There is an old disease that has returned and is mutating throughout our land.
It’s called “Blame the Jews”.
If Russia invades Ukraine, blame the Jews.
If we have a covid epidemic, blame the Jews.
If the economy goes down, blame the Jews.
If gas prices go up, blame the Jews.
If there is a rise of rightwing extremists, blame the Jews.
If there are protests and violence during Black Lives Matter rallies, blame the Jews.
If you are against Gay rights, blame the Jews.
If you have been hurt financially, blame the Jews.
If you see second amendment rights being challenged, blame the Jews.
If there is a radical Islamic attack on a U.S. site, blame the Jews and Israel.
Over the past several months there have been increasing antisemitic incidents throughout our nation from simple name calling, to Nazi graffiti, to physical attacks, to mass shootings at synagogues, all with the motive of blaming Jews for anything and everything. Florida and Sarasota are among those areas frequently experiencing antisemitic incidents.
We need to ask why?
We need to address personally and as a community, even simple expressions of bias or hatred. We need to enforce existing hate crime legislation. We must pledge to confront all forms of bigotry and hatred as an attack on us all.
We’ve seen in the past that when lies and fake news are repeated often, people accept them as truth. They treat bias and prejudice as just something else that people say or do.
The victims of hate should not be the only ones standing up to address these problems. We need to teach human relations. We need to teach the history and impact of slavery, racism, the Holocaust and intolerance.
We need to pledge to act.
We also need to acknowledge that there are those who call for the destruction of the Jewish State of Israel. While disagreements with Israeli policies are not automatically antisemitic, when only Israel is targeted and politically attacked, it often is another way of calling for its destruction. The legitimacy of other countries that are based on religious principles is seldom expressed. Why is Israel singled out?
These are the issues that are of concern to the Jewish community and should be of concern to all. Join us in standing up and make a pledge to combat and confront antisemitic and other hate speech and attacks.
If not now, when?
You are invited to take the Pledge.
I/we will:
1. Challenge people who express racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, and antisemitic comments or jokes. Let them know their statements are inappropriate and hurtful.
- Document and report to proper authorities any incidents of hate-related graffiti, distribution of hate filled flyers, and violence based on ethnic, racial, religious or sexual orientation.
- Call out individuals and organizations whose leaders make antisemitic, racist or other hateful statements, comments and canards.
- Monitor your own behavior to make sure that you eliminate any acts of bias and prejudicial behavior in your daily interactions.
I/we will recruit others (individuals and organizations) to also sign the pledge.
If I am in a position of authority or serve as an elected official, I will encourage and support legislation and programs that educate against and combat antisemitism and hate.
If you see or hear something… say and do something!
The Suncoast Jewish Alliance adopted this pledge on December 24, 2024.