Joshua, excellent article and most poignant in today’s political debate.
Another issue which I think is the ‘hot potato / elephant in the room’ which I hate discussing with diaspora Jews, whose opinion varies from mine, is ‘the two state solution’. After all, that second state already exists, and it is called Jordan.
A wonderful article, and the diaspora Jews I place in it, are the Progressive Jews, and Left leaning Jews, who will find anything they can to demonize Israel, rebuke Israel, anything to pick apart whatever Israel does or should do. As you stated, they have more opinions about Netanyahu than their own elected officials. Perhaps it's a form of projection, so they don't have to think about the incompetence and failed policies their officials have chosen. Jews have faced horrific challenges for thousands of years and have survived. All the questions you've asked at the article's conclusion are what we need to keep Jews strong, confident in who they are, and the means to continue to grow and prevail.
I don’t know what to call it. All I know is that being in the Diaspora I don’t have the same skin in the game as a Jew in Israel. I don’t serve in the IDF, I do not run to the shelter, I don’t pay the same taxes, etc. Our obligation is to support Israel, especially financially and make sure that Israel exists for all of us and truly become finally independent and not dependent on allies. We have to watch what we say more carefully than one living in Israel.
From my life experience, Jews pay lip service to Israel. Most American Jews do NOT visit Israel...they go to Greece or Egypt. Mazel Tov Even Oct. 7th, the "progressive" Jews just became more hostile. The Israel parade....all Yeshivas, some senior volunteers, the 92nd St Y and Lawler, a non Jewish rep from Westchester. Where my Jews at? New tropes are Jews use the Holocaust to weaponize for Israel fanatacism. "Ethnostate" is the newest charge of condemnation. Like so called Palestine is not. Jews are a religion only and can't have a state...that's the old Arab line, leftist line. So what the f...is Pakistan ....based solely on Islam.
There are so many contradictions in anti Israel propagandizing that "progressive" Jews repeat.
Those SETTLERS!.... Yes and "tel rabah" aka Tel Aviv is also a "settlement." I could write my own essay but you are doing a great job.
Joshua, you raise an interesting question, but I just don't see it to the extent that you do.
I don't think diaspora Jews are uniquely obsessed with Israel because of internalized antisemitism. Israel is our homeland, and naturally we're going to care deeply about what happens there. When Israelis are at war, when hostages are being held, when rockets are falling, and when the legitimacy of the Jewish state is being challenged around the world, it's only natural that Jews everywhere pay close attention.
In fact, I would argue that after October 7th, Israel has become an even greater priority for many Jews in the diaspora. That isn't because we've absorbed some distorted standard. It's because the events of that day reminded Jews everywhere that our destinies are connected. What happens in Israel affects Jews in Toronto, New York, London, Paris, and everywhere else.
So yes, we're interested in Israeli politics, settlements, public opinion, coalition governments, and the future direction of the country. But I don't see that as evidence of internalized antisemitism. I see it as evidence that Jews around the world care deeply about the future of the Jewish homeland, especially after October 7th.
I think you may be missing Josh's point. As he clearly says here: (Internalized antisemitism) occurs when Jews unconsciously adopt assumptions, standards, and expectations that are applied uniquely to Jews and to no one else. It happens when Jewish people begin viewing Jewish individuals, Jewish institutions, and the Jewish state through a lens that they would never use when evaluating anyone else.
The defining feature is not criticism. The defining feature is the double standard — and double standards have always been at the heart of antisemitism.
This isn't a matter of having simply a different opinion.
Susan, thank you for the clarification. After rereading the article and thinking about your comment, I think you're right that I may have focused too much on Josh's discussion of diaspora Jews caring about Israel, rather than on his central argument about double standards.
That said, I think my difficulty is that I'm not sure the article actually demonstrates the double standard as much as it assumes it. Josh gives examples of Jews paying a great deal of attention to Israel, Netanyahu, settlements, and the conflict, but caring deeply about Israel isn't necessarily evidence of holding Israel to a different standard. For many of us, Israel is our homeland, and after October 7th especially, it's natural that it occupies a great deal of our attention.
I guess the question I was left with is: what are the actual examples of Jews applying standards to Israel that they would not apply to any other country? If those examples exist, then I think Josh has a very strong point. I just wasn't sure the article fully made that case.
In any event, I appreciate your thoughtful response. You've given me another way to look at what Josh was trying to say.
