I Don’t Hate Jews, But… A Historical Perspective
When will we finally acknowledge “Antisemitism” is nonsensical?
Why can’t we simply say what we mean, Anti-Jewish, i.e., Jew-Hatred?
Its origin is undeniable. 1862, Wilhelm Marr published The Way to Victory of Germanism over Judaism. A more popular 1879 sequel insisted even the total assimilation of the Jewish people wouldn’t resolve the conflict between the two. The “Only Solution” for a German”Victory” was the death of all Jews.
But Wilhelm had a problem. 19th century Europe was sufficiently enlightened that overt religious hatred (even towards Jews) was unseemly. His movement, Judenhaas (Jew-haters) sounded vulgar.
Eureka! Racism (then) was still acceptable. He proudly formed “The League of Antisemites”, a “scientific” alliance who hated Semites, not Jews.
“Antisemite” isn’t outdated; it was never timely. Most Jews aren’t Semites; most Semites aren’t Jews. Arguably, most Semites (i.e., Arabs) are Antisemites. Unabashed Jew-haters, from the Mideast (or West, i.e., Kanye) argue they can’t be Antisemites, because they’re Semites themselves. Indeed, Hitler wasn’t antisemitic since most of the 6-million Jews he exterminated weren’t Semites.
Why then do we posthumously reward Marr continuing to use his preposterous euphemism? Because it’s been commonly used for a century? “Indian” was commonly used for five centuries, yet was rightfully discarded.
Because “Jew-hater” sounds vulgar? Because “Judeophobe” sounds awkward? Yet, Islamophobe and Homophobe are now standard nomenclature. (Apparently, we’re scared of Muslims and Gays, but not Blacks or Jews.)
There is no good answer. Hopefully, before too long, “Antisemite” will go the way of “Indian.”
Recent Jew-haters have encountered Wilhelm’s problem. What if it isn’t Netanyahu, or Gaza, they despise but Jews themselves? Judenhaas is still unrefined, but Anti-Zionist is still acceptable. It isn’t Jews they hate; it’s Zionists. They seek to destroy the Jewish homeland, but have nothing against Jews themselves. (Imagine someone destroying your home [with you in it] denying any animus towards you.)
Would we accept “Anti-African” isn’t racist, “Anti-Mexican” isn’t bigoted?
It becomes even more ludicrous when Jew-haters espouse “Globalize the Intifada!” What does that mean? Israel isn’t 7-Eleven with franchisees around the globe.
It means all Jews become fair game. In the US alone, dozens of Jews have been murdered in synagogues, community-centers, Jewish museums, marches, El Al ticket-counters, Kosher groceries, and their homes. None were asked if they were Zionists before being killed.
Jew-hatred has been ubiquitous since recorded history. Benjamin Franklin observed: “Anger is never without a reason, but seldom a good one.” (Marr felt unjustly fired by Jewish employers; two of his four wives were Jewish.)
We must accept Jew-hatred will eternally persist.
We can, and should, however call it by its proper name.
