Our guest for this Friday’s Zoom call will be New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman, arguably the most influential American commentator on Israel-Palestine of the last four decades. After Israel’s election last month, he wrote a much-discussed column entitled, “
This is hilarious. You're Peter freaking Beinart. You've spent your entire career carrying water for *probably* the most anti-Semitic country in the world (or at least top 5). You've downplayed, excused, justified, victim-blamed or ignored Palestine's anti-Semitism for decades. And now you expect us to take you seriously when you condemn Kanye?
Palestine has killed tens of thousands of Jews, and been responsible for the deaths of many more. Kanye has killed exactly zero. So spare me the crocodile tears Beinart. It's pretty clear to me that you only are getting your undies in a bunch about Kanye because he's a Trump supporter. If he was a keffiyeh wearing, PLO flag waving leftist you'd be his biggest fan.
And by the way, Kanye even said himself that he hates "Zionists," not Jews. So case closed right? Haven't Palestinians been saying exactly that for decades as well?
Speaking of which, the reason why "anti-Palestinian racism" isn't talked about is because it doesn't exist in any statistically significant capacity. If you can show me some data indicating it's on the level with anti-Semitism or anti-black racism I'd be willing to be proven wrong, but there aren't, you know that. The only anti-Palestinian racism that is discussed is Palestinians trying to play the race card to silence legitimate criticism of their war crimes, like Diana Buttu does here:
"Antisemitism arises as part of a larger stew of bigotries based on a fundamental disrespect for the humanity and equality of a whole range of groups that are seen as threatening White male Christian straight dominance".
In other words, All Bigotries Matter.
If you read Peter, and this paragraph in particular, you would have no idea that anyone other than White male Christians (or people on the side of White male Christians) could ever be anti-Semitic. I suppose Louis Farrakhan's anti-Semitism is based on his disrespect for groups that are threatening to white male Christian dominance. Or maybe Peter doesn't think Louis Farrakhan are anti-Semitic.
1. Trump hosting Ye and Fuentes was disgusting and he should make a statement condemning their antisemtism and reiterate and remind people of the very postiive things he did for Jews and Israel while president (withdrew funding to univerities who didn't stop antisemtism, recognized Jerusalem as the capital, recognized the Golan Heights, withdrew funding for UNRWA because of Palestinians paying pensions to families of terrorists, etc.).
2. Be accurate re: Charlottesville. The "good people on both sides" was not about neo-Nazis but about the two sides protesting for keeping or removing the statue of Robert E. Lee. Trump reiterated that the next day when people were questioning him.
3. Anti-Palestinian prejudice??? For 70 years the Palestinians have had every opportunity to make peace with Israel and have rejected every opportunity. For them the 'Nakba' is what rules and only the takeover of Israel is good enough for them. The shift right in Israel is due only to Palestinians intransigence -- if they don't want peace with Israel, then Israel must do what's best for itself. If and when the Palestinians decide they want to live in their own country in peace next to Israel, they should explicity say so and it will happen.
4. Blacks make up 12.8% of the population and commit 55%+ of homicides, mostly against other blacks.. They also commit the most anti-Asia and anti-Semitic violent crime. So while white supremicist hate crime must be stopped, the bigger problem is being ignored. Where were black leaders in condemning Kanye West and Kyrie Irving???
Look at hate crimes against Asian Americans. Disproportionately committed by blacks (the racial demographic least likely to vote Republican) and in liberal strongholds like New York and the Bay Area. If Trump is the prime motivator why are there aren't there more incidents in Texas or Florida?
Bigotry is on the rise because tribalism is on the rise, and political and class tribes are at least as significant at this point as the racial ones.
In my humble opinion, individuals who advocate for the rights of Palestinian children to live free from harm are also advocates for Israeli children to live free from harm- they are two sides of the same coin- if not than they are active participant in fueling and infecting their own kind with prejudice and hate- spoiling the moral compass of their own kind and promising the ruin of society.
The core purpose of prejudice of any kind is to divide. Bigotry infects and tears apart communities and degrades the moral compass of societies. For example, racial prejudice in the US has evolved into a system to advantage one group over another based on race. This racialized construct is insidious. It is so deeply embedded within average American minds and society that is seriously alarming. It has disrupted social harmony and weakened the democratic character of the nation. The normalcy of prejudicial thoughts and expressions allows the growth of anti semitism, Islamophobia, anti immigrants, etc. ….. Reducing human beings to categories triggers complex irrational emotional responses that promote a host of cognitive and behavioral issues that many researchers have found toxic to the individual and his or her community. Understanding the infectious nature of bigotry of any kind should be a serious concern for sensible individuals who care about their own kiin and faith, and the future of the country they call home.
