No surprise for liberal Jews facing progressive antisemitism.
In an eye-opening article in the Los Angeles Times, Erwin Chemerinsky, the dean of Berkeley Law School, reveals that he has been taken aback by the alarming prevalence of antisemitism on college campuses. He states that he was completely unprepared for this disturbing trend.
But wait, hasn’t he heard about the “Jew-free” zones that were established by students at Berkeley last year? What about the student groups that vowed to exclude any “Zionist” speakers? And the Jewish students who felt unwelcome on campus? And let’s not forget about Angela Davis, the communist PLO-loving progressive heroine who has a long history of anti-Semitism.
In a recent piece in the Wall Street Journal, Steven Davidoff Solomon, a law professor at Berkeley, pleads with firms not to hire his own students because they have become a clique that promotes hate and practices discrimination. This problem has been brewing for some time.
Chemerinsky is now traumatized by a Berkeley student who asked him to “get rid of the Zionists” so she could feel safe. He is also unhappy about being accused of participating in a “Zionist conspiracy.” It seems that after 70 years, the dean of a prestigious law school has finally realized that “Zionist” is just a code word for “Jew.”
But just a year ago, Chemerinsky was urging people not to “generalize about BDS on campus” and claiming that there was little antisemitism at Berkeley Law or on the campus. Oops.
Partisans like Chemerinsky have been ignoring the rise of antisemitism on the left for far too long. They have dismissed it as a false narrative or nonsense. But the truth is that bigoted ideas about Jews are deeply ingrained in modern progressivism, and as Democrats move further to the left, this problem will only worsen.
Take, for example, the Women’s March, a leading progressive activism group. It was founded by individuals who spread blood libels and conspiracy theories. And let’s not forget about the original Black Lives Matter platform, which accused Israel of being complicit in genocide and called it an apartheid state. Yet, over 600 Jewish organizations and synagogues supported Black Lives Matter.
Antisemitism is not limited to activist groups. There is also a pro-Hamas faction in Congress, and every year, the Squad gains more members. Democrats often coddle these individuals for fear of being labeled Islamophobic or racist. And let’s not overlook the media, which treats the moral degenerates who participate in anti-Israel protests as innocent “protesters.”
Even Jonathan Greenblatt of the Anti-Defamation League, a partisan group that has downplayed antisemitism on the left, felt compelled to question MSNBC, a leading left-wing cable network, about their biased coverage. It is clear that there are allies of Hamas in influential positions.
And let’s not forget about George Soros, the billionaire who funds not only Black Lives Matter but also Jewish front groups that support terrorists. These groups were even present at the Capitol, calling for Israel to give Hamas terrorists a pass.
Perhaps it should come as no surprise that this kind of thinking has become normalized on the mainstream left. After all, former President Obama had associations with individuals who held anti-Semitic views and even provided support to Hamas. Our elite schools and protest movements, where philanthropic Jews contribute millions, have become breeding grounds for antisemitism.
Sooner or later, these extremists would gain power, and it seems that “sooner” is now.
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What actions can universities take to address and prevent instances of antisemitism on college campuses, particularly in relation to discriminatory policies, exclusionary student groups, and hostile environments?
Recently revealed that some of its leaders have made antisemitic remarks and expressed support for Louis Farrakhan, a known antisemite. Despite this, many on the left continue to support and defend the Women’s March, refusing to acknowledge the antisemitism within their ranks.
Another example is the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which seeks to delegitimize and economically harm Israel. While proponents of BDS claim to be advocating for Palestinian rights, their actions and rhetoric often cross the line into antisemitism. Jewish students on college campuses have reported feeling targeted and harassed by BDS supporters, yet many on the left argue that criticizing BDS is tantamount to stifling free speech.
It is important to recognize that criticizing Israel or its policies is not inherently antisemitic. Israel, like any other country, is not immune to criticism. However, when that criticism crosses into the realm of denying the right of Jews to self-determination or perpetuating harmful stereotypes about Jews, it becomes antisemitic.
Antisemitism on college campuses is not limited to Berkeley. It is a widespread issue that must be addressed. Universities must take proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of Jewish students on their campuses. Academic institutions should condemn and take action against antisemitic incidents, whether they occur in the form of discriminatory policies, exclusionary student groups, or hostile environments.
Additionally, it is crucial for individuals, regardless of their political affiliation, to call out and condemn antisemitism whenever it appears. It is not enough to turn a blind eye or dismiss it as insignificant. Antisemitism, like any form of bigotry, should be confronted and challenged at every turn.
As the dean of Berkeley Law School, Erwin Chemerinsky’s acknowledgement of the prevalence of antisemitism on college campuses is a much-needed wake-up call. It is imperative that universities and society as a whole take this issue seriously and work towards creating an inclusive and accepting environment for all students, regardless of their faith or ethnicity.
It is time to stop ignoring or downplaying the rise of antisemitism on the left. It is a real and concerning problem that must be addressed. Only by acknowledging and confronting this issue can we hope to create a future free from hatred and discrimination.
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