Scaring the Faithful
Harassing Jews, Harassing Muslims
In New York City on Wednesday November 19th, thousands attacked the Park East Synagogue while hundreds were in the synagogue; multiple videos and members of the mob happily sharing their slogans and libels with reporters; the incoming mayor claimed the space as misused in violation of international law, excusing the violent slogans and goal to scare the people inside. There were no arrests of the demonstrators. The libels, the support from the incoming mayor and the police are reminders of the lynching era across the US South.
In Tampa on Tuesday morning November 18th, three Muslims were praying at top floor of a campus parking garage at the University of South Florida when three men began to harass them. A video recording shows the men shouting obscenities, spitting on the ground in front of the kneeling worshippers, and waving bacon in front of them. USF stated university police are investigating. No statement by Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. Echoes of previous eras of silence.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks did not tire of reminding the world that the hate that begins with Jews never ends with Jews. A synagogue encircled by a violent mob; Muslims at prayer harassed. Those who excuse antizionism by pretending that the hatred is separate from hatred of Jews and others are shown to be liars.
The Movement against Antizionism (MAAZ) is showing the Soviet roots of this wave of hatred, how it builds on the antisemitism and mutates into a greater threat to Jews, Muslims, Christians – all people of faith. And threatens democratic institutions and civil society. What to do? Demand elected officials speak clearly – not like Zohran Mamdani with his meanly mouth invocation of a mythical international law that allows a synagogue to be threatened and not like Jane Castor’s silence. The majority finds these harassments unacceptable, make sure political leaders follow the positive trajectory of American history, not return to the ugliest times. Stop antizionism, for the sake of all of us: name the libels - colonizer libel, apartheid libel, genocide libel - explain their hateful origins and goals.