If the mass murder of Jews in a Pittsburgh synagogue is to have any meaning, it must be a wake up call.
For years we’ve ignored, tolerated and even excused anti-Semitism. Especially on our campuses, we’ve accepted anti-Semitism as part of the new reality in which we live.
No more.
Pittsburgh must remind each and every one of us that anti-Semitic words are dangerous. They can — and inevitably will — lead to anti-Semitic action. Anti-Semitism cannot be accommodated or excused. It must be banished from our discourse.
We must now insist upon a zero tolerance policy for all anti-Semitism. This means that we must stop distinguishing between types and flavors of hate.
We must have zero tolerance for anti-Semitism from the right. And we must have zero tolerance for anti-Semitism from the left.
We must have zero tolerance for those who threaten Jews because of their position on refugees. And we must have zero tolerance for those who threaten Jews because of their position on Israel.
We must have zero tolerance for those who demonize American Jews. And we must have zero tolerance for those who demonize Israeli Jews.
The Maccabee Task Force is focused on the fight against anti-Semitism on our college campuses. We know that there is right-wing anti-Semitism on our campuses, and that these bigots are responsible for drawing swastikas and other threats against Jews. We dare not tolerate it.
But no one who spends time on campuses these days can deny the threat of anti-Semitism from the far left. These are the groups that shout down pro-Israel speakers and intimidate pro-Israel students. These are ones publicly pledging to shun Jews and “fight Zionists” on campus. And these are the ones who are spreading their bigoted worldview to their fellow students — including Jewish students. We dare not tolerate it.
We have said from day one that BDS is an anti-Semitic movement. We continue to hold this view. As we draw our bright red line against anti-Semitism, those who insist upon demonizing Israeli Jews and dehumanizing those who support them must be left on the outside. Their hate crosses that line.
The days of coddling and excusing campus anti-Semitism must end. After Pittsburgh, such compromises are a luxury and a laziness we can no longer afford.
David Brog
Executive Director
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