Current Events > Article on Schumer's upcoming book where he discusses 'antisemitism on the left'

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://forward.com/news/704686/schumer-book-antisemitism-jewish-israel/

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has long warned about antisemitism on the right from neo-Nazis in Charlottesville to white nationalist conspiracy theories on the campaign trail. But in his new book, set to publish Tuesday, he argues that the antisemitism coming from the left can be just as insidious and, in some ways, even harder to fight.

In Antisemitism in America: A Warning, Schumer who in 2021 became the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in U.S. history also calls out pro-Palestinian protesters who, he writes, can cross the line from legitimate criticism of Israel into dangerous antisemitic rhetoric.

Calling Israels war in Gaza genocide or chanting from the river to the sea fuels antisemitism and endangers Jews, Schumer argues, whether or not those who use such language realize its implications.

Jewish people were subject, at least in my judgment, to the worst genocide ever, Schumer said on The Interview, a New York Times podcast, referencing the Holocaust and sharing a story of his family members who died during it. For antiwar activists to accuse Israel of committing genocide in Gaza is vicious, Schumer said. You know what it does? It increases antisemitism because theyre making Israel and the Jewish people look like monsters, which they are not.

Schumer traveled to Israel days after Oct. 7 and said the massacre in the Israeli kibuttzim reminded him of what happened to his great-grandmother, who lived in Ukraine then part of Galicia when the Nazis invaded in 1941. SS stormtroopers ordered her to gather all her children and grandchildren on her porch and gunned down all 17 members of the family.

Schumers remarks preview one of the central themes of his book: how antisemitism has morphed in American life and become a bipartisan problem, though one with different characteristics on the left and right. It also offers a personal perspective, tracing his journey from a Brooklyn childhood to becoming one of the most powerful figures in Washington.

The Democratic leader in the Senate is now facing calls to step down from his role after he backed a Republican spending bill to avoid a government shutdown over the weekend.

. . . (snipping a part where he discusses his political career, basically he says being Jewish was never an obstacle for him and that American Jewish people had a 'golden age' for a while)

For the past 24 years, Schumer writes, antisemitism has taken a dramatic turn fueled by conspiracy theories surrounding the September 11 attacks and accusations that Jews were responsible for the 2008 financial crisis to the most recent wave of hate following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. The widespread antisemitism is a serious problem in America, and its getting worse.

In the book, Schumer highlights the dog whistles invoked by President Donald Trump. He cites Trumps remark that there were very fine people on both sides after neo-Nazis marched at a 2017 Charlottesville rally, his frequent nods to antisemitic tropes about Jewish money and power and his associations with far-right figures who openly spread hate.

Last week, Trump called Schumer a Palestinian and said Schumer is not Jewish anymore.

Schumer argues that antisemitism on the left harassment of Jewish-owned businesses, Jewish students being targeted on college campuses, and protesters vilifying Jews as Zionist oppressors is less overt but no less dangerous. For the first time, he said in the New York Times interview, Jews started saying, Oh God, maybe it could happen here.

Schumer writes that left-wing antisemitism is much harder to grapple with than antisemitism on the right because it often comes from political allies and because it can masquerade as human rights activism.

Criticism of Israel and how it conducted the war is not antisemitic, Schumer said in the podcast interview, but it begins to shade over.

Last March, Schumer harshly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for rejecting the Biden administrations proposal to discuss the establishment of a Palestinian state after the war, and called for new Israeli elections. He writes that his longtime relationship with the Israeli leader took a turn for the worse once Trump became president in 2017. He said he warned Netanyahu not to turn Israel into a political football between the two parties. But he did, Schumer said. He embraced Trump and did it.

Schumer who joined protests against the Vietnam War as a college student in the 1960s said he is a firm believer in free speech and the right to protest. But he said the defacing of Jewish property by pro-Palestinian protesters, the harassment of Jewish students on college campuses, and the slogans chanted during demonstrations are or slide into antisemitism.

Asked during the podcast about the Trump administrations decision to cut $400 million in grants to Columbia University, Schumer said that colleges shrugged their shoulders, looked the other way and didnt address antisemitic incidents. But he said hes concerned that the move was done in typical Trump fashion, indiscriminately, without looking at its effect.

Schumer also criticized the Trump administrations order to arrest Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and a leader in the pro-Palestinian protests, saying its up to the Department of Justice to prove the allegations against him. If he broke the law, he should be deported, Schumer said in the interview. If he didnt break the law and just peacefully protested, he should not be deported. Its plain and simple.

In the podcast interview, Schumer also discussed the Jewish vote in the 2024 presidential election. Post-election polls showed that Vice President Kamala Harris received between 63% and 71% of the Jewish vote, while Trump got between 26% and 36%, a higher portion of Jews than he did in 2020 or 2016. Both the Harris and the Trump campaigns highlighted the rise in antisemitism, including the pro-Palestinian protests, in their outreach to undecided Jewish voters in key swing states.

Schumer dismissed concerns about a realignment, saying it was a result of the Republicans turning Israel and antisemitism into a political issue, with some voters feeling the Democrats werent strong enough on Israel.

