Antisemitism in recent decades has been the hatred that dare not speak its name. Recently, it has become increasingly open. This worrying article in National Review surveys the extent to which antisemitic conspiracy theories have now become a widely accepted feature of mainstream political debate in the US:
Discussing Iraq last month on Washington Journal, C-SPAN's live call-in program, two callers — one American and one British — telephoned to ask whether I was Jewish. I am and said so. Both suggested that Jews were responsible for sending American soldiers into harms way. This was ironic since I volunteered for duty in Iraq, and then lived outside the security parameters enjoyed by other Coalition employees. One questioned whether I was part of a secret cabal operating for other than American interests. At the suggestion that his question might be anti-Semitic, the caller insisted my religion was a valid subject for a segment dedicated to a discussion of the situation in Iraq. Discourse has changed.
Indeed. To an extent not seen since the Second World War. However, serious awareness of antisemitism and its significance, and serious support for Israel, both seem to be at an all time high as well. May the best world view win.
