Anti-Semitic incidents are soaring, group says

[Behind the Aegis]

Reports of anti-Semitic incidents are soaring this year across New England, an increase fueled by vandalism, harassment, and other acts at schools and colleges, according to statistics released Wednesday by the Anti-Defamation League.

According to the ADL, there have already been 56 anti-Semitic acts in the region this year, nearly as many as for all of 2015, when 61 were reported.

The data alarmed Jewish clergy and academics, who said the incidents suggest a rising level of intolerance that may feed on the rhetoric from the contentious political season.

“Clearly, people are acting out on some long-held stereotypes and hatred toward Jews, and it’s designed to send a message of intimidation,” said Robert Trestan, director of the New England Regional Office of the ADL. “We’re increasingly living in an environment where incivility is becoming common and accepted practice.”

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Oh wait, wrong smiley...I meant...

[villager]

1. People are even freer about it on this very website. nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. People are far more happy to show their true colors now

[Behind the Aegis]

3. Yup. Further in the article...

Brandeis professor Jonathan Sarna said he believes a combination of social media, anti-Israel sentiment, and rhetoric from politicians has led to a sense of public acceptance of some anti-Semitism.

“There is a sense today that this kind of hatred is more acceptable and that the public square has become coarser than it had been in the past, and indeed, one senses that even in presidential politics that there is often a relationship,” Sarna said.

“We look to a candidate as role models. When they employ very coarse speech, and people take notice, it’s not a surprise that other folks do the same thing.’’

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. I know.

[Rhiannon12866]

4. With Trump on the news 24/7, hate has gone mainstream...

[Behind the Aegis]

14. Trump and his supporters and a complicit media...

...have made a deadly cocktail.

[appalachiablue]

5. Despicable, I don't tolerate it, here or anywhere.

[Solly Mack]

6. K&R

[Humanist_Activist]

7. People are emboldened by bigotry being celebrated from so called political leaders. Most people...

followers of those they perceive as being like them. And there is a cycle of negative feedback on all the bigotries we find. Hatred of the "other" is in vogue with far too many people right now.

[Moostache]

9. Yup, 100% agree...

Any time you hear a politician talk about "the <insert group name>" and it is not in reference to a sport's team, that is a bad thing.

The Mexicans
The Blacks
The Jews
The Gays

It is classic "in-group/out-group" tactics and it is ALWAYS a bad thing, even when it may be benign in intention or a slip of the tongue.

If a candidate wants to get a message of inclusion across to all, they will refer to none as "the ..."

(I cringe everytime I hear it, even from Senator Sanders and Secretary Clinton, but Trump is addicted to it as much as his audience and that is spine-tingly awfulness.)

[Rex]

10. The GOP has given rise to a real plutocrat that thinks Putin is the bomb.

A nasty little fascist with a huge nero complex.

[leftynyc]

11. Sigh

It had been coming closer to the time where the hate was there but shame kept the imbeciles quiet. Now they have far too many voices in positions that get attention and are emboldened.

[MerryBlooms]

12. Rec & Kick.

[Odin2005]

13. Trump and the refugee crisis is letting the Neo-Nazis out from under their rock.

It doesn't help that they use sites like 4chan and Reddit as recruiting grounds full of socially ostracized young men to brainwash into hate.

[JustAnotherGen]

15. Kick, rec, solidarity

[Behind the Aegis]

16. Thank you!

[libodem]

17. Do you think the anti Israel thoughts

Are the same as antisemitic thoughts?

Do they equal the same offense?

I have some negative evaluations of Netanyahu's right wing style.

That doesn't mean I don't like Israel. That definitely doesn't mean that I don't like people of the Jewish faith and history. I was brought up to respect all people.

Seriously sad to hear of any antisemitic violence or intimidating actions. None of it is justified. Inexcusable.

Makes me angry toward Trump for fueling the hate.

[DavidDvorkin]

18. The inevitable response.

[Behind the Aegis]

19. Like bigotry in general, things aren't black and white.

Do you think the anti Israel thoughts Are the same as antisemitic thoughts?

Some are. Some aren't. Is all criticism of Obama racist? Of course, not. However, there certainly is some "criticism" which is based in racism. There is also some "criticism" based on hate of anything/anyone democratic. When it comes to Israel, some criticism is definitely anti-Semitic. Utilizing classic anti-Semitic rhetoric is a sure sign the "criticism" of Israel is anti-Semitic and should be treated with the same disgust as if it were some random Jew being murdered for being a Jew. Some "criticism" is anti-Israel bigotry, and yes, one can be bigoted against a country. Is it as "evil" as anti-Semitism? I can't say, except personally, I find it disgusting. The real question is "Is some criticism of Israel based in bigotry?" The answer is an unqualified yes!. Do some mistakenly, either on purpose or through ignorance, call criticism of Israel bigotry when it isn't? Of course! But, it is also true some "criticize" Israel utilizing bigotry but claim it isn't because "Israel" isn't a "person."

Something to ponder: why do discussions of anti-Semitism inevitably end up with discussions about Israel, where comments/concerns almost seem to point to Israel being one of the reasons for anti-Semitism, even in domestic situations? How do people feel when discussions of racism (such as the rise of domestic hate groups and militias) turn into conversations about "Think Obama may have something to do with it?" What about discussions of Islamophobia turn into conversations about terrorists, ISIS, or Syria/Iran/SA? How is that viewed?

Too many people don't know anything about anti-Semitism, to them, it is nothing more than calling a Jew a "kike" or some other 'bad word' or painting a swastika on a synagogue. Anti-Semitism is thousands of years old and has had many incarnations and many of them repeat over and over, including in populations who self-identify as liberals and, especially, progressives. Trump and the media are indeed fueling hate, but to do so, they have to have a willing population to fan the flames of hate; they have tapped into many of those populations.

[libodem]

20. Thank you much

For the very thoughtful reply. I need to sleep on it.

Peace

[ismnotwasm]

21. K&R