One of the most frustrating things about dealing with the antisemites is that they have not become haters of Jews through any rational or knowledge based effort. You can’t argue with an illness. The illness simply ignores you. So is there a therapy for the illness? Since this has been around for so many centuries, the answer would seem to be no. The illness can only be healed by the individual hater waking up to the fact that they bear an illness. Love can cure, but this rarely happens.
I joined UK centre ground WhatsApp group concerned with politics and economics. Not long after Oct 7th anti Israel and antisemitic posts appeared. To no effect I posted that this was not the right channel to debate the Israel Gaza war. In responding to one particular posted I asked where they thought Palestine was. The response was “ is that a got ye” question. They had no idea of the issues other than what they reposted from TikTok and the guardian newspaper. Pure virtue signalling. I was asked if I was Israeli. Which was not what they were really asking.
As a Jew who has worked with thousands of Jews in many different Jewish communities, I was gobsmacked when, after 10/7, all of my non-Jewish friends began speaking about the zionists. It was uncanny to live in a new world where people who didn’t know us felt comfortable defining our entire identity.
“Antisemitism is always a means rather than an end. It is a measure of the contradictions yet to be resolved. It is a mirror for the failings of individuals, social structures and state systems. Tell me what you accuse the Jews of, I’ll tell you what you’re guilty of.”
Accurately stated. I have come to find that like debating with a diehard MAGA fanatic, reason and logic are irrelevant here. They (the "anti-Zionists") just want to scream at us before (they hope) banishing us from the planet.
Ben Shapiro popularized the phrase “Facts don’t care about your feelings” as a way of emphasizing objective truth over emotional reasoning. But in response, others have pointed out—accurately—that “Feelings don’t care about the facts” either. In practice, people often cling to beliefs, ideologies, or identities that align with their emotions or lived experiences, regardless of contrary evidence.
This counterpoint highlights a deeper tension in public discourse: while facts may be logically stronger, they’re not always persuasive. Emotions often drive decisions, shape worldviews, and fuel movements—sometimes in defiance of clear evidence. It's a reminder that winning an argument isn't just about being right; it's also about understanding the emotional landscape in which that argument takes place.
So yes—unfortunately, “feelings don't care about the facts” captures a real and often frustrating dynamic in human behavior.
Truly, Pat, the world is better because you are in it. You have taught me through your writing how to have a much broader perspective on antisemitism. It’s truly been eye-opening.i thank you.
The projection of accusing a person of being uncritical is, ostensibly, an assessment of the person's intellect. But there is nothing intellectual about this accusation. It is designed to serve the emotional needs of the accuser--to help them to avoid extending empathy to Jewish people by dehumanizing them as uncritical "automatons."
Another great one Pat. Just yesterday I posted a long response to someone who was quoting alt media hyperbole about a) genocide in Gaza and b) Israel invading and expelling Gazans from Gaza (to where exactly?) because of natural resources… including diamonds. The only thing sparkling right now is the pile of BS heaped onto Israel, I said….
Keep them coming Pat, you are a brilliant writer and voice and I cannot thank you enough for your talent to “word the unwordable”!
normally I've gotta carpet bag've "suggestions" fer Israel (too mehnny!), but TONIGHT (of all nights...) I fer one am givin' UN-CRITTER-CULL (save all us "critters!") support for the little lady with the iron dome hat on (not ta be ever confused with foil shop-pows or solid steel crackpots like m'own)... onna mission ta take out them nukes (or whatever "nuke-liar" facility they gots goin')...Am Israel Chai with 18-hour non-stop Playtex livin' brar FULL support! (an' let's hope "I-Ran" ain't a misnomer--may then run run run away!)
For those who might be interested, Adam Kirsch has just written a very long essay on the Z word. It’s available from Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Word-Reclaiming-Zionism-Jewish-Quarterly-ebook/dp/B0DVW7XW3V
One of the most frustrating things about dealing with the antisemites is that they have not become haters of Jews through any rational or knowledge based effort. You can’t argue with an illness. The illness simply ignores you. So is there a therapy for the illness? Since this has been around for so many centuries, the answer would seem to be no. The illness can only be healed by the individual hater waking up to the fact that they bear an illness. Love can cure, but this rarely happens.
