After a terrorist attack on Israel, you often hear politicians claim that they are committed to fighting antisemitism “and Islamophobia.” What does this “and Islamophobia mean?” A broad-brush approach that lumps together the struggles of various minority groups obscures the unique aspects of antisemitism. This is particularly concerning when the narrative shifts away from the historical and ongoing right of the Jewish people to self-determination in their homeland—a central tenet of Zionism.
This is part of a noticeable trend where concerns of antisemitism are demoted to a subset of identity groups experiencing discrimination. Collectively, discrimination faced by all groups at once is highlighted as part of the progressive agenda that interprets all discrimination as “anti-hate.” This approach, while aiming to address various forms of discrimination and inequality, dilutes the focus on unique challenges faced by the Jewish community, particularly in the context of Zionism and the Jewish right to self-determination in Israel.
The language is subtle, but it is an antisemitic slur that Jewish organizations inexplicably parrot. The notion that people are reacting with irrational fear towards Muslims after a Muslim-inspired terrorist attack is antithetical. Who are these people that are “overreacting” and what could constitute an overreaction to an event like October 7? This argument undermining Israel is similar to the general argument made by Hamas supporters that Israel’s reaction to the rape and slaughter and kidnapping of 1400 people is excessive. Why would Jewish organizations contribute to this anti-Israel narrative?
Repurposing the fight against antisemitism towards general “anti-hate” is a feature of both the Newsom plan on antisemitism and the national Biden plan. Every time antisemitism is mentioned in these plans, it is only in the context of hate against all minorities. Discrimination in the form of denying nationhood to one religion in Israel is considered free speech, not “hate.” CJP is puzzled why Jewish organizations such as JCRC would not only go along with these plans to “fight” antisemitism, but would issue unrelenting praise about such plans.
Instead, Antisemitism must be addressed separately from Islamophobia and not combined under a generalized “anti-hate” framework.
After a terrorist attack on Israel, you often hear politicians claim that they are committed to fighting antisemitism “and Islamophobia.” What does this “and Islamophobia mean?” A broad-brush approach that lumps together the struggles of various minority groups obscures the unique aspects of antisemitism. This is particularly concerning when the narrative shifts away from the historical and ongoing right of the Jewish people to self-determination in their homeland—a central tenet of Zionism.
This is part of a noticeable trend where concerns of antisemitism are demoted to a subset of identity groups experiencing discrimination. Collectively, discrimination faced by all groups at once is highlighted as part of the progressive agenda that interprets all discrimination as “anti-hate.” This approach, while aiming to address various forms of discrimination and inequality, dilutes the focus on unique challenges faced by the Jewish community, particularly in the context of Zionism and the Jewish right to self-determination in Israel.
The language is subtle, but it is an antisemitic slur that Jewish organizations inexplicably parrot. The notion that people are reacting with irrational fear towards Muslims after a Muslim-inspired terrorist attack is antithetical. Who are these people that are “overreacting” and what could constitute an overreaction to an event like October 7? This argument undermining Israel is similar to the general argument made by Hamas supporters that Israel’s reaction to the rape and slaughter and kidnapping of 1400 people is excessive. Why would Jewish organizations contribute to this anti-Israel narrative?
Repurposing the fight against antisemitism towards general “anti-hate” is a feature of both the Newsom plan on antisemitism and the national Biden plan. Every time antisemitism is mentioned in these plans, it is only in the context of hate against all minorities. Discrimination in the form of denying nationhood to one religion in Israel is considered free speech, not “hate.” CJP is puzzled why Jewish organizations such as JCRC would not only go along with these plans to “fight” antisemitism, but would issue unrelenting praise about such plans.
Instead, Antisemitism must be addressed separately from Islamophobia and not combined under a generalized “anti-hate” framework.