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Jews are the Focus BUT Jew-Hatred Affects Us All

Dear Christian Leader,

 

This past summer, you received an email titled, "Jew Hatred in Boston," that provided a horrifying account of how, on June 24th, 2021, CAMERA's Dexter Van Zile experienced intense, raw, in-his-face hatred and attempted intimidation similar to what Jews are subjected to frequently as vile antisemitism intensifies across the US.

 

However, Dexter is not Jewish! He is a Christian who unashamedly stands with Israel and the Jewish people. And as a CAMERA analyst, he attended a rally in Boston, organized by the UMASS Boston Chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), in order to observe and report on the event. In so doing, he put himself in harm's way. 

 

In the course of the rally, one of the speakers announced to the participants that Dexter Van Zile, "a rabid Zionist," was present. As a result of that revelation, Dexter was humiliated, scapegoated, and surrounded by a threatening crowd screaming vulgarities.

 

To view for yourself what Dexter describes as "the longest seven minutes of my life," please watch this video, recorded by a fellow CAMERA colleague. And for more information about the events of June 24th in Boston, please read an article, published in The Times of Israel on June 30th, for Dexter's chilling account and incisive analysis.

 

Just this week, Dexter published a most insightful and timely reflection concerning the hate and hostility that has been part of the anti-Israel movement since the founding of the Jewish State. As he so accurately observes, this vile hatred is not just about the existence of Israel, but has everything to do with Jewish existence. Indeed, the delegitimization of the existence of a Jewish State contributes to, and promotes, "an uber-Auschwitz."

 

Dexter's experience on the streets of Boston clearly demonstrates that, while Jews are the focus of antisemitic and anti-Israel hatred, that hatred ultimately affects us all. Unfortunately, in the face of such hostility, too many people succumb to fear and choose - out of a misguided sense of self-preservation - to not stand against great evil.

 

This explains, at least in part, why support for Israel is weakening. Fear, intimidation and the threat of isolation causes people to choose a false sense of safety over truth. However, history teaches us that if we live in a fearful and unprincipled manner, evil will overtake us. There is no real safety in the absence of truth!

 

As has been said many times, the Jews are the proverbial "canary in the coal mine." They are the initial target of hatred, but that hatred eventually affects us all. As Dexter points out, we are confronting a critical point in American history, with Jews at the center of a pinch point. Jews are at the center, "but the destiny of our republic is right in there with them."

 

Please read Dexter's entire article and as you do, please renew your commitment to stand in solidarity with the Jewish people by opposing all forms of antisemitism, including opposition to the right of Jews to self-determination and sovereignty in their ancient homeland!

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