The headline is correct, but this is also true: criticizing Netanyahu's brutal, murderous administration as it tries to drive Palestinians out of Gaza and the West Bank is not anti-semitic.
I take issue with your claim that reports on mainstream media of Israeli atrocities have been exaggerated and had to be walked back. Mostly the mainstream media has buried stories of IDF atrocities because of fear --- yes, fear --- of the backlash of Jewish organizations like AIPAC. Israel is a country dedicated to Jews who have oppressed Palestinians brutally for decades, and are now slaughtering children, aid workers and hungry people simply coming to distribution centers for food. They have lied and lied and lied and lied. And did you call them out for their unceasing lies? I think not. The anger of the world has been aroused and with cause. I very much respect those Jews who speak against the atrocities of the Jewish state, but you are not one of them. I do not support the targeting of ordinary people, Jewish or not, but the silent mouths of tens upon tens of thousands of murdered Palestinians speak more loudly than your complaints.
Actually, you (and many others) ARE excusing the murder of Jews because of the actions of the Israeli government. In addition, the use of AIPAC as a bogeyman is a classic antisemitic trope of the Jews as all-powerful. I would add that while you (and many others) attack Israel for its actions against Palestinians [some of which are indeed reprehensible], you (and many others) make no mention of the lies and atrocities committed by Hamas. Not just its horrific actions on October 7th. Equally importantly, its corruption and its misuse of billions of aid dollars from the international community -- used not to create a better life for Gazans after Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, but to build military tunnels under homes, schools, and hospitals and to buy weapons so it can kill Jews and destroy Israel. I could go on but will only say that I hope this is food for thought.
Palestinian civilians have been oppressed by Jews since at least 1947. And today it begins to look like Nazi oppression. (See the situation in Hebron and the vicious abuse caused by Jewish settlers.) As well, Palestinian civilians cannot get rid of Hamas. They are under a dictatorship and have no recourse. The IDF has absolutely been targeting children and that trumps every point you make. As far as AIPAC goes, the intimidation of Congressmen and others is only too real and your cheap claim of anti-Semitism doesn't wash. If you read my original statement, I did not excuse the murder of Jews, but you don't get a pass for your own murders. People are waking up to the anti-Semitism dodge. You have cheapened it from overuse. If you really want to know what is happening in Gaza, check out Katie Halper and Double Down News.
There is room for a more nuanced version of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians than that offered by either Higgenbotham or AIPAC but there is no excuse for attacks on noncombatants. There needs to be mutual recognition of the both peoples because nobody’s going anywhere, a release of the hostages, an immediate ceasefire, end to the occupation, and a two state solution.
Thank you. I strongly agree on all points and only wish I could explain all this so perfectly instead of feeling overwhelmed into incoherence by the multiple levels of insanity. Yet I try to say/write something because I am disgusted by so many other non-Jews who--even if they know better--seem like middle schoolers trying not to attract the attention of the bully.
Jews targeted for (badly) perceived events half a world away, and yet the chorus of "Zionism isn't antisemitism" is still going strong. Sheila Katz's NYT opinion piece, to which Mimi Rocah linked, was similarly clear--and predictably, the comment section filled with people excusing the horrific antisemitic Colorado man setting Jews on fire for being Jews because "Gaza", to be rec-ed up by the anonymous internet mob. The NYT (which has also been a major offender in the pattern headline-inflammatory-Hamas-issued-lies, drag-feet-to-smallprint-corrections) would never allow such a flood of violence-promoting (and misinformed) hate at any other group.
Okay, that was a bunch of argle-bargle. Nevermind. What Mimi Rocah wrote.
This sentence really captures the situation, that "the perpetrator’s belief that the targets are Jewish and, therefore, responsible." Protest at the Israeli consulate. Contact your representatives. But NO NO NO VIOLENCE. EVER. As a New Yorker I lived through the endless protests, the clogging of streets and bridges, the dreadful slogans and posters. And as a New Yorker I don't care who endorses Mamdani. He is not the one to bring people together. My grandfather and aunts and uncles died because they were Jews. I hope my children and grandchildren don't have to repeat that history.
