March 21, 2018 — New York
This piece originally appeared in The New York Times.
To the Editor:
Re “Missing in the Fight Against Antisemitism” (news analysis, Sunday Review, March 18):
Jonathan Weisman’s assertion that the American Jewish Committee has been “remarkably quiet” about antisemitism ignores our history of activism on the issue, as evidenced in the opinion pages of American newspapers and magazines, our social media, our nationwide campaign to enlist hundreds of mayors to stand up against antisemitism, and our advocacy for stronger hate crime laws.
Being serious about antisemitism means condemning it whatever the source, whether from the right or the left, but Mr. Weisman is remarkably silent in his essay about antisemitism from anywhere but the right. Thus he makes no mention of the silence of many self-identified progressives regarding the Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan’s vile antisemitism.
Further, Mr. Weisman implies that pro-Israel activism diverts attention from ensuring Jewish security in the United States. In fact, antisemitism is closely linked with anti-Israel and anti-Zionist agitation.
Jewish students on American campuses, for example, have been barred from “progressive activism” unless they renounce Zionism.
Acknowledging all sources of antisemitism is essential to counter its re-emergence in our society.
DANIEL ELBAUM, NEW YORK
The writer is senior associate executive director of the American Jewish Committee.
