(Jewish Group) The CNN documentary glossed over progressive antisemitism.

[Behind the Aegis]

THIS IS THE JEWISH GROUP! RESPECT!!!

The CNN documentary glossed over progressive antisemitism. I’ve faced it, and we must confront it

“While the Jewish people are no strangers to adversity, our oppression doesn’t fit cleanly into the current framework,” I calmly explained. “We’re an inconvenient category with which no one’s quite certain what to do. It’s a lot easier to dismiss us and move on. There’s an element of shame, an element of fear we are expected to internalize. Our burden feels like it is ours to carry alone.”

I spoke these words at the Denver Womxn’s March in January 2019, a few months after the horrific massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh and shortly after allegations of antisemitism created divisions among leadership and community supporters of the national Women’s March.

I’m proud to have spoken about the importance of including Jews and the fullness of their identities in the progressive movement. The problem is, I’m not sure that’s quite what I did.

My language was careful, tentative. I did not clearly say what I really needed to say: There are elements within the progressive movement that are harming, excluding and erasing Jews. And I’m imploring the movement to wake up, and to stop.

I was reminded of my speech Sunday evening as I watched the CNN documentary “Rising Hate: Antisemitism in America.” While I’m grateful for mention of antisemitism’s manifestations on the progressive left, especially in the form of anti-Zionism on college campuses, as the program came to a close, I couldn’t help but feel I wanted — and the Jews of America needed — so much more.

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Good for her taking CNN to task for that oversight. We have to be able to confront anti-Semitism in all forms, no matter what side!

[TheRealNorth]

1. Not going to say that there is zero antisemitism on the left....

But a lot of people conflate criticism of the Israeli government (particularly the conservative Israeli government) with antisemitism, which is just echoing right-wing talking points.

I have never met left-wing Holocaust deniers or left wingers chanting "Jews will not replace us". I think the worse is that I heard someone (who was a moderate) referring to a financial negotiation as a "Jewing them down." I informed that person that it was a racist stereotype. They accepted that criticism.

[Behind the Aegis]

2. Whataboutism

Just because it exists in a more extreme form on the right doesn't mean it doesn't need to be addressed on the left when it occurs. Of course, immediately out of the gate is an "example" or "see, see, a lot of accusations of anti-Semitism on the left aren't really real". While some, not "a lot" as you opine, do conflate "criticism of the Israeli government (particularly the conservative Israeli government) with antisemitism", there are those who ignore when anti-Semitism is employed and then whine about "conflation" or attempt to stop any discussion of anti-Semitism on the left with false accusations, usually before anyone has a chance to respond, that they are the real victims by being accused of anti-Semitism.

"I have never met left-wing Holocaust deniers or left wingers chanting "Jews will not replace us"." Uh-huh. I am sure you haven't because they are almost exclusively the domain of the right. However, there are those on the left who are Holocaust minimalists or try to divert conversations away from Jewish suffering when it is discussed, and, in some situations, that is anti-Semitism.

The author points out a number of incidents which are anti-Semitic, including banning the Star of David from progressive marches and spaces. Utilizing age-old anti-Semitic stereotypes in order to "criticize" Israel can be anti-Semitic, especially when the conclusion of the critique really doesn't reflect Israel or Israelis but Jews.

I wonder if an African-American poster or a female poster or a trans poster were to post an article from someone of their community discussing the problems of racism, sexism, and transphobia, respectively, within the progressive community would be met with non-members telling them they really have nothing to be concerned about, because, you know, "whatabout" the right.

[TheRealNorth]

3. I have been to a lot of protests and college meetings across the Liberal spectrum....

Never heard of the Star of David being banned. Now, there may be confusion about the Star's meaning versus its use as a symbol for the Israeli state, and maybe some progressives may look at it as advocating unquestionable support for Israel's geopolitics - kind of how some view the use of the American flag as a symbol or militarism and imperialism. But I am just speculating because I have never seen it being banned on the left.

[Behind the Aegis]

4. Did you read the article?

If so, in the article there are links to other Forward articles.

I am going to say this very clearly: Just because you have not seen or experienced anything discussed, including anti-Semitism on the left, in general, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I know you claimed in the first post you weren't willing to say there was "zero" anti-Semitism, but every word following seemed to be trying to disprove your own statement.

You don't seem to want to discuss anti-Semitism on the left and taking care to prevent it. You seem to only be interested in claiming it doesn't exist to a point worthy of discussion because, y'know, "the Right". You continue to "explain away" other's anti-Semitism through their supposed "confusion".

This is the Jewish group. Do not continue to make excuses for anti-Semites and do not continue with the "I haven't seen it therefore...". Enough!

[TheRealNorth]

5. Did you?

The article speaks about anti-Zionism on the left, which I would not equate with anti-Semitism.

I think there is a perception that Zionism = right-wing Israeli geopolitical philosophy. I believe that is an oversimplification of what Zionism is. But some of the right-wing Israeli groups use Zionism as an excuse for what is essentially ethnic cleansing (in the sense of kicking Palestinian Arabs off of their land in the West Bank and restricting them to certain areas, much like how we treated Native Americans here in the U.S.).

Essentially, some people on the left look at Zionism in the same way as White Nationalism. I don't think that necessarily is the case, although the version that is practiced by the Israeli Right (which has held power in Israel for most of the past 40 years) is not far off from a Jewish version of White Nationalism.

[Behind the Aegis]

7. Apparently, you missed her other examples.

Once again, you are "explaining away" anti-Semitism under the guise of "well, they don't really understand it". That you don't equate anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism, and seemingly, can't see how it could be, tells me what I need to know about your remarks: you decide what is and isn't anti-Semitism based on your own observations. That is not how it works. You further try to justify others anti-Semitism based on their own ignorance; it is not a legitimate excuse.

The Jewish people have a right to self-determination like every other group, especially a minority group. It is an act of hypocrisy to advocate for the self-determination of the Palestinian people, then claim the same of the Jews is akin to "White supremacy", a term you have used multiple times in this thread, again, I believe, another indicator of your views.

I do not believe all criticism of Israel or even Zionism is inherently anti-Semitic. Much of the time, it probably isn't. However, it doesn't negate there is still some criticism that does cross into anti-Semitism, and when it comes from the left, it should be called out as vigorously and as often as when it comes from the right.

I have thought long and hard and had many more arguments laid out, but I don't think it would much matter. Therefore, I will state this in very clear terms:

Making excuses for anti-Semitism, denying anti-Semitism, or minimizing anti-Semitism is unacceptable and, is in of itself, anti-Semitic. It will NOT be tolerated in the Jewish Group!

You have not put forth any reasonable argument, only excuses, to claim anti-Semitism on the left is almost "non-existent", if that. You continue to provide "reasons" that some on the left are accused of anti-Semitism without distinguishing if they are putting forth anti-Semitic rhetoric, and given this last post, I would wager you don't think any criticism of Zionism is anti-Semitic, and would also guess you probably think the same about any criticism of Israel never being anti-Semitic.

Therefore, this discussion is pointless and any further claims, implied or direct, that Zionism is the same or near "White supremacy" and you will be blocked from the group. Denying the Jews the same right other minority groups are granted is bigotry. Period.