As a Jewish American, I am deeply concerned about the growth of antisemitism in the United States and the world. In my career as a professor of history, I have studied and written about the roots of antisemitism and its corrosive effects. This ancient hatred has had a profound impact. Not only have Jewish people been scarred, but so too have the societies in which they live.
Recently, however, demagogues have taken up the cause of antisemitism to cynically manipulate Jewish suffering to advance their own agenda. Their claims are not about conscience or empathy or even Jews. It’s all about power. They seek to silence, divide, and punish their political rivals.
These false prophets have used our fears to debase universities; justify Islamophobia; and assault our core freedoms of speech, press and assembly.
The charge of antisemitism has even been raised to drown out the cries of the children of Gaza. At the same time, our alleged defenders have shown no qualms about using antisemitic images, memes and messages to gain advantage.
Jewish Americans are not fooled by such schemes, nor should anyone be.
Bob Goldberg, Salt Lake City
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