Thank you for this. I share the widespread fear right now about rising antisemitism, but I'm equally troubled by it being talked about by Jews largely in isolation as if it's not connected to bigotry against other marginalized groups who in many ways hold far less power than we do.
I hope you ask Tom Friedman whether he thinks it’s appropriate for a journalist of his stature and to smile for a selfie with Yishai Fleisher, and how that makes him look to advocates of Palestinian freedom.
I fought so hard to reveal to those who were willing to take a chance on Trump, on who he was/is in 2015, when he took that tacky trip down his golden escalator in Trump Tower, announcing his run for the 2016 presidency. Knowing how he and his father literally killed many African American families in the 70s, by evicting them from their properties, putting them up in summer bungalows with no heat, during the winter months, should have been a very easy decision on how to cast one's vote...that is, if you're not a bigot.
So many love that "tough guy" facade, when those of us who actually know him, know him to be a coward. But, he's good at riling up the very illiterate in this country. The ones who are angry for their lives and misgivings, and need someone to blame. Those angry Americans refuse to educate themselves on WHY they are so bitter...so angry; instead look to the one who hates the same people as they do.
One could talk repeatedly on the topic of how anti-semitism has grown significantly in the days of Trump. He's given the uneducated a voice they've never had before. The Liberals...the "elites," (the right wing shout at us), believe we think we are better than they are...the uneducated. We are better. We believe in facts...we believe in truth. No one has to invest in higher education, if they would just do the work, which is free. None of the Trump supporters will look into any non-biased news forum. They look only to FOX, Newsmax, Washington Examiner, Breitbart...for their daily news fix. Nothing but propaganda. By influence, whomever or whatever, these supporters of Trump, glorify their hatred, and rely on it. It's what sustains them. Without it, their voices are silenced.
These "Trumpers" were just waiting for someone like him. This didn't begin in Charlottesville, when a Confederate Statue was going to be removed. Civil society had FINALLY realized, racism needed to be addressed, and defeated. Sadly, it took far too long to begin this progression. If this had occurred in the 60s...of course we'd still be fighting for equality, but it might have been more facile. Putting someone like Trump in office, just exacerbated bigotry and anti-semitism. And they grew...just like cockroaches breeding.
Doesn't "Ye" know he's a black man? Doesn't "Ye" understand Trump uses him as a tool? Trump doesn't care about West, anymore than he cares about his own children. If "Ye" can't help Trump, Trump will quickly dismiss him as another "N-word." Let's not forget the two page ad Trump took out in the New York Times advocating for the death penalty for the "Central Park Five"...with no retraction...with no apology, once they were proven to be innocent...and STILL believes they should receive the death penalty...for what? Being black? It's laughable...it's sick, and still Trumpism controls the Republican Party.
I'm getting off track just a bit here now, when it comes to the "Marriage Act"...I know Obergefell vs Hodges is regarding same sex marriage, but it appears Justice Clarence Thomas is interested in hearing case law on Loving vs Virginia, where the states won't recognize interracial marriage. Doesn't this black man realize he's married to a white woman? Or doesn't Thomas recognize he's a black man? Clarence Thomas is a black man, and his wife Virginia, is an insurrectionist.
POWER is a very greedy and STRONG DESIRE. I never realized it as I have in the past 8 years of my life. Money is nothing compared to POWER.
Two comments, first Yair Lapid said in a famous speech this year in an international forum that antisemitism is simply racism like all racism in the world, and coming from him, from a Holocaust survivor family, it was seen as very important.
Second, re Soviet antisemitism, as a daughter of a Jew jailed as a “Zionist enemy of the people” in Communist Romania in 1960, rescued by American Jews, it has to be recognized that unprecedented equality rights at the same time existed and as individuals Jews flourished, really.
Thanks
No. There are many other morally urgent and intellectually engaging political issues but this one is close to my heart as a Jew.
