If you’re going to expose antisemitism, call out both sides
It came as no surprise that after receiving an article from a friend entitled, “Inside the Maga Meltdown Over Antisemitism,” by Art Levine, my curiosity was piqued.
But after a few paragraphs, it became clear that this was a very one-sided look into the sins of political conservatives without applying the same standards to the other side of the aisle.
The immediate tip-off was an accompanying photo of prominent political figures on the right who have, in recent days, been accused of being anti-Israel. Mingled together with their images were also well-known Zionist Christians who are clearly lovers of the Jewish homeland. Included were Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and president of the Family Research Council, Tony Perkins.
It didn’t take long to figure out that Levine, the article’s writer, was focused on calling out the growing problem of antisemitism which has, sadly, seeped into the conservative movement, as well as Turning Point, USA, the organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk.
Calling attention to the association of Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, who have retained their guest speaking status, both on behalf of TPUSA and MAGA audiences, Levine proceeds to make his lengthy case, composed of over 5200 words, as to why these anti-Israel individuals have become a problem for the Trump crowd.
Sadly, this is nothing more than a partisan expose, designed to call out one side and not always in a truthful way. For example, Levine’s criticism of Tony Perkins begins by stating his personal views on Judea and Samaria, referred to, by the writer, as “The West Bank.”
Ironically, Levine says that some younger pro-Zionist leaders are at odds with Tony Perkins, whom they believe may be damaging certain political concerns by invoking the scriptures when it comes to the rightful owners of the land.
Further trying to discredit Perkins, he labels him as “the leader of the gay-bashing of the Family Research Council. It’s pretty obvious that Art Levine has absolutely no familiarity with the Torah, which is unambiguous both about the land bequeathed to the Jewish people as well as the prohibition against homosexuality, defined in the scriptures as an abomination.
But it doesn’t stop there, Pete Hegseth, Department of War Secretary is added to the list of antisemites, not only due to the crusader symbol tattoo on his chest but also for verbally recognizing December 25th as the day he commemorates the birth of his savior. That’s quite a stretch in accusing him of declaring Christianity as the official state religion, just for acknowledging a day which is personally sacred to him.
Also guilty is J.D. Vance who “openly declared Christianity as being America’s creed” when he said, “We have been and, by the grace of God, we will always be a Christian nation” – obviously meaning a country which is rooted in Judeo Christian values, since Vance knows that both the Old and New Testaments comprise the Christian bible.
Predictably, Levine represented Charlie Kirk’s memorial service as one which was “awash in Christian Nationalist symbolism and rhetoric.” Is there anything more consistent with honoring the end of one’s life by connecting it to their faith – the one thing Charlie said for which he’d like to be remembered?
At this point, there seems to be an over-exaggeration of signs of antisemitism around every corner. This includes Leo Terrell, head of the Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, who called out Chuck Schumer by reposting a comment that Schumer had “lost his Jew card.” Why wouldn’t he think that the Senate Minority Leader had helped to contribute to the hateful sentiment by remaining silent in the face of so many fellow Democrats who have been attacking Israel?
Levine seems to think that influential leaders should be alarmed by rising antisemitism, as he points to journalists who have “called out Trump officials’ ties to neo-Nazis and overtly antisemitic white supremacists.”
Yes, everyone should be concerned with the rise of antisemitism within the political parties. But oddly enough, there is no mention in Levine’s article of the virulent antisemitic diatribes regularly employed by the Squad or others within the Democratic party.
If Democrat political figures refuse to challenge fellow members, doesn’t that make them complicit? Why does Levine’s article not reference the Woke and progressive segment of the party or the Democrat Socialists such as Zohran Mamdani as well as Bernie Sanders who has consistently criticized Israel’s military defense of its citizens after having suffered a barbaric massacre.
There is no question that antisemitism, both in the form of Israel bashing and random Jewish persecution has been visible on both sides, so why spend more than 5,000 words highlighting one party? It’s because when you are a partisan journalist, that’s the only thing you care to expose.
It means that New York’s mayor gets a pass when his first course of business is to toss out protective laws for the city’s Jews, set up by the former mayor, Eric Adams. It also means that Michigan Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib can label Israel an apartheid state, calling for the end of U.S. funding, without raising any eyebrows.
New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez can refer to Israel’s military actions in Gaza as a genocide. And nine Democrats who voted against a resolution backing Israel, just days after the October 7th massacre, will not be called out.
Washington Representative Pramila Jayapal suffers no consequences for referring to Israel a “racist state,” short of having to walk that one back when someone thought that went too far.
Although Jewish, himself, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders called for the U.S. to stop funding Netanyahu’s government’s war machine, while Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren seemed to suggest that Israel may have violated international law, thereby imperiling further aid.
These represent only a fraction of what is taking place on the other side of the political aisle, where most Democrats now view Israel unfavorably. Of course, this doesn’t even take into consideration the many campus protesters who have sought to intimidate Jewish students whose affiliation to Israel may be non-existent.
Those individuals almost always identify more with the Democratic party. So why aren’t at least 2600 words spent on their antisemitic sentiments? Isn’t that equally as worrisome?
Apparently not, because when you’re a partisan journalist, there’s only room to criticize one side, and it’s usually the one you despise.
A former Jerusalem elementary and middle-school principal who made Aliyah in 1993 and became a member of Kibbutz Reim but now lives in the center of the country with her husband. She is the author of Mistake-Proof Parenting, based on the principles from the book of Proverbs - available on Amazon.
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