The New Blood Libel
The synagogue where I was bar mitzvahed was built in 1963. The Nazi Holocaust of the Jews of Europe had ended only 18 years before. But those nightmares seemed remote from the verdant and prosperous cul-de-sac in northern Toronto that led to the door of Temple Emanu-el. Light streamed into the lobby through large picture windows. The congregants gazed out at the world through undraped glass, confident and hopeful. They invited the world to gaze back in.
TL;DR
- An attack on Temple Emanu-el in Toronto, where bullets shattered synagogue windows, symbolizes the growing vulnerability of Jewish communities.
- The article critiques Nicholas Kristof's New York Times column alleging systematic Israeli sexual abuse of Palestinian prisoners, citing flawed sourcing and factual inaccuracies, including the 'rape-by-dogs' claim.
- It argues that anti-Semitic rhetoric often blurs with anti-Zionist discourse, reviving ancient accusations and harmful stereotypes that can incite violence against Jews.
- The author criticizes The New York Times for its perceived lack of scrutiny and sensitivity in Kristof's column, contrasting it with the newspaper's reaction to a controversial op-ed by Tom Cotton.
- The piece suggests that major Western media outlets are increasingly acting as participants rather than observers in conflicts involving Israel, often reporting harmful stories about Israel credulously and discrediting Israel's enemies grudgingly.
- The slogan 'Globalize the intifada' is seen as a call to target vulnerable diaspora Jews rather than Israel's military.
- Attacks on synagogues, Jewish individuals, and community centers are increasing in the UK, Canada, and the US.
- The need for increased security measures around Jewish institutions is highlighted, noting the economic and psychological toll on the community.
- The author concludes that the targeting of Jewish communities signifies a broader societal danger, potentially leading to the breakdown of liberal modernity.