I didn’t suggest it would reduce anti-Jewish sentiment, nor did I suggest that anti-Jewish sentiment is the only discrimination that matters, nor did I defend the Trump administration’s policies on discrimination. I referenced the anti-Jewish sentiment to explain why I, a person who believes in free speech and democratic values, do not b…
I didn’t suggest it would reduce anti-Jewish sentiment, nor did I suggest that anti-Jewish sentiment is the only discrimination that matters, nor did I defend the Trump administration’s policies on discrimination. I referenced the anti-Jewish sentiment to explain why I, a person who believes in free speech and democratic values, do not believe that the participants in pro-Palestine protests were as universally good as I feel like they are currently treated in discourse, which I also think is bad for fanning the flames of divisiveness - lots of Jewish folks, typically reliable Dem voters, voted for Trump (mistakenly, in my opinion) this year because of the rise of anti-Jewish sentiment on the left and Trump’s assurances he would support Israel. In as much as this move entrenches people in an anti-Israel stance, so too does allowing unchecked discourse against a historically marginalized group entrench them on the other side.
Why is it that it’s so easy for us to condemn discrimination against almost all groups, but when someone says “hey, they’re really saying some uncool stuff about Jewish people” it becomes a conversation about geopolitics?
Ashley, I think we had a bit of a misunderstanding, and I wanted to apologize. Re-reading my response, I can see how it came across as challenging your position when that wasn't my intention at all.
I completely agree with your nuanced take on the situation. I didn't mean to suggest you were advocating for his removal - I understood you were saying that while there might be legitimate concerns about his actions (if the allegations are true), you ultimately believe he shouldn't be deported because of free speech principles.
What I was trying to express was building on your point: that even if someone believes he should be removed (which you were considering), such a removal might actually make things worse for Jewish Americans by further entrenching divisiveness. I think we're actually in agreement that the administration's approach is fanning flames rather than addressing real concerns.
I appreciate your thoughtful perspective as someone with expertise in Middle Eastern studies who can hold multiple complex truths simultaneously - condemning antisemitism while also being critical of certain Israeli government policies, and recognizing the importance of free speech while also acknowledging when protests cross lines.
Sorry for the confusion. These are complicated issues with a lot of nuance, and sometimes text conversations don't capture the full intent behind our words.
Also, to your point about people who somehow found themselves voting for Trump because they are pro-Palestine (🫤) I think this is a huge turning point for them. I see some red hat wearing people too who brand themselves as first amendment crusaders who are really struggling to perform the usual gymnastics they do to justify their guys in power. They are freaking out.
Thank you so much for clarifying! I will admit to being a bit trigger happy these days as I’ve had a (scary) number of interactions over the last year where when raise that I am worried about anti-Jewishness in our society, I am accused of being pro-genocide. I appreciate this governerd community for not being like that!
I take your points and agree fully. This admin is absolutely using this as a flashpoint moment to further divide people and as a power grab.
I also agree that it’s bad for Jewish-Americans and likely also Arab-Americans, who will have “terrorist” stereotype dredged up. Like most things in this admin, it’s truly terrible for everyone.
I agree with Ashley. Jewish Americans should not be judged for Isreal anymore than Arab Americans should be judged for the treatment of the women in Iran or Afghanistan. I feel this is part of the problem.
Ashley and Deanna, I agree! However, I went to an antisemitism symposium hosted by the Jewish community in the metro Kc area, and all I heard all weekend was: saying anything negative about isreal, Netanyahu, etc., endangered KC Jews. So, that was the real perception, along with a whole lot of other questionable things that I will spare you.
I want to weigh in as an American Jew, daughter of a Holocaust survivor and ardent Zionist. I HATE Netanyahu and what he is doing. However, what happened on October 7 was an unprovoked massacre of innocent people—many of them working on pro-peace initiatives. There are still over 50 people being tortured in Gaza. Hamas is a terrorist organization, not a group of “militants.” Criticizing the Israeli government is fine. However, “from the river to the Sea” calls for annihilating Israel, a sovereign state. I think due process is very important in this case, but if Khalil is proven in court to be pro-Hamas (which I suspect he is), the he should go.
Trumps actions made things worse for Jews—because of the backlash. He doesn’t care about Jew hatred, and people like me will suffer the consequences.
Diane, thank you for expressing all of the different aspects, including criticizing Netanyahu and his policies is not the same as criticizing Isreal, Isrealis, and Jews.
And condemning Hamas’ 10/7 attack is not the same as being anti- Palestinian.
Unfortunately, there are LOTS of people that are restricting our right to free speech by telling us otherwise.
