JDL The threats that derive from terrorism may come from any group or organization that feels that they are being slighted. One such group that does not receive much mainstream attention for its terrorist activities is the Jewish Defense League (JDL). The purpose of this essay is to describe this terrorist outfit and explain its evolution and its permeation into American society. To help understand this organization, this essay will also address some of the unique factors dealing with the Jewish race that makes the JDL that much more dangerous than the average terrorist group.

Genesis of The Jewish Defense League

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Jewish Defense League is "a radical organization that preaches a violent form of anti-Arab, Jewish nationalism. Its late founder, Rabbi Meir Kahane, claimed that Jews face fierce anti-Semitism domestically and abroad and must protect themselves by any means necessary." The JDL's ideology is firmly aligned with the Zionist philosophy of the state of Israel where any Palestinian claims to land are dismissed and treated with violent aggression.

To understand the JDL it is important to understand the background of its founder Rabbi Kahane. This man is self-proclaimed Israeli nationalist who is dead set against the American principles of...

According to the Jewish Virtual Library, Rabbi Kahane "saw many of the poor and elderly Jews living in the inner-city being targeted by criminals; as a result, he set out to change the image of the Jew from "weak and vulnerable" to one of a "mighty fighter, who strikes back fiercely against tyrants." The JDL's controversial methods, which frequently included the threat of, or actual violence, greatly exacerbated the Black-Jewish tension already present in New York City. The JDL also focused on the plight of Soviet Jewry, and coined the phrases "Never again," and "every Jew a '.22'"
Like many terrorist groups there at the core of their argument lies some truth and reveals an injustice. But the JDL adopted violence, coercion and fear as tactics in their mission to alleviate their problems. In 1990, Kahane was assassinated in New York by an Arab seeking revenge. The last few decades has seen the strength in the JDL grow and its involvement in American politics is becoming more normalized every day.

Today's JDL

According to the JDL's website "It realizes that in the end, with few exceptions, that the Jew can look to no one but another Jew for help and that the true solution to the Jewish problem is the peaceful liquidation of the Exile (may it come speedily, and in our days,…