The spectrum of antisemitism

For years, most Jews have focused on neo-Nazi and similar groups as the greatest threat in the Diaspora. It has become clear that we now have a coalition of antisemitic and anti-Israel activists from across the political spectrum. College campuses have been infected with the Marxist version, claiming that anybody successful (Jews and Israel in this case) must have become so by exploiting those who are not. Anti-Israel and antisemitic activists have terrorized students on campus. Some of these groups have Orwellian names like “Jewish Voice for Peace” while allying with more easily identified groups like Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), coming together to urge Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) economic warfare against Israel. These groups use oppressor/victim ideology, try to attract racial minorities or LGBTQ people who may feel marginalized and direct their anger against Jews and Israel.

I have recently sent emails to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and to Brown University about Students for Justice in Palestine and the BDS movements. SPLC said they were unable to take action despite clear hate incidents involving the above groups on campuses and in other spaces. Brown University has not responded to a comment about a BDS speaker on faculty of the Watson Center. I urge others to contact these groups, consider withholding donations and advocate for the safety of Jews threatened by the antisemitism on the left of the political spectrum as well as the right.

Farrel I. Klein

Providence