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WHY THE AMERICAN JEWISH RIGHT-WING FRINGE MATTERS.
I don't know quite what to make of the Max Blumenthal and Joseph Dana video Adam discusses below. In the video, American Jewish teenagers in Jerusalem spout casual racism in response to President Obama's Cairo speech, asserting that Obama deserves to be shot, is Muslim and "a terrorist," and that Israel "is ours."
Let's be clear. The views in this video are representative neither of the Israeli public -- a majority of which is prepared to dismantle the settlements -- nor of American Jews, 78 percent of whom voted for Obama. Along with African Americans, Jews consistently poll as one of the most liberal demographic groups in the country.
And yet. The adolescents depicted in the video, which is unfortunately bereft of context, were likely raised in a movement -- the Modern Orthodox (see update below) small but vocal Jewish right -- that does hold political power, and that deeply contributes to the shaping of the American debate around Israel. There has been a reluctance among American Jews, even progressive ones, to confront the ways in which our narrative of overcoming oppression has contributed to a culture in which we fail to grapple with our own privilege, with the moral implications of Israeli occupation, and with the suffering of Palestinians.
Why is that failure significant? Because in our political context, we need a great many committed, strong Jewish voices calling for a change in the United States' Mideast policy. American Jews led the way, and rightfully so, in garnering American support for a Jewish homeland. Now we should be leading the way toward becoming, as the president has phrased it, the kind of honest, tough-minded friend Israel really needs at this crucial political moment. One step is calling out -- and engaging with -- the bigots and hard-liners within our own community.
So back to these foolish, ignorant, offensive kids. Their words pain me. But what hurts even more is the idea that they will be transmitting this ideology, in due time, to their own children. As the video's co-creator, Joseph Dana, puts it, "These people and their families are the core of the opposition to meaningful peace between Israel and her neighbors. This is what Obama is up against."
Update: Adam points out there's little evidence the kids in the video are Orthodox, and indeed, some are not wearing kippot (head coverings). These kids may have been raised totally secular, and their views ought not to be associated with any particular sect of Judaism.
--Dana Goldstein
COMMENTS (12)
These ideas are not limited to "foolish, ignorant kids." The American Jewish magazine Moment, which publishes a monthly "Ask the Rabbis" column - canvassing a broad spread of opinions from Reform to ultra-orthodox - has a comment this month from a Chabad (hasidic) rabbi that will make your hair stand on end (scroll down to the end of the linked page):
http://www.momentmag.com/Exclusive/2009/2009-06/200906-Ask_Rabbis.html
Posted by: Bloix | June 5, 2009 2:05 PM
I agree with Bloix. A lot of the Jewish events I attend, it feels almost like your off the reservation for polite conversation to not talk like that. I know that quietly most people disagree, but that view dominates the "norm."
It freaks me out because I'm not used to seeing us so unwilling to argue before.
Posted by: Jon | June 5, 2009 2:07 PM
Your assumptions that these kids were Orthodox speaks volumes about your own prejudices.
I am absolutely not calling you a self-hating Jew. I am saying that you have tons of prejudices that you ignore while constantly bringing up the prejudices of others.
Pot. Kettle. Heal thyself.
Posted by: non | June 5, 2009 2:59 PM
Actually, this should be associated with Judaism in general.
Jews are a racist group of people and it is now time for them to be exposed for what they really are.
Posted by: Elis | June 5, 2009 4:57 PM
the video was filmed in and around Ben Yehuda, a popular hang out spot for American Jews in Jerusalem. And although Dana's correct that those depicted in the video are not representative of the larger Jewish community, this type of scene is not uncommon, particularly when you have a group of young, spoiled kids abroad perhaps for the first time, drunk off their ass, and engaged in mindless groupthink.
Under different (and more sober) circumstances, I doubt most of these kids would spout off the same sort of drivel. But perhaps its also another sign of the failure of many American Jewish communities to provide Jewish youth with quality education that encourages thoughtful reflection about Israel. Most of us were simply taught that Israel was infallible, and her actions justified. Always. And for a community that so values vigorous questioning and debate, nothing could be more troubling than discouraging criticism of Israeli government policies
Posted by: j.l. | June 5, 2009 6:28 PM
are you people crazy? they learn these things from ADULTS. Have you ever listened to Israel National Radio? Adults spewing hatred of just about everyone, arabs, christians, europeans, and jews who oppose their radical position. it's nothing big to see a bunch of kids speaking the same
Posted by: Voice of someone | June 6, 2009 6:19 AM
This is really an unusually significant strikethrough. I guess there's some group "that does hold political power, and that deeply contributes to the shaping of the American debate around Israel," you're just not quite sure what it is.
Posted by: a | June 7, 2009 12:33 AM
actually, as someone who just returned from a year of study in jerusalem, it was quite apparent to me that these idiots were 18 year old yeshiva bochers (boys), for a number of reasons.
1) they sometimes take off their kippot
2) many of them were still wearing kippot that signified right wing orthodoxy (black velvet - not something you wear accidentally)
3) they don't tend on associating with non-yeshiva students
and 4) all non-yeshiva programs have ended and the students have returned by now. the yeshivas are still in session and only end in late summer.
Posted by: invisible_hand | June 7, 2009 7:25 AM
Give me a freakin break. Saying these buffoons represent any segment of the Jewish community is like saying "Girls Gone Wild" represents a cross-section of contemporary feminist thought. How many drunken hooligans did Blumenthal interview to get his "material"? How many non-inflammatory remarks did he edit out? Why didn't he interview people who were sober? Interview enough people in any demographic and you can put together a "documentary" that shows anything. What a douchebag!
Posted by: WicksCherrycoke | June 7, 2009 5:56 PM
Why didn't he interview people who were sober?
In vino veritas
Interview enough people in any demographic and you can put together a "documentary" that shows anything.
Indeed--part of the human condition. And yet there they are. How unfortunate.
Posted by: ed | June 8, 2009 12:47 PM
I assume they are all rich, priviliged little dickheads. Beyond the religious-nut American Jews that support the settlements, it is the very rich Jews (a subset of them, at least) that support Likud as they see it as the Israeli version of the GOP (which they vociferously support here in USA).
These kids are all so, so convinced of their superiority & feel in their hearts (IMO) that it's good to have the untermenchen around (the Palestinians) so they can always have someone to boss around & generally terrorize (as they also feel was done to Jews in the not so distant past). Santayana's thesis come to life (again).
Posted by: Paul in KY | June 9, 2009 12:43 PM
Where were all of these "kids" you all (including the author) keep mentioning? I saw no children, only adults. If you're a poli sci major - albeit one whose parents are wasting their money - you are an adult.
Posted by: zavi | June 15, 2009 2:52 PM