I would say that unless you live as a Jew in the Diaspora, you cannot assume that said Jews are applying double standards in their thinking. You also cannot assume - and I speak to Joshua's article here - that they don't care or put great thought into the politics and civic life of their own countries. Both Israel, and everything that happens in and to Israel, and the country a Diasporan Jew lives in matter. Israelis themselves have different views on Netanyahu, and there is no reason why an informed Jew living elsewhere cannot also have an opinion, cannot also care about the divisiveness that may be occurring in Israeli society through politics or anything else. The same goes for the country in which they live. We live a dual existence in that sense.
If a Jew in the Diaspora does not subscribe to Israeli newspapers and journals, does not have good knowledge of Israel's history, has not lived in or visited Israel, and does not support and become involved in Jewish organisations that support Israel, then this kind of discussion might well apply. However, that's not the case for a very large proportion of Australian Jews.
The gravity of the October 7th massacre, the attack targeted a deeply apolitical group of people, the youth at the Nova music festival and residents of nearby kibbutzim, many of whom had been dedicated peace activists for years.
This brutal slaughter and violence were committed by Hamas and thousands of followers who crossed into Israel to do this. To put the scale of this tragedy into perspective, the loss of life would be equivalent to 48,000 Americans being killed, compared to the 3,000 lives lost on 9/11.
The historical experience of widespread persecution and expulsion has significantly shaped the perspectives of Jewish communities in the Diaspora.
This legacy often informs a deep-seated concern for collective safety and well-being. Consequently, some diaspora Jewish populations express critiques of Israeli national policies out of apprehension for repercussions. Their engagement stems from a desire to safeguard against historical patterns of antisemitism and expulsion.
Diaspora Jews often overlook significant historical events. Regardless of their efforts to hide their identity, distance themselves from Judaism, or recently critique the state of Israel, history shows that they will be among the first to face the consequences.
Diaspora Jews often overlook significant historical events on purpose, preferer to keep their blinder on. Ben Hecht once rallied American Jews to expose the atrocities of the Nazi regime and save Europe’s Jews, yet his calls largely went unanswered. Many chose to diffuse the reality of the time, opting for silence rather than asserting their identity. While fighting for various universal causes, "the Jew vanished," allowing antisemitism the space to thrive.
Today, we see a similar pattern. Diaspora Jews are often preoccupied with universal issues while remaining silent about the current rise of antisemitism. This silence only provides more room for such hatred to flourish.
Ahad HaAm wrote an essay called Chatzi there is nothing new under the sunNechama ( Half Consulation ) on the same topic and theme dealing with the blood libel.
You ask why so many Jews thousands of miles away have stronger opinions about the Israeli prime minister than they do about the local elected officials who govern their own daily lives. The answer is that the elected official who has the most effect on my daily life is not the mayor of my small town, nor the district attorney, nor the governor. It’s the President of the United States, and I have a very strong opinion about him.
If Zionism is reduced to merely its 1896's iteration as Political Zionism, then yes, "It existed . . . throughout the formative decades of Zionism."
However, if Zionism is more than that, more than religious, national, economic, and other forms of Zionist ideology, it predates and supersedes all of them too.
The one thing overlooked by pro-, neutral, and anti- (viz. Jewhaters one and all) Zionists is its core: an indigenous Peoplehood tied to an their ancestral homeland. We need only refer to Psalm 137 to hear the articulation of its voice wrenched from a grief that cuts to the heart of self-hood.
"That reality does not eliminate Palestinian grievance"
No, nor does it legitimate it nor does it define who is the real cause of that grievance and therefore who is responsible for it and for its resolution!
Maybe this issue did originate with the Jews, themselves. Could this tendancy toward self-incriminating scrutiny have anything to do with the idea of "being a light unto the nations?" Do we perhaps feel that it is incumbent upon us as Jews to actually behave better than everyone else? If so, that's a built in dilemma, is it not?
I think it is absolutely time to stop apologizing and explaining ourselves. I like all of your ideas about strengthening community and so forth, but I also think we need to have built-in protections for all Jewish businesses and institutions. That's where our dollars should go -- to a diaspora version of Mossad. We need to stop caring about what others think of us, protect ourselves, and live our best lives as Jews.
Joshua, excellent article and most poignant in today’s political debate.