He maintained that the rank-and-file Jewish person who is not that political is fundamentally a Democrat and will stay that way.

Apparently the book tour for this has been delayed for "security reasons" according to another article, after the whole CR flop thing.

He's only right antisemitism on the left is a problem, but the interview is largely pathetic and shows why he's the worst possible leader. It's really a lot of "I hope they just hit Muslims with this." And the evidence he uses for antisemitism as the protests and attacks on Israel is horseshit

Ah so he grifting that is why he kissing Trump's toes

Omg I never realized how insane he is. I hope he loses his job soon

I frankly see anti-semitism coming from both sides.

It's usually I'm not pro-israel enough or I'm assumed to be pro-Israel. Meanwhile, a good chunk of Jews just don't care about Israel at all or despise the government of Israel for damaging the image of all Jews. And those people still receive the anti-semitism before they even put together such a nuanced position.

Jews that believe in the inalienable self-determination of Palestinians have to pick their protests very carefully now.

The thing that infuriates me the most are the endless insinuations of dual loyalty.

In before the "Champinones de Gaza" say it's only right and property to harass American Jews and Jewish businesses in America... because Gaza.

I bet his imaginary friends talk about it and get quoted in the book

Starks posted...

I frankly see anti-semitism coming from both sides.

It's usually I'm not pro-israel enough or I'm assumed to be pro-Israel. Meanwhile, a good chunk of Jews just don't care about Israel at all or despise the government of Israel for damaging the image of all Jews. And those people still receive the anti-semitism before they even put together such a nuanced position.

The thing that infuriates me the most are the endless insinuations of dual loyalty.

Right wing antisemitism is more blatant and worse. Leftist antisemitism more resembles the Soviet Antisemitism of yesteryear, and it's really bad with the dual loyalty associations.

There is a double standard on the Left that Israel is seen as a reflection of Jews and thus all Jews bear the blame for it. This is not extended to any other other actions taken in the name of a people or a faith. To suggest Sunni Muslims needed to take responsibility for the actions of Saudi Arabia would (rightfully) be seen as evidence of bigotry and unacceptable

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Those that cannot distinguish between a Jewish person and whatever they think a zionist is.

Saying Israel are commiting genocide in Gaza is NOT antisemitism.

What the fuck

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Seems Hasan is claimed as to be that.

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Setting aside thatt "the mass death or forced expulsion of about half the world's Jews is a desirable outcome," there is the large push on "Jews must be anti-Israel or should be expelled from public life" that's not uncommon in leftist spaces. Try wearing a Star of David at a DSA meeting and see how that goes.

Or just look at how many think protesting synagogues, holocaust memorials, etc. are fair game. Or, again, the double standard in how Jews must be held to a standard where Israel is what they're judged by

Being opposed to Israel committing genocide is not "antisemitism"

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Antisemites cause antisemitism. And antisemites always have an excuse for why Jews are to blame for antisemitism. That predates Israel by centuries.

I'm sorry, but this is again evidence of that double standard. It's acceptable on the left to say "Israel causes antisemitism" whereas "Saudi Arabia causes Islamophobia" would receive actual pushback. A country with the holy Shehada on its flag that literally starved hundreds of thousands to death just a few years ago.

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A popular left wing political streamer on twitch who is very pro Palestine. He's a white Turkish man who lives in LA. A lot of people even on the left hate him for various reasons. Some of which are unfounded

Antisemitism and bigotry in general are a couple of many things that can't be attributed to just one side. Every group has their pieces of crap.

Still, saying Israel is committing a genocide is antisemitic is total bullshit.

You know what it does? It increases antisemitism because theyre making Israel and the Jewish people look like monsters, which they are not.

They're making it about Israel because they're the ones fucking doing it. Jewish people as a whole are obviously not monsters, but those in the Israeli government and military who continue their genocide and Israeli citizens and others who support it are monsters.

Anyone who says that Muslim terror attacks doesnt cause Islamophobia is an idiot.

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You don't know who Hasan Abi is?

Zikten posted...

A popular left wing political streamer on twitch who is very pro Palestine. He's a white Turkish man who lives in LA. A lot of people even on the left hate him for various reasons. Some of which are unfounded

Hasan literally brought on a self-proclaimed member of a terrorist organization with "A Curse Upon The Jews" on their flag and called him a hero. A group that ethnically cleansed Yemen's remaining Jewish community. The last JEw in Yemen is literally being tortured in their dungeons and will likely die there. Hasan made excuses for this.

Then the guy used "Son of a Jew" as an insult and Hasan made excuses for THAT, too.

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Most Jews believe that Israel should exist in one form or another. People like to twist that into some kind of god-given manifest destiny for a greater Israel that includes Gaza and the West Bank. Maybe even Sinai at times. Whatever the extent, it's considered incompatible with Palestinian statehood.

DodogamaRayBrst posted...

Anyone who says that Muslim terror attacks doesnt cause Islamophobia is an idiot.

I think you missed the point.

The left actively pushes back against using Muslim state or terrorist actions as justification for Islamophobia. For ISrael it's "well, what do you expect? You need to actively prove you're a good one."