I joined UK centre ground WhatsApp group concerned with politics and economics. Not long after Oct 7th anti Israel and antisemitic posts appeared. To no effect I posted that this was not the right channel to debate the Israel Gaza war. In responding to one particular posted I asked where they thought Palestine was. The response was “ is that a got ye” question. They had no idea of the issues other than what they reposted from TikTok and the guardian newspaper. Pure virtue signalling. I was asked if I was Israeli. Which was not what they were really asking.
As a Jew who has worked with thousands of Jews in many different Jewish communities, I was gobsmacked when, after 10/7, all of my non-Jewish friends began speaking about the zionists. It was uncanny to live in a new world where people who didn’t know us felt comfortable defining our entire identity.
Vasily Grossman, Life and Fate:
“Antisemitism is always a means rather than an end. It is a measure of the contradictions yet to be resolved. It is a mirror for the failings of individuals, social structures and state systems. Tell me what you accuse the Jews of, I’ll tell you what you’re guilty of.”
Brilliant. Brilliant.
We can thank the incomparable Douglas Murray for publicizing this insightful quote. And you know what? It’s always true.
Non jewish by birth, zionist by choice. AM ISRAEL CHAI
Accurately stated. I have come to find that like debating with a diehard MAGA fanatic, reason and logic are irrelevant here. They (the "anti-Zionists") just want to scream at us before (they hope) banishing us from the planet.
Ben Shapiro popularized the phrase “Facts don’t care about your feelings” as a way of emphasizing objective truth over emotional reasoning. But in response, others have pointed out—accurately—that “Feelings don’t care about the facts” either. In practice, people often cling to beliefs, ideologies, or identities that align with their emotions or lived experiences, regardless of contrary evidence.
This counterpoint highlights a deeper tension in public discourse: while facts may be logically stronger, they’re not always persuasive. Emotions often drive decisions, shape worldviews, and fuel movements—sometimes in defiance of clear evidence. It's a reminder that winning an argument isn't just about being right; it's also about understanding the emotional landscape in which that argument takes place.
So yes—unfortunately, “feelings don't care about the facts” captures a real and often frustrating dynamic in human behavior.
Well done, Pat!
And thank you.
Thank YOU KAthy.
Truly, Pat, the world is better because you are in it. You have taught me through your writing how to have a much broader perspective on antisemitism. It’s truly been eye-opening.i thank you.
The projection of accusing a person of being uncritical is, ostensibly, an assessment of the person's intellect. But there is nothing intellectual about this accusation. It is designed to serve the emotional needs of the accuser--to help them to avoid extending empathy to Jewish people by dehumanizing them as uncritical "automatons."
Another great one Pat. Just yesterday I posted a long response to someone who was quoting alt media hyperbole about a) genocide in Gaza and b) Israel invading and expelling Gazans from Gaza (to where exactly?) because of natural resources… including diamonds. The only thing sparkling right now is the pile of BS heaped onto Israel, I said….
Keep them coming Pat, you are a brilliant writer and voice and I cannot thank you enough for your talent to “word the unwordable”!
Thanks P!
normally I've gotta carpet bag've "suggestions" fer Israel (too mehnny!), but TONIGHT (of all nights...) I fer one am givin' UN-CRITTER-CULL (save all us "critters!") support for the little lady with the iron dome hat on (not ta be ever confused with foil shop-pows or solid steel crackpots like m'own)... onna mission ta take out them nukes (or whatever "nuke-liar" facility they gots goin')...Am Israel Chai with 18-hour non-stop Playtex livin' brar FULL support! (an' let's hope "I-Ran" ain't a misnomer--may then run run run away!)
Is this the new MIGA…make Israël….