I didn’t suggest it would reduce anti-Jewish sentiment, nor did I suggest that anti-Jewish sentiment is the only discrimination that matters, nor did I defend the Trump administration’s policies on discrimination. I referenced the anti-Jewish sentiment to explain why I, a person who believes in free speech and democratic values, do not believe that the participants in pro-Palestine protests were as universally good as I feel like they are currently treated in discourse, which I also think is bad for fanning the flames of divisiveness - lots of Jewish folks, typically reliable Dem voters, voted for Trump (mistakenly, in my opinion) this year because of the rise of anti-Jewish sentiment on the left and Trump’s assurances he would support Israel. In as much as this move entrenches people in an anti-Israel stance, so too does allowing unchecked discourse against a historically marginalized group entrench them on the other side.
Why is it that it’s so easy for us to condemn discrimination against almost all groups, but when someone says “hey, they’re really saying some uncool stuff about Jewish people” it becomes a conversation about geopolitics?
Ashley, I think we had a bit of a misunderstanding, and I wanted to apologize. Re-reading my response, I can see how it came across as challenging your position when that wasn't my intention at all.
I completely agree with your nuanced take on the situation. I didn't mean to suggest you were advocating for his removal - I understood you were saying that while there might be legitimate concerns about his actions (if the allegations are true), you ultimately believe he shouldn't be deported because of free speech principles.
What I was trying to express was building on your point: that even if someone believes he should be removed (which you were considering), such a removal might actually make things worse for Jewish Americans by further entrenching divisiveness. I think we're actually in agreement that the administration's approach is fanning flames rather than addressing real concerns.
I appreciate your thoughtful perspective as someone with expertise in Middle Eastern studies who can hold multiple complex truths simultaneously - condemning antisemitism while also being critical of certain Israeli government policies, and recognizing the importance of free speech while also acknowledging when protests cross lines.
Sorry for the confusion. These are complicated issues with a lot of nuance, and sometimes text conversations don't capture the full intent behind our words.
Also, to your point about people who somehow found themselves voting for Trump because they are pro-Palestine (🫤) I think this is a huge turning point for them. I see some red hat wearing people too who brand themselves as first amendment crusaders who are really struggling to perform the usual gymnastics they do to justify their guys in power. They are freaking out.
Thank you so much for clarifying! I will admit to being a bit trigger happy these days as I’ve had a (scary) number of interactions over the last year where when raise that I am worried about anti-Jewishness in our society, I am accused of being pro-genocide. I appreciate this governerd community for not being like that!
I take your points and agree fully. This admin is absolutely using this as a flashpoint moment to further divide people and as a power grab.
I also agree that it’s bad for Jewish-Americans and likely also Arab-Americans, who will have “terrorist” stereotype dredged up. Like most things in this admin, it’s truly terrible for everyone.
I don’t think anyone is “making things worse for Jewish Americans” more than Netanyahu. Turning off the electricity to desalination plants?!?
Why would the actions of Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the *sovereign nation* of *Israel,* be making things worse for Jewish *Americans*?
I agree with Ashley. Jewish Americans should not be judged for Isreal anymore than Arab Americans should be judged for the treatment of the women in Iran or Afghanistan. I feel this is part of the problem.
Ashley and Deanna, I agree! However, I went to an antisemitism symposium hosted by the Jewish community in the metro Kc area, and all I heard all weekend was: saying anything negative about isreal, Netanyahu, etc., endangered KC Jews. So, that was the real perception, along with a whole lot of other questionable things that I will spare you.
I want to weigh in as an American Jew, daughter of a Holocaust survivor and ardent Zionist. I HATE Netanyahu and what he is doing. However, what happened on October 7 was an unprovoked massacre of innocent people—many of them working on pro-peace initiatives. There are still over 50 people being tortured in Gaza. Hamas is a terrorist organization, not a group of “militants.” Criticizing the Israeli government is fine. However, “from the river to the Sea” calls for annihilating Israel, a sovereign state. I think due process is very important in this case, but if Khalil is proven in court to be pro-Hamas (which I suspect he is), the he should go.
Trumps actions made things worse for Jews—because of the backlash. He doesn’t care about Jew hatred, and people like me will suffer the consequences.
Diane, thank you for expressing all of the different aspects, including criticizing Netanyahu and his policies is not the same as criticizing Isreal, Isrealis, and Jews.
And condemning Hamas’ 10/7 attack is not the same as being anti- Palestinian.
Unfortunately, there are LOTS of people that are restricting our right to free speech by telling us otherwise.