“It is beyond time to separate out legitimate criticism of the U.S.’s and Israel’s actions from real ‘antisemitic’ behavior and speech expressed predominantly by white supremacists.”
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“It is beyond time to separate out legitimate criticism of the U.S.’s and Israel’s actions from real ‘antisemitic’ behavior and speech expressed predominantly by white supremacists.”
Local reactions to the Israel-Hamas war have stirred strong feelings from Zionists and pro-Palestinian activists. Underlying their disagreement is Asheville’s history of long-simmering antisemitism.
“I knew he was a member of the Asheville Country Club. So, seizing the moment while we were waiting in the car, I raised the delicate issue of the club’s deliberate exclusion of Jews.”
“Meanwhile, despite the new respect that worldwide Jewry received after the war, antisemitism continued to rear its ugly head in Asheville, as demonstrated by two stories that community members shared with me.”
“In addition to emotional pain and suffering, selective membership based on race, color or religion can result in egregious restraint of trade.”
“I rushed to the window in time to see one of my classmates from school throw a trash can through our front door, shouting ‘Jew! Jew! Jew!’”
“It shouldn’t have to be that way, but antisemitism is constantly rearing its ugly head, even in liberal Asheville.”
“Even as a young boy, I was aware that the intensity of local prejudice against Jews was increasing exponentially as the Nazi threat to the European Jews escalated.”
“I hope Asheville will not be dragged into the same trouble, as many places in North Carolina have been now, but people should be aware of this and stand up against antisemitic violence all over the state and the whole country.”