THE RISE IN ANTI-SEMITISM
Why Don’t Jews Count as a Minority?
Antisemitism isn’t new in America. When my father’s family came over from Germany in 1938, their sponsoring relatives urged them to change their last name, Kahn, as it was too Jewish. “There’s a lot of antisemitism here in America,” these relatives suggested. Still, at the time, it was mostly covert. My father found it difficult to join golf clubs; others told me they were quoted insane membership fees, designed to discourage them.
The Current Wave
Sparked by two factors—the lauding of Islam over Christianity in America and the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7th (the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah)—many people in America felt called upon to denounce Israel and turn against Jews here. Jewish students in universities feel threatened, having to face mobs of unruly brats carrying pro-Hamas signs and the Palestinian “flag.”
The claim is that Israel is killing and maiming many “innocent” civilians, but there are three problems with assigning blame in this way. One – Hamas deliberately locates their troops and caches of weapons under schools, hospitals and the like. In this, they are actually causing the deaths themselves because they know the IDF has to kill the terrorists and destroy their weapons of war. Two – the atrocities inflicted on the kidnap victims on that day and, most likely, continuing with those who haven’t been killed, would cause any country to respond with violence. Note: the activities of the IDF aren’t on the scale of what Hamas did. There are no Israelis raping women, killing babies in ovens and the like. Three – it is impossible to weed out the innocent from the guilty in Gaza. Too many of the civilians voted for Hamas to rule them, and they hide them and support them. The goal of eliminating Hamas (and perhaps also Hezbollah, all supported by arch-enemy Iran), is laudable; these people are terrorists and will continue to inflict terror wherever they are.
The Shock Factor
In America, as the Left shows preference to purported “victims” over everyone else, why aren’t Israelis seen as victims? Why aren’t Jews protected where they work and study? If George Floyd had been Jewish, would we have applauded the police for killing him? I think not. And yet, the words “From the river to the sea” clearly mean the elimination of a nation and a people. We claim to detest racism, (and hate of any kind against people, such as fat people, people with disabilities, etc.), but Jews are fair game here.
I find it shocking, but then, perhaps it isn’t. Jews have been subject to persecution throughout history, enslaved, imprisoned and killed for simply practicing a religion. I call being Jewish a race because, after Hitler (the Left’s favorite bad guy), anyone who had Jewish blood (me) should be murdered.
While many groups whine about disparate treatment, Jews have undergone this for centuries. In fact, earlier in our country, Jews couldn’t get into many schools or professions because of this bias. And now, their treatment is beginning to look a lot like the earlier days of the 20th century again. What’s next? A call for removal? Extermination?
Consequences are Essential
I can’t think of any other group that is treated this way without consequences. Look at all the DEI courses inflicted on unwilling students and employees (with almost no proof of success). Given the historical persecution of Jews, why aren’t they a protected class? It’s time to change this and impose real consequences on those defending Hamas. It’s one thing to support shipping supplies to those in need in Gaza, but like so many situations, these supplies will only go to civilians if Hamas wants them to have them. But you can’t decry a people and expect them not to be enraged.
I would suggest that we see a continued denial of opportunities for those who are actively supporting Hamas by private individuals and companies (no issue of the first amendment. Some companies are refusing these supporters jobs. They probably should be denied scholarships and loans and, even, admission to schools. If they were out there waving flags to eliminate all Blacks, that would happen. How is this different?
Individually, we should shun those who ask for Israel to cease fight or even to exist. Supporting them will only lead to more antisemitism. Don’t do business with them, don’t support charities that support their aims. And most important, stop voting for the Leftists who support these causes. It’s simply irresponsible not to go after this with the same vehemence we showed to giving Blacks equal rights and agreeing that people shouldn’t be discriminated based on their core characteristics or beliefs. This is not who we are. This is not American.
In the News March 27, 2024
In a shocking incident at the University of California-Berkeley (UC Berkeley), Jewish students were compelled to evacuate the campus. This was due to an aggressive group of pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel demonstrators who disrupted their speaking event featuring Ran Bar-Yoshafat, a soldier from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
A talk titled “Israel at War: Combat the Lies,” scheduled to take place at Zellerbach Playhouse on UC Berkeley’s campus, was abruptly halted on Monday night. A horde of protesters stormed the venue, chanting “Long live the Intifada!” and shattering glass doors of the building where the event was supposed to occur.
I’d add too there were 30+ Americans killed October 7 as well. Where’s the outrage for that? I had no idea antisemitism was as strong as it was until the attack. With more than 50 Arab and Islamic countries is it really an issue that one Jewish state exists? I’m truly saddened by the evil I see in this world.
I find it hard d to imagine that Jews will be exterminated in the USA, but it’s hard to believe that the lies are allowed to continue unchecked. Where is the voice of reason? It seems that the Truth has been inverted, and accepted, while the uneducated masses blame Israel, rather than Hamas, for genocide. In Israel, we can not rest until our innocent hostages are home.