This is an October 7th story.

But it doesn't begin on October 7th, 2023 on Israel's border with Gaza.

It begins in Paris and the swanky 8th Arundismont, one October morning 130 years ago this week.

It begins with a Jewish man, waking up, and getting ready for work.

He was a bit annoyed. Checkins were usually at noon, yet the

boss for some reason had written to say he wanted to meet as early as 9 a.m.

But the man wasn't too upset. He told his servants he won't be taking the horses. The day was beautiful and he wanted to walk.

He smiled widely when his little boy Pierre almost four ran to him as he did every morning giving him a big

hug and asking him when he'll be back home. Soon the man promised just a few

routine meetings at the office and And with that, Alfred Dreyfus kissed his wife, his son, and his daughter goodbye, and headed over

to his office in the French Army's headquarters. What happened next is history.

You probably know some of it already.

Dreyfus is arrested, accused of being a spy,

convicted in a sham trial, and sent to prison in the aptly named Devil's Island.

His family and his friends fight to clear his name.

And as they do, they learn of a major anti-Semitic conspiracy involving the highest echelonse of the French military.

Emil Zola, perhaps the most famous writer of the day, joins them and pens a fiery screed

entitled Jacquesous or I accuse courageously urging his nation to do the right thing and

acquit the innocent Jewish officer.

Laffertrifus, as it becomes known, divides the French society right down the middle. It brings up

questions of race and religion, tolerance and bigotry of just what sort of

country France wants to be and what exactly is the future of Jewish life in Europe.

...