Anti-Semitism On The Rise

The ancient evil of anti-Semitism is on the rise. And for all the talk of tolerance and diversity, one of the most dangerous places for a Jew today is on an American university campus.

A new study that monitored activity at more than 100 American colleges and universities since 2015, found a dramatic increase in anti-Semitic events in the first half of this year. Here are some key findings of the study, which catalogued nearly 300 anti-Semitic incidents in the past six months:
 

• There were nearly 100 more anti-Semitic incidents, an increase of 45%, in the first six months of 2016 compared with the same time period in 2015.
   
• The number of incidents involving the suppression of Jewish students' freedom of speech and assembly approximately doubled from 2015 to 2016.
   
• The consideration of anti-Israel divestment resolutions in student government or by the student body was strongly linked to a surge in anti-Semitic activity.
   
• The number of incidents opposing Israel's right to exist nearly tripled from 2015 to 2016 and was highly correlated with behavior that targeted Jewish students for harm.

  The study also found that much of the hatred is being driven by Muslim student groups. For example, anti-Semitic activity was eight times more likely to occur on a college campus if there was at least one anti-Zionist group such as Students for Justice in Palestine. Why are we importing anti-Semitic Palestinian Muslim students into our universities?

  The study warns in its conclusion that, "The lines between political discourse on Israeli policy and discrimination toward Jewish students have become blurred." Universities must be more aggressive in defending the First Amendment rights not just of Israel's critics, but of pro-Israel Jewish and Christian students as well.

  The Insanity Of The Left

  Just when you think the left can't get any crazier, it does. For example, two media outlets, The Atlantic and Refinery 29, hosted a forum this week on issues impacting female voters. Panelists included female elected officials, journalists and political activists.

  Promotional material for the forum suggested that young millennial women were keenly interested in such issues as "college affordability, health care, gun rights and the job market." But according to one report, the panelists spent 30 minutes talking about "intersectionality and millennial feminism."

  If you don't know what intersectionality is, you're not alone. It is really just a fancy way of describing the left's demand for "group think" and intolerance of diverse opinions. Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowtiz recently explained that intersectionality is:

  ". . . a radical academic theory, which holds that all forms of social oppression are inexorably linked. This radical concept has led to the linking of disparate left-wing causes, no matter how tenuous their connections.

  "Some intersectional feminist activists, for example, insist that feminists must oppose drone strikes . . . because they have a negative impact on women in the developing world. Even more absurdly, [some radicals have embraced] the bigoted Boycott Divestment Sanctions movement against Israel, partly on the grounds that support for Israel furthers the interests of the military-industrial complex and, by extension, the fossil fuel industry."

  So, with that in mind, a reporter attending the forum on female voters in the 2016 election asked the panelists how they would address the "reproductive rights and women's health issues for men who ascribe to a female gender identity." Incredibly, these left-wing activists actually ran with it. A Boston City Councilwoman Ayanna Pressley answered:

  "I would say ultimately all advocacy begins with elevated consciousness and because of movements like Black Lives Matter where you have seen trans women at the fore of that, because of the public accommodations legislation, because of so many things that are happening at a policy level, our consciousness is being elevated. I do believe that as our consciousness is elevated we will be better informed, better educated, and we can mobilize around those issues."

  Well, that was a lot words to say very little, in my opinion. But when pressed as to whether transgendered women were being denied their reproductive rights, Pressley had almost nothing to say: "You got me on that one."

  Actress Amber Tamblyn attempted to feign empathy for the reproductive rights of trans women, saying, "The fact that I don't know, the fact that I don't have an answer should tell you a lot about what I need to learn."

  Thanks to the left redefining normalcy, we've all got a lot to learn. -- NOT!

  A Sign Of Hope

  Here's some encouraging news: There appears to be a "9/11 effect" taking place in the aftermath of high-profile attacks and assassinations against police.

  Fox News reports that police recruitment in some cities has increased dramatically. The Dallas Police Department reports that personnel applications have surged almost 350%! Other communities such as Denver, Las Vegas and Orange County, California, are also seeing spikes in recruitment.

  Nevertheless, law enforcement officials remain deeply concerned about the prevailing negative environment and its overall impact on recruiting. America cannot afford a breach in the thin blue line.