Israel & the Blood Libel—Genocide |
The blood libel against Jews — that they used the blood of Christian children in Jewish rituals was promulgated in the 12th century.
We are in the midst of the emergence of a second blood libel: That Israel committed genocide in its war against Hamas.
And, as in the 12th century, the charge is taking hold — and quickly.
Numerous countries and international organizations have leveled the accusation and, in the U.S., primarily Democrats, are echoing the libel. It has become a major issue in campaigns.
And, what is almost impossible to comprehend or digest, some Jews have signed on.
Take, for instance, Scott Wiener, a leader of the Jewish caucus — and I stress Jewish — in the California legislature.
He is running for the congressional seat held by Nancy Pelosi, former U.S. Speaker of the House, who is retiring. Wiener is competing against two other Democrats, who believe Israel is guilty of genocide.
After being booed at a public meeting for refusing to join in the libel, Wiener had an epiphany.
“…I won’t support U.S. funding for the destruction of Palestinian communities. I’ve stopped short of calling it genocide, but I can’t anymore,” Wiener said.
If there ever was a shanda (Jewish for shame, disgrace, infamy), this is it. And that does not really capture the blasphemous of this slander.
Wiener’s defamation demonstrates what poor polling and political ambition in an election can do to one’s sense of decency and humanity.
Then, unbelievably, there is J Street, a liberal Jewish political organization which describes itself as “pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy.” Note “pro-Israel.”
Here is what Jeremy Ben-Ami, J Street president, is quoted as stating in the Cleveland Jewish News:
“The personal pain of my family from a crime that I believe has no parallel — and my association of the word ‘genocide’ exclusively with that event— means I am unlikely to use the term myself. But I cannot and will not argue anymore against those using the term. I simply cannot defend the indefensible.”
He believes the crime has no parallel — until now. I don’t understand his distinction that he won’t use the term but refuses to repudiate it. I grieve for his family.
If that were not enough, J Street endorsed Analilia Mejia, a Democrat who won New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District seat in a special election. She has accused Israel of genocide and also did not raise her hand at a forum when candidates were asked if Jews had a right to self-determination in Israel.
Now, to some background: The word “genocide” was coined in the midst of the Holocaust by a Polish lawyer,........