osewalrus

"Is Corbyn himself a bigot? I have no idea. I assume he is not. But political leaders bear a responsibility for their public allies. Andrew Gillum, the Democratic nominee for governor in Florida last year, offered the pithiest version of this case, when describing his opponent, now-Governor Ron DeSantis: 'I’m not calling Mr. DeSantis a racist. I’m simply saying the racists believe he’s a racist.'"

NYT Op Ed, David Leonhardt

Like many Jews, I've been following the emerging anti-Semitism in Europe with considerable concern and alarm. It contributes to the concern when leaders legitimize those with anti-Semitic views the same way that politicians who accept endorsements from David Duke or decide to speak at events for organizations that promote "conversion therapy" are particularly concerning in times of growing intolerance.

Criticism of Israel and Netanyahu in particular are common and part of the political discourse. But like the argument that we don't hate Islam, but only extreme Islam, it is frighteningly easy how these get conflated in certain quarters.