Another issue which I think is the ‘hot potato / elephant in the room’ which I hate discussing with diaspora Jews, whose opinion varies from mine, is ‘the two state solution’. After all, that second state already exists, and it is called Jordan.
A wonderful article, and the diaspora Jews I place in it, are the Progressive Jews, and Left leaning Jews, who will find anything they can to demonize Israel, rebuke Israel, anything to pick apart whatever Israel does or should do. As you stated, they have more opinions about Netanyahu than their own elected officials. Perhaps it's a form of projection, so they don't have to think about the incompetence and failed policies their officials have chosen. Jews have faced horrific challenges for thousands of years and have survived. All the questions you've asked at the article's conclusion are what we need to keep Jews strong, confident in who they are, and the means to continue to grow and prevail.
What you say about the "progressive" Jews.....I agree completely.
I don’t know what to call it. All I know is that being in the Diaspora I don’t have the same skin in the game as a Jew in Israel. I don’t serve in the IDF, I do not run to the shelter, I don’t pay the same taxes, etc. Our obligation is to support Israel, especially financially and make sure that Israel exists for all of us and truly become finally independent and not dependent on allies. We have to watch what we say more carefully than one living in Israel.
From my life experience, Jews pay lip service to Israel. Most American Jews do NOT visit Israel...they go to Greece or Egypt. Mazel Tov Even Oct. 7th, the "progressive" Jews just became more hostile. The Israel parade....all Yeshivas, some senior volunteers, the 92nd St Y and Lawler, a non Jewish rep from Westchester. Where my Jews at? New tropes are Jews use the Holocaust to weaponize for Israel fanatacism. "Ethnostate" is the newest charge of condemnation. Like so called Palestine is not. Jews are a religion only and can't have a state...that's the old Arab line, leftist line. So what the f...is Pakistan ....based solely on Islam.
There are so many contradictions in anti Israel propagandizing that "progressive" Jews repeat.
Those SETTLERS!.... Yes and "tel rabah" aka Tel Aviv is also a "settlement." I could write my own essay but you are doing a great job.
Joshua, you raise an interesting question, but I just don't see it to the extent that you do.
I don't think diaspora Jews are uniquely obsessed with Israel because of internalized antisemitism. Israel is our homeland, and naturally we're going to care deeply about what happens there. When Israelis are at war, when hostages are being held, when rockets are falling, and when the legitimacy of the Jewish state is being challenged around the world, it's only natural that Jews everywhere pay close attention.
In fact, I would argue that after October 7th, Israel has become an even greater priority for many Jews in the diaspora. That isn't because we've absorbed some distorted standard. It's because the events of that day reminded Jews everywhere that our destinies are connected. What happens in Israel affects Jews in Toronto, New York, London, Paris, and everywhere else.
So yes, we're interested in Israeli politics, settlements, public opinion, coalition governments, and the future direction of the country. But I don't see that as evidence of internalized antisemitism. I see it as evidence that Jews around the world care deeply about the future of the Jewish homeland, especially after October 7th.
I think you may be missing Josh's point. As he clearly says here: (Internalized antisemitism) occurs when Jews unconsciously adopt assumptions, standards, and expectations that are applied uniquely to Jews and to no one else. It happens when Jewish people begin viewing Jewish individuals, Jewish institutions, and the Jewish state through a lens that they would never use when evaluating anyone else.
The defining feature is not criticism. The defining feature is the double standard — and double standards have always been at the heart of antisemitism.
This isn't a matter of having simply a different opinion.
Susan, thank you for the clarification. After rereading the article and thinking about your comment, I think you're right that I may have focused too much on Josh's discussion of diaspora Jews caring about Israel, rather than on his central argument about double standards.
That said, I think my difficulty is that I'm not sure the article actually demonstrates the double standard as much as it assumes it. Josh gives examples of Jews paying a great deal of attention to Israel, Netanyahu, settlements, and the conflict, but caring deeply about Israel isn't necessarily evidence of holding Israel to a different standard. For many of us, Israel is our homeland, and after October 7th especially, it's natural that it occupies a great deal of our attention.
I guess the question I was left with is: what are the actual examples of Jews applying standards to Israel that they would not apply to any other country? If those examples exist, then I think Josh has a very strong point. I just wasn't sure the article fully made that case.
In any event, I appreciate your thoughtful response. You've given me another way to look at what Josh was trying to say.
