First, because it shows that 75% do not see such
attacks as understandable. More importantly, it would be sheer folly not to
consider the impact of the daily images broadcast by the media: scenes of Palestinian carnage
and the unbearable living conditions in Gaza since Israel began its war against
Hamas. These images are invariably accompanied by not-so-subtle blame placed on
Israel’s airstrikes, always paired with the same mantra: ‘dozens of civilians
killed - many of them women and children.’
Even though those reports are attributed to the Hamas-run
Health Ministry, that disclaimer has virtually no effect on how the average
viewer interprets what they’re seeing on the nightly news. The increase in
Palestinian protests against that carnage certainly adds to that sense of ‘understandability’.
Not to mention the United Nations’ constant finger-pointing at Israel. As if Israel
were deliberately targeting Palestinians in a genocidal campaign, either by
bombing them systematically or starving them to death.
If I were not so keenly aware of the reality of what is happening there - being exposed to that kind of coverage daily for two years - with no context, and no serious engagement with the truth of Israel’s side of the story (which, if reported at all, is often treated with skepticism, either overtly or subtly through tone) - I might also come to believe that an increase in antisemitic attacks is understandable.
Let’s be clear: understanding something does not mean
condoning it. That’s the critical takeaway from this survey, which also found:
"The vast majority of respondents condemned the attacks, with 85% or more saying the attacks were not justified, that the attacks were morally wrong, and that they would not want to work with someone who celebrated the attacks."
Given the relentless media focus on Israel allegedly killing
or starving innocent Palestinians, it says a lot about the decency of the
American people that they would reject working with anyone who celebrates those
attacks.
According to the survey, 85% or more Americans still hold a
favorable view of us. All they’re saying is that they understand why
antisemitic attacks have increased. I get that too.
The survey also revealed that 38% of respondents believe
that such attacks would stop if Israel declared a ceasefire with Hamas. I’m not
so sure about that. The genie is out of the bottle. But I do think the attacks
would decrease from their current high. Once the war ends and the media stops
focusing on the carnage, media coverage will inevitably shift to something
else.
Hopefully, good things will happen when the war is over. Perhaps
Israel will once again be viewed in the positive light it enjoyed before
October 7th. Especially if the Abraham Accords fulfill their
potential by establishing peaceful relations with all of Israel’s Arab
neighbors. That’s not as far-fetched as it may have seemed just a few weeks ago
- before Iran was effectively disarmed by the joint, successive military
operations carried out by Israel and the United States. Which was preceded by
Israel’s dismantling of Iran’s "ring of fire" proxy forces.
Imagine the possibilities.
True, there are still major challenges ahead. Such as the
future of the Palestinians and the state of Israel’s internal politics. But if
the war ends successfully and Israel makes peace with her neighbors, that will
be a giant step forward.
And with that, one can hope, will come a major decrease in antisemitic attacks and antisemitism in general.