This is hilarious. You're Peter freaking Beinart. You've spent your entire career carrying water for *probably* the most anti-Semitic country in the world (or at least top 5). You've downplayed, excused, justified, victim-blamed or ignored Palestine's anti-Semitism for decades. And now you expect us to take you seriously when you condemn Kanye?
Palestine has killed tens of thousands of Jews, and been responsible for the deaths of many more. Kanye has killed exactly zero. So spare me the crocodile tears Beinart. It's pretty clear to me that you only are getting your undies in a bunch about Kanye because he's a Trump supporter. If he was a keffiyeh wearing, PLO flag waving leftist you'd be his biggest fan.
And by the way, Kanye even said himself that he hates "Zionists," not Jews. So case closed right? Haven't Palestinians been saying exactly that for decades as well?
Speaking of which, the reason why "anti-Palestinian racism" isn't talked about is because it doesn't exist in any statistically significant capacity. If you can show me some data indicating it's on the level with anti-Semitism or anti-black racism I'd be willing to be proven wrong, but there aren't, you know that. The only anti-Palestinian racism that is discussed is Palestinians trying to play the race card to silence legitimate criticism of their war crimes, like Diana Buttu does here:
https://youtu.be/EhB6OIptvxY
"Antisemitism arises as part of a larger stew of bigotries based on a fundamental disrespect for the humanity and equality of a whole range of groups that are seen as threatening White male Christian straight dominance".
In other words, All Bigotries Matter.
If you read Peter, and this paragraph in particular, you would have no idea that anyone other than White male Christians (or people on the side of White male Christians) could ever be anti-Semitic. I suppose Louis Farrakhan's anti-Semitism is based on his disrespect for groups that are threatening to white male Christian dominance. Or maybe Peter doesn't think Louis Farrakhan are anti-Semitic.
Don’t you get tired about writing about Palestinian rights?
I know it gave you a presence in progressive New York City social gatherings, but only you and some college students fixate on the Palestinians.
1. Trump hosting Ye and Fuentes was disgusting and he should make a statement condemning their antisemtism and reiterate and remind people of the very postiive things he did for Jews and Israel while president (withdrew funding to univerities who didn't stop antisemtism, recognized Jerusalem as the capital, recognized the Golan Heights, withdrew funding for UNRWA because of Palestinians paying pensions to families of terrorists, etc.).
2. Be accurate re: Charlottesville. The "good people on both sides" was not about neo-Nazis but about the two sides protesting for keeping or removing the statue of Robert E. Lee. Trump reiterated that the next day when people were questioning him.
3. Anti-Palestinian prejudice??? For 70 years the Palestinians have had every opportunity to make peace with Israel and have rejected every opportunity. For them the 'Nakba' is what rules and only the takeover of Israel is good enough for them. The shift right in Israel is due only to Palestinians intransigence -- if they don't want peace with Israel, then Israel must do what's best for itself. If and when the Palestinians decide they want to live in their own country in peace next to Israel, they should explicity say so and it will happen.
4. Blacks make up 12.8% of the population and commit 55%+ of homicides, mostly against other blacks.. They also commit the most anti-Asia and anti-Semitic violent crime. So while white supremicist hate crime must be stopped, the bigger problem is being ignored. Where were black leaders in condemning Kanye West and Kyrie Irving???
Look at hate crimes against Asian Americans. Disproportionately committed by blacks (the racial demographic least likely to vote Republican) and in liberal strongholds like New York and the Bay Area. If Trump is the prime motivator why are there aren't there more incidents in Texas or Florida?
Bigotry is on the rise because tribalism is on the rise, and political and class tribes are at least as significant at this point as the racial ones.
In my humble opinion, individuals who advocate for the rights of Palestinian children to live free from harm are also advocates for Israeli children to live free from harm- they are two sides of the same coin- if not than they are active participant in fueling and infecting their own kind with prejudice and hate- spoiling the moral compass of their own kind and promising the ruin of society.
The core purpose of prejudice of any kind is to divide. Bigotry infects and tears apart communities and degrades the moral compass of societies. For example, racial prejudice in the US has evolved into a system to advantage one group over another based on race. This racialized construct is insidious. It is so deeply embedded within average American minds and society that is seriously alarming. It has disrupted social harmony and weakened the democratic character of the nation. The normalcy of prejudicial thoughts and expressions allows the growth of anti semitism, Islamophobia, anti immigrants, etc. ….. Reducing human beings to categories triggers complex irrational emotional responses that promote a host of cognitive and behavioral issues that many researchers have found toxic to the individual and his or her community. Understanding the infectious nature of bigotry of any kind should be a serious concern for sensible individuals who care about their own kiin and faith, and the future of the country they call home.