I would say that unless you live as a Jew in the Diaspora, you cannot assume that said Jews are applying double standards in their thinking. You also cannot assume - and I speak to Joshua's article here - that they don't care or put great thought into the politics and civic life of their own countries. Both Israel, and everything that happens in and to Israel, and the country a Diasporan Jew lives in matter. Israelis themselves have different views on Netanyahu, and there is no reason why an informed Jew living elsewhere cannot also have an opinion, cannot also care about the divisiveness that may be occurring in Israeli society through politics or anything else. The same goes for the country in which they live. We live a dual existence in that sense.
If a Jew in the Diaspora does not subscribe to Israeli newspapers and journals, does not have good knowledge of Israel's history, has not lived in or visited Israel, and does not support and become involved in Jewish organisations that support Israel, then this kind of discussion might well apply. However, that's not the case for a very large proportion of Australian Jews.
Well said, Liat.
You are on the money
The gravity of the October 7th massacre, the attack targeted a deeply apolitical group of people, the youth at the Nova music festival and residents of nearby kibbutzim, many of whom had been dedicated peace activists for years.
This brutal slaughter and violence were committed by Hamas and thousands of followers who crossed into Israel to do this. To put the scale of this tragedy into perspective, the loss of life would be equivalent to 48,000 Americans being killed, compared to the 3,000 lives lost on 9/11.
The historical experience of widespread persecution and expulsion has significantly shaped the perspectives of Jewish communities in the Diaspora.
This legacy often informs a deep-seated concern for collective safety and well-being. Consequently, some diaspora Jewish populations express critiques of Israeli national policies out of apprehension for repercussions. Their engagement stems from a desire to safeguard against historical patterns of antisemitism and expulsion.
Diaspora Jews often overlook significant historical events. Regardless of their efforts to hide their identity, distance themselves from Judaism, or recently critique the state of Israel, history shows that they will be among the first to face the consequences.
Diaspora Jews often overlook significant historical events on purpose, preferer to keep their blinder on. Ben Hecht once rallied American Jews to expose the atrocities of the Nazi regime and save Europe’s Jews, yet his calls largely went unanswered. Many chose to diffuse the reality of the time, opting for silence rather than asserting their identity. While fighting for various universal causes, "the Jew vanished," allowing antisemitism the space to thrive.
Today, we see a similar pattern. Diaspora Jews are often preoccupied with universal issues while remaining silent about the current rise of antisemitism. This silence only provides more room for such hatred to flourish.
Ahad HaAm wrote an essay called Chatzi there is nothing new under the sunNechama ( Half Consulation ) on the same topic and theme dealing with the blood libel.
You ask why so many Jews thousands of miles away have stronger opinions about the Israeli prime minister than they do about the local elected officials who govern their own daily lives. The answer is that the elected official who has the most effect on my daily life is not the mayor of my small town, nor the district attorney, nor the governor. It’s the President of the United States, and I have a very strong opinion about him.
"the formative decades of Zionism"
If Zionism is reduced to merely its 1896's iteration as Political Zionism, then yes, "It existed . . . throughout the formative decades of Zionism."
However, if Zionism is more than that, more than religious, national, economic, and other forms of Zionist ideology, it predates and supersedes all of them too.
The one thing overlooked by pro-, neutral, and anti- (viz. Jewhaters one and all) Zionists is its core: an indigenous Peoplehood tied to an their ancestral homeland. We need only refer to Psalm 137 to hear the articulation of its voice wrenched from a grief that cuts to the heart of self-hood.
"That reality does not eliminate Palestinian grievance"
No, nor does it legitimate it nor does it define who is the real cause of that grievance and therefore who is responsible for it and for its resolution!
can most of the people who despise netanyahu detail what he's done to earn their enmity?
Has the hatred of Jews increased or decreased since the term antisemitism was defined?
Maybe this issue did originate with the Jews, themselves. Could this tendancy toward self-incriminating scrutiny have anything to do with the idea of "being a light unto the nations?" Do we perhaps feel that it is incumbent upon us as Jews to actually behave better than everyone else? If so, that's a built in dilemma, is it not?
I think it is absolutely time to stop apologizing and explaining ourselves. I like all of your ideas about strengthening community and so forth, but I also think we need to have built-in protections for all Jewish businesses and institutions. That's where our dollars should go -- to a diaspora version of Mossad. We need to stop caring about what others think of us, protect ourselves, and live our best lives as Jews.