases designed to dehumanize, blame, and incite hatred. These slogans were a core part of the Nazi regime’s efforts to scapegoat Jewish people for Germany’s problems and justify their persecution.
The main purpose of Nazi’s antisemitic slogans was to blame Jewish people for Germany’s socio-economic problems; foster antisemitic sentiment; justify discrimination and persecution; and, ultimately, commit the horrific crimes against Jewish people during the Holocaust, exterminating six million European Jews.
Other forms of Nazi’s propaganda reinforced these ideas, including antisemitic publications; antisemitic public displays and signs; children’s books depicting Jewish people in a negative and hateful light and reinforcing harmful stereotypes. These slogans and other propaganda played a significant role in creating a hostile environment for Jewish people in Nazi Germany and, therefore, contributing to the atrocities of the Holocaust.
The most well-known Nazi term for the extermination of Jews was the “Final Solution of the Jewish Question.” This was a euphemism used by Nazi leaders to refer to their plan for the systematic and intentional mass murder or genocide of millions of European Jews.
The “Final Solution” represented the central part of the horrifying culmination of Nazi anti-Jewish policies and ideology, which viewed Jews as a dangerous threat to the German “race” and its racial purity. In fact, progression of the Nazi anti-Jewish policies evolved over time, starting with discrimination, exclusion, forced emigration, violent attacks of the civilian population, and culminating in the “Final Solution.”
The decision to systematically murder all European Jews, including my grandfather Roman Umansky and my uncle Shura Dolitsky, was made likely with the invasion of the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941.
It is well documented that implementation of the “Final Solution of the Jewish Question” was carried out through mass shootings by mobile killing units and in extermination camps with gas chambers in occupied territories. The Nazis used “resettlement” and “special treatment” tactics to hide the truth about their genocidal policies.
The Wannsee Conference held in the Berlin suburb of Wannsee on 20 January 1942 was a meeting of high-ranking Nazi officials to coordinate and formalize the implementation of the “Final Solution.” In summary, while the Nazis used various terms and slogans to promote their antisemitic agenda, the term “Final Solution of the Jewish Question” is the most direct and specific reference to their plan for the extermination of the Jews.
Today’s pro-Palestinian antisemitic slogan for freedom from the “Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea” is calling for a complete eradication of Israel and extermination of Jews worldwide.
Clearly, the Free Palestine organization and its movement opposes the existence of Israel and its historic connection to the ancient land of Judea. In fact, Israel is the only country in the Middle East that was founded by Jews nearly 3200 years ago, while other countries in the region in close geographic proximity to Israel, except for Egypt, were artificial constructs of British and French mandates of the early 20th century.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was formally established in 1932 by King Abdulaziz (Ibn Saud) after unifying various regions and Bedouin tribes under his rule. Bedouins in Saudi Arabia were traditionally nomadic desert-dwelling tribes; part of a larger group of Bedouins who inhabited the Arabian Peninsula and other nearby regions.
The creation of Jordan as a modern state is a story of evolving borders and political transitions. It began with the formation of the Emirate of Transjordan in 1921 under British mandate. This entity was later transformed into the Hashemite Kingdom of Transjordan in 1946, gaining independence and eventually becoming known as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
The modern Syrian state was officially created in 1946 after World War II, gaining independence from the French mandate after a long period of Ottoman rule and then French administration. Prior to this, Syria was part of larger empires and regions, including the Ottoman Empire, and was later administered by France under a mandate from the League of Nations.
The creation of Iraq as a modern nation-state followed the end of World War I (1914-1918) and the official collapse of the Ottoman Empire in 1922. Initially, the region, encompassing parts of the Ottoman provinces of Baghdad, Basra and Mosul, was placed under a British mandate by the League of Nations in 1920. This mandate period, lasting until 1932, saw the establishment of a Hashemite monarchy under British protection. In 1932, Iraq achieved independence and became a constitutional monarchy.
The modern State of Lebanon has existed within its current borders since 1920, when Greater Lebanon was created under French and British mandate, resulting from the dismemberment of the Ottoman Empire at the end of World War I.
The murder of Israeli diplomats Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on May 21, 2025, by a pro-Palestinian terrorist, along with the recent attack in Boulder, Colorado on a march in support of hostages held in Gaza (both terrorists were yelling “Free Palestine”) reverberates and resembles a beginning of the Nazi’s-like “Final Solution.”
European Jews and others were silent when antisemitic atrocities emerged in Europe, naively hoping that the “wind of the Final Solution” will eventually stop or change its direction; but it did not, resulting in a massive extermination.