The recent attacks are clearly antisemitic. No argument there. The current government of Israel (and for several decades) is evil. To say so is not antisemitic. The one-sidedness of your article is apparent from your flippant comment that the war in Gaza only started after the kidnappings (which were also evil), suggesting that the people of Gaza started this conflict in a vacuum. To sum up: Israeli government: evil. Antisemitic attacks: evil. To claim anti-Israel = antisemitism: nonsensical.
This is shameful writing, a piece of propaganda under the pretext of anti semitism - yet another example of the weaponisation of anti semitism used by people who at best stay silent on the genocide of Gaza. Incredibly enough, at no point the author uses the word genocide. at no point she talks of ethnic cleansing of Palestine, of Gaza turning into the dust and rubble, of some 60000 civilians killed since October 7, 2023- good many children and women - and as may wounded, mutilated, maimed. No mention of starvation practiced on the population of Gaza, no mention of Nakba of 1948 and 77 years of apartheid, no mention of land taken from Palestinians - from some 7% that Jews possessed in 1947 Israel now possesses some 85%. At no point she mentions that most of the world is condemning this genocide, with the US remaining basically the only country to support the nazi like government of Israel run by the Trump like criminal.
At no point she mentions illegal detentions of people who defend the right of Palestine to exist, the arguably greatest threat on America democracy. Palestine is Hamas for her, it would appear, and this presumably gives one right to ignore the constant daily killings perpetuated by one of the strongest armies in the world on basically unarmed population? I wonder how many Palestinian lives are worth a single Israeli or Jew one - 100, 1000? This reads as the worst zionist pamphlet and the reason could that according to Wikipedia, the author is a proud zionist - I wonder if she is proud for this 'final solution' we are all witnessing in horror, this longest persecution of indigenous people in modern history, this crime against humanity that is now threatening to turn Gaza into a big beautiful resort. as these nazi like fascists, Netanyahu and Trump are planning. I am shocked, mind boggled and heartbroken that this platform claiming to be pro democracy, publishes such an attack on all that is sacred. It is zionism that took us here, it was zionism that from the very beginning preached - and then practiced - the elimination of Palestinians under the divine right to eliminate what to them must be an inferior race. For there is no other explanation, no reason whatsoever, that can take one to accept the extermination of people and destruction of their land.
Please respond factually - I stand behind every fact I cite, and would argue it ad infinitum. We have here a proud zionist reacting passionately to individual crimes against Jews - which per se is surely commendable - while at the same time effectively supporting the genocide of Gaza. For imagine that you report on the individual crimes against Germans in say 1941, while completely silent on the Holocaust - this would be simply being complicit in crime against humanity. I wish though you would tell us what troubles you, since it does not appear to be the Palestinian tragedy.
Netanyahu should have and could have seen this coming. Worldwide public viewing of the war in Gaza turned a tide against all of us, even secular Jews with no relationship to Israel. We must tough it out. Guilt by association is wrong, yet it is natural, an oversimplification which suits those who champion it.
Thank you. My parents fled Nazi Europe with their families. This upsurge of antisemitism is unsettling to say the least. I was raised to be watchful of this stuff, and I am glad my parents aren't here to see it.
Thank you for taking on this topic. It seems from the comments that “attacking” in the title is understood as “criticizing” and you are getting blowback from those who are critical of the Israeli government. But you are talking about physically attacking people—to injure, maim, kill them—as a form of activism in support of Palestinians in Gaza. To take a stand against this should not be controversial. And it seems you are focused on people in this country—Jews who may well be Americans and the shortcomings of our laws in treating the crimes as terrorism.
I’m sorry to see your well-informed points get lost in the taking of sides. I am also sorry to see that by speaking out against violence perpetrated against Jews, you are being accused of bias. Sometimes I wonder if people even read the article before commenting.
I live within a mile of the man who murdered the Jewish couple in Washington DC. I hope our progressive city leaders are talking about how this young man came to be radicalized in Chicago. I see the denial of Jewish experience and history in vociferous advocacy for Palestinians as a big part of the problem.
The headline is correct, but this is also true: criticizing Netanyahu's brutal, murderous administration as it tries to drive Palestinians out of Gaza and the West Bank is not anti-semitic.
