America Awakes to Anti-Semitism

[Behind the Aegis]

A huge spike in anti-Semitism across America is occurring. Jewish community centers in particular are targets of bomb threats and vandalism. For all Americans, this should be deeply worrisome. On March 7, all 100 senators sent a letter to Trump administration officials calling for "swift action" against this surge of Jew-hatred. This is a very welcome development, and the president needs to respond with action.


During his speech to Congress on Feb. 28, Trump finally condemned this outpouring of anti-Semitism, (an outpouring which began when his presidential campaign did). But the president must do much more in both in his language and his actions to denounce anti-Semitism. It is not enough to simply "condemn hate and evil" on the same day that he claims that such anti-Semitism was designed to make him look bad, as he did. Every bomb threat, every cemetery desecration, every slur must be addressed and countered proactively.


Trump needs to use what Teddy Roosevelt famously called the "bully pulpit" to forcefully condemn anti-Semitism, declaring it anathema to this country, in his administration and around the world. Further, as the elected leader of the United States, Trump needs to put forward a plan to address the global uptick in hate speech and hate crimes involving not just anti-Semitism but also Islamophobia and other language and actions directed against any person.

It is imperative that the president order the FBI to investigate and the Justice Department to prosecute every hate crime under our federal laws and to provide resources and support to states to prosecute the same actions under state law. The president has at his disposal the Federal Hate Crime Statute of 1968 and the 2009 Hate Crimes Prevention Act. In fact, the recent attacks on Jewish cemeteries in Kansas City should be investigated and processed under the "damage to religious property" statute of the Church Arson Prevention Act, which "prohibits the intentional defacement, damage or destruction of religious property because of the religious nature of the property."

more...

[JudyM]

1. Has that historic letter from the senators even gotten a response? What a difference from France's

government, as noted...

A mere 18 months ago, I participated in a rabbinic delegation to Paris after the Charlie Hebdo and anti-Semitic atrocities in France and attacks at the museum in Belgium. I remember how Jews in France felt supported by their government and their prime minister. The prime minister of France declared that "the awakening of anti-Semitism is the symptom of a crisis for democracy."

This was another excerpt worth noting:

Sociologists, anthropologists and others monitor and explain what is happening. The breakdown of civil discourse has led to hate speech; the recent political campaign has normalized language of hate; and white supremacists and others who promote hate were elevated to the public eye during the campaign. Inevitably, this speech has led to action.

Good article, thanks for posting, Behind the Aegis.

[beam me up scottie]

2. Thanks for keeping this issue front and center.

This should have many more recs.