American Jewry and all the civilized world must recognize a danger of the “Free Palestine” terrorist organization and its movement to all humanity and peace-seeking nations; and they must do all possible in preventing its growth, advance and being of existence. Indeed, the slogan “Free Palestine” is a call for the destruction of Israel and extermination of Jews worldwide.
Alexander Dolitsky was born and raised in Kiev in the former Soviet Union. He received an M.A. in history from Kiev Pedagogical Institute, Ukraine in 1976; an M.A. in anthropology and archaeology from Brown University in 1983; and enrolled in the Ph.D. program in anthropology at Bryn Mawr College from 1983 to 1985, where he was also lecturer in the Russian Center. In the USSR, he was a social studies teacher for three years and an archaeologist for five years for the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences. In 1978, he settled in the United States. Dolitsky visited Alaska for the first time in 1981, while conducting field research for graduate school at Brown. He then settled first in Sitka in 1985 and then in Juneau in 1986. From 1985 to 1987, he was U.S. Forest Service archaeologist and social scientist. He was an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Russian Studies at the University of Alaska Southeast from 1985 to 1999; Social Studies Instructor at the Alyeska Central School, Alaska Department of Education and Yukon-Koyukuk School District from 1988 to 2006; and Director of the Alaska-Siberia Research Center from 1990 to 2022. From 2006 to 2010, Alexander Dolitsky served as a Delegate of the Russian Federation in the United States for the Russian Compatriots program. He has done 30 field studies in various areas of the former Soviet Union (including Siberia), Central Asia, South America, Eastern Europe and the United States (including Alaska). Dolitsky was a lecturer on the World Discoverer, Spirit of Oceanus, and Clipper Odyssey vessels in the Arctic and Sub-Arctic regions. He was a Project Manager for the WWII Alaska-Siberia Lend Lease Memorial, which was erected in Fairbanks in 2006. Dolitsky has published extensively in the fields of anthropology, history, archaeology and ethnography. His more recent publications include Fairy Tales and Myths of the Bering Strait Chukchi, Ancient Tales of Kamchatka, Tales and Legends of the Yupik Eskimos of Siberia, Old Russia in Modern America: Living Traditions of the Russian Old Believers in Alaska, Allies in Wartime: The Alaska-Siberia Airway During World War II, Spirit of the Siberian Tiger: Folktales of the Russian Far East, Living Wisdom of the Russian Far East: Tales and Legends from Chukotka and Alaska, and Pipeline to Russia: The Alaska-Siberia Air Route in World War II.
To all those Americans frothing at the mouth over this conflict – regardless of which side you hate – why not go there and fight? Put some skin in the game.
This is America and I don’t if you have noticed but we Americans have more then a few existential crisises at the moment that require all of our attention. Among which is that we are bankrupt as a nation. We ought to forthwith reduce our government spending drastically- including crossing the Potomic and taking the Pentagon down from 1 trillion plus a year to 500 billion. Foreign aid to countries such as Israel and Egypt also has to go.
God gave this bountiful and fruitful land that is easily defended. Let us head Washington words about no foreign entanglements and once again become the economic and agricultural powerhouse that we are destined to be.+++
Pick one: constitutional republic or empire.
Sorry, Alexander, but I care very little about the fate of Israel, as I care little about the fate of every other benighted Middle Eastern country. The entire region is a cesspool of longstanding hatred and bigotry, and the USA would do well to stand back and let it all rot. I am tired of being constantly assailed by US politicians (under the influence of AIPAC) insisting that, and acting like, Israel is as important, if not more so, than our own nation.
A pox on all their houses!
PS: The Middle East was relatively untroubled before the creation of the modern state of Israel.
To Jefferson: Jefferson, I understand your rational and frustrations. But this is the world we live in and humanity is responsible for its outcome. In my article, I tried to convey to readers that “Free Palestine” isn’t just a slogan, it’s a genocidal call echoing the darkest chapters of history. Today’s pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel rhetoric masks deep-rooted antisemitism, regardless you are for or against Israel.
Alex
When you are Trying to associate Palestinians with nazis you show heavy dishonesty .
Who displaced the Palestinians ?
Who has killed more palestinian’s by a factor of 10 than visa versa ? Israelis have the power and control . Bombing civilians and destroying cities , occupying gaza the west bank .
Under that situation its fairly reasonable for them to think about freeing palestine.
Alex you make a fool of yourself by being so dishonest and gaslighting your readers. Palestinians have no equation with nazis but ironically the reverse isnt a far stretch . Who is occupying who ? who has the greatest kill ratio?
