Rising Antisemitism

[u/fleshurinal]

I have witnessed so much antisemitism everytime I go online it's starting to become worrying. I see non Jewish leftists say that antisemitism isn't a real problem for Jews in America, usually being boiled down to "most Jews are white, rich, and have never experienced antisemitic violence physically". Yet antisemitism is rising and is a real problem that we should still consider in this time of jewish identity being weaponized and the jewish supremacy that is enacted in Occupied Palestine. Stating "most jews are white" seems harmful and also just false. Also Jews have always been hesitant to be apart of surveys so it's hard to find legitimate info on these things. Am I alone in this?

EDIT: I am not talking about any specific statistics or surveys. This is based on what I've personally seen scrolling on social media. I understand/agree there isn't a clear way to see that based on largely pro zionist orgs. EDIT PT 2: I am not saying that Pro Palestinian sentiment is antisemitism. I am talking about LEGITIMATE antisemitism. This is not a post talking about false accusations of antisemitism based in Zionism.

[u/Elegant-Astronaut636]

Then that’s just them being racist which is a problem I agree. But rising antisemitism currently is largely due to Zionism and what Israel is doing.

[u/Bayked510 → u/Elegant-Astronaut636]

I think when another commenter said that it feels like it has been rising since 2016, and from an American perspective, I would agree. Trump took the lid off the bigotry box, and Elon Musk made sure bigots have a mainstream platform.

I think both your original comment and the edited version of your response are putting too much responsibility on Jews for the bigotry they face. It's equivalent to saying "if you're an African American facing an ism you don't like, it's a teaching opportunity to let them know you don't engage in violent crime."

I think anti-Jewish hatred has increased because of Israel's actions, but the rise is not only due to that and I think you're giving anti-Jewish bigots way too much credit when you imply they're largely motivated by humanitarian concern.

[u/Elegant-Astronaut636 → u/Bayked510]

Yes there was some precursors… escalation with Israel was likely expected / planned. When 10/7 happened the wheels started running on the antisemitism train full throttle.

“It’s equivalent to saying “if you’re an African American facing an ism you don’t like, it’s a teaching opportunity to let them know you don’t engage in violent crime.”” Yikes… almost the same but I disagree with how you worded it. You’re trying to inform them so here try something like; how black communities have been persecuted in America. Also how crime reports largely disfavors the black population. Such as black people being sentenced much more harshly for the same crime.

Also slavery…

[u/Bayked510 → u/Elegant-Astronaut636]

Back on a quick lunch break, I missed the edits on this comment before but I think there's more to respond to now.

Yikes… almost the same but I disagree with how you worded it. You’re trying to inform them so here try something like; how black communities have been persecuted in America. Also how crime reports largely disfavors the black population. Such as black people being sentenced much more harshly for the same crime.

I think there's more wrong with your original statement and my reworking.

First, presenting bigotry as a teachable moment assumes the bigotry comes in the form of speech and ideas. I have experienced anti-Jewish hatred in the form of vandalism and bomb threats which are not an opportunity for dialogue. Black people may experience anti-Black racism as, for instance, wrongful arrest or lynching, also not an opportunity for dialogue and education.

Second, in giving a one-size-fits-all response to bigotry, you are assuming you know what kind of bigoted statement was made. Your statement assumes that if a Jew experiences anti-Jewish bigotry, it is a conversation about Israel and Zionism, but they might be saying I killed Jesus or that all bad things that happen to Jews are divine punishment (both sentiments I have encountered IRL). Similarly, my example assumes we're talking about black crime for some reason when anti-black bigotry isn't necessarily about that in any way. In proposing a Jew who is experiencing bigotry should respond by talking about Zionism, you are basically giving the kindest possible guess to why a person hates Jews.

Third, "you can say you do not agree with Zionist ideologies and are being made to be a scapegoat of escalation" to me implies a kind of "don't hate me, I'm one of the good Jews, it's the other Jews you want" attitude that rubs me the wrong way; I wouldn't expect a Black person to justify anti-black bigotry and frame themself as "one of the good ones."

I think a real life example can show the shortcomings of the "People just need more discourse and information" idea when it comes to bigots, so here's a tweet from last year:

I would call this anti-Jewish bigotry and not only is it not about Zionism, but beyond that I don't see this as a teaching opportunity. Has nobody told them that there is not a Jewish conspiracy to undermine white people? Highly doubtful. If I wanted to disprove the idea through discourse and reason, what kind of evidence would I use? How do you prove a negative to show that it isn't real? Why would I expect someone who believes in anti-Jewish conspiracies to believe me or any source I would cite? For people who have the patience to try, more power to them, but I think it's wrong to insist that the victims of bigotry view it as an opportunity for dialogue and education when it is often far from it.