to find that now, along side of regular dues, there is a 'security fee.'

But I'll respond in hopes that you're just honestly misinformed.

The dues are for membership in an organization, the synagogue congregation, which needs income for building maintenance, utilities, personnel salaries, etc. It is not a fee to belong to the religion.

Surely you know the difference.
There are costs to upkeep, programs, school, clergy

The payment for all that doesn't come from thin air. How do you propose the costs be addressed?
No one is turned away if they want to participate, they just don't have a vote when it comes to policy
or decisions of programs.

And we always had something for those in need.

And how does a method of collecting money separate true religion and no religion at all?

Dues are "free will". As I said all people can participate , and there are always discretionary waiver of dues for those who can't afford them. No one is turned away -there are just suggested amounts, based on income, but the member decides on their own what they can afford to give. How is that any different than what your church does?

Yes we feed the poor and homeless in the community -just as your church does.

What is your point?

eta: My original point is that we now have to pay for security.
Sheesh!

As a former pastor, I can tell you that the vast majority of churches struggle mightily with day-to-day expenses because relying solely on the week's basket is a loosing proposition in an era of declining church membership. I have never heard of a church that didn't solicit members for annual pledges of "gifts" - money the church can count on to keep the lights on. Jews call it dues, but it amounts to the same thing; it's not like they lock the doors against all who can't pay. There is no way in hell your church didn't do fundraising for itself.

I’m not a fan of organized religion in general anymore, so things may have changed since I was a kid, but we were very aware of the needs of the church when I was growing up. We didn’t have ‘dues’, but we were expected to contribute - constant mail solicitations, deposits at the entrance to the church (can’t remember what that was called), one or two rounds of collection baskets, sermons on the importance of donations to the church, etc. All religious organizations need a constant infusion of funds to continue to operate. They just ask for it differently.

As an aside, my husband and I just found out today that his parents were ‘founders’ of the largest synagogue in Virginia. My husband’s cousins were visiting the synagogue when they stopped to read a plaque honoring the original founders. And there they were. Husband had no idea.

asking for money on a weekly basis. These "request" letters from the good sisters, for all manner of things, always included an envelope for sending them money. It was all voluntary, of course, but my dear sainted mother always suspected the size of the "donation" would often determine how teachers treated students.

was called the Poor Box.

It seems okay to him or really, it is just nothing to him, but his acolytes and enablers and the influencers take that 'nothing' as tacit approval to bring on the hate. The fact that this goes on and somehow he picks white South Africans as someone that needs our help, over American jews, blacks....anyone is beyond tone deaf and amazing.

It shows hate crime rates against Jews more than double that against LGBTQ, and greater than the hate crime rates against next the next 13 groups put together.

There is anti-Netanyahuism. Anti-genocideism. Anti-illegal-settlementism, and anti-"go ahead Israel and get in bed with the MAGAts-ism", on the left...NONE OF WHICH IS ANTI-SEMITISM.

The "left" doesn't have a history of being opposed to people for what their ethnicity is. The "lefts" history is about opposing people for their actions!

Keep going down this road of providing "aid and comfort" to the Political Reich, that has a clear history of antisemitism, and it will be the most epic "fuck around-find out" you've ever seen.

There is ONE political party that celebrates and promotes fascism, and it isn't the "left".

There is ONE political party that has created, funded and cheers an American Gestapo of masked, armed, jackbooted thugs, violently snatching people of a "certain ethnicity" off the street. Today, they killed some of these "ethnic" people!!!

You constantly try to create this antisemitic leftist boogy-man.

You're either woefully ignorant about the governing philosophy of the left and the Reich, or you have an agenda.

There is simply no "both-sides" to this fucking issue. There is ONE side that believes in the rule of law and decency protecting ALL people, regardless of ethnicity...there is ONE party that doesn't.

It's disgusting for there to be ANY attacks against ANY person based on their ethnicity, but THERE IS ONLY ONE POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY THAT IS USING THE POWER OF THE STATE TO SANCTION AND CARRY OUT THOSE ATTACKS.

Please take this anti-semitic "leftist" shit over to FreakerRepubliKKK. The Nazis over there will agree with you that the "real" antisemitism comes from progressives.

I propose you ask the actual victims of antisemitism and not the perpetrators.

Do you dispute that there is ONE political philosophy in America that is using the power of the state to snatch people off the street based on their skin color, or name?

