In the spring, Iranian missiles and drones flew over the Gulf, indiscriminately attacking cities like Abu Dhabi, Manama, Amman, and Tel Aviv. The strikes killed civilians in the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait, including families simply going about their day. The Iranian regime doesn’t distinguish between these groups. It’s high time the world recognized this reality.
Yet, I find it shocking that in several Western cities and on many campuses, the response to this conflict has been an increase in hatred directed at Jews, rather than at the Iranian regime that instigated the violence.
The contrast is stark. Every day in places like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, you’ll see Jewish life thriving—rabbis casually walking in hotel lobbies, with communities engaging openly. The Abraham Family House stands as a symbol of coexistence, featuring a kosher restaurant and a synagogue right next to a mosque and a church.
Remarkably, shortly after the war broke out, monitoring groups reported a rise in anti-Semitic incidents globally. From attacks on synagogues to Jewish schools and charities across London and North America, the repercussions have been troubling. It’s perplexing that while Iranian missiles target Jews in the Middle East, their supporters in the West choose to lash out at Jewish communities.
This isn’t just a moral failing; it shows a lack of strategic understanding. The narrative that places the blame on Jewish people stems from decades of manipulation by Tehran. The regime’s favorite export is anti-Semitism—far cheaper than oil and far more detrimental. Each burned synagogue is a silent victory for Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
If you want to see a clear alternative to this, just look around in the UAE. Jewish entrepreneurs are collaborating with Iranian partners on new ventures, signing contracts in Hebrew, Arabic, and English. Peace among diverse communities is a daily reality here, not merely a public relations effort.
The choice is stark: the Tehran model of missiles and chaos versus the Abu Dhabi model of coexistence and partnership. In the UAE, over 200 nationalities live and work together, including significant Iranian and American populations. This melting pot fosters innovation, particularly in technology and space exploration.
Despite the war, what’s evident is that the Iranian regime targets the UAE largely because it stands as a beacon of coexistence. The radical ideologies propagated by the Ayatollahs rely on keeping Muslims, Jews, and Christians divided, but the Abraham Accords challenge that narrative. They’ve proven that peaceful coexistence is possible.
Regrettably, when I see protests in Western cities that express anger towards Jewish communities under the guise of supporting Middle Eastern struggles, it’s disheartening. People here are building a future that embraces diversity, not one that tears it apart.
The real choice is clear. One path leads to destruction and division, while the other fosters collaboration and peace. It’s time for Western countries to recognize this distinction and stop allowing mobs to dictate the narrative.
