Dear non-Jews who lecture me about what is and what isn’t antisemitism.

Nonsense, Bullshit, and Equivocation

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Dear non-Jews who lecture me about what is and what isn’t antisemitism.

I’ve received way too many comments here and elsewhere by non-Jews assuring me that they’re not actually antisemitic, antisemitism doesn’t really exist, and I should understand that anti-Zionism is not at all the same thing as antisemitism.

Just stop.

You have no right to weigh in unless you’re a member of our ancient tribe, by birth or conviction. If you’re Jewish but never learned anything about our people, keep in mind that the haters will tolerate you only up to a certain point. That’s how it has worked for millennia.

Everyone should be upset about the death, destruction, and suffering in Gaza (and elsewhere in the world), but understand that the horror in Gaza is a result of Hamas decisions to torture, massacre, and kidnap people at a dance festival, then hide themselves and their weapons in schools, mosques, hospitals. Netanyahu has been overly concerned about his own survival, has made WAY too many mistakes, and the Israeli far right has behaved shamefully, but those of you hoping that Israel fails should remember how Hamas treats its people. Like fodder.

The antisemites have made their choice. They want Hamas to win and Israel to be defeated. They are not the first people who wanted to destroy Israel and expel the Jews (or force them to pay hefty fees or convert). I get it — it’s an ancient hatred, but I don’t understand fellow Jews being willing to watch Israel burn.

Antisemites are on both sides of the American political landscape. According to Anti-Defamation League Exec Jonathan Greenblatt regarding the results of a recent survey, “We found an equal proportion of antisemitism on the political left and right. These are extremists; you see classic antisemitism from the far right and intense anti-Zionism from the far left. This plays out in harassment of individual Jews, vandalism of buildings, defacement and violence,” Greenblatt said. “We’ve seen an explosion of over 200% of real-world acts of hate.”

In case you’re wondering, since 10/7/23, I’ve seen hateful graffiti, I’ve been blocked from passing, and I’ve been called horrible names, so stop asking if I’ve ever experienced antisemitism in person. Back in college in the 1970s, a girl in my dorm seriously asked where I hid my horns.

I don’t write these essays to engage in dialogue with Jew-hating, small-minded, pro-terrorists who are filled with propaganda and excuses. As I’ve said before, I will contribute to one of my favorite pro-Israel causes for every venomous, rude, or lie-filled response I receive. I like the idea that the hate of strangers has led to thousands of dollars going to Jewish causes via a “donor advised fund” through the Chicago Jewish Federation. I highly recommend going through your city’s Federation to make contributions — we keep about 10K in the fund, ready to send to help Jews around the world. Of course, when there is an emergency, like the California fires (which the Jewish people, in case you were wondering, did not cause), the federation will suggest it, and with the contributions of many, funnel a significant amount directly to those who need it.

This is the 76th essay I’ve written about Israel, Judaism, Hamas, Gaza, and other associated subjects since October 7, 2023 in the aftermath of the brutal Hamas massacre. Although I continue to submit these essays to the Judean People’s Front (thank you, Reuben), and I’ve been getting over a thousand views for these essays each month, I suspect that those spreading hate and misinformation on Medium.com are getting much more attention. Luckily, despite the recent ADL survey that shows 46% of adults in the world hold antisemitic views, MORALITY is not a popularity contest, dear Medium Bosses. You might not share my essays widely, but I’m slowly moving over to Substack, where there seems to be less meddling with whose essays are seen, and whose aren’t.

I’ve received many comments from those on the left accusing me of being a “Trumpist” because of my passionate defense of Israel’s right to exist (apparently for some people an even more vile accusation than accusing me of being a Zionist, which I am). I’ve refused to frame genocidal Jihadi (as in Hamas) plans to destroy Israel and kill as many Jews as possible, as something that an American president is responsible for or responsible for fixing. America is involved because Israel is the ONLY DEMOCRACY in the Middle East. It is in out best interest to protect our ally, Israel.

Biden was generally wonderful for Israel, but has taken a few missteps, and there are plenty of places to read about that aside from here (I’m a big fan of Steve Sheffey, if you’re looking for honest, pro-democratic newsletter. Steve has been “calling balls and strikes for the Jewish community” for years).

I don’t agree with everything ANY president has ever done going back to Nixon and including Barack Obama (whom I once sat next to at an AIPAC dinner in Washington. It’s another story).

Anyway, it’s not news that Trump is a convicted felon who just pardoned even those January 6th protesters responsible for 5 dead and 140 injured law enforcement officers. Trump blabs endlessly of retribution and has filled his cabinet with some unqualified, dangerous people (do we really want POLIO to resurge?). He’s enabling the Project 2025 anti-women’s autonomy agenda, and I fear that women will die because of all this anti-abortion fervor.

But Trump is also cracking down on those who participate in violent protests in which keffiyeh-clad pro-terrorist/anti-American mask-wearers gleefully threaten Jews, Israel, and the United States with “global intifada.” There are limitations on 1st Amendment rights that threaten people’s lives, prevent people from entering buildings because of their religion, or spread vicious lies and misinformation about Jews that lead to companies having a policy of “No Zionists Allowed.” Blocking traffic and destroying property are also not protected actions. And shouting “Long live the Intifada,” is code for “Kill More Jews.”

As much as the word “intifada” sounds like “frittata,” (and I’ve heard some idiotic screams for an “intifada)” it doesn’t simply mean “uprising.” It’s a call for ongoing terrorist stabbings, stone-throwing, and bus bombings that kill innocent children and destroy entire families. It’s a call for more October 7th massacres, more kidnappings of young women and small children, and more global violence.

As difficult and vengeful as Trump has proven to be, I’m going to wait and see what he does before I judge him this time around. I know that many of you (including my husband) are filled with revulsion and fear about what Trump is going to do to make life worse for the least-supported people in this country. The wealthy are going to get wealthier while Medicaid recipients will have to overcome more hurdles. And I fear that we’re going to miss the slim chance for improving the earth’s ability to renew itself (Goodbye again, Paris Agreement).

But Iran and its proxies have managed to convince way too many “useful idiots” that Israel has no right to exist. They want to rewrite history — to erase the biblical land of Israel and its indigenous people (the Jews, who continuously lived on the land despite repeated massacres and expulsions).

Looking for a simple way to know what you are?

If you are describing the release of innocent captives and the release of convicted criminals as an “exchange” of some kind, then YOU ARE AN ANTISEMITE.