Zionist superhero

by BEN HARTMAN, Jerusalem Post

Boycotters beware: A blue and-white spandex-clad kosher superhero is on the scene, ready to defend Israel from the villains of delegitimization worldwide.

            While it’s still unclear if he will be faster than a speeding Tel Aviv cab driver, more powerful than a Merkava tank, or able to leap the Azrieli towers in a single bound, “Captain Israel,” created by international Israel advocacy group Stand With Us, is a new, unabashedly Zionist addition to the Jewish superhero pantheon.

            The creation of artist Arlen Schumer bears a strong resemblance to Captain America, except the famous adamantium bullseye shield is replaced by a gleaming Magen David, and the boychik wields what appears to be a flaming menora-topped staff into battle. He also sports a rather goyische nose, and it’s unclear whether his spandex head covering conceals a “Jewfro.”

            Roz Rothstein, the CEO of Stand With Us, told The Jerusalem Post that the comic book was being developed at this point in time because “as Israel’s Jewish connection to Israel and the land is always being challenged, we wanted to reestablish our Jewish roots and make sure that everyone understood the history, stuff we know and take for granted and that others try to chip away at.”

            She said the comic was devoted to “establishing a hero, establishing roots, [and] countering the venomous BDS movement. We’re in the business of branding the movement so that it’s clear that the players that promote boycotting Israel are not well-intentioned.”

            Indeed, in the unreleased second issue, Captain Israel will face his first arch-nemesis as he “exposes the extremists behind the Venomous Snake Charmer BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions),” a sharp-fanged serpent meant to represent the world’s supporters of the BDS movement against Israel.

            Rothstein said that while the other arch-enemies have not been developed, “right now the BDS enemy is a venomous snake. We’re beginning with that, and will get to different attacks against Jews and the legitimacy of Israel.”

            The comic book’s first issue was released in a limited run to attendees of Stand With Us’s annual Festival of Lights event on December 12. This week they’ve decided to begin promoting the first issue, which focuses on an interpretation of Jewish history and the events that led to Israel’s founding, as well as the subsequent wars with the neighboring Arab states.

            The history lesson is narrated by Captain Israel, who “was there when Jewish civilization and national identity were founded 3,000 years ago in the land of Israel.”

            While he does appear to be immortal, it is still unclear what Captain Israel’s super powers are. “He’s evolving, he has super wisdom and super powers and he is an inspiration and a witness to every time people stand up to do things that are unjust or unfair, and inspires people to stand up for the State of Israel,” Rothstein said.

            According to Rothstein, the comic’s text comes directly from Stand With Us educational material, including their “Israel 101” package and other material posted by the group online.

            Where Captain Israel fits in the long history of Jewish comic book heroes, both political and non-political, remains to be seen.