The Blogs: 'KAPOS' - Stop Using the Term 'Kapo' to Denounce Fellow Jews | Michael J. Lewis

Betar/Public Domain

Much like pretty-much everyone; there are a lot of people I disagree with. There are a lot of Jews I disagree with. There are lot of haters of Israel I disagree with. There are a lot of Jewish haters of Israel I disagree with (not to mention often finding them both bizarre and contemptible.) We all have own views about Israel, fellow Jews and Jewish organizations. There are certainly a fair number of Jewish organizations about which I am less-than, or whose views are different from mine. That of course doesn’t make them right or wrong. And sometimes, well-meaning people with a general common goal, in this instance the survival and flourishing of Israel, come to different conclusions as to how that can best be accomplished.

There are of course, a not-insignificant number of Jewish “Detractors” who work with anti-Israel organizations, whose objective is the end of Israel. I confess to finding that rather-problematic! But ultimately they will have to live with themselves. And should their work and dreams ever come to fruition, will one day have to look into the eyes of their children and grandchildren and see what I imagine will be look of contempt and consternation at what they had contributed to!

I could easily list a number of people and organizations which at least in my view (and perhaps in theirs as well) are anti-Israel. I look on them mostly with disdain. They probably look on themselves as heroes!

I’m not going to offer a list of such people. As a general rule, with some obvious exceptions; I tend to avoid characterizing individuals and organizations as “Anti-Israel”- even if I think they are; preferring to respond to (or ignore) their arguments and let people judge for themselves based on what these people and organizations are saying, doing, advocating or with whom they are “associating.”

”Self-Hating Jews”
The term “Self-hating Jew” has long been employed by some to characterize Jewish haters of Israel – and even Jews who don’t necessarily hate Israel; just have a different perspective. As I noted in my October 2024, Times of Israel piece “As A Jew”
“I not-infrequently read the views of people who I know are Jewish and I certainly wonder how they could possibly be doing or saying that. But I can’t and wouldn’t speak to their Judaism and how it might impact on their Worldview or their motivations to be anti-Israel. (I have long-avoided using the term”Self-Hating Jew.” I leave that to psychologist and psychiatrists to pronounce on such a matter.) ”

“Kapos”
Taking things up a notch – or perhaps more like, “taking things down a notch” are the characterization by some within the Jewish community of some other Jews as “Kapos.” For anyone not familiar with the word, it’s pretty-much the worst thing a Jew can call a fellow Jew. The Holocaust Museum definition “Kapo: a concentration camp prisoner selected to oversee other prisoners on labor details. The term is often used generically for any concentration camp prisoner to whom the SS gave authority over other prisoners.”

The term has been used infrequently and rarely in the “public domain.”
Almost a decade ago, then US Ambassador to Israel nominee, David Friedman reportedly had characterized J Street and some other Jews as Kapos for which he apologized at his 2017 confirmation hearings. Perhaps others have also used the term; but it really wasn’t much used in general parlance. After a little research, I looking found this 2018 condemnation by the British Holocaust Memorial Day Trust
of a Rabbi for using the term “Response to the use of the term ‘Kapo’ by Rabbi Schochet – A statement from Holocaust Memorial Day Trust’s Chief Executive, Olivia Marks-Woldman.”

In recent months, the “revived” organization, Betar_USA, which associates itself with Ze’ev Jabotinsky’s Betar and frequently cites Meir Kahane, reposting Kahane videos, has joined (or rejoined) the political fight in protests and posts. It recently took offense at ADL for including Betar in it “Glossary of Extremism and Hate ”

Betar has repeatedly used the term Kapo – a term I personally wouldn’t apply to almost anyone – no matter how much I might detest their views and their actions. One could possibly quibble over one or two people who have received that Betar epithet. But I find it really diminishing of the Holocaust to throw in that term. And To call Senator Schumer or Zionist Jews who believe in a two-state solution, Kapos? Come on Betar.

I’d note that my repugnance for the usage of the term shouldn’t equate to my being viewed as “soft” on the issues or organizations. That’s a matter for another debate. Although in recent weeks; I’ve been attacked enough times by anti-Israel haters to suggest that I’m really not!

I’ve commented before on my distaste for inter-Jewish divisions and infighting. And yes I am sufficiently self-aware to acknowledge that to I am perhaps contributing to those divisions, with this post! But sometimes there is a need to speak out.

Betar/Public Domain

Betar – Public Domain

And I should note that for expressing such views, I have been blocked by @Betar_USA on X

Washington Views/Betar Public Domain