Kasim Hafeez (34) could have easily turned into a
jihadist terrorist. He was already on the right path. At home, in the United
Kingdom (UK) Muslim community, and on campus, anti-Jewish and anti-Israel
agitation was constant. Kasim’s own father harbored
anti-Semitic sentiments. He considered Hitler a hero, and felt that his only
failing was that he did not kill enough Jews. Growing up in the UK, to
Pakistani-Muslim parents, Kasim was exposed to
materials and opinions that were at best, condemning Israel for all the evils
in the Middle East, and painting Jews as usurpers and murderers. More extreme
elements in the Muslim community called for the wholesale destruction of the “Zionist
Entity” and all Jews.
By
the time he reached his 18th birthday, Kasim
was completely indoctrinated into the fold of radical Islamism. His hate for
Israel and for Jews was fueled by images of death and destruction set to the
backdrop of Arabic melodies about Jihad and speeches by Hezbollah leader Hassan
Nasrallah and Osama Bin Laden. Kasim’s jihadist views
were reinforced when he attended Nakba Day rallies in the center of London,
where Jihadi speakers predicted Israel’s demise while Hezbollah flags fluttered
all around him.
Kasim Hafeez and I met while on
his speaking tour in Philadelphia on behalf of StandWithUs,
an Israel advocacy and educational organization with offices throughout the U.S.,
Europe, and in Jerusalem. Kasim, a self-professed
“Muslim-Zionist, and proud of it,” posited that he experienced high levels of
anti-Semitism and anti-Israel activity taking place on British University campuses,
because in his own words, “I was the anti-Semitic, and anti-Israel activist.”
Joseph Puder: Your personal story is fascinating,
and your transformation astounding. To what do you attribute this change with
regards to Judaism and Israel?
Kasim Hafeez: The starting point for me was picking
up the Case
for Israel, a
book by Professor Alan Dershowitz. The book challenged my fundamental and false
beliefs that fueled my anti-Semitism and hatred of Israel. This triggered my
research which was an attempt to disprove what I had read in the Case for Israel. This eventually led me to visit
Israel, and seeing the reality of Israel and the Jewish People. The visit
changed not only my views but my life in a dramatic way. The truth set me free
in ways I could not have imagined, and the more I learned, the more my strength
of conviction about Israel and the Jewish people grew.
JP: Europe, it appears, is gone in terms
of support for Israel, particularly on campus. What are your ideas on how to
reverse that situation?
KH: We have a real mess in Europe, which
is our own fault. In trying to be “liberal” and “tolerant” we have allowed the
worst intolerance to infiltrate every facet of society. This is a truly
difficult battle as we have willingly surrendered. The start point must be for
Jews and supporters of Israel to show courage and assert their Zionism. We must
halt our own retreat. Unfortunately, our universities are now infested with
anti-Israel professors, and many of the academic departments are funded by rich
Gulf States. We are fighting against all facets of the system to reverse a
situation that the meekness of Jewish communal leadership caused.
JP: The Middle East is in turmoil, with
ISIS in Iraq and Syria, Al Qaeda in Libya and Yemen, and Hamas and Hezbollah on
Israel’s border. How do you see the outcome of this clash among Muslims, and
between the West and Islamic salafists?
KH: The Sunni-Shia schism is a 1,400 year
old blood feud with no chance of reconciliation. There are so many factors to
consider that make it impossible to predict. Saudi Arabia is fighting ISIS,
whose state ideology created them. Iran’s regional aspirations are emboldening
Shias everywhere. Sadly, there will be much more bloodshed before we are any
clearer on the future of the Middle East. The spread of Islamism is a dangerous
development, and it must be contained. Israel must be strong in neutralizing
any threats on its borders. Any sign of weakness by Israel will only embolden
the vultures that now circle it. As for the West, our only hope of containing
the terror from the Middle East is a strong Israel, our furthest outpost of freedom,
and the only real ally in the region...
JP: What can Israel and Jewish
organizations in the U.S. do to win “the battle of the minds” on campus?
KH: Show courage and pride. They have to
be vocal and show they are on the side of truth. Just like in Europe, the meek
retreat. Accommodating those who promote terror and anti-Semitism cannot go on.
We must be active in promoting the truth. Those who spew hatred of Israel must
be made accountable, and know there is a price to pay. It is time to set red
lines, and make sure that those who specialize in hatred will no longer be
tolerated. We will no longer be silent or intimidated. We must always make
Americans realize why Israel is so important to them, and why their silence
today will be to their detriment tomorrow...