Do you dispute that if a Democratic President tried to pull that shit, the VERY FIRST PEOPLE THAT WOULD SMACK HIS ASS DOWN WOULD BE HIS OWN PARTY?

There are dickheads on the left and the right...the difference is the dickheads on the Reich have kindred souls in their political leadership.

Can you find some racist dipshits on the left? Sure! YOU WON'T FIND THEM HEADING THE DOJ, DOD, ICE or Homeland Security, will you?

Was it President Obama that described the Nazis chanting "Jews will not replace us", as "very fine people"? OR DID THAT COME FROM THE TITULAR HEAD OF THE AMERICAN REICH?

Again, you either can't tell the difference between individual dickishness, and state sanctioned dickishness, or you have an agenda.

By definition, that makes me observant vs those who can't see.

I see... no, I experience, on my own skin, antisemitism no matter where it comes from, and pretending that it only comes from the right is truly blind (ok, maybe missing a left eye would be a more accurate analogy).

This is why I suggested you learn about antisemitism from the victims and not from the perpetrators. The perpetrators will always lie and tell you they are not antisemitic.

BTW, stating that there is no antisemitism on the far left is ridiculous on its face. Antisemitism is not partisan. No political movement is immune to it. Reminds me of Putin saying there are no gay people in Russia.

I have experienced this from the Left in so many ways that I do not want to begin to expand upon it, lest it ruin my Saturday.

There are people on the left who feel comfortable saying antisemitic things. I've experienced antisemitism from the far left and far the right - both of whom have found common ground with their hatred of Jews. They justify it by saying, "oh....we're anti-Zionist, not antisemitic" - which is a bullshit statement. Zionism is the belief that a Jewish state should be allowed to exist in its OWN ancient homeland. Yet I've seen people on the LEFT yell at Israeli Jews to "go back to Poland" despite the fact that the majority of Israelis are indigenous; they're mostly Mizrahi and Sephardic.

It is tedious, it is tiresome. People have tried to destroy us for thousands of years - we're still here.

especially since Oct. 7.

Somebody Jewish needed to explain that those who have experienced Anti-Semitism are the ones to ask, if it's only RW bigots who are Anti-Semitic.

What the Hell was DSA doing out there in NYC on October 8th, Celebrating Oct 7th?

That's absolutely a thing that the college protesters and others who are on the left were doing.

Just because some on the right are also anti-Semitic doesn't mean people on the left can't be as well. The situation is more complicated than either side wants to admit.

Look at the article that uses what about other countries committing civil rights violations to defend Israel as if that very defense doesn't admit that Israel is in fact committing human rights abuses, but is trying to hide behind other countries doing similar things. Yes but isn't a defense, it's a distraction.

In the sense that anti-Semitic now is generally considered to refer to anti-Jewish, then no. I would say it was equally stupid and provocative no matter what you call it because it's a concept that tolerates no dissent or room to come to a solution that works for more people.

But I also think fighting over land on historical/religious grounds is generally a waste of time. Same for India and Pakistan fighting over Kasmir.

Because I recall them celebrating in the streets after October 7.

The statement from DSA strongly condemned the October 7TH attack and called for the end of violence against all people.

Trying to gin-up the claim that the "left" is antisemitic does serve one purpose though. It helps the fascist reich-wing win political elections and power.

We are witnessing, with our own eyes, America descending into violent fascism. We are witnessing, with our own eyes, the creation of a reich-wing armed, masked Gestapo security force, snatching people off the streets based on their skin-tone, political philosophy, or name.

This descent to fascism and creation of a reich-wing secret police, was made possible, in part, because a certain percentage of voters bought the lie that "both sides are the same".

The most despicable, disgusting, corrupt, lawless, racist piece of shit to have darkened America's door, is able to drag this country to fascism and create his secret stasi police force, because a certain percentage of the voters bought the "both-sides are just as bad" bullshit.

Because of this "both-sides" horseshit, the political philosophy that could protect the rule of law and justice, IS COMPLETELY LOCKED OUT OF THE POWER REQUIRED TO STOP THESE FASCIST FUCKSTICKS.

I have NO doubt about who, or what the "real" threat to America's values and morals are. It's not a couple thousand stupid college students chanting ignorant shit!

I know who and what the enemy to freedom, justice, equality, peace, law, morals, ethics, decency, compassion, integrity, respect and courage is...and it isn't the left!

It's like watching the Civil Rights marches of the 50s and 60s, and being told that; "the real problem is anti-white discrimination on the 'left'".

