So, uh, now that someone fired a gun outside of a Jewish synagogue and preschool (that was in session) here in the U.S., is now the time we can talk about rising antisemitism on the left in the U.S.?
Because here’s the thing: American Jews have been trying to raise the issue. Over and over and over. And repeatedly we’ve been told we are paranoid, that “real” leftists/progressives aren’t antisemitic, that our pointing out truly troubling language being used by those that identify as anti-Zionist or pro-Palestinian isnt a real issue but is us being secret Zionists and whining to distract from Israel’s wrongdoings…
Jews have been written off, ignored, silenced, and even threatened for bringing up the rising tide of leftist antisemitism and antisemitism in some pro-Palestinian activism. We’ve been told that it isn’t the time, that diasporic Jews’ concerns and fears can’t be addressed right now because of what is happening elsewhere, if, of course, they are even based on reality at all.
Now that shots have been fired outside an in-session Jewish preschool, rooms full of toddlers - not by a neo-Nazi, not by a white supremacist, not by a MAGA idiot, but by someone who shouted “free Palestine” - now can we talk about it?
I can speak only for myself, but I am not asking you not to care about the plight of Palestinians in Gaza, I am not asking you to support the Israeli government. What I am asking you to do is include us in your activism, to listen to us when we tell you that some of the rhetoric being used on the left is dangerous to us, to believe us when we say that there is actual antisemitism on the left.
Because if now is not the time, I suspect that the only time will be when it is too late.
Some folks seem to not understand this post, if the notes are anything to go by, so let’s address some of the foolishness I’ve seen:
1) If you reblog this and I go to your tumblr and it’s rife with misinformation and conspiracy theories? Congratulations, you’re part of the problem and reblogging this does not, on its own, make you part of the solution. Spreading antisemitism while saying “don’t be antisemitic” doesn’t cancel out.
2) Yes, neo-Nazis using the pro-Palestinian/anti-Zionist movement to be antisemitic chucklefucks and try to convert people to white supremacy is an issue, HOWEVER if your only takeaway from this post is “we need to be more vigilant for neo-Nazis/whites supremacists,” I have some bad news for you. Neo-Nazis and white supremacists are not the sole (or even primary) cause of antisemitism in leftist movements, this one included. The call is coming from INSIDE THE HOUSE.
3) Stop blaming Israel for this. By all means, blame Israel for things it actually does wrong, but Israel did not make this man take a shotgun to a synagogue with toddlers in it. That was a choice he made.
4) This is not your opportunity to be Islamophobic, anti-Arab, or Xenophobic in my space. Get the fuck outta here with that.
Yale University condemned the “desecration” of a menorah near its campus after a Palestinian flag was placed on it over the weekend, as pres
The incident took place in a public space that is off the Yale campus during a demonstration sponsored by several groups in Connecticut, according to the school.
The group Yalies4Palestine is among several that signed a statement condemning the placement of the flag on the menorah and said that the person who did it was not affiliated with “any of the groups present.”
“The organizers of yesterday’s protest in New Haven unequivocally condemn the antisemitic action of an individual unaffiliated with any of the groups present who climbed a menorah and placed the Palestinian flag on it,” the statement, which was posted on Instagram, said. “We are appalled by this behavior, and are especially disappointed since it comes during the religious observation of Hanukkah.”
The actions of the person do not align with the “goals of promoting respectful dialogue and peaceful advocacy,” the statement added.
“As organizers, we apologize deeply for the hurt this has caused,” the statement said. “Moving forward, we will take further precautions to uphold our commitment to foster an inclusive and respectful environment for all participants.”
this has BEEN happening for YEARS. the only way to keep it from getting worse is to be vigilant about addressing antisemitism every single time you encounter it. even if it’s awkward, even if it’s someone you respect, even if it might damage your reputation. that is the only way things will get better. because at this point, it’s out of our hands, there’s not a whole lot jews can say that people will actually take to heart. but if gentile leaders within these communities actually put the work into actively combatting antisemitism, we may have a chance.
