Thursday will be the 85th anniversary of Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass, during which the Nazis went on a two-day rampage throughout Germany, smashing Jewish stores, buildings, and synagogues. Streets everywhere were filled with broken glass. It was the harbinger of things to come.
Those things included isolating, demonizing, and ultimately liquidating Jews.
When it happened, German police and elected officials stood by silently.
Here in Philadelphia, as you can see, the Philly Palestine Coalition is calling for a boycott of “Zionist establishments.”
And here they have revealed their hate-filled selves.
Not all criticism of Israel is anti-Semitism, and I have defended the rights of such critics, no matter how deluded or depraved I may have felt they were.
The Coalition is not calling for the boycott of Israeli products. It is calling for a boycott of “Zionist” businesses, meaning Jewish businesses. That is anti-Semitism, Jew hatred, straight up. It is Nazism.
“Zionism,” by the way, expresses the idea that the Jewish people are entitled to a homeland, and that it should be in their ancestral home along the Mediterranean, where two previous Jewish states existed. That is where today’s Israel is located. Zionism means a homeland for the Jews, nothing more.
Mayor Jim Kenney and every member of City Council — except for Mark Squilla — scurried away like rats when asked about the boycott by the Wall Street Journal. Only Squilla condemned this anti-Semitism for what it obviously is.
Can you imagine a similar silence from our oft-weepy mayor if some group had condemned and tried to isolate and threaten Blacks, or gays? The City Commission on Human Rights would be on them like chickens on corn.
But when Jews, who are 3% of the Philadelphia population, are isolated? Crickets.
Jews in this city are entitled to take a step back and ask themselves, where are we? Where are you? Where are our friends and neighbors? If you are a friend — speak out. (Thanks to you who already have.)
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia spoke out with a statement condemning the Coalition tactic.
“This tactic does not in any way support Palestinians – it only serves to intimidate, isolate, and scapegoat Israeli and Jewish businesses. Targeting businesses solely because of their Israeli and Jewish ownership is blatant antisemitism and only further contributes to the alarming levels of hate against Jews nationwide.
“No business should be villainized for rightfully condemning Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, whose purpose is to kill Israelis and Jews with no regard for Palestinian life.”
I have asked what action they are planning, especially toward the silent elected officials, and I am waiting to hear back. The Federation represents many Jewish organizations in this area and ought to have someone in cowardly Kenney’s office right now.
This incident puts me in mind, again, of the famous apology by Pastor Martin Niemoller:
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
I don’t want your apology. I want you to speak up now.
After the Holocaust, the world said, “Never again.” but did the world mean it?
Excellent column, Stu. And most appropriate for election day morning. I hope Oh had something to say about this.
A boycott of JEWISH businesses, here in Philadelphia? AND THERE IS SILENCE?! Have we learned nothing? Speak up, people — LOUDLY AND CLEARLY. If we don’t, this infection will only spread and become more life-threatening.
🟦 Well said, my friend.
I’m only sorry it needed to be said.
Thanks. Where do we get that blue square?
I agree with your sentiments but it’s the 85th anniversary of kristallnacht.
Aww
very well said. dangerous times indeed !
Frightening times for Jews everywhere. Thank you for stating the need for non Jews to speak up; especially those in public office. Their silence is beyond disturbing.
These anti Semites should be careful not to become ill, because the antibiotics and many medications they make use were possibly developed by Jews. Their cell phones were invented by a Jew; many diseases were eradicated by vaccines developed by Jewish scientists and physicians. Are they going to boycott these improvements to their lives?
Imagine if someone called for a boycott of Chinese restaurants because we have problems with China? The mayor wouldn’t condemn that? He’s a POS
Like you, I don’t believe that everything claimed to be anti-semitism is anti-semitism or needs to be elevated to a hate crime. Unfortunately, now we are seeing the real thing. It’s horrendous.
Stu,
The silence of the Philadelphia politicians on this subject is horrendous and unforgivable. BDS is unacceptable and must be called out for what it is.
The acrobatics of the press is equally appalling. Great article on the press in the Hill over the weekend (US media’s moral blindness over Hamas is showing).
That said, war is horrible and my heart goes out to the innocent civilians that have been injured or killed in this terrorist act and resultant war.
Come for the Jews, mothereffers, and you are going through me first. That ain’t happening here.
I have nothing to add as you said it all
Ditto
What would a country run by people like the “coalition” be like?
Yemen. Libya. Iran. Etc.