Anti-Muslim hate on rise

(Re: “Knowing what you stand for, ” Nov. 30)

To the Editor:

While Dinowitz rightfully calls out recent acts of antisemitism, he does not bother to mention that anti-Muslim hate crimes are also on the rise. In light of the recent shooting of three Palestinian college students in Vermont, Dinowitz’ statements seem all the more insensitive.

Dinowitz would like his constituents to believe that Israel ended the occupation of Gaza — and any notions to the contrary — are the result of stupid college students & other “ignorant” people. What Dinowitz would apparently have trouble explaining is how Israel’s Human Rights Group B’Tselem also agrees the occupation of Gaza never ended after 2005. And the likes of non-ignorant Amnesty International also takes the same position.

Dinowitz then goes on to question why some people are so ardent regarding Israel’s “democracy” — vis-a-vis the “authoritarian” regime of Hamas. 

I submit Jewish scholar Gideon Levy put it best in his piece in Haaretz: “The greatest threat facing Israel is the democratic threat. There is no greater danger to the regime in Israel than its turning into a democracy. There is no society that opposes democracy like Israeli society. There are plenty of regimes opposed to democracy, but not a free society. In Israel the people, the sovereign, is opposed to democracy. This is why the current struggle, which presumes to be about democracy, is a masquerade.”

Dinowitz goes on to claim that Democratic Socialists of America support the “end of Israel” merely because we [I am a member of DSA] call for an end to the occupation. However, DSA takes no such position. It’s core statement of principles merely states that we “support self-determination for the Palestinian people and a political solution to the current crisis premised on the guarantee of basic human rights, including an end to the military occupation, an end to discrimination against Palestinians within Israel, and the right of return of refugees.”

This is not, in itself, antithetical to a two-state solution.

Dinowitz then adds highly misleading rhetoric by claiming the phrase “from the river to the sea” means the destruction of Israel and death to all Jews. To the contrary, it is simply a call to end apartheid in Israel. As stated in this Jacobin magazine article: the “slogan ‘From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’ doesn’t involve changing current borders in any way. The contemplated transformation would be more like South Africa ceasing to be a “white state” in the 1990s.”

Dinowitz continues his misleading rhetoric by claiming DSA (among others) failed to condemn Hamas’ attack. To the contrary, both National DSA and NYC DSA unequivocally condemned Hamas’ justified & unwarranted attack on Israel. As stated by National DSA in its statement: “We unequivocally condemn the killing of all civilians. It is imperative for international human rights law to be respected.”

And as stated by NYC DSA in its press release: “NYC-DSA believes in peace, equality, and freedom for all Palestinians and Israelis. We deeply mourn the loss of life in the region and unequivocally condemn all hatred and the killing of all civilians. Our sympathy and condolences go out to those who have lost loved ones or have loved ones in harm’s way.”

The clear reason in my mind why Dinowitz feels the need to mislead his constituents is because his narrative fits the mainstream, corporatist Dems’ stance of more war & imperialism.

I am a fan of Dr. (Martin Luther) King’s quote: “Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”

I sincerely hope the majority of peace & justice loving Riverdalians will reject Dinowitz’ war-mongering and instead embrace peace & love.  Only the latter will get this world to a better place.

David Bliven