Despite the fact that there is no comparison between the left, or reich-wing governing ACTIONS, I have the "pleasure" of having to see this "both-sides" horseshit promoted on DU.

I can see with my own eyes, and feel in my bones what the reich-wing wing is transforming this country into, yet, the "real danger" is being promoted as "college kids on campus".

Unfortunately, a big enough percentage of voters believed that shit...enough to put true violent fascists in power!

It's OK though, at any moment, these fascists are going to quit being fascist, right?

Trust them, their college kids never said a bad word about the Jews. I am sure they will be "nice" when using their unfettered power.

But it's all on record. This is October 8, 2023, a day after Hamas invaded Israel, killed, tortured, raped and abducted its citizens:

Link to tweet

On October 8th, I felt my heart was ripped out a second time.
I'm still suspicious of how quickly the 'protests' were organized and signs printed.

were anti-white.

I hadn't seen it before. Blaming Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel?

their Oct 8 celebration that I mentioned in my Previous post.

They sure did gather the troops up FAST for their fucking "celebration".

And she should be commanded for that stance. But it does not erase the fact that the rally did happen..

😕

There absolutely is antisemitism on the left.

Even here in many I/P discussions.

who were harassed by the pro-Hamas protestors on college campuses. These actions verifiably happened and gave fodder to the current regime.

It helps the Nazis stay in power.

"Both-sides", right??????

Again, antisemitism is non-political.

Don't pretend there is a side that is immune from it.

The most powerful man on the planet, with 10s of thousands of state sanctioned armed, masked violent thugs under his unchecked command, just used the term "shylocks" when discussing "bankers", and has sent his secret stasi army to "bust the heads" of some btown people he doesn't view as human, but some college kids said some stupid shit.

All the same, don't ya' see?

I am talking about antisemitism, not Trump and his goons. There is no "but" in my statements. If you can't address what I am talking about, don't respond. If you want to talk about something else, start your own thread.

During thecongressional hearing on antisemitism on college campuses, when the college presidents of prestigious universities were asked if "calling for the genocide of Jews" would violate their university policies on bullying and harassment?

All they would have had to do was answer Yes, but they couldn't even do that.

I have never heard such nonsense that there is "no antisemitism from the left, it only occurs on the right"

Unbelievable.

It's promoted and sanctioned by the right when they have power.

Tell me the last time a promoter of white supremacy was EVER appointed to a position of power by a president from the "left"?

I can't actually count all the Donnie Dipshit appointees that have actual ties to and backgrounds in racial hate groups.

Stephen Miller, Pete Hegseth and Tom Homan wouldn't get within a thousand miles of a Democratic administration.

But, go ahead! FAF....SORRY! We are way past the Fuck Around stage!

If there is this huge problem of antisemitism from the "left", why does it never manifest itself when the left has political power?

It's almost as if the underlying morals, values, political philosophy and ethics of the "left" prevents this evil crap from becoming ascendant. It's almost as if the governing philosophy of the "left" provides some anti-fascist vaccine that prevents the anti-semites from obtaining actual political power when the "left" controls the state.

than many other peer groups who reliy on a veneer of civility. The argument, "they do it so much more worse" is an implicit conclusion that it does in fact, happen everywhere... a difference merely of degrees is no pratical difference.

FAFO

We've given unchecked power to a monster.

It isn't a president from the left that is promoting, sanctioning, encouraging and enacting ethnic cleansing under the power of violence.

It isn't a left legislative branch that has funded and given him the necessary enabling act to carry out this "cleansing".

It isn't a left Supreme Court that is sanctioning ethnic cleansing "under color of law".

But sure, the "real" problem is antisemitism on the left.

Hitler, without the power of the state, would have been nothing but a raving lunatic that wrote some stupid book.

I wonder how many Germans saw him as "just as bad" as the other political side?

And in turn, offering false dichotomies as the only solutions to arguments no is making.

Sounds very, very serious. Good luck.

Do not assume that criticism of Israeli action in the Middle East can be branded 'antisemitism' and then declare antisemitism a blanket taboo no-no thing, no matter what the details are.

I'm against people far removed from the Middle East conflict to take it on themselves to target local Jewish groups at their places of business and worship seeing those local people have no input as to decisions made in the Middle East.

For all we know, those local people may well be against the actions of Israel just as much as anyone else.

Does that make them fair game for violence?

