theroguefeminist:genderneutralmilkhotel:theroguefeminist:politicalsci:Bernie Sanders: “It’s very tro
theroguefeminist:genderneutralmilkhotel:theroguefeminist:politicalsci:Bernie Sanders: “It’s very troubling to me that we are also seeing accusations of antisemitism used as a cynical political weapon against progressives. One of the most dangerous things Trump has done is to divide Americans by using false allegations of antisemitism, mostly regarding the US–Israel relationship. We should be very clear that it is not antisemitic to criticize the policies of the Israeli government.”“As a people who have experienced oppression and persecution for hundreds of years, we understand the danger. But we also have a tradition that points the way forward. I am a proud member of the tradition of Jewish social justice. And I am so inspired when I see so many Jewish people picking up this banner, especially the younger generation of Jews, who are helping to lead a revival of progressive values in our country. They see the fight against antisemitism and for Jewish liberation as connected to the fight for the liberation of oppressed people around the world. They are part of a broad coalition of activists from many different backgrounds who believe very deeply, as I always have, that we are all in this together.“This also another example of how the issue is not antisemitism vs pro-Israel - you can be antisemitic and pro-Israel. Trump is an excellent example of this. His support of Israel is entirely self-serving and politically-motivated. It has nothing to do with any sort of support of Jews, and in fact, his whole approach plays into classic antisemitic tropes such as the “good Jew / bad Jew” dichotomy (in this case pro-Israel Jews versus leftist/ progressive Jews) and the Jew as foreigner. This is also a classic divide and conquer technique since this type of move is going to divide the Jewish community and pit Jews against leftists.This whole thing reeks of the Evangelical Christian Right. Evangelicals LOVE Israel…because they think Israel is necessary for the second coming of Christ (in which Jews will all die or become converted). This was the kind of Christianity I grew up around in the American South and I know it very, very well. In Texas, you cannot be a state employee and support BDS. What religious/cultural group wields enormous political power in Texas? Spoiler alert: It’s not Jewish people. It’s white Evangelicals. Evangelicals get a win in their antisemitism, destructive “Zionism,” and Islamophobia in one fell swoop. For more on this, read up on the Muslim professor at UNC who was almost fired for supposedly expressing antisemitic views but was literally talking factually about Israel. And a frustrating part of me is anticipating a sizable faction on the Left blaming American Jews for the silencing of Palestinian-Americans and Muslims on college campus that I fully anticipating happening (because come on, this isn’t just about BDS – I have been warned by a colleague about even bringing up Zionism in a special topics course). Because any backlash to Israel-critical political movements is attributed to American Jews by many on the political left who are unfamiliar with this brand of Christianity or how insanely powerful these Evangelicals are. So great day for them, bad for Jews and Muslims in this country. Muslims on college campuses are probably going to be affected first and most immediately, but this kind of thing can and would escalate back to Jews quickly enough. That wouldn’t surprise me. Trump has massive support among Evangelicals so a lot of his pro-Israel moves are likely playing to his base. You’re right that people tend to blame Jews for things like this and think of Jews as being far more influential and powerful than they really are. -- source link
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