I take issue with your claim that reports on mainstream media of Israeli atrocities have been exaggerated and had to be walked back. Mostly the mainstream media has buried stories of IDF atrocities because of fear --- yes, fear --- of the backlash of Jewish organizations like AIPAC. Israel is a country dedicated to Jews who have oppressed Palestinians brutally for decades, and are now slaughtering children, aid workers and hungry people simply coming to distribution centers for food. They have lied and lied and lied and lied. And did you call them out for their unceasing lies? I think not. The anger of the world has been aroused and with cause. I very much respect those Jews who speak against the atrocities of the Jewish state, but you are not one of them. I do not support the targeting of ordinary people, Jewish or not, but the silent mouths of tens upon tens of thousands of murdered Palestinians speak more loudly than your complaints.
Actually, you (and many others) ARE excusing the murder of Jews because of the actions of the Israeli government. In addition, the use of AIPAC as a bogeyman is a classic antisemitic trope of the Jews as all-powerful. I would add that while you (and many others) attack Israel for its actions against Palestinians [some of which are indeed reprehensible], you (and many others) make no mention of the lies and atrocities committed by Hamas. Not just its horrific actions on October 7th. Equally importantly, its corruption and its misuse of billions of aid dollars from the international community -- used not to create a better life for Gazans after Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, but to build military tunnels under homes, schools, and hospitals and to buy weapons so it can kill Jews and destroy Israel. I could go on but will only say that I hope this is food for thought.
Palestinian civilians have been oppressed by Jews since at least 1947. And today it begins to look like Nazi oppression. (See the situation in Hebron and the vicious abuse caused by Jewish settlers.) As well, Palestinian civilians cannot get rid of Hamas. They are under a dictatorship and have no recourse. The IDF has absolutely been targeting children and that trumps every point you make. As far as AIPAC goes, the intimidation of Congressmen and others is only too real and your cheap claim of anti-Semitism doesn't wash. If you read my original statement, I did not excuse the murder of Jews, but you don't get a pass for your own murders. People are waking up to the anti-Semitism dodge. You have cheapened it from overuse. If you really want to know what is happening in Gaza, check out Katie Halper and Double Down News.
There is room for a more nuanced version of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians than that offered by either Higgenbotham or AIPAC but there is no excuse for attacks on noncombatants. There needs to be mutual recognition of the both peoples because nobody’s going anywhere, a release of the hostages, an immediate ceasefire, end to the occupation, and a two state solution.
All along I kept telling my gentile husband that Netanyahu’s actions are heinous. His actions will lead to a resurgence of anti-semitism.
One can be a Jew and supportive of stopping the murders in Gaza. Wrong is wrong.
Thank you or writing this, Mimi. Always grateful for your voice!
Thank you. I strongly agree on all points and only wish I could explain all this so perfectly instead of feeling overwhelmed into incoherence by the multiple levels of insanity. Yet I try to say/write something because I am disgusted by so many other non-Jews who--even if they know better--seem like middle schoolers trying not to attract the attention of the bully.
Jews targeted for (badly) perceived events half a world away, and yet the chorus of "Zionism isn't antisemitism" is still going strong. Sheila Katz's NYT opinion piece, to which Mimi Rocah linked, was similarly clear--and predictably, the comment section filled with people excusing the horrific antisemitic Colorado man setting Jews on fire for being Jews because "Gaza", to be rec-ed up by the anonymous internet mob. The NYT (which has also been a major offender in the pattern headline-inflammatory-Hamas-issued-lies, drag-feet-to-smallprint-corrections) would never allow such a flood of violence-promoting (and misinformed) hate at any other group.
Okay, that was a bunch of argle-bargle. Nevermind. What Mimi Rocah wrote.
This sentence really captures the situation, that "the perpetrator’s belief that the targets are Jewish and, therefore, responsible." Protest at the Israeli consulate. Contact your representatives. But NO NO NO VIOLENCE. EVER. As a New Yorker I lived through the endless protests, the clogging of streets and bridges, the dreadful slogans and posters. And as a New Yorker I don't care who endorses Mamdani. He is not the one to bring people together. My grandfather and aunts and uncles died because they were Jews. I hope my children and grandchildren don't have to repeat that history.
