The 1898 Spanish-American War was an inflection point in Europe’s fall grace: It ended Spain’s Colonial empire and Europe’s presence in the Western Hemisphere. More broadly, it marked a historic shift of power from Europe, which dominated the world for 2,000 years, to the US.
The war was prompted by the sinking of the USS Maine off the shores of Cuba. Pointing fingers at Spain, a populist slogan percolated that has renewed relevance today: Remember the Maine.
Spain’s suicide
Spain’s stunning refusal to allow the US military to use its bases as it fights to stop a nuclear Iran came less than a year after Spain rewarded Iran’s proxy, Hamas, for the October 7 massacre, with a symbolic declaration of a Palestinian state.
That recognition had no effect in the Middle East, but helped fuel the nascent European Muslim national movement. It arguably even gave it a name and a flag.
While the Palestinization of Europe is mostly associated with France and the UK, where it is considered offensive by some to wave the flags of Great Britain and England, but socially acceptable to wave the flag of Palestine, the most dangerous aspect of the Palestinization of Europe might be in Spain.
This is due to the historical Muslim claim to Iberia (the south-west corner of Europe).
Spain was born from the displacement of a thriving Muslim civilization that existed there for 800 years – a process known in the Spanish narrative as the “reconquista.”
Over a decade ago, I was told that pro-Palestinians are seeking to designate the term “reconquista” as hate speech.
Per their narrative, if one gives legitimacy to the ethnic cleansing of Muslims from Iberia due to a historically dubious argument that 800 years prior, people somewhat similar to the invaders used to live there, then by definition, one gives legitimacy to Zionism and the reestablishment of the Jewish state, which is based on a much more historically sound narrative of a nation coming home. One can not be anti-Zionist and pro-Spanish at the same time.
Since then, as the Western pro-Palestinian movement got mainstreamed, it became more and more evident: Spain stands in the way of Palestine.
Prioritizing the assault on Judaism over self-preservation
In every era, there is a large-scale European attempt to eradicate Judaism.
When Spain led that attempt in the 15th Century, it was deemed to be beneficial to Spain: The Reconquista was extraordinarily expensive. Jews had money, and some gave loans to fund it. Therefore, expelling Jews and then killing those who converted and stayed allowed Spain to ignore its debt obligation and enrich the nascent Spanish kingdom.
This stolen Jewish money also helped Spain to establish overseas colonies and dominate much of the Western Hemisphere for the coming centuries, until the Spanish-American War of 1898 ended this.
Prof. Benzion Netanyahu showed the startling similarities between the Spanish-led attempt to eradicate the Jewish nation and the German-led one some 450 years later, rooted in what Theodor Herzl described as obsessive European opposition to Judaism.
Those same similarities exist today, as Europe attempts to negate the idea of Judaism by negating the idea of the Jewish state.
Yet, while the previous attempts advanced Europeans’ interests, today’s assault on Judaism seems to run against it.
For example, the most basic duty of a government is to keep its citizens safe. Spain and other European countries are now canceling security agreements with Israel, essential for the safety of their citizens, and seeking suboptimal substitutes instead.
European leaders are also sabotaging medical innovation, scientific breakthroughs, and life-enhancing advancements that benefit Europeans if they are coming from the Jewish state.
Europe even sacrifices art and music. For example, Spain is robbing five million Spanish fans of the Eurovision Song Contest from their annual pastime, because Israel is participating. The Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia are doing the same.
Rationalizing the Spanish and European stance
Why is Europe prioritizing the assault on Judaism over its own interests? There are two common logical answers on top of the obvious one of obsessive hate.
One relates to another aspect of the research of Prof. Netanyahu – the father of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – showing that whenever there was a massive Christian-Muslim clash, the Jews paid the price. Experts explain that Europe’s assault on the Jewish state is to appease its Muslim pollution (Now referred to by some as “European Palestinians”).
The other is that Europe never accepted the shift of power that occurred at the outset of the Spanish-American War, and uses the assault on the Jewish state (“little war criminal”) as a proxy assault on America (“big war criminal”).
This came to bear, as Spain, Italy, and Germany are effectively choosing to forgo the protective presence of American troops over changing course and aligning with America. This is at a time when Europeans feel increasingly threatened by Russia.
The fear of losing Europe once again to the Muslims, combined with a delayed digestion that 2,000 years of European global domination is over, is turning European frustration to the same address it always has: The Jews, though this time with higher vigor.
Addressing the threat from Spain
In 1898, when Spain had military capabilities, president William McKinley made a courageous decision to intercept the threat to the US after exhausting diplomatic efforts. In doing so, he changed the trajectory for the United States. Over 120 years later, the threat from Spain reemerged as an ideological one.
Modern-day historians debate whether Spain really sank the Maine or if the explosion that killed 263 American sailors was caused by a technical glitch.
But there should be no doubt about the culprits of the ideological attack today: Spain and much of Europe.
Spain is an ally of the US and of Israel, as are other European countries. Moreover, Americans must remain grateful to the extraordinary Spanish contribution to American culture and ethos.
Yet at the same time, we must be clear-eyed about the rapidly rising threat coming from Europe.
Like McKinley, US President Donald Trump has the vision and courage to recognize this, addressing the threat from Europe in his 2025 US National Security Strategy, as he too changes the trajectory for the United States.
Europeans have a choice: Continue to obsessively oppose the crisp light coming from Old Zion (Israel) and New Zion (America), or follow the lead of Muslims in the Middle East and beyond, and benefit from it.
The writer is the author of the new book, From Survival to Peace. He is also the author of The Assault on Judaism: The Existential Threat is Coming from the West, and of Judaism 3.0: Judaism’s Transformation to Zionism. For his geopolitical analysis, visit EuropeAndJerusalem.com
Source:
www.jpost.com
