Silence is toxic. Killing begets killing. It is possible to hate violence against Jews and also hate violence against Palestinians. It is possible to be fiercely opposed to anti-semitism and also oppose Israel's decimation of Gaza. If someone (or some nation) you love is committing genocide, you let them know how you feel. If you are their friend, you stop helping them commit destruction. Otherwise you are not a good friend. But as you fight for an oppressed people, you don't kill people in reaction to the oppression. Killing begets killing. As happened last week, killing kills your allies.
Charlotte, I agree completely with your essay. Silence is toxic.
Thanks for a great post, Charlotte. Hate is the same ugly color, regardless of who is its target..
One category you did not specifically mention above is the series of 'hate crimes" perpetrated by rabid pro-Zionistr/pro-Israeli groups here in the US that have been targeting and harassing those who have spoken up on behalf of the legitimate humanitarian needs and political rights of Palestinian people.
These Zionists are the same folks who scream the loudest about "antisemitism," but their definition of the word is anything critical that is said or written about the actions or policies of the state of Israel and its government, and its armed forces. They have "outed" and targeted for removal academics, students, and US government employees who have made legitimate criticisms of Israeli actions and policies -- simply because they do not wholeheartedly and unquestioningly support the Israeli government.
This deliberate abuse of the term "antisemitism" (compared to your clear and moral description above) is one more form of 'hate crime' that deserves more attention: it, too should be ended. And how do we distinguish between the antisemitism you discussed so clearly and the fake version of antisemitism that falsely equates blind loyalty to a state with hate for all Jewish people?
You start by understanding what antisemitism is and is not. Antisemitism is not just dislike of Jews. It is a conspiracy theory about Jewish power and control. But when Jews try to explain this, they are drowned out by the 99.8 percent of humans who are not Jewish and think they can educate us about ourselves.
Silence is toxic. Killing begets killing. It is possible to hate violence against Jews and also hate violence against Palestinians. It is possible to be fiercely opposed to anti-semitism and also oppose Israel's decimation of Gaza. If someone (or some nation) you love is committing genocide, you let them know how you feel. If you are their friend, you stop helping them commit destruction. Otherwise you are not a good friend. But as you fight for an oppressed people, you don't kill people in reaction to the oppression. Killing begets killing. As happened last week, killing kills your allies.
Charlotte, I agree completely with your essay. Silence is toxic.
I’m the daughter of a Holocaust survivor and triggered by the resurgence. Thank you so much for your vocal support.
Thank you so much for your moral clarity.
Thank you for this. I needed this badly today.
Thank you. Spot on as always. And thank you for not mentioning the killer’s name. This is how to do it. Don’t give them fame. Make them infamous.
Thanks for a great post, Charlotte. Hate is the same ugly color, regardless of who is its target..
One category you did not specifically mention above is the series of 'hate crimes" perpetrated by rabid pro-Zionistr/pro-Israeli groups here in the US that have been targeting and harassing those who have spoken up on behalf of the legitimate humanitarian needs and political rights of Palestinian people.
These Zionists are the same folks who scream the loudest about "antisemitism," but their definition of the word is anything critical that is said or written about the actions or policies of the state of Israel and its government, and its armed forces. They have "outed" and targeted for removal academics, students, and US government employees who have made legitimate criticisms of Israeli actions and policies -- simply because they do not wholeheartedly and unquestioningly support the Israeli government.
This deliberate abuse of the term "antisemitism" (compared to your clear and moral description above) is one more form of 'hate crime' that deserves more attention: it, too should be ended. And how do we distinguish between the antisemitism you discussed so clearly and the fake version of antisemitism that falsely equates blind loyalty to a state with hate for all Jewish people?
You start by understanding what antisemitism is and is not. Antisemitism is not just dislike of Jews. It is a conspiracy theory about Jewish power and control. But when Jews try to explain this, they are drowned out by the 99.8 percent of humans who are not Jewish and think they can educate us about ourselves.
I really appreciate this and I’m thankful to have your voice in my life.
Thank you. I look to you for moral clarity. You always deliver.
Thank you for this strong, clear statement. We do appreciate it - and you.