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Tell us more about where you've said it, and these leftist spaces. I'm very sure they exist.

As much as your concern for Palestinians, since you stopped even pretending after November.

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Probably the "we need to purge all Jews who support Israel from public life."

UnfairRepresent posted...

Saying Israel are commiting genocide in Gaza is NOT antisemitism.

What the fuck

HylianFox posted...

Being opposed to Israel committing genocide is not "antisemitism"

this, 100%

fuck Schumer

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Same really, I remember American Jewish people being with the pro Palestinian protestors and there not being much issue there.

Being against Israel's actions does not make someone antisemitic.

For antiwar activists to accuse Israel of committing genocide in Gaza is vicious, Schumer said.

"However, I also believe Prime Minister Netanyahu has lost his way by allowing his political survival to take precedence over the best interests of Israel.

"He has put himself in coalition with far-right extremists like Ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, and as a result, he has been too willing to tolerate the civilian toll in Gaza, which is pushing support for Israel worldwide to historic lows. Israel cannot survive if it becomes a pariah.

"Prime Minister Netanyahu has also weakened Israels political and moral fabric through his attempts to co-opt the judiciary. And he has shown zero interest in doing the courageous and visionary work required to pave the way for peace, even before this present conflict."

This you, Chuck?

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The part of the left that does not understand and groups all Jews under this ideology.

And people like Schumer that whitewash what Israel is doing.

El_Dustino posted...

Same really, I remember American Jewish people being with the pro Palestinian protestors and there not being much issue there.

Being against Israel does not make someone antisemitic.

Agreed. Automatically assuming every Jew needs to affirmatively disavow Israel or be tainted does, however.

It gets really frustrating to talk about things like antisemitic incidents on campus when just something like calling the actions of Israel genocide- something the country is being watched for by the ICJ, and is currently ignoring orders intended to prevent genocide -is considered a serious antisemitic attack by leaders like Schumer. That then raises questions like how are such incidents being counted for statistics. I have no doubt antisemitic incidents have increased since Israel came into public discourse for what it's doing. But expanding the definition of antisemitism to credible accusations or complaints about Israel's conduct is clearly a huge problem for the determining the scope of the issue.

Schumer claims he's still in favor of free speech and protesting, yet he seems to have the position that if you actually believe it possible Israel could be conducting itself in an internationally illegal or morally reprehensible way, you have overstepped boundaries. So, how can protesting the war in Gaza ever be acceptable from Schumer's point of view? From an abstract, toothless viewpoint that "war is sad :(" or something like that? Why did he think it was proper to protest the Vietnam war when he did so decades ago?

Is there a war crime he believes doesn't overstep the boundary? Extermination, like what the ICC has accused Netanyahu of so far? (The reason genocide hasn't been raised yet, being that Israel doesn't allow ICC officials enough access to have evidence for such a charge, according to the guy who explained the indictments back when they were issued.) What could you believe Israel to be doing wrong that doesn't transfer to calling Jewish people monsters in his view?

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/3/314793ab.jpg

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There are some bigots on the left, but there's an obvious campaign to paint all of the left and all criticsm of Israel as anti-Semitic to deflect and discredit their criticism of Israe'ls genocide and other awful acts. They've been doing that for decades now.

JoCrazy posted...

I wonder if this would explain his vote from the other day. Israel may have told him to help Trump since they're buddies.

If antisemitism is only a problem on the left, it's because the right doesn't consider antisemitism a problem at all.

Southernfatman posted...

I wonder if this would explain his vote from the other day. Israel may have told him to help Trump since they're buddies.

Schumer does not base things like CR votes on what "Israel told him". That is an example of a dual loyalty accusation. Schumer is a spineless pushover all on his own.

Starks posted...

Those that cannot distinguish between a Jewish person and whatever they think a zionist is.

I think it has a lot to do with the obsession with labels. There are so many labels I see banned about. It's like once someone has a bit of information they can attach a label to, that's what the person is and everything they are is what you associate with the label. There also seems to be a cascade of other labels they can then give that person, furthering one's view of that person. All of this from a little bit of information, and any further information isn't needed. It's a very self-assured way of thinking.

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Typical Shock post. Start shit and insult people, act aghast when anyone responds

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It's pretty common in a number of leftist orgs. Within Our Lifetime, the DSA, I can go on

It's funny when you think about it, because people on the right frequently deny the Holocaust happened which is pretty antisemitic itself.

But criticizing Israel for what they're doing to the Palestinian people is apparently a big no no.

Doe posted...

Schumer does not base things like CR votes on what "Israel told him". That is an example of a dual loyalty accusation. Schumer is a spineless pushover all on his own.

I think a "Dual loyalty" accusation is valid in the case of him and most of the other people who take AIPAC money. This is literally a case of a foreign government using money and influence to get their way.

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They're there, but they're a fringe that right wing media and pro-Israeli lobbyists like to point to when painting with a broad brush because...

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it's a convenient way to deflect from the awful conduct of Netanyahu's government vis-a-vis Gaza.