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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.