“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.”
Pat, unfortunately, you don't have to observe "pro-Palestenian" movement long at all to find blatant antisemitism, racism and all this crap.
Even more unfortunately, a term "progressive" is now an insult to what it used to represent. I considered myself a progressive, and my personal politics haven't changed. But my political home base has been hijacked from me.
Pat, as usual you’re an enjoyable read. As painful as the reality you describe can be, your writing is clear, sharp, and honest—and that makes it compelling even when the subject is difficult.
But I think we’re still giving too much credit to the demonstrators. At this point, if someone is still marching while people around them carry classic antisemitic tropes, while synagogues are being attacked, and while the rhetoric grows more openly hostile to Jews, we should stop pretending this is just ignorance. They may not see themselves as Jew-haters, but if they’re still marching under those conditions, some degree of antisemitism is clearly part of the picture.
It reminds me of the old claim that “Palestinians want peace, it’s only Hamas.” The numbers showed something very different. Sometimes we want to believe the best about people, but reality hits us in the face. I suspect the same uncomfortable truth applies to many of those demonstrating.
Which is why our real focus shouldn’t be the demonstrators at all. The audience that matters is the much larger public that isn’t marching—people who are willing to listen and think. That’s where the real persuasion can happen.
Spot on piece Pat, but OhMyGolly that photo... the caption aptly arch ;-), but I'm quite shaken at what I'm seein'.... that's the kinda image that should be handed out ta the radi-culls at the pro-HamAss rallies. Doubtful that poor man'll survive the ordeal if he ain't dead already....
When folks slam Israel fer callin' these brutalists monsters I'd say the cult that should be slammed is I-Slam! (an' yep, this horrifc inhuman/inhumane behavior is indeed that of monsters or we might say I-Slam=Monsters Inc., monstrous acts seem ta be their stock in trade...) Folks that deny it clearly got sand in their eyes. I daresay these cultists make our own famous monsters like The Wolfman & Dracula seem like cushie plushies in comparison.
“Without a single exception, I have been treated with respect, warmth and kindness by every evangelical and conservative Christian I have encountered in my many years as a pro-Israel person.“. Why do you think this is? These fundamentalists broadly voted for the current occupant of the White House
I can't speak for Pat, but I've had this experience with a childhood friend I hadn't seen in almost 40 years. She is a devout Christian and voted for The Cheeto. But she has been more empathetic, supportive and kind toward me than any of the people with whom I've been a left-leaning activist for the last decade. Not one of those people could bother to check in on their Jewish pal. The childhood friend checks in, posts messages of support, has told me repeatedly that she has the back of her Jewish friends. I also have never seen her excommunicate anyone from her social media threads over a difference of worldview or opinion. I don't know what accounts for that, but it really appears to be basic moral clarity. At least from this individual, I don't sense an agenda beyond knowing right from wrong.
YOUR STUFF IS TERRIFIC. BUT I DIDNT KNOW YOU WERE A MAN.
OH WELL....LIFE IS FULL OF SURPRISES.
Bahaha.
SURPRISE!
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.”
Fantastic. 👏👏👏👏
Pat, unfortunately, you don't have to observe "pro-Palestenian" movement long at all to find blatant antisemitism, racism and all this crap.
Even more unfortunately, a term "progressive" is now an insult to what it used to represent. I considered myself a progressive, and my personal politics haven't changed. But my political home base has been hijacked from me.
It has been. But I refuse to cede.
Excellent piece Pat. So glad I (and my wife Laura) met you at the SWU conference in LV this week. Looking forward to reading more of your work. 🙏
It was such a pleasure. I'll be writing about it soon (the conference -- not you two specifically!)
🤣🤣
Pat, as usual you’re an enjoyable read. As painful as the reality you describe can be, your writing is clear, sharp, and honest—and that makes it compelling even when the subject is difficult.
But I think we’re still giving too much credit to the demonstrators. At this point, if someone is still marching while people around them carry classic antisemitic tropes, while synagogues are being attacked, and while the rhetoric grows more openly hostile to Jews, we should stop pretending this is just ignorance. They may not see themselves as Jew-haters, but if they’re still marching under those conditions, some degree of antisemitism is clearly part of the picture.
It reminds me of the old claim that “Palestinians want peace, it’s only Hamas.” The numbers showed something very different. Sometimes we want to believe the best about people, but reality hits us in the face. I suspect the same uncomfortable truth applies to many of those demonstrating.
Which is why our real focus shouldn’t be the demonstrators at all. The audience that matters is the much larger public that isn’t marching—people who are willing to listen and think. That’s where the real persuasion can happen.
Spot on piece Pat, but OhMyGolly that photo... the caption aptly arch ;-), but I'm quite shaken at what I'm seein'.... that's the kinda image that should be handed out ta the radi-culls at the pro-HamAss rallies. Doubtful that poor man'll survive the ordeal if he ain't dead already....
When folks slam Israel fer callin' these brutalists monsters I'd say the cult that should be slammed is I-Slam! (an' yep, this horrifc inhuman/inhumane behavior is indeed that of monsters or we might say I-Slam=Monsters Inc., monstrous acts seem ta be their stock in trade...) Folks that deny it clearly got sand in their eyes. I daresay these cultists make our own famous monsters like The Wolfman & Dracula seem like cushie plushies in comparison.
Simply put - Fantastic job 👌🏾
“Without a single exception, I have been treated with respect, warmth and kindness by every evangelical and conservative Christian I have encountered in my many years as a pro-Israel person.“. Why do you think this is? These fundamentalists broadly voted for the current occupant of the White House
I can't speak for Pat, but I've had this experience with a childhood friend I hadn't seen in almost 40 years. She is a devout Christian and voted for The Cheeto. But she has been more empathetic, supportive and kind toward me than any of the people with whom I've been a left-leaning activist for the last decade. Not one of those people could bother to check in on their Jewish pal. The childhood friend checks in, posts messages of support, has told me repeatedly that she has the back of her Jewish friends. I also have never seen her excommunicate anyone from her social media threads over a difference of worldview or opinion. I don't know what accounts for that, but it really appears to be basic moral clarity. At least from this individual, I don't sense an agenda beyond knowing right from wrong.