The new era of peace deals has already illustrated just how much hunger there was on both sides for these agreements. An estimated 50,000 Israelis flew to Dubai after flights began on November 26. I was one of the people who flew from Tel Aviv to Dubai on a packed Fly Dubai flight this month, and it was striking how normal it felt. This normality is natural, because Dubai is a city with hundreds of nationalities, hosting people from all over the world. Hanukkah celebrations below the Burj Khalifa skyscraper this month showcased how Jewish holidays can, and should, be celebrated all across the Middle East
However, a concerted campaign over the decades attempted to make it seem acceptable that not only would Israel lack relations with dozens of mostly Muslim countries, but Jewish religious displays themselves would be considered taboo or “controversial” in those places. This clear link between making the Jews feel unwelcome and not having relations with Israel illustrates how much of the anti-Israel crusade of the last 70 years has simply been an anti-Semitic policy. For example, reports now indicate Morocco will teach Jewish history in schools. That is a positive change. However, it is also extraordinary that Jewish history was not already being taught in a land where Jews have such a long history. How is that possible? Why was it acceptable?