Just say the truth for once Alex.
Jefferson:
Free palestine is not just a call for the elimination of Israel. It is really a call for the elimination of all western civilization and all non-muslims.
.
Like your free markets, and your free speech, and the US Constitution/Bill of Rights? They will be replaced with sharia if we turn a blind eye to this conflict in the middle east. Assuming it is about land, is a childish way of looking at this conflict.
CB
Palestinian behind every bush ?
They never caused me or anyone i know any trouble .
I did not say palestinians are the problem. (Whatever they are).
The problem is the people screaming “Free palestine.” are not, and will not be content with the destruction of Israel. Nor will they stop there.
.
It is the destruction of all Western Civilization that is their goal. The so-called religion (actually a political system) behind it wants absolute control of the planet. Either you are part of the religion, or you are an infidel with no rights.
.
They may not have caused you or anyone you know harm. Yet.
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
In a remarkably tone deaf comment by Democratic James Carville on the large number of Jewish Democrats fleeing the Democrat party due to the support of antisemitism in their ranks, Carville said he doesn’t believe it when wealthy Jewish donors tell him they’re ditching the Democratic Party because of antisemitism among its members. He says they’re doing it for a “f—ing tax cut.”
Nothing like standing up against antisemitism by doubling down with antisemitic rhetoric. When a guy who has been a major part of the Democrat Party for decades is openly accusing Jews of abandoning the Democrat Party for money and not because of the very antisemitism that he himself is displaying, there is a major problem.
Jame Carville is nothing more than a foul mouthed wretched and pathetic grifter. The less I hear from or about him the better. Woe be upon those who curse GOD’s chosen people.
You mean the people who denied the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ?
The vast majority of people everywhere deny the divinity of Jesus. The Lord blessed and calls the Jewish people, his people.
It’s enough to be concerned with my own faults and deal with them, don’t have time or interest in pointing out others’ faults.
Once again, Professor, you are conflating Zionism with Judaism. No matter how many times you equate criticism of Israel with antisemitism, it will never make it so! To call prominent pro-Palestinian supporters such as Professor Norm Finkelstein, journalists Max Blumenthal & Glen Greenwald, holocaust survivor Gabor Mate and his son Aaron Mate, pod caster Dave Smith and countless Jewish campus protesters antisemitic is ludicrous and foolish!
I concur with your condemnation of speciously and disingenuously labeling all criticism of the policies of the state of Israel with “antisemitism”. The very word, as so used, is arrogant and misleading in the first place, as the Arabs are Semites as well.
Sadly, there can be no peace in the middle east until one side or the other is completely destroyed. Israel has extended peace offerings to the Palestinians many times over the past 75 years only to be rejected again and again. Hamas demands the complete elimination of Israel, but it is willing to sacrifice every single one of its people in that effort. How would you respond to such a stance?
Free palestine is not just a call for destroying Israel and Jews. It is a call to eliminate all infidels and institute an islamic caliphate world wide.
.
The so-called “religion” of islam (actually a political system disguised as a religion) is the antithesis of western civilization. It is a system of oppression, dominance, and control. In this system, peace will happen when the world is subservient to islam.
.
This conflict with Israel and the Jews has nothing to do with land. Anyone who says so has been educated by the news media. This conflict started in 610 when an insane man and his followers were kicked out of Mecca and ended up in Medina. The Jews there were not having any of what this “prophet” was selling, so they killed the Jews. Since then, it has been the duty of muslims to destroy Jews.
.
And, do not think for a moment that Christians, Buddhists, Wiccans, or any other religion is exempt from the jihad coming their way. Do not think muslims will stop with the destruction of Israel and the death of all Jews.
Alexander,
When you coming to Anchorage and Fairbanks?
Your writing skills and knowledge of history needs to expand far beyond liberal Juneau.
RonD, invite me officially via an institution and I will come. I presented on several occasions in the past in Anchorage and in Fairbanks. Thanks.
Yes, please come to Fairbanks, Alexander, and help straighten-out us wackos. I need to expand my thinking and writing. Democrats are cheap sob’s and their donations to my blog are in the tank. This is driving me to drink heavily.
Please help.
Dermutt needs “contributions.” His sorry*ss writing has gone down the crapper in the past 20 years. It must be terrible to be an old lefty with no more gas in the tank. The biggest, meanest grouch in Fairbanks can’t hold a candle to the writers at MRAK. Even the MRAK commenters have more skills and game in the world of writers.
