Conspiracy-laden actions like this do nothing to protect the victims of Epstein's disgusting crimes and are designed mainly to foment hatred against Jews. Organizers and policymakers that want justice should call out and oppose these toxic, antisemitic tactics that are bound to lead to violence.
Jeffrey Epstein was a monster and his victims deserve justice. At the same time, invoking "blood libel" — the conspiracy that falsely accuses Jews of murdering children for ritual purposes — is wrong and should be called out.
We condemn this vile demonstration outside the White House, which relies on gross, antisemitic conspiracy theories that have caused real-world harm to Jews for centuries. It's worth noting this is not the first time these organizers have used these harmful tropes.
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"Jews are not safe in America without a democracy."
@rweingarten.bsky.social, the long-time president of @aft.org, discusses Jewish safety and antisemitism in America at @jstreetdotorg.bsky.social's convention in Washington, D.C.
And it should come as no surprise that Carlson, an ardent antisemite, is spreading such conspiracies on his show. After all, his network sells this mug in their shop, which blatantly calls to the deeply antisemitic trope of Jews as puppeteers controlling the world.
Take this as a remarkably obvious example.
Claiming a sect of Judaism manipulated the US government into attacking Iran to start a "religious war" is just so blatantly antisemitic.
Described by one member as "Nazi heaven,” the group chat was started by the secretary of Miami-Dade County’s Republican Party and included students from FIU.
This is just the latest example of young Republican men glorifying Hitler and the Nazis. And it should concern us all.
If you're feeling déjà vu, it's not only you.
We now know of another young Republican group chat swarming with anti-Black racism, misogyny, antisemitism, and white supremacist references.
www.miamiherald.com/news/politic...
It is critical that we have a robust debate about the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. And it is also critical that this debate not be marred by antisemitism — or by weaponized false accusations of antisemitism.
Let’s talk about what’s happening on the ground and how we’re talking about the war.
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Reports indicate the Austin shooter posted antisemitic, misogynistic, and anti-Christian rhetoric online — another reminder of how hate and extremist conspiracies can fuel real-world violence.
And we must build understanding about when language and ideas cross the line into antisemitism and hate speech — and push back when they do, regardless of the source or intent.
At the same time, we must protect the integrity of legitimate debate about this war, the countries involved in it, its reasons and causes, and its consequences — not seek to malign or silence those engaged in legitimate criticism and discourse.
So here’s the bottom line.
When antisemites jump on this war as an opportunity to blame or target Jews, we must call them out.
But commentators and policymakers need to be cautious about when their rhetoric can be used as ammunition to point at the Jewish community or plant the seeds of antisemitism in their listeners.
Blaming Jews for the actions of Israel is antisemitic. So is claiming that Jews sacrifice non-Jewish lives to advance their own interests or that Jews are disloyal to the countries in which they live. We know antisemites will do this no matter what.
Placing the entirety of the responsibility for the current war on Israel (not on Trump, who has threatened war on Iran over his tenure and ultimately made the decision for the US to go to war) is overly simplistic at a time that requires careful analysis. And it'll inevitably be used to attack Jews.
And what isn’t explicitly antisemitic but feeds antisemitic tropes?
We are seeing discourse that feeds the dangerous trope that Jews control global conflicts and have dominion over global governments.
And what *is* explicitly and unquestionably antisemitic?
- Assigning blame to “Jews” rather than Israeli and U.S. leaders.
- Using dehumanizing language like referring to Jews in Israel running for shelter as "rats"
- Saying that "Jewish imperialism" requires "goyim" to die.
Pointing to the comments from U.S. and Israeli leaders as indication of Israeli policies and actions playing a significant role in the U.S. decision to go to war at this moment is not antisemitic. And lobbing accusations of antisemitism at those who do so is irresponsible.
So what isn’t antisemitic when talking about the war?
After all, discussing the geo-political role of Israeli actions and decision-making in this conflict is a legitimate and important part of the conversation.
In just the last few days:
- We’ve seen antisemites pounce on the opportunity to blame Jews.
- We’ve seen legitimate criticism of the timing/legality/goals of the war labeled as antisemitic.
- We’ve seen well-intentioned debate fall into dangerous traps of antisemitic tropes.
It is critical that we have a robust debate about the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. And it is also critical that this debate not be marred by antisemitism — or by weaponized false accusations of antisemitism.
Let’s talk about what’s happening on the ground and how we’re talking about the war.
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Journalist and Nexus Fellow, @emilyctamkin.bsky.social, discusses the importance of weighing context, impact, and intent when assessing whether language is antisemitic or not.
Instead of rushing to punishment, seek understanding.
📺: @jstreetdotorg.bsky.social's Convention in Washington, D.C.
Watch the full conversation between @sharonbrous.bsky.social and Jonathan Jacoby here: nexusproject.us/nexus-resour...
For more on the Nexus Project and our work combating antisemitism while upholding democracy and free speech, head here:
"If everything is antisemitic, then nothing is."
Rabbi @sharonbrous.bsky.social, Senior Rabbi & Founder of @weareikar.bsky.social, and the Nexus Project's President, Jonathan Jacoby, discuss the weaponization of antisemitism and why sensationalizing antisemitism is a direct threat to Jewish safety.
On Purim, we read the story of Esther, who, at her cousin Mordecai's bidding, used her position of favor with the king to save Jews from a plot by the king's evil advisor, Haman, to kill them all.
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This shameful Islamophobic nonsense must be called out unequivocally.
Good example of the way anti-trans hate and antisemitism continue to be intertwined in American discourse. Once more subtly, now far more overtly.
