Behind the Aegis
Behind the Aegis's Journal(Jewish Group) Anti-Semitism Is Creeping Into Progressivism
THIS IS THE JEWISH GROUP!
Last weekend, organizers of a gay pride parade in Chicago ejected three people carrying pride flags emblazoned with a Jewish Star of David. Subsequent bizarre statements attempting to rationalize their action, claiming that Zionism is “an inherently white supremacist ideology” only exacerbated the sense that the organizers were deaf to the concerns of the Jewish community and engaged in anti-Semitism — denying Jews the same rights that were extended to other participants, basically to celebrate their identities as Jewish queer women.
While this incident could be dismissed as one fringe group in one city, the fact is that it does represent a wider school of thought that is fueling a trend of creeping anti-Semitism among some segments of the political left.
Over the past year, we have seen other examples that have raised eyebrows as intersectional intolerance has sprung up among the progressive community. Similar stories to the one in Chicago were reported at the Celebrate Israel Parade in New York City earlier this month.
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For an organization like the Anti-Defamation League, which was founded both to combat anti-Semitism and protect the Jewish people but also to secure justice and fair treatment to all Americans, these manifestations are upsetting. Frustration with particular Israeli policies does not excuse an irrational hatred of Jewish people who support its existence. But this occurs all too frequently, which provides an opportunity to make clear certain moral and practical distinctions.
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(Jewish Group) The Chicago Dyke March: The Ugly Intersection Of Progressivism And Anti-Semitism
(THIS IS THE JEWISH GROUP!)
I won’t bury the lede – triggering anti-Semites is a good thing.
There were anti-Semites at the Chicago Dyke March last Saturday, as there were at the Israel Day Parade in New York a few weeks ago. I have gone to great lengths to distinguish between anti-Semitism and opposition to the Israeli government, and have been called out on it by some old friends who’ve become quite right-wing on this issue. I have worked for years now with J Street to bring about a fair and equitable two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, and consider myself pro-Palestinian as well as pro-Israeli. What happened in Chicago, in spite of the backtracking of the Dyke March leaders, was anti-Semitism. This was part of their statement:
Chicago Dyke March Collective is a grassroots mobilization and celebration of dyke, queer, bisexual, and transgender resilience. Our priority is to ensure a safer space for those who are most marginalized. We welcome and include people of all identities, but not all ideologies. We believe in creating a space free from oppression, and that involves rejecting racist ideologies that support state violence. We welcome the support we have received from Jewish allies and marchers who are as invested in liberation as we are.
I identify, when asked, as queer, bisexual and trans, am quite resilient, and am offended that they believe they’re celebrating me by excluding me and those like me.
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About time someone called out the misuses of progressive values.
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