Reply #17: On Politics and Anti-Semitism [View All]

Bernard Weiner published an article titled “Anti-Semitism and the "New Jews"” that struck on a number of things. I found it to be a very interesting read. What was most interesting is that he did not shy away from the idea that anti-Semitism was a problem on the “left.”

He says in his article, “ Anti-Semitism on the Left is generally not spoken about, but it's real and appears to be growing.” I find this to be very true! The very idea that a form of racism on the ‘left’ is so repugnant, that many will deny it outright. Instead, deniers will pretend that it is the Jews, who may be pro-Israeli, making “something out of nothing.” These are often the same people that tell Jewish liberals they can’t distinguish between anti-Semitism and anti-Israeli comments. I find that the height of arrogance and, in some ways, anti-Semitic…as if Jews really don’t know when they are being derided.

Like Weiner, I agree that “ It's often difficult to locate that fine line” between “ opposing Israeli policies and actions - to out-and-out anti-Semitism.” Sometimes, the line is very blurry, sometimes not. So, I find myself in his position, as well, of “have(ing) to follow a pundit's writings over time, and discern where the arguments are coming from and where they are going.” I have encountered many anti-Israeli screed at DU. When I see an unfamiliar author’s name, I google him/her; in doing so, I often discover if the person is a Jew-hater or simply an Israel-hater. To me, hating a country means, more often than not, hating that country’s policies, not its people.

He is correct that “ (t)he anti-Semitism-on-the-Left issue cries out for more in-depth examination as to motive and intent.” But, will it get the attention it needs? Or will it be met with ‘knee-jerk’ reactions of “trying to paint the “left” as anti-Semitic (which he is not doing)? Will it be met with outright dismissal (“such bigotry could never occur on the left”)? Or, will it be dismissed as the “Jews playing up their victimhood status?”

Where the author goes “wrong” is when he asks readers to “jump off” on this journey by citing a right-wing (RW) site. The problem is that most won’t bother to go to the site and see that the article (actually a conversation with a number of people) is actually a good jumping off place. The article on the RW site is a conversation amongst a variety of people, including liberal Jews. Instead, it will be dismissed outright and the author’s entire article along with it. Interestingly enough, many of those who will dismiss the article because of that “error,” have no issue with quoting the likes of Pat Buchanan and his protégé, Justin Raimondo (of anti-war.com fame) with the glib, “a broken clock is right twice a day.”

So, one has to ask him/herself, does anti-Semitism exist on the “left?” If so, what is to be done? If you answered “no” to the first question, then you are part of the problem because you either engage in the behavior or ignore it; either way, it is still a real problem!