My Turn: When a writer’s courage against antisemitism shook a nation

Published 10:30 pm Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Courage is the ability to face fear, discomfort or danger. It is about acting in the face of adversity, whether physical hardship, moral opposition, or personal loss. Courage is doing what is necessary even when it’s difficult or scary.

We see this when someone speaks out against injustice or stands up for their beliefs, even if it means facing opposition or potential consequences. This might be refusing to go along with something that is wrong, or actively helping those in need.

Historically, the famous “Dreyfus Affair” exemplified a courage and determination that tore through late 19th century France and rocked the country’s claim of “Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.” It was the Dreyfus Affair that convinced Theodore Herzl — founder of Political Zionism (later led by Chaim Weizmann) — of the need for a Jewish state, which became a reality with the formation of Israel by the United Nations in 1948.

The 1894 “Dreyfus Affair” was an espionage trial that occurred in France. Captain Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish officer, was erroneously convicted of treason for allegedly passing military secrets to the Germans. He was sentenced to a solitary confinement for life on Devil’s Island, France’s notorious penal colony off the remote coast of South America.

How could this occur in 19th century France, where Jews had been equal citizens? In fact, Dreyfus’ trial coincided with the growth of antisemitism in Europe; and this was one of the factors in his unjust and fabricated trial.

On Jan. 13, 1898, the most famous front page in the history of journalism appeared in a French paper L’Aurore (Aurora) beneath a two-word headline: “J’accuse” (I accuse!). In a long and fearless article, France’s leading and prolific novelist, Emile Zola (1840-1902), accused the French government of having orchestrated the conviction of an innocent man.

Zola’s bold article immediately caused French society to split into Dreyfusards and anti-Dreyfusards. At the heart of the controversy was a toxic and rapidly growing antisemitism in France. In fact, the Dreyfus Affair and antisemitism in France contributed greatly to the rise of Jewish political leader Theodor Herzl and the Zionist movement. Thus, Zionism was a nationalist and political movement founded as a political organization in 1897. This organization has been advocating the establishment and maintenance of a Jewish state in the historic Land of Judea (Israel).

Zola’s intention in publishing “I accuse!” was to provoke the French government to prosecute Dreyfus for libel, which would allow facts of the case to be made public. Accordingly, Zola was tried, convicted, and sentenced to jail for his provocative (courageous) act — a penalty he evaded by urgently fleeing abroad to England.

Zola fled without luggage, without sufficient resources, and unable to speak fluent English. Several years later, in 1906, Dreyfus was finally vindicated after Zola’s death in 1902.

Historic patterns tend to repeat. Today’s pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel rhetoric masks irrational deep-rooted antisemitism in our country and worldwide, regardless of who advocates either for or against Israel, or those who demand a release of remaining Jewish hostages that are still been held in the tunnels of Gaza by Hamas terrorists.

It really is surprising how scared and, therefore, silent many American Jews seem, today, about all the widespread antisemitism sweeping the United States and Europe. In fact, Juneau’s synagogue does not seem unusual in that respect. I don’t see how today’s pro-Palestinian antisemitic politics and activities cannot be terribly upsetting to any Jewish person anywhere in the world, including Juneau Jewish Community.

What Emile Zola did in his 1898 article echoes today, as silence in the face of antisemitism grows louder worldwide. Clearly, “Free Palestine” is not just a slogan, it is a genocidal call echoing the darkest chapters of history. It takes courage for all peace-seeking people, regardless of their political and religious affiliations, to stand resolutely against this terrorist organization and its virulent and antisemitic agenda.

Alexander Dolitsky was raised in the former Soviet Union before settling in the U.S. in 1978. He moved to Sitka in 1985 and then to Juneau in 1986 where he taught Russian studies and archaeology at the University of Alaska Southeast. From 1990 to 2022, he served as director and president of the Alaska-Siberia Research Center, publishing extensively in the fields of anthropology, history, archaeology, and ethnography.