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Behind the Aegis

(53,833 posts)
Mon Mar 2, 2015, 02:44 AM Mar 2015

Why the silence of the left on anti-Semitism?

THIS IS THE JEWISH GROUP!

On February 15, 38-year-old volunteer security guard Dan Uzan was shot and killed outside a Copenhagen synagogue during a bat mitzvah celebration. A month earlier, a gunman executed four customers at a kosher grocery store in Paris.

In May 2014, a gunman killed four people at the Jewish Museum in Brussels. In 2012, a gunman murdered three students and a teacher at Toulouse Jewish primary school in south-west France. Eight-year-old Miriam Monsonego was shot point-blank in the head.

You might discern a common theme to these shocking crimes. Seventy years after the Holocaust, Jews are again being murdered in Europe for being Jews.

These recent outrages are but the tip of an anti-Semitic iceberg. About 7000 French Jews made aliyah (migrated) to Israel last year. For good reason. Jews make up 1 per cent of the French population, but half of all racially-motivated crimes during 2014 targeted Jews. In recent weeks several hundred graves were defaced at a Jewish cemetery in north-east France; in Germany a synagogue in the city of Wuppertal was firebombed.

more: http://www.theage.com.au/comment/why-the-silence-of-the-left-on-antisemitism-20150301-13qn5p.html
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Why the silence of the left on anti-Semitism? (Original Post) Behind the Aegis Mar 2015 OP
I believe it's because it's so internalized people think it's an acceptable bigotry ismnotwasm Mar 2015 #1
You are quite correct about the internalized, acceptable bigotry. Behind the Aegis Mar 2015 #2
Agreed. The most horrible thing is ismnotwasm Mar 2015 #3
What I have learned it is that just about anything is with the realm of possibility. Behind the Aegis Mar 2015 #4
Adding this to the fray.... Behind the Aegis Mar 2015 #5
What the actual fuck? ismnotwasm Mar 2015 #7
wow Mosby Mar 2015 #8
Big rec and kick! zappaman Mar 2015 #6

ismnotwasm

(41,921 posts)
1. I believe it's because it's so internalized people think it's an acceptable bigotry
Mon Mar 2, 2015, 10:48 PM
Mar 2015

It's not that they don't know, it's they point at Hollywood, or financial institutions and let "jokes" about them being Jewish owned and run get a pass.

They equate Israel with Jewish people. They question Israels right to exist, with very little background information, this by proxy actually questions Jewish people's right to exist. If one can't separate a government from a people, one is automatically a bigot. They underestimate the extreme propaganda done by terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezzbollah.

None of this is an excuse. All of it is heartbreaking.

Behind the Aegis

(53,833 posts)
2. You are quite correct about the internalized, acceptable bigotry.
Tue Mar 3, 2015, 01:48 AM
Mar 2015

A big clue is the number of people who actually "joke" about anti-Semitism. "Oh, so and so (usually a Jew) dis/agrees with Israel/another (more popular/acceptable Jew), they must be an anti-Semite!" "If disagreeing means I am an anti-Semite, so be it!" "Excuse me, but I have "Jew blood" in my family...somewhere, from some point...so I can't be an anti-Semite!" Then, there are those who are Jewish when it comes to Israel (almost always as a critic), but don't have shit to say about anti-Semitism, this too is a form of internalized bigotry. This has become a real bone of contention among Jews as a whole. It falls along the lines of "why don't moderate (insert minority group) speak out against (some act committed by someone from said minority group)". Of course, even when they do speak out, it is never enough, or it isn't "approved" and the approval, like with most minority groups, comes from those who aren't part of the said minority.

There is, of course, the old anti-Semitism, and what is called the "new" anti-Semitism. The latter is simply the old made new by tying many things to Israel, so it really isn't "new" it just has a different flavor. Blood libels, conspiracy theories of control of media/politicians/countries, responsibility for all varieties of wars/conflicts, and world conquest have all been hallmarks of traditional anti-Semitism, yet, now are often reflected in so-called "criticism" of Israel. Where the new starts to branch off is the exaggerations and hyperbole used against Israel, while still using traditional memes of anti-Semitism.