I am experiencing antisemitism as a person. I can tell criticism from antisemitism.

Do not assume that criticism of Israel is by default immune from antisemitism.

Why, it almost appears that only you can truly know what lies in people's hearts.

If I actually see the reich-wing promoting, condoning and enacting fascist actions and violence when they have power, and I NEVER see the same from the "left" when they have power, it must be because the "left" is truly violently fascist, but they haven't figured out how to implement their "evil fascist plot" yet, right?

I mean, if there was truly this rabid antisemitism and fascism on the left, you'd think it would manifest itself with some STATE SANCTIONED FASCIST POLICE FORCE.

It's funny how this leftist fascism NEVER results in fascism when the left has power.

Gee, it almost appears as if there is something in the governing values of the left that prevents that from happening.

I gotta hand it to the reich-wing though. They actually know how to govern as fascists.

Devil we know, and all that, right?

Making blanket proclamations that there is no antisemitism on the far left.

Why it almost appears that only you can know what lies in people’s hearts.

I condemn acts of violence and vandalism. I want to understand what it is that you experience as antisemitism in your daily life.

how competent experts on antisemitism do.

https://holocaustremembrance.com/resources/working-definition-antisemitism

It works for me.

Now you are asking me a completely different question, the answer to which will not amount to a definition of antisemitism.

With that in mind,

I live in an ethnically diverse neighborhood with a large Palestinian population. Until recently, I felt safe here and had no issues with my neighbors, including Palestinians, most of whom I have known for over 15 years.

I am still on very friendly and mutually respectful terms with all of my neighbors, without exception. However, because of significant presence of Palestinians, my neighborhood became a magnet for angry keffiyeh-wearing white radical outsiders loudly expressing antisemitic sentiments and slogans as they march through my streets, including threats of violence towards anyone who may criticize them in any way. There had been violent clashes during their frequent demonstrations, and antisemitic incidents in the subway line coming into the neighborhood. Those incidents were covered by the news media, so there is no way anyone could claim I am making shit up.

Needless to say, these antisemitic incidents make me, along with my Jewish neighbors, feel threatened and unsafe in my own neighborhood.

Even IN Israel, some residents oppose the actions of the government with respect to Palestinians. I suppose that number has dwindled since the Oct. 7th attacks. I am certain it dwindled by at least 1 - I recall reading with horror that one of the victims of Hamas brutality and murder was a prominent peace and justice activist. The thugs did not stop to check resumes of who they tortured, raped, and killed.

I am addressing the problem of antisemitism in America. Why is it necessary to deflect to Israel in response? Why is it being used so consistently by antisemites in the US? Why is it that those on the left who choose to criticize Israel tolerate antisemitism in their midst? Why no pushback against bigotry that inevitably finds ways to pose as criticism of Israel?

Because that’s what this sounds like. It’s the truth that most people on the left are unhappy with Netanyahu and the state of Israel. This is not antisemitism. Since you want to talk about antisemitism in the US, you cannot ignore that the current wave of what you are calling antisemitism came about by the actions of Israel’s state leadership. Your “calling out” antisemites on the left is akin to someone saying people across the world hate all Americans because of Trump. Yes, some few idiots think this, but most people can differentiate between The People and The State.

Antisemitism is baked into Western culture and so it can pop up in unexpected places as unconscious bias, but that’s different from the active antisemitism you seem to see everywhere but especially in reaction to actions by the Israeli government.

No I don't support Netanyahu. With me, it is personal. He is a traitor to his people: he put his interests before those of his nation.

But what the fuck does my opinion of Netanyahu have t do with antisemitism in America?

Your OP seems to be about the "left"?

You are obviously having problems with staying on subject. Deal with it on your own.

in Brazil?
Mexico?
Japan?

It was pretty clear to me that it was about the left in the US.

that happened to Jewish students on US campuses after October 7th. Tell me how harassing Jewish students at Harvard or Columbia “frees” Palestine?

Are they all antisemites?

Agreement or disagreement with a single comment on DU doesn't signify anything other than agreement or disagreement with a single comment on DU. It doesn't reflect on "many American Jews".

Your question is ridiculous.

It is hard to disbelieve what we see.

Israel and defenders say yes.

We just have to pass the "3D test", created and judged/graded entirely by Israel's advocates and defenders.

As it's defined and administered, that test won't be "passed" by anyone concerned with Palestinian human rights, international law or justice. It's a standard of criticism we do not apply to any other country. Imagine if Russia came to us with such a test to root out Russophobia. We'd laugh in their face.