The recent attacks are clearly antisemitic. No argument there. The current government of Israel (and for several decades) is evil. To say so is not antisemitic. The one-sidedness of your article is apparent from your flippant comment that the war in Gaza only started after the kidnappings (which were also evil), suggesting that the people of Gaza started this conflict in a vacuum. To sum up: Israeli government: evil. Antisemitic attacks: evil. To claim anti-Israel = antisemitism: nonsensical.
This is shameful writing, a piece of propaganda under the pretext of anti semitism - yet another example of the weaponisation of anti semitism used by people who at best stay silent on the genocide of Gaza. Incredibly enough, at no point the author uses the word genocide. at no point she talks of ethnic cleansing of Palestine, of Gaza turning into the dust and rubble, of some 60000 civilians killed since October 7, 2023- good many children and women - and as may wounded, mutilated, maimed. No mention of starvation practiced on the population of Gaza, no mention of Nakba of 1948 and 77 years of apartheid, no mention of land taken from Palestinians - from some 7% that Jews possessed in 1947 Israel now possesses some 85%. At no point she mentions that most of the world is condemning this genocide, with the US remaining basically the only country to support the nazi like government of Israel run by the Trump like criminal.
At no point she mentions illegal detentions of people who defend the right of Palestine to exist, the arguably greatest threat on America democracy. Palestine is Hamas for her, it would appear, and this presumably gives one right to ignore the constant daily killings perpetuated by one of the strongest armies in the world on basically unarmed population? I wonder how many Palestinian lives are worth a single Israeli or Jew one - 100, 1000? This reads as the worst zionist pamphlet and the reason could that according to Wikipedia, the author is a proud zionist - I wonder if she is proud for this 'final solution' we are all witnessing in horror, this longest persecution of indigenous people in modern history, this crime against humanity that is now threatening to turn Gaza into a big beautiful resort. as these nazi like fascists, Netanyahu and Trump are planning. I am shocked, mind boggled and heartbroken that this platform claiming to be pro democracy, publishes such an attack on all that is sacred. It is zionism that took us here, it was zionism that from the very beginning preached - and then practiced - the elimination of Palestinians under the divine right to eliminate what to them must be an inferior race. For there is no other explanation, no reason whatsoever, that can take one to accept the extermination of people and destruction of their land.
And you're calling her piece propaganda? Listen to yourself!
Please respond factually - I stand behind every fact I cite, and would argue it ad infinitum. We have here a proud zionist reacting passionately to individual crimes against Jews - which per se is surely commendable - while at the same time effectively supporting the genocide of Gaza. For imagine that you report on the individual crimes against Germans in say 1941, while completely silent on the Holocaust - this would be simply being complicit in crime against humanity. I wish though you would tell us what troubles you, since it does not appear to be the Palestinian tragedy.
Netanyahu should have and could have seen this coming. Worldwide public viewing of the war in Gaza turned a tide against all of us, even secular Jews with no relationship to Israel. We must tough it out. Guilt by association is wrong, yet it is natural, an oversimplification which suits those who champion it.
Thank you. My parents fled Nazi Europe with their families. This upsurge of antisemitism is unsettling to say the least. I was raised to be watchful of this stuff, and I am glad my parents aren't here to see it.
My dad always told us it was when, not if Jews will become targets again. I’m glad he is not here to live through this again.
Yup.
Thank you for taking on this topic. It seems from the comments that “attacking” in the title is understood as “criticizing” and you are getting blowback from those who are critical of the Israeli government. But you are talking about physically attacking people—to injure, maim, kill them—as a form of activism in support of Palestinians in Gaza. To take a stand against this should not be controversial. And it seems you are focused on people in this country—Jews who may well be Americans and the shortcomings of our laws in treating the crimes as terrorism.
I’m sorry to see your well-informed points get lost in the taking of sides. I am also sorry to see that by speaking out against violence perpetrated against Jews, you are being accused of bias. Sometimes I wonder if people even read the article before commenting.
I live within a mile of the man who murdered the Jewish couple in Washington DC. I hope our progressive city leaders are talking about how this young man came to be radicalized in Chicago. I see the denial of Jewish experience and history in vociferous advocacy for Palestinians as a big part of the problem.