I noticed that there were LOTS of pro-Palestinian comments on here at one point, but now they’re gone. Someone censored all the readers who strongly disagree with the author’s position.
One of my long-time friends responded, via private correspondence, to my current article published here as follows:
“Good points, Alex. It really is surprising how silent most Jews seem today about all the widespread antisemitism sweeping the United States and Europe. Your Juneau synagogue does not seem unusual in that respect. I suppose so many Jews, at least in the United States, find it confusing to be so strongly committed to the Democrat party and then see that party embrace the “Palestinian” cause, even with its extreme and violent antisemitism. Maybe that’s an example of how wed people can become to some political self-image of who they are. (“I’m a liberal Democrat,” cries my brother as he spouts the latest party talking points taken without question from Democrat politicians.) But, wow, you’d think a lot of Jews would be questioning their unswerving allegiance to a political party in this case, by now. Your points about the historical background of Mideastern nations is an important perspective, too. As very few people alive today (including myself) know anything about that history and simply assume that all those nations have had very long histories as such, like so many of the major nations of the world. If it weren’t for all the petroleum in that region, all those “nations” would still be poor and “backward” (primitive, undeveloped) as shit even today, I bet. But even though Israel has real and very long historical claims to its “homeland” and nationhood there, they are at a disadvantage of being a minority, peaceful religion surrounded by religious fanatics of an especially violent religion and basically having been given their land by a political fiat at the end of World War II. I don’t see how today’s politics cannot be terribly upsetting to any Jewish person anywhere in the world.”
I am a strong supporter of Israel, but this won’t be settled until there is universal support for a two state solution and elimination of the 75 year occupation of Palestine. I have always been for peace in the region. Without this, what is the strategy to end the conflict? This is a serious question that anyone commenting on this situation needs to answer. How can anyone believe that what is going on now isn’t creating a whole new generation of youth who have witnessed their parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters blown up in a scorched earth destruction of homes, hospitals, water and sewer infrastructure, etc. Not to mention the strategy to starve them as a people. While Free Palestine may be an anti semitic slogan, the actual elimination of palestinians as we are seeing now will be a a permanent stain on israel as people in the world equate it with the nazi elimination of jews. I don’t say this against Israel, I say it in support of a stable future for them. Without two states there will be no peace. And it is driving the rest of the region to hate the US. There is collateral damage for us as well. Where are the diplomats when we need them?
You cannot be a strong supporter of Israel and support a two-state solution at the same time. The two concepts are incompatible.
.
If a State of palestine is actually created, it will be minutes before that State initiates yet another war with Israel. This issue is not about land. Thinking it is about land is a very simplistic and childish way of looking at it. This is about islams hatred of Jews. That hatred started in 610AD, and has never abated. A “free palestine” will not live in peace with their neighbor because they are Jewish. End of story.
To my friend Paul Fuhs: Paul, some of my classmates and colleagues in Kiev in the former Soviet Union occasionally would remark, “You know, Alexander, I hate Jews, but you are a good man.” Does this contradiction remind you something? “I support Israel, but I do not mind its ultimate destruction.”
The idea of a two state solution is a fantasy that we will never see. The so-called Palestinians have had numerous chances for a two state solution and have rejected every one of them. For the so-called Palestinians their only cause is the destruction of Israel and the elimination of every single Jew. With that mindset there is no way a two state solution is even remotely possible.
To my friend Alex, I don’t support the destruction of either one of them. if you don’t support two state solution, then what is your solution? For some members of Israeli government, their answer is the final one. If they kill everyone, then I guess that could work. If not, then they are raising a whole new generation of people who will remember how they were treated. Neither one of these is good for Israel. As for the antisemitism in Ukraine, I know you are correct about that and it is one of the reasons they fought on the side of the nazis and against the US allies during WWII. I appreciate your historical outlook.
I spent part of last weekend at a social event w/ a man that I haven’t seen in a few years. I’d guess him to be about your age and I know him to be covered in what you would call antisemitic tattoos.
There are many with curiously strong opinions on these matters and they differ from yours. It’s notable that in contests of historical significance they have gotten their point across. You crow about unfair treatment and some feel you are grossly overprivileged, they just aren’t as inclined as you are toward incessant complaint. Perhaps you have noticed.
The sooner the US abandons support of the region and its artifice, the sooner a long term solution will arrive.
I’ve assumed that you’ve been handed editorial privilege which is why only supportive comments, or beta male apologists, or abetting genocidal racists like Alaskagal are allowed response.