Divide and conquer
S0r0S 1, Freedom and Liberty 0
Thank you for this. I share the widespread fear right now about rising antisemitism, but I'm equally troubled by it being talked about by Jews largely in isolation as if it's not connected to bigotry against other marginalized groups who in many ways hold far less power than we do.
Great stuff, as usual.
I hope you ask Tom Friedman whether he thinks it’s appropriate for a journalist of his stature and to smile for a selfie with Yishai Fleisher, and how that makes him look to advocates of Palestinian freedom.
I fought so hard to reveal to those who were willing to take a chance on Trump, on who he was/is in 2015, when he took that tacky trip down his golden escalator in Trump Tower, announcing his run for the 2016 presidency. Knowing how he and his father literally killed many African American families in the 70s, by evicting them from their properties, putting them up in summer bungalows with no heat, during the winter months, should have been a very easy decision on how to cast one's vote...that is, if you're not a bigot.
So many love that "tough guy" facade, when those of us who actually know him, know him to be a coward. But, he's good at riling up the very illiterate in this country. The ones who are angry for their lives and misgivings, and need someone to blame. Those angry Americans refuse to educate themselves on WHY they are so bitter...so angry; instead look to the one who hates the same people as they do.
One could talk repeatedly on the topic of how anti-semitism has grown significantly in the days of Trump. He's given the uneducated a voice they've never had before. The Liberals...the "elites," (the right wing shout at us), believe we think we are better than they are...the uneducated. We are better. We believe in facts...we believe in truth. No one has to invest in higher education, if they would just do the work, which is free. None of the Trump supporters will look into any non-biased news forum. They look only to FOX, Newsmax, Washington Examiner, Breitbart...for their daily news fix. Nothing but propaganda. By influence, whomever or whatever, these supporters of Trump, glorify their hatred, and rely on it. It's what sustains them. Without it, their voices are silenced.
These "Trumpers" were just waiting for someone like him. This didn't begin in Charlottesville, when a Confederate Statue was going to be removed. Civil society had FINALLY realized, racism needed to be addressed, and defeated. Sadly, it took far too long to begin this progression. If this had occurred in the 60s...of course we'd still be fighting for equality, but it might have been more facile. Putting someone like Trump in office, just exacerbated bigotry and anti-semitism. And they grew...just like cockroaches breeding.
Doesn't "Ye" know he's a black man? Doesn't "Ye" understand Trump uses him as a tool? Trump doesn't care about West, anymore than he cares about his own children. If "Ye" can't help Trump, Trump will quickly dismiss him as another "N-word." Let's not forget the two page ad Trump took out in the New York Times advocating for the death penalty for the "Central Park Five"...with no retraction...with no apology, once they were proven to be innocent...and STILL believes they should receive the death penalty...for what? Being black? It's laughable...it's sick, and still Trumpism controls the Republican Party.
I'm getting off track just a bit here now, when it comes to the "Marriage Act"...I know Obergefell vs Hodges is regarding same sex marriage, but it appears Justice Clarence Thomas is interested in hearing case law on Loving vs Virginia, where the states won't recognize interracial marriage. Doesn't this black man realize he's married to a white woman? Or doesn't Thomas recognize he's a black man? Clarence Thomas is a black man, and his wife Virginia, is an insurrectionist.
POWER is a very greedy and STRONG DESIRE. I never realized it as I have in the past 8 years of my life. Money is nothing compared to POWER.
AMEN! I had lunch with Thomas Friedman on Saturday in Ramallah. Friday should be an interesting conversation. Thanks Peter.
Two comments, first Yair Lapid said in a famous speech this year in an international forum that antisemitism is simply racism like all racism in the world, and coming from him, from a Holocaust survivor family, it was seen as very important.
Second, re Soviet antisemitism, as a daughter of a Jew jailed as a “Zionist enemy of the people” in Communist Romania in 1960, rescued by American Jews, it has to be recognized that unprecedented equality rights at the same time existed and as individuals Jews flourished, really.
Thank you for this thoughtful reflection on bigotry. The world will be a better place when folks open their eyes and their hearts.
Thank you for this video Peter