[Peace] Jewish Voice for Peace: Defending Israeli Apartheid ≠ Fighting Antisemitism

Tue Dec 6 20:45:56 UTC 2016

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Ari Wohlfeiler <ari at jewishvoiceforpeace.org>
Date: Tue, Dec 6, 2016 at 2:26 PM
Subject: Defending Israeli Apartheid ≠ Fighting Antisemitism
To: naiman at justforeignpolicy.org

Criticizing Israel is not anti-Semitic. How many times do we have to say it?

Dear Robert,

On Friday, without a single Senator in the Senate Chamber, the Senate
unanimously passed the Antisemitism Awareness Act.

Judging by the title, it seems a reasonable enough piece of legislation.
And the Anti-Defamation League was one of its main boosters.

But let’s look closer with a short pop quiz about why the ADL is behind
this bill:

*a) To make it clear that actual neo-Nazis like the National Policy
Institute, now in close proximity to power, are going to face real scrutiny
and condemnation?*

*b) To help prevent more violence against synagogues and Jewish poeple,
like the dozens of instances of hate crimes and vandalism documented since
the election?*

*c) To protect the Israeli government from student protesters?*

Probably the best way to figure out why the ADL supports it is to read what
they’re saying themselves:

<http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=CWzUoTwgABbL%2BiBkN4C2vXO6z3wSsjlC>

*Sadly, the answer is “C.”*

At a time when actual violence and bigotry against Jews is on the rise,
Jewish institutions like the ADL are seizing the moment to… protect Israel
from student protesters. *That's not acceptable.*

*We have to make sure Congressional reps hear from a more equality-focused
perspective. Click here to send them a note urging them not to be fooled by
the ASAA’s title. Enough pretending that defending Israeli policies is the
same as fighting antisemitism. It’s time to get down to the actual business
of protecting us all - especially Muslims and people of color - from hate.*
<http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=840Y641t8T4b4EqOtgCvSHO6z3wSsjlC>

I shouldn’t be shocked, but I am. "Leading" Jewish institutions have made
it clear to they care more about defending Israel’s racist policies than
the real slog of fighting antisemitism. Student activists -- Jewish,
Palestinian, Muslim, Black, documented, white, and otherwise --  pose no
threat to Jews. The only threat they pose is to the culture of silence
around Israeli apartheid.

*Attempts to silence human rights activists are always appalling. But in
this time of crisis, when actual antisemitism is seeping from our political
discourse and into our streets? That is truly disgusting.*

*As Jews and allies we have an outsized voice on this one. Please, click
here now and help fight this Orwellian legislation in the House.*
<http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=F5PKHLOVHrLelEuMnICSTXO6z3wSsjlC>

And here’s another example: Rep. Keith Ellison is running to become Chair
of the DNC. As a 501c3, JVP takes no position on any election, but I will
say this: I’ve met Rep. Ellison, and he’s a good and honorable man, utterly
devoted to fighting antisemitism and all forms of racism. But he’s also
dared to offer modest criticisms of Israeli policy, always condemning
hatred at the same time.

For that, he’s been railroaded and smeared by far-right Islamophobic front
groups. And here again, the ADL is carrying water for these hatemongers by
lending their name and their weight to the attacks against him.

The ADL’s support for the “Antisemitism Awareness Act” and their attacks on
Keith Ellison are both proof that their commitment to fighting hatred is an
empty shirt. They’re not interested in really taking on antisemitism and
islamophobia. They’re only interested in shilling for Israeli apartheid.

*But their attacks get listened to, because Congress thinks they speak for
the whole Jewish community. Show that they don't -- click here to email
your Representative.*
<http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=guSSPbXUP7wSH%2Fzy2S4NwnO6z3wSsjlC>

If “leading” Jewish organizations want to place their loyalty to shameful
Israeli policies above the urgent fight against islamophobia and
antisemitism, we’re going to have to step up.

Our Muslim brothers and sisters have made it quite clear that the fight
against islamophobia and antisemitism go hand-in-hand. But the ADL isn’t
stepping up to the plate -- they’re too busy condemning students who dare
to criticise Israeli apartheid.

That leaves space for JVP. We can be the Jewish organization that takes on
our fair share of that work -- the hard but vital work of fighting
antisemitism and Islamophobia, wherever it exists.

Onwards,

Ari

Ari Wohlfeiler
Deputy Director
Take Action
<http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=gDJMVLOHI9lbbaXJdElR1XO6z3wSsjlC>

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