By Josh Basson, , Seattle
I commend Edward Alexander for his perceptive op-ed article (“A gentile critic of the new anti-Semitism,” April 1). It was right on the mark.
Alexander rightly points out that the resurgent anti-Semitism is not just the physical violence of Jew hatred of young Muslims, but the ideological violence is the work primarily of leftists, self-identified anti-racists, humanitarians, and liberals (including Jewish ones).
What amazes me are liberal misguided Jews taking a pro-Palestinian Arab stand at the expense of Israel’s existential national interest. Why do they ignore their stated goals to destroy Israel? Why do they deny Israel’s right to exist on a tiny sliver of land in their ancestral homeland? Fortunately, the majority of Americans support and favor Israel’s right to exist. Israel made a blunder in not enforcing the Oslo Accords agreement made with Palestinians under Yasser Arafat to stop incitement to violence against Israel.
Professor Bernard Harrison is to be applauded for his book, The Resurgence of Anti-Semitism: Jews, Israel, and Liberal Opinion (2006) and for agreeing to speak at the University of Washington on this extremely important topic. I hope his audience was properly educated from his extensive knowledge on this subject.