As a progressive, DailyKos reading, Democratic-wave supporting, non-religious, American Jew, I want to explain why Ilhan Omar’s comment was offensive. First, just as white people shouldn’t tell non-white folks what they should or shouldn’t find offensive, non-Jews shouldn’t tell us what we should or shouldn’t be bothered by. Jews, like all ethnic groups, are pretty good at knowing when they’re being insulted.
Second, criticizing Israel, or America’s relationship to Israel, is NOT anti-Semitic. Pretending it is by hiding behind that label is disingenuous and worse, under undermines the ability to call out real anti-Semitism.
Third, yes, Republicans say anti-Semitic shit all the time. Like everyday. And none of them ever call each other out on it. But we’re not Republicans and we don’t blindly turn an eye to something that’s wrong.
So here goes: American Jews allegiance is to America. Period. For most of us, this is the only country we’ve ever known. Our parents were born here, as were their parents. Most of us have no more allegiance to Israel than American Catholics do to Rome, or American Muslims do to the Middle Eastern. Saying Jews have an allegiance to Israel is code, one Jews have been subjected to for centuries. It’s saying because of our religion, we can’t be trusted. In this case, we’re not real Americans, we’re outsiders, “the other.” One may not intend to send that message but that is the message because that’s always been the message of anti-Semites.
So yes, criticize Israel. It deserves it. Criticize Americans who support Israeli oppression of Palestinians. But don’t drink from the anti-Semitic cup of those who say our religion means we have an allegiance to a foreign country. Those are words meant to dismiss an entire ethnic group. Those are the words of a bigot.