I believe that there is a substantial, well-funded, anti-Semitic movement in Seattle as well as other large communities in Washington State (“Seattle solidarity events find various ways to support Israel,” Aug. 8). Who is funding the movement can only be laid at the doorstep of anti-Semites even though they profess other far-fetched reasons.
The influx of immigrants who have come to Washington with their minds filled with hate is dramatically opposite of the immigrants that came to this country for a better life in earlier years. The Jews, Italian, Germans, Irish and others all came to work, learn, integrate and become Americans. Not so, of many recent immigrants who bring with them their ill-conceived idea that anyone not believing as they do is simply “evil.”
These people, along with poorly informed others, represent the anti-Semitic BDS movement. Any other explanation other than believing that Israel is a terrible country filled with Jews who must die, is a pretext. This is regardless that Israel is the only country in the Middle East that allows freedom for gays, people of all colors, Jews, Christians, Muslims and all other faiths. They come to Israel to live in peace and receive all the benefits that are provided by that freedom. Yet the demonization of Israel continues. Israel, America’s greatest ally in the Middle East, is even disregarded by our current administration in Washington who have also abandoned the Saudis, Egyptians and Christians and many others.
Yes, I believe that this community is divided between the haters and the people who search earnestly for a better life. Simply put, it is between those that prefer a better life over those that prefer death. It is time to talk.
Jack Kalman
Palm Desert, Calif.