Living in Washington D.C., New York, or Tel Aviv might lead you to sometimes forget that misconceptions about Jews and anti-Semitism still run rampant in the U.S., Europe, and -shockingly- in the Arab world.
A new You Tube video is going viral that depicts a clearly anti-Semitic man questioning the loyalty of British Jews. His rationale says that in order to be a Brit, the individual must adhere to Christianity and Christian values, the latter of which Jews do not meet as they are a “nasty, unpleasant type of people” and “parasites.” The man says that the Jewish interviewer should “go back to Israel.” When the interviewer informed the anti-Semite that he is not Israeli, the anti-Semite said “but you’ve got relatives” in Israel.
This accusation of dual allegiances -or more aptly in this situation a single allegiance to Israel- is also nothing new. Jews have been accused for centuries of supporting the interests of the Jewish people or, more recently, Israel above those of their current country of residence. The most well known scandal involving Jews in high positions is the Dreyfus affair in France in the late 1890s. A Jewish officer was framed and convicted of treason for supplying sensitive military information to the Germans. Evidence defending the young Jewish officer emerged but the French military suppressed the new information to continue persecuting the officer for treason. This instance became a symbol for the embedded anti-Semitism in Europe and a hurdle for Jews to overcome due to the misconception that Jews would turn on the state as they have allegiance to fellow Jews only.
A friend of mine was telling me about the engagement ring he bought for his wife (no, I did not bring it up, if anyone was curious). He said that women expect at minimum a one karat diamond (I have no idea if that’s accurate) and that it cost him $6,500, but he just walked into a store and bought one. However, he tried to reassure me that I could probably get it for cheaper, as I have family in the business (to anyone who wants to get a deal on diamonds, don’t contact me because, no, i do not have family in the diamond industry).
Last night I spoke with a doctor who I have known for many years. The doctor, who graduated both undergraduate and medical school from one of the U.S.’ top schools and currently works at a major, well respected university hospital, questioned me on my opinions on the Israel-Palestine conflict. When I expressed a moderate position (such as occasional discomfort with certain Israeli actions involving the IDF and settlements), the doctor seemed to understand. He said:
“So, you’re not a Zionist.”
That’s when I realized our terminology was not equivalent. The doctor equated Zionism with an unquestioning support of certain Israeli policies, including settlements. It didn’t occur to him -or he was simply unaware- that one could be a Zionist, believe in the State of Israel, and try to improve it through open, transparent, and constructive criticism. I had to explain that Zionism in and of itself is defined pretty simply- the belief that Jews have the right to self-determination in their own state. That, in its most concentrated nut-shell form, is Zionism. And being a Zionist does not in any way diminish an individual’s loyalty to their own country. After my conversation with the doctor, I got in cab and the driver kindly informed me that the Jews killed Jesus.
At the conclusion of the anti-Semitic tirade in the video, the man walked away as the Jewish interviewer, casually and poignantly said:
“Have you heard of You Tube. Look out for it.”
Indeed, look for it. Unfortunately, the Internet is rife with anti-Semitism that finding this one video with simple search terms might take a little while.
Oh, and the anti-Semitic man says his comments are OK, because he has “friends that are Jews.” My diamond buying friend also has friends that are Jews (ie. me) but, unlike the man in the video, my friend thinks I’m “nasty,” “unpleasant,” and “a parasite” for reasons unrelated to my religion.
The video is worth watching:
(h/t the Finn)
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