Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Behind the Aegis

(53,833 posts)
Wed May 30, 2018, 05:57 AM May 2018

(Jewish Group) How The Myth Of The 'Good Jew' Hurts Us All

(THIS IS THE JEWISH GROUP! RESPECT!!)

It is a truth universally acknowledged that any conflict between Israelis and Palestinians will be turned into a battle amongst American Jews to prove who is — and isn’t — a “good Jew.”

My social media feed is saturated with Jewish friends and colleagues declaring who fits into this category, and it is generally those who signal their utter shame at Israel’s response to the recent protests near the Israel-Gaza border. As noted by the Forward’s Opinion Editor Batya Ungar-Sargon, some Jews have also added flame emojis to their Twitter accounts or tweets in order to proclaim to their non-Jewish colleagues, “I’m one of the good Jews who opposes Israel!”

This kind of signaling isn’t new. As the 2017 Chicago Dyke March’s expulsion of three Jewish women who were carrying rainbow flags emblazoned with Stars of David demonstrated, in leftist, intersectional circles, Jews are often required to prove they are sufficiently anti-Israel before being accepted as a member of good standing. While being anti-Israel is certainly not the same thing as being anti-Semitic, it is generally those who are most adamant in their insistence that dismantling Israel has nothing to do with anti-Semitism who pressure Jews, rather than Zionists, to denounce Israel whenever there’s a conflict in the region.

Of course, this litmus test exists in both political camps. For those on the right, being a “good Jew” means standing with and never criticizing Israel, supporting the settlements unconditionally and blaming all Palestinians for Hamas’ leadership — and, therefore, all of the current bloodshed and chaos.

more....

Nails it!
Latest Discussions»Alliance Forums»Jewish Group»(Jewish Group) How The My...