Historically, anti-Semitism has been primarily associated with extreme white supremist groups in both Canada and the U.S., some of which are known neo-Nazi organizations. For example, such groups in both countries include the Aryan Brotherhood, Ku Klux Klan, the White Patriarch Party, the American Front, the Heritage Front, the National Socialist Movement, etc., etc. The list includes political parties, terrorist cells/networks, radical paramilitary groups, criminal gangs, social clubs, organized crime syndicates, websites, internet forums, football hooligan firms, religious sects, and other organizations alike. In North America, there are dozens of such organizations. Some have even claimed that such groups have infiltrated the MAGA movement in the U.S., an accusation that former President Trump has never adequately dealt with and more overtly confronted and condemned.
Today, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has raised the spectre of anti-Semitism once again in both countries. Only this time, the rise of anti-Semitism is being blamed on the left by conservative groups in both countries, particularly in connection to the student and faculty protests in support of the Palestinians. Conservatives have conveniently associated these protests with their past general accusations that certain faculties in universities and colleges are spreading liberal or so-called “WOKE” ideologies. Their arguments push the belief that the protests are anti-Israel and therefore consequently promote anti-Semitism on campus. The conflict, being such a highly emotive and divisive issue, will no doubt give rise to some slogans and elements that could be construed as anti-Semitism. On campuses, the protests have understandably made some Jewish students uncomfortable, and in some cases even making them feel somewhat unsafe. However, most protests have proven to be peaceful in nature and even involve some Jewish bodies opposed to the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza. They are opposed to the policies of the Netanyahu coalition, the most right-wing and religiously conservative administration in Israel’s history. The opposition of the Jewish community in North American mirrors many of the current protests in Israel itself motivated by a variety of issues — such as the return of the remaining hostages, ending the war, and frustration with military draft rules that allow exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews. Certainly, one cannot claim that the protests in Israel are anti-Semitic in origin.
Unfortunately, in both countries the student protests have often been met with force, particularly where the police have been brought in to remove encampments on certain campuses. Ironically, some of the arrested students were of Asian American, Native American and Latino ancestry who simply identified with the plight of Palestinians. I have argued before that the nature of activism on campuses is nothing particularly new, as evidenced by past student protests against the war in Viet Nam, apartheid in South Africa and universities’ investments in the oil and gas industry. Most of these protests were peaceful and even supported by some college administrations at the time.
Today, it’s not unusual to have conservative media sources blaming much of the unrest on elements deemed to be leftist, although there is little proof that anti-Semitism is the basis for the protests. In particular, they downplay the obvious desire of protesters to resolve the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza as a result of the Israeli- Hamas military conflict. Needless-to-say, the extreme right-wing groups are jumping on an opportunity to promote anti-Semitism where it supports their political aspirations. The reactions of campus administrations and conservative political leaders lend proof in their views as to the influence of Jewish leaders in North America, especially when it comes to support for Israel. People conveniently tend to forget the historical foundation for anti-Semitism laid by extreme right-wing, mostly white groups in both countries. They also forget that such groups promote Islamophobia at the same time, which has led to increasing violence and hate speech against Moslems. Hopefully, one can better tackle the emerging conspiracy theories surfacing around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and leveller heads will surface among our leaders, including those on our campuses and in mainstream media.
FROLITICKS 