A double standard, no?

The new definition of anti-semitism, using that 3D test, will label anyone who consistently and forcefully criticizes Israel's actions as anti-semitic Jew haters and face the consequences - which as you know are not insignificant in these Trumpian days especially if you are on the left or are Arab/Muslim.

Ergo, criticize Israel at your own peril.

criticism of Israel to excuse it?

And drive an agenda aligned with Israel's interests that actually - self-defeatingly - may be emboldening the anti-semites on the right, or the Reich, as someone here so aptly put it.

We - progressives and human rights advocates - are not your enemy, far from it.

just as I have shown repeatedly how accusations of "genocide", "ethnic cleansing" and "land grab" are false.

My agenda is only aligned with Israel's in one respect: resisting the normalization and institutionalization of antisemitism and exposing the hypocrites who promote it in various guises. Because Israel is a Jewish state and I am a Jew - we are equally affected by explosion of antisemitism under the banner of "globalizing the intifada", among others.

I don't know how many progressives and human rights activists you are speaking for, but absent of unconditional condemnation of antisemitism on the left, I am unconvinced.

Israel covets Palestinian lands.

For those two statements I was told my "Jew hatred" was showing.

I consider that a false accusation.

There have been many other times I was accused of such, blatantly or implied - for being critical of Israel's actions in Gaza.

I am worried about travelling to the US or even some countries in the EU. But I am white and a Canadian citizen, my risk of harm is far less than that of others, the ones much more worried than I.

This is where such a definition of anti-semitism leads. Silencing, suppression of opposing views, fear and harm.

I condemn all forms of bigotry, anti-semitism equally to any other. I would not be a liberal and progressive otherwise. But I know there is nothing I can say to convince you of that, as you have already made up your mind, a long time ago. So I won't waste my breath further.

the second one is an intentionally false accusation . Israel consistently throughout its history coveted peace more than land, and in fact gave up two thirds of its land for peace. "Land grab" is a fantasy.

This is an indisputable fact. You've been repeatedly informed of it. I wouldn't call your willful disregard of this fact Jew hatred, but it certainly shows bias against Israel with defamatory intent. If you consider this less insulting, be my guest.

The same goes for exclusively one-sided criticism of Israel's action in Gaza, particularly attributing to Israel the consequences of actions committed by Israel's enemies, while leaving them entirely out of your criticism. Jew hatred? Not quite. Extreme prejudice? No comment.

You are free to speak as you please, and I am free to call you out on what you say. This goes equally for everyone. Accountability comes with free speech. Own it.

"Hostile"...

"Intentionally false"... (gave up two-thirds of its land for peace". I know that's the latest talking point and it's patently absurd. And false. Israel has "settled" or occupies nearly all Palestinian lands in the WB. Palestinians were allocated 45% of Palestine - a bad deal for them to begin with - and Israel has over time taken or occupied most of it thru disgusting means. No spinning the land theft reality).

"Defamatory intent".

"Extreme prejudice".

You skirt around it of course, mindful of the TOS. But the intention is the same.

Go ahead, have the last word. Or not.

Notwithstanding your tendentious opinions on the UN partition and the status of the West Bank (you act as if Jordan's annexation has nothing to do with it), are you saying the treaty is not factual? Are you saying it never happened?

And what is the basis for the rest of your accusations? Is there any more to them than the bold typeface?

Withdrawing from the ancient lands (Sinai) of another country - which neither ever belonged to Israel nor was it part of the Mandate for Palestine or the UN Partition - which it it took by pre-emptive war, invasion and illegal occupation is presented as a selfless, magnanimous gesture of "giving up two-thirds of Israel".

It's an absurd and false talking point.

Last edited Sat Jul 12, 2025, 11:53 PM - Edit history (1)

There was a treaty signed by Israel and Egypt that clearly states: land for peace. It was a legally binding exchange: land for peace. The legally binding exchange that took place as a result of an interstate treaty: land for peace.

But keep telling me how it wasn't land for peace.

After 911 when Islamophobia was on the rise, many people stepped up to defend Muslims. A sharp line was drawn to say that those who share the faith and background of the terrorists were in no way responsible for the terrorist actions.

