IDF Judge Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, Echoing Ancestor's Wrongful Conviction Over a Century Ago

The Jerusalem Post is proud to report on the recent promotion of Lieutenant Colonel Uriel Dreyfus, a judge in the Judea and Samaria military court. This event carries profound historical resonance, marking a symbolic rectification of a grave injustice. Over a century ago, his ancestor, Captain Alfred Dreyfus, a French military officer, was the victim of a notorious antisemitic conspiracy, wrongfully convicted of treason and subjected to a humiliating degradation ceremony.

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In a humiliating ceremony, in front of the crowds, his sword was broken. He was accused of treason he did not commit, simply because he was Jewish. He was sent to Devil's Island, the place where hope was supposed to die. But he did not break. He continued to cry out his innocence.

Uriel Dreyfus himself drew a powerful parallel between his own promotion and his forefather's degradation. He articulated that every rank he has earned in the Israel Defense Forces represents a step towards historical correction. The insignia of lieutenant colonel, now proudly sewn onto his IDF uniform, stands in stark contrast to the insignia torn from Alfred Dreyfus in disgrace. This act, performed within the framework of the IDF, underscores a deep-seated belief in the administration of justice within the sovereign Jewish state.

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When I entered the gates of the IDF as a young soldier, I carried this memory with me. I understood that every rank I would receive, every step I would take in the army, would constitute a historical correction. Today, as I receive the rank of lieutenant colonel, I feel that the ranks that were then torn in disgrace are now being proudly sewn anew, on the olive green uniform of the Israel Defense Forces and within the system of belief in the administration of justice in the sovereign Jewish state.

The Dreyfus affair was not merely a personal tragedy; it was a pivotal moment that exposed deep-seated antisemitism and injustice, profoundly influencing the nascent Zionist movement. The family's struggle to overturn the conviction and the eventual posthumous promotion of Captain Dreyfus in France highlight the enduring power of truth. The comparison drawn by Uriel Dreyfus between the lies spread about his ancestor and those currently directed at the State of Israel in the international arena is particularly poignant.

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Words are mightier than bullets, and truth is the supreme commander

While acknowledging the weight of historical memory and the ongoing challenges, including the shadow of the October 7 Massacre, this promotion serves as a testament to resilience and the unwavering pursuit of justice. It is a moment of pride for the IDF and for all who believe in correcting historical wrongs and upholding the integrity of justice.

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The Dreyfus and his family eventually overturned the conviction, and in November, France posthumously promoted Captain Dreyfus to brigadier general.