ABOUT THE JEWS

28 June 2026

Overview

This post is rather different from most on this website. It expresses a personal opinion on the relationship between Judaism, Zionism, geopolitics and US foreign policy. It argues that economics, geography and power politics are the primary drivers of history, while religion and ideology often serve to motivate people and justify policies. Readers may disagree with some or all of the conclusions, but the intention is to encourage discussion rather than to criticise any religious or ethnic group.

Religion or Geopolitics: What Really Drives History?

I don't think it's a great idea to label or demonise any particular religious group. Do you think belonging to a religious group is more important in shaping events than macroeconomic realities, science, technology, innovation, or geopolitical considerations? I think economics and geopolitics trump religious affiliation. And imh, religion and culture fire you up, but fundamentally, economics and geography drive policy and the rest is the comm. (propaganda?).

Why Minorities Often Enter Trade and Finance

One of the characteristics of minorities is that they have often been denied ownership of real assets such as land, commodities (mines)  and manufacturing. This has tended to channel them into less tangible fields such as trade and finance. That has been true of many Jewish communities, but it has also been true of Asians in Uganda, the Lebanese in West Africa, the Chinese in Southeast Asia, and many other minority groups that have been harassed or excluded.

Achievement, Integration and Changing Patterns of Success

As for the so-called superior IQ and disproportionate share of patents, it is an interesting observation that the relative success of Jews in winning Nobel Prizes appears to have declined as they have become more accepted and integrated, at least in the United States. Increasingly, East Asians have been taking a more outsized share of these academic and scientific honours.

Jewish Finance and the Rise of Britain and America

Jews made significant contributions to financing the Industrial Revolution and, later, the British Empire and now the American. They frequently acted as lenders to sovereigns. In many historical cases, Jewish communities were expelled not simply because they were moneylenders, but because rulers wished to avoid repaying their debts... and they would stir up the hatred of the local community against the minority in order to cover their action.

Judaism, Zionism and Israel's Global Reputation

Another point. A recent poll gave Israel a net favourability rating of minus 24 internationally, and it is often said that Jews are among the most disliked groups in the world. Some argue that this reflects widespread opposition to the policies of the Israeli government, particularly regarding Gaza, Lebanon, Iran and their neighbours more generally, all for territorial expansion and regional hegemony. However, in my opinion, what many people oppose is Zionism rather than Judaism itself. Do you think the Jewish religion is inherently Zionist, or do you think Zionism is a political ideology? ( Zionism has been around since 1896 and is a response to the pograms but the idea of a greater Israel has only really existed since the 1967 War.)

My Criticism Is Political, Not Religious

My disagreement is not with Jews as a people, but with what I see as the influence of Zionist organisations and individuals within the American political system, and the extent to which they shape US foreign policy in support of Israeli expansionist objectives. As taxpayers and, in some cases, as soldiers sent to the front lines, it is ordinary citizens who ultimately bear the costs of these policies.