For about 2,000 years now, anti-Semitism has been alive and kicking, just not always in plain sight. That, at least, is the contention of Abraham Foxman — director emeritus of the Anti-Defamation League and guest speak at Monday night’s panel discussion at Santa Barbara’s Bronfman Center on the global resurgence of anti-Semitism. The issue achieved more immediate urgency after Donald Trump recently invited the rapper formerly known as Kanye West and far-right agitator Nick Fuentes — both unapologetic anti-Semites — to Mar-a-Lago to dine. But Foxman insists the problem goes much deeper than Donald Trump. Foxman responded via email to a list of questions posed — also via email — by Independent writer Nick Welsh. He will be speaking Monday, December 5, at 6:30 p.m. at the Bronfman Family Jewish Community Center on Chapala Street.
When was the last time you personally experienced an act of anti-Semitism? How often do you experience such things? I experience it every day on social media. I am constantly barraged with anti-Semitic rhetoric, especially when I speak out to condemn anti-Semitism, racism, or hate in general.
We read that we are experiencing a spike in anti-Semitic actions both in the United States and throughout the world. Here in Santa Barbara, this is not so evident, especially for those of us inclined not to see it — either because it’s not happening in front of us or we think it’s a settled matter. Please paint a picture of what is happening. The number of anti-Semitic attacks in the United States is at an all-time high. FBI statistics report the highest number of religious hate crimes in the U.S.A. are directed at Jews. ADL statistics bear that out as well. It’s the first time, in over a hundred years, since the lynching of Leo Frank, that Jews in the state of Georgia have been killed because they were Jews. This has also happened in Pittsburg, Poway, CA, and Jersey City. Jews have been assaulted in the streets of New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, and many others. Jewish students are harassed as Jews because they may support Israel and that happens on dozens of campuses in the United States. In Europe, Jews are constant targets of desecration of cemeteries, and synagogues are under constant security. Jews have been killed because they are Jews in France and other European countries. Here in America, Kanye West and company spew anti-Semitism in the house of former President Trump and over TV, radio, and social media.