The antisemitism that is trying to be brushed off is the inverse, holding all Jews accountable for the actions of Israel. To answer charges of antisemitism by bringing up Israel is tacitly implying that a Jewish person, regardless of who they are or where they are in the world, is in someway complicit with the actions of the Netanyahu government..

Didn’t start every sentence with “Not All Muslims” shortly after 9/11.

that a lot of people here just don't understand.
This is not about Israel

People are conflating American Jews with Israel, assuming that American Jews support Netanyahu just beause Israel is a Jewish state?

Would they make the same assumptions about American Muslims and the Islamic Brotherhood or Hamas?
Are we to protest all Muslims as all supporting Hamas?

It is just that being hostile towards the Jews under the guise of gratuitously, exclusively and prejudiciously criticizing Israel has gained acceptance as being permissible. This is deliberate, and it is not a consequence of ignorance. The campaign to normalize antisemitism under the brands of "anti-Zionism" and "anti-Israel" has been going on for decades.

Just look at the responses in this thread. Most of them immediately deflect, as a knee-jerk conditioned reaction, into the aforementioned re-branded expressions of Jew hatred.

It is disgusting and pathetic to see. That is all.

How Anti-Semitisms True Origin Makes It Invisible To The Left
The Anti-Defamation League publishes an annual report on incidents of anti-Semitism in the United States. This year’s audit, made available in November, showed a significant increase in relation to the previous year: 2017 saw a 67% rise in anti-Jewish hate speech, harassment, vandalism, and violence. It’s a disheartening measure of a terrible phenomenon. Yet in the three months since the audit was released, it’s garnered little attention.

On campus, where the ADL notes an acute rise in anti-Jewish hostility, alarmed Jewish students are sidelined for being white and middle-class and the Holocaust is trivialized as “white on white crime”. Elsewhere, Jews who protest anti-Semitism are dismissed for failing to ante up sufficient concern about people of color.

This erasure of anti-Semitism isn’t simply callous. It exposes a huge moral failure at the heart of the modern Left. Under the enveloping paradigm of “intersectionality,” everyone is granularly defined by their various identities — everyone, that is, except white Jews, whose Jewishness is often overwritten by their skin color. Not simply a moral failing, this erasure is deeply hazardous, inasmuch as the fight against racism happens by and large in sectors where the Left perspective dominates — the academy, pop culture, and much of the news media.

For in a key sense, regular racism, against blacks and Latinos for example, is the opposite of anti-Semitism. While both ultimately derive from xenophobia, regular racism comes from white people believing they are superior to people of color. But the hatred of Jews stems from the belief that Jews are a cabal with supernatural powers, in other words, it stems from the models of thought that produce conspiracy theories. Where the white racist regards blacks as inferior, the anti-Semite imagines that Jews have preternatural power to afflict humankind.

This is also why the Left is blind to Anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitism differs from most forms of racism in that it purports to “punch up” against a secret society of oppressors, which has the side effect of making it easy to disguise as a politics of emancipation. If Jews have power, then punching up at Jews is a form of speaking truth to power — a form of speech of which the Left is currently enamored.

https://forward.com/opinion/393107/how-anti-semitisms-true-origin-makes-it-invisible-to-the-left/

Last edited Sun Jul 13, 2025, 06:02 PM - Edit history (1)

Actor Mandy Patinkin’s plea for Jews to consider how what Netanyahu’s Israeli government is doing to Gaza is not just harming Palestinians and killing kids — but also endangering Jews across the globe.

— The Tennessee Holler (@thetnholler.bsky.social) 2025-07-13T15:15:18.609Z

The harm Netanyahu causes to the Jews worldwide pales in comparison to the harm that hordes of antisemites have been causing to the Jews since before Netanyahu and to this day.

Even on scorched earth everywhere

It is the proverbial fire which destroys, regardless of the presence of the proverbial gasoline.

Also do yo really think that Mandy Patinkin, a Jew like myself, is excusing antisemitism rather than pointing out what exacerbates it?

There is a huge bonfire of antisemitism all around us. Netanyahu's contributions to it are comparatively tiny. Yes, he is contributing to the fire, and yes, as I said before Mandy Patinkin has a point, but making Netanyahu a central figure in a conversation about antisemitism is a deflection from far larger issues.

One of the oldest prejudices unfortunately. And sadly, some on the left are almost as bad as those on the right. Not the majority of progressives, but a very loud minority.

It is their failure to call out the antisemites in their midst, and too often adopting their narratives without realizing they are antisemitic.

This is what I call normalizing antisemitism.