As an American Jew, I’ve kind of gotten numb to the anti-semitism on the right. A Republican politician shook hands with Nazis and posed for a photo with a swastika flag? Must be a Thursday.
What I wasn’t prepared for was the level of anti-semitism on the left. Now, I’ll say right out of the gate that criticizing Israel isn’t automatically anti-semitism. Heck, I criticize Israel quite often. I’m not talking about this. I’m talking about progressives declaring that all Jews are responsible for Israel’s actions. Progressives attacking Jews, Jewish temples, Jewish businesses, Jewish homes. Progressives celebrating the October 7th attack and wishing that more Jews would be killed. And also progressives saying that anti-semitism isn’t happening or that Jews aren’t allowed to complain about threats they are getting because other people have it worse. (Would you tell a friend to shut up about how much their broken leg hurts because you saw a guy on the news that had cancer? Does only the group that has it the absolute worst get to complain?)
I consider myself a progressive so this hurt. I was being told that my life and safely doesn’t matter by a group that I agreed with in the past. I was told that I was personally responsible for something I have no control over and should be attacked for these “crimes” that I committed (again, despite not living anywhere near Israel).
Being attacked by both sides of the political spectrum is scary and leaves me wondering if anyone would stand up should the words and vandalism turn into something worse.
And, as an additional effect, I do want to speak up for the Palestinians, but don’t feel comfortable joining in a group with members calling for violence against me. I just don’t feel personally safe doing so. I know this isn’t all people who advocate for the Palestinians, but it’s a loud enough contingent that I fear for my safety.
We all know where the GOP wants to take us.
As an American Jew, I’ve kind of gotten numb to the anti-semitism on the right. A Republican politician shook hands with Nazis and posed for a photo with a swastika flag? Must be a Thursday.
What I wasn’t prepared for was the level of anti-semitism on the left. Now, I’ll say right out of the gate that criticizing Israel isn’t automatically anti-semitism. Heck, I criticize Israel quite often. I’m not talking about this. I’m talking about progressives declaring that all Jews are responsible for Israel’s actions. Progressives attacking Jews, Jewish temples, Jewish businesses, Jewish homes. Progressives celebrating the October 7th attack and wishing that more Jews would be killed. And also progressives saying that anti-semitism isn’t happening or that Jews aren’t allowed to complain about threats they are getting because other people have it worse. (Would you tell a friend to shut up about how much their broken leg hurts because you saw a guy on the news that had cancer? Does only the group that has it the absolute worst get to complain?)
I consider myself a progressive so this hurt. I was being told that my life and safely doesn’t matter by a group that I agreed with in the past. I was told that I was personally responsible for something I have no control over and should be attacked for these “crimes” that I committed (again, despite not living anywhere near Israel).
Being attacked by both sides of the political spectrum is scary and leaves me wondering if anyone would stand up should the words and vandalism turn into something worse.
And, as an additional effect, I do want to speak up for the Palestinians, but don’t feel comfortable joining in a group with members calling for violence against me. I just don’t feel personally safe doing so. I know this isn’t all people who advocate for the Palestinians, but it’s a loud enough contingent that I fear for my safety.
It’s not Funkytown is it?