"The mission of AIPAC is to strengthen, protect and promote the U.S.-Israel relationship in ways that enhance the security of the United States and Israel."
AIPAC has attacked critics of Israel and accused them of being Anti-Semitic because they criticized Israeli actions and policies. This strategy of attacking critics of Israel is bad for Jews because it dilutes the meaning of an accusation of anti-Semitism. it is crying wolf. Those on the right, like Donald Trump and his supporters, go a step further and accuse Democrats and progressives of being anti-Semitic.
This pattern--raising the anti-Semitism accusation for any critic of Israel or a critic of anyone who is Jewish--is growing. Donald Trump is now attacking Rep. Omar (MN-D) for criticizing Steven Miller as a White Nationalist.
RT @realDonaldTrump: “What’s completely unacceptable is for Congesswoman Omar to target Jews, in this case Stephen Miller.” Jeff Ballabon,… at
— Stevan Hunter (@gaurdello) April 10, 2019So it is really no surprise to see AIPAC using this strategy politically, though Rep Omar was excoriated for accusing AIPAC of exactly that. What makes this even worse is the reality that AIPAC is attacking a Jew, Bernie Sanders, because he criticizes Israel.
RT @theintercept: AIPAC’s only other current paid ads on Facebook all target Rep. Ilhan Omar, a progressive Muslim Democrat who has questio… at
— #Bernie/Turner2020 #FeelTheBern #NotMeUs (@AnnOster13) April 10, 2019I would argue that, using the rules AIPAC and the right-wing abusers of the accusation of anti-Semitism, AIPAC's attack on Bernie Sanders with Facebook ads amounts to anti-Semitism, just as Trump claims that criticism of white nationalist mass child abuser and hate-monger Steven Miller is anti-Semitism.
The reality is that Bernie Sanders is the first Jew with a real chance to become president of the United States and AIPAC hates him.
The reality is that anti-Semitism is a very real problem but Israel and its US surrogate AIPAC care more about engaging in politics aimed at buttressing support for Israel than they care about the virulent anti-Semitism that is rising throughout the world. And their abuse of the accusation of anti-Semitism is making it easier for by giving cover to real anti-Semites to engage in hateful activities and messaging.
Jews throughout the world had high hopes that Israel would be a safe place for Jews. Sadly, Israel now makes it more dangerous to be a Jew anywhere in the world, including within Israel. Their political tactics, focusing on the diluting of the accusation of anti-Semitism, is making the world far more dangerous for all Jews. But I don't think the ultra-orthodox Haredim who have kept Netanyahu in power think that way. For them, the 80% of Jews who are non-orthodox are not considered Jews at all. They hold them in contempt. That's why, for many years, I've felt that the worst anti-Semites are the ultra-orthodox. And let's be clear, the ultra-orthodox are the power wielders in Israel who influence AIPAC and its latest move to attack the most popular Jewish politician in the world.
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