Anti-Semitism is emerging in a number of places, just as American Jews commemorate the fourth anniversary of the worst attack against Jews in American history. In 2018, a Christian fundamentalist broke into the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and murdered eleven congregants and wounded six others while they were worshipping at a Saturday service. Since that time, there have been a growing number of similar incidents against Jews, their synagogues, and other identified Jewish places.
The speed with which anti-Semitism has emerged over the last few weeks in the United States and entered into the public discourse is frightening. It has manifested itself on the political right as well as on the left. Anti-Semitic remarks have been delivered and there have been public officials who have sought to express a need to tolerate this poisoned discourse.
Efforts are growing to exclude Jews, Zionist speakers, or pro-Israel clubs on some college campuses, by falsely suggesting that Israel is an apartheid state suggesting that the same approach once used against South Africa should be employed against Israel. This analogy is absurd. In addition, these campus leaders who are restricting free speech on campus in the name of protecting speech, only encourage more anti-Semitism. While these actions are occurring selectively around the country, permitting such actions on some campuses inevitably will lead to their proliferation.
There have been the incredulous actions and statements of the rap-singer Ye (formerly Kanye West) who not only slurred Jews and even the Holocaust but, when confronted with his remarks, doubled down on them. Numerous leaders in the entertainment business and African American public figures have condemned his statements. Many of Ye’s business sponsorships, partnerships, and promotions have been abruptly cancelled; but Ye appears unrepentant.
There is the implicit attack against Jews by Donald Trump who parades himself as the best friend Israel ever had in the White House while attacking Jews who disagree with his views. Speaking on the campaign trail, the former President seeks to embarrass those Jews who do not agree with his views accusing them of being less supportive of the State of Israel than Evangelical Christians. In addition, Trump implies that American Jews are more loyal to Israel than to the U.S., particularly if they disagree with his interpretation.
Election Day 2022 presents the most serious challenge to both the electoral system as well as the issues before the electorate since the 1930’s. Informed Jewish voters and their allies need to recognize that anti-Semitism is rearing its ugly head and it is appearing just when Americans are considering for whom to vote. As they prepare to cast their ballots or have begun to vote “early”, voters are considering substantive issues like the economy, abortion rights, and crime. Now, voters must weigh which legislators are likely to prioritize the need to protect Jews most effectively and repel the scourge of growing anti-Semitism. All Republicans are not subscribers to Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene nor are all Democrats supporters of Representative Rashida Tlaib. Similarly, all progressive Democrats are not anti-Israel nor do all of Trump’s supporters back his recent attacks against Jews.
For American Jews and their supporters there are two real dangers in ignoring these activities. First, this would normalize this language and these actions. Anti-Semitism needs to be addressed at its inception and not ignored. Jewish history is replete with examples where Jews did not respond in a timely manner to anti-Semitic remarks and attacks. In addition, it is unacceptable to suggest a distinction between anti-Semitism and blatant attacks against Israel--not disagreements about Israeli Government policy. At the end of the day this rhetoric will end badly for Jews.
Jews need to refocus their attention on the issue of anti-Semitism as a key, crucial, additional variable as they prepare to vote in the off-year congressional elections. If Jewish voters fail to do so, they do so at their peril.
Oy Vey!