Thread by @homeandfreedom

Many Jews are concerned right now about antisemitic attacks. And, many Jews are highly skeptical of ADL and others’ rhetoric about a “surge” of antisemitism. Putting aside for the moment what the data is & isn’t saying, I want to talk about how Jews’ fears are used. 1/11

Predictably, the immediate answer of mainstream Jewish leaders to fears of antisemitism is to call on Jews legislators to support heightened policing powers & even militarization. Jewish fears are being deployed to serve a political purpose- to strengthen the carceral state. 2/11

Many Jews will be scared enough to go along with this increased policing. It will seem like it’s good for “the Jews.” But it poses a major setback to collective Jewish wellbeing, on at least two levels: 3/11

1) It harms our own people directly, putting Jews of color in danger both in Jewish spaces & in the streets. 4/11

2) It harms our non-Jewish allies in Black, Brown, indigenous, Muslim & immigrant communities, who are not only our friends, family and neighbors, but are our best protection in building a world of #safetythroughsolidarity and resisting white nationalism together. 5/11

How US ✡️s respond to this attempt to use us as a wedge could have long-term consequences. (Which is why I want Leftist Jews not just 2 signal their good politics here, but actually invest time & energy 2 lead liberal/centrist ✡️ communities away from this call to policing.) 6/11

Jewish fears are being deployed to serve a political purpose. That’s so often the playbook. If white Jews follow this playbook, it will not end w/ Jews being safer. It will strengthen state violence against Jews of color, & against our non-Jewish allies & potential allies. 7/11

Since policing and surveillance are bound up in each other, it could also have wider ramifications for Jewish activists - even for those who don’t get profiled on the street. 8/11

I am not for wishful thinking & ignoring violence. It is a meaningful concern in a country like the US, regardless of the current moment’s data. But I bet the best practical strategies for our multiracial ✡️ community’s safety will be created by Jews doing abolition work. 9/11

The situation we’re seeing now is one of many reasons why the Jewish Left should not (as has been advocated recently) back away from taking leadership on antisemitism. 10/11

aprilrosenblum.com/jc

We know exactly who fills the vacuum of leadership when we sit back. The Jewish Left has a responsibility to all Jews - and to all people - to step up & advance our counter-vision. 11/11

Thanks @mefranny & Amelia Mae Paradise for your edits! ameliaparadise.com