Discrimination against those with heterodox ideas on Israel fosters anti-Semitism

by on April 16, 2009 9

The other night I was talking with a Muslim friend at an elite university, and he said that there was an anti-semitic tinge to some of the statements he hears from friends about the Israel lobby. I asked him to elaborate. He said that at this point, the Israel lobby is widely understood, by grad students and junior faculty, to be a central factor in career advancement at important schools. I.e., if you have spoken harshly or even critically of the state of Israel, you will have damaged your career. (The same point that Dan Drezner has said with respect to mid- or high-level presidential appointments, and Michelle Goldberg has said about journalistic careers, and that Larry Summers conveyed to Steve Walt three years ago). This knowledge has engendered resentment--and some anti-Semitism, my friend says. For instance, one friend of my friend said to him, "The only affirmative action I see around here is for Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews." My friend said he guards against this attitude by distinguishing between Zionists and Jews. I said that we were talking about real discrimination that is bound to build resentment, and the only answer is for people to decry the Idea Bar, and for patrons, many of them Jewish, to be compelled to support heterodox ideas.

About Philip Weiss

Philip Weiss is Founder and Co-Editor of Mondoweiss.net.
Posted in American Jewish Community, Israel Lobby, Israel/Palestine, US Policy in the Middle East, US Politics

{ 9 comments... read them below or add one }

  1. stevieb says:
    April 16, 2009 at 10:55 am

    That's antisemitism?

    It's stuff like that that has me convinced that activists should avoid any reference at all to the slur. It isn't necessary, and is patently undesirable to bring it into a discussion of Israel because it has no bearing on the issue whatsoever…

  2. stevieb says:
    April 16, 2009 at 10:59 am

    It seems like using the word 'jew' in anything but favorable text is antisemitism.

  3. tommy says:
    April 16, 2009 at 11:45 am

    There is a danger that people who have attained professional achievement will be perceived as using Zionist identity or pull rather than rigorous effort for their success during these controversial times of Israeli expansion. However, if it is true that a person was appointed or hired over another more qualified person because of one or the other's point of view towards Israel, then one might have to consider that person's success due to institutional prejudice, whether that prejudice supported or opposed Israeli policies. This danger applies to many issues. Abortion proponents in Texas or Oklahoma probably have diminished career opportunities, while abortion opponents may have similar problems in San Francisco or China.

  4. bravely anon says:
    April 16, 2009 at 11:57 am

    Useful anecdotal evidence of blackballing/nepotism career dynamics I had long suspected existed in a number of fields.

    And you are correct: it breeds resentment.

  5. tommy says:
    April 16, 2009 at 12:20 pm

    In America, pro-war advocates are much preferred to anti-war ones. There is much institutional discrimination in favor of veterans at the expense of those who chose not to kill for their nation.

  6. Dag Andersson says:
    April 16, 2009 at 3:12 pm

    Mark Twain had a very interesting article in Harper's Magazine, March, 1898 called "Concerning The Jews"
    where he tries to find answers to these questions/problems:

    1. The Jew is a well-behaved citizen.
    2. Can ignorance and fanaticism alone account for his unjust treatment?
    3. Can Jews do anything to improve the situation?
    4. The Jews have no party; they are non-participants.
    5. Will the persecution ever come to an end?
    6. What has become of the Golden Rule?

    Today much of what he writes would have made Deshfoxmanowitz run amok , but at the time I believe his writing was considered "projewish"
    Bearing in mind the latest events on wall Street and the neocon's influence over US warfare his description fits too well for comfort.

  7. David F. says:
    April 16, 2009 at 4:13 pm

    Dag, thank you for that link! I'm very surprised I had not read this article before. It is fascinating.

  8. Jacqueline_Hyde says:
    April 16, 2009 at 6:06 pm

    Twain make the point:

    Many a righteous gentile has submerged his own ethnicity to help mistreated Jews.

    It is only fitting that Jews return the favour when the shoe is on the other foot.

  9. Dag Andersson says:
    April 16, 2009 at 9:24 pm

    @David
    YW.

    Another article of interest is Noble lies and perpetual war: Leo Strauss, the neo-cons, and Iraq. touching the same theme from a philosophical point of view.
    I suspect you might have read this before, but in case you haven't I recommend you do. Also Leo Strauss and the Grand Inquisitor is worth a peek.

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