It is also "acceptable" to tell Jews what is and isn't anti-Semitism, to downplay it, and to call into question any Jew who claims anti-Semitism. These are generally seen as "right-wing" qualities used against almost all minorities, but it has been more and more commonly used on the left against Jews. We both talked about the "jokes" but there is also the serious acceptance of anti-Semitic filth, such as all Jews are more loyal to Israel (the "old" version were Jews were more loyal to any country other than their own) and are all dual-citizens. That was actually posted here just a few days ago, and more than a few people gulped down the swill as if it were actually true. This is shit peddled at places like Stormfront and National Vanguard, yet, alleged, self-professed "progressives" are spewing the same noxious lies as neo-Nazis. Then there is the use of anti-Semitic sources and authors. Even if one finds an article or story of interest, would one really post it if the link went back to David Duke's site? How about Fred Phelps? But, for some reason, linking to sites which host anti-Semitic theories, blood libels, and even Holocaust denial, seems to pass the muster for some. Some also disguise their anti-Semitism in very clever ways, one which is very obvious. It is much like homophobes who disguise their homophobia is saying things like "I don't see why civil unions aren't enough?" "Do your "rights" really have to supersede the rights of others?" "I don't like any displays of PDA, so I don't know why you people feel the need to have parades and worry about wedding cakes and such." The last one is a bit more obvious, but you'd be surprised how many use that line of thinking. It is similar to those who shelter their anti-Latino feelings in arguments about immigration or use discussions of affirmative action to mask their racism. But, when it comes to Jews, sadly, most seem to miss the boat, and that does include other Jews, and let things slide.

Even if another Holocaust were to take place, G-d forbid, the hate and apathy toward Jews would not change, and would sadly look the way it does now. Sure, there are ebbs and flows of acceptance, even understanding, but, inevitably, things always seem to fall back to the tried and true.

ismnotwasm

(41,921 posts)
3. Agreed. The most horrible thing is
Tue Mar 3, 2015, 03:00 PM
Mar 2015

I believe another holocaust is in the realm of possibility-- not in the way Hitler did it of course, but by attacking the Jewish State with the goal of eradication. The people who question it's very right to exist, who wish to accomplish this, would do it---how? There is only one way.

And should the unthinkable happen, there would still be those on the left, as you say, cheerleading the end of Isreal- having never taken the time to do the self reflection it takes to eradicate biogtry out of our deepest Psyche, not recognizing the automatic biogtry that happens when you cannot separate a entire people/ culture/religion from a country.

Behind the Aegis

(53,833 posts)
4. What I have learned it is that just about anything is with the realm of possibility.
Wed Mar 4, 2015, 01:25 AM
Mar 2015

It undoubtedly would not take the same guise, but the elements would all be there, including the lack of interest in anti-Semitism or the lip service some like to pay. The street criers roam the street "All is well! All is well!" What is really jaw-dropping is many of the same people who make that claim in regards to anti-Semitism are the first to screech and wail about the evils of governments and spout conspiracy theories which are so circular as to make you dizzy even trying to follow them. Then you have those who spy on Jewish groups, like this one, in order to ensure their way is being followed and if not, then we are part of the conspiracy. I am sure you are familiar with that particular tactic. That too demonstrates a hatred of Jews, because they feel they need to keep us in our place. Personally, I think it harkens back to the myth of the all powerful Jew, and therefore we must be monitored. It has an eerie McCarthyesque feel to it.

The one thing anti-Semitism has shown is it is like an organism. It lives, it thrives, and when need be, mutates to a more appealing version, while still having all the vileness of its original form.

Behind the Aegis

(53,833 posts)
5. Adding this to the fray....
Wed Mar 4, 2015, 04:39 PM
Mar 2015
Joe Wilson · Top Commenter · Crew Member/Cashier at Trader Joe's

You can't take at face value when a Jew says there's anti-semitism going on. Jews can be treated better than anyone, yet still complain that they're being abused. It's in their nature to be "perpetual victims" and that's how they get what they want.

Also, when there IS actual anti-semitism going on, no one asks the rational questions about what did these people do to make everyone so angery at them. Israel is prime expample of this. They'll abuse their neighbors and commit war crimes, and when people start protesting the criminality, the Jewish people in all nations flock to Israel's defence by claiming anti-semitism in their host countries. So public discussion about Israeli state crimes never get addressed.


This was a response given to an article titled: Anti-Semitism Is On The Rise In German Schools

Pretty much sums up some of the comments I have seen when anti-Semitism is mentioned, especially by a Jew.

ismnotwasm

(41,921 posts)
7. What the actual fuck?
Thu Mar 5, 2015, 09:37 PM
Mar 2015
Any other oppressed, exploited, objectified ect. group that was/is said about, you'd hear a roar-- people might argue their lame ass crap but you gonna hear back about it. I could go into specifics, but not here. The closest analogy is blaming women for their own rapes.

Someone just---says--- something like that? Anywhere, like a casual comment? That's a deep rooted portion and poison in the sickness of biogtry.

And it seems there's nothing BUT public discussion about Isreal, and "state crimes" which has somehow become a polarized issue, in the US, Right vs Left.

What has happened it looks like is the stage has been set to where are unable to discuss antisemitism without bringing up Isreals politics.

Meanwhile all over the world-- anti-semitism is like that old song "evil grows in cracks and holes and lives in people's minds"
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