The #antisemitism directed at American Jews isn't only vile but it's also totally misplaced. Overwhelming majorities of us oppose settlements and favor the creation of a Palestinian state. Most of us hate Bibi and this Israeli gov. Israel ranks as our 10th most important issue, out of 14, in J Street polling.
It's fucking maddening. But I guess it's always the case that "dumb bigot" is redundant.
1. Every synagogue around here has been flying "WE STAND WITH ISRAEL" banners for years.
2. Bibi likes to act like he's the spokesman for Judaism, and Judaism itself lacks any authority figure to counter that impression. That's not Judaism's fault or a criticism of Judaism, it's just the way it is.
3. People who criticize Israel are often told that they are being anti-semitic.
Those are three things that I see that seem to confuse the issue of who or what you have an issue with when Israel comes up. Yet I don't think this is the main problem. I think you're right about bigots being dumb.
Anti-semitism is wrong. It's unfair that you are seeing this, and that people have murdered Jews in America out of that hatred. I have no solutions to offer, but I want to be an ally.
@killick On your third point, conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism dilutes that word's shaming power and endangers Jews everywhere. I hate it.
@JoshuaHolland @killick Agreed. It’s fine to criticize the Israeli government & police’s (and as you accurately stated, many Jews & Israelis do). However, it’s far more prevalent & especially obvious now, that it’s become commonplace & acceptable to falsely label & accuse #israel of #Apartheid #Genocide #EthnicCleansing #Colonization etc… There are far too many either ignorant/misinformed/misguided or engaging in outright #antizionism & when called out, deny that is #antisemitism
@Properganda @JoshuaHolland @killick pardon my interference, I'm an ignorant outsider, but if you care to elaborate on your position regarding the state of Israel not engaging in apartheid practices, would you comment on the fact that two different sets of laws apply to the two ethnicities in the West Bank? Here's just an example
https://defenceforchildren.org/israels-detention-of-palestinian-children-is-an-outrage-to-humanity/
@mapto @JoshuaHolland @killick I can’t speak to specific cases/individuals but unfortunately #Hamas & other radical islamists indoctrinate children & groom them to hate Israel & Jews, become martyrs in order to perpetuate the cycles of hatred, violence & despair. It’s truly tragic. #shame
@mapto @JoshuaHolland @killick Unfortunately it is also very difficult & dangerous for Palestinians who reject the ideology of hate & violence. They are considered collaborators, traitors & often disowned by their own families/communities (often out of fear & self preservation) & live in fear of also being targeted.
@Properganda @JoshuaHolland @killick all true. Still, my point is that inequality in front of the law plays in the hands of extremists. Throughout history different regimes have tried to justify why some people might be more equal than others. None has come up with convincing arguments
