JDB, unfortunately you are correct about the Western Jew approach not working for them against anti Semitism even in the West, much less in the Middle East.
Is it because they are naive or because they are misunderstood? Or is it the nationalism, religion, and all the other factors mentioned by you in your post about Amin Maalouf These factors seem to be the prevailing forces motivating how we conduct ourselves.
It's a good question hoot and one that I don't really have a good answer for. One thought is that part of it stems from the idea that they have been generally in decent socioeconomic positions and have more to lose than others in recent centuries (see Germany 1930s). Another could be the longevity of the religion and its historical struggles with so many ethnic and religious groups (e.g., Babylonians, Greeks/Macedonians, Romans, Christians, Muslims, Ottomans, etc.) has made Jews less interested in war and physical conflict.
Either way, the lack of standing up for themselves when things turn violent or go beyond verbal means, is troubling.