Jackson, the Jews, and the Democrats

In recent weeks, accusations of anti-Semitism have been launched against the Bush campaign. Exposing and uprooting anti-Semitism should be a major concern for Jews and non-Jews alike, but where should the concern be focused? On the Republicans—considering the culpability, significance within their party, and treatment accorded Fred Malek? Hardly. Consider instead the Democrats, keeping in mind Jesse Jackson’s culpability, his significance within their party, and treatment accorded him. Speaking as a Jew, I am saddened and alarmed by what Jackson shows about the Democratic Party, and by how Jews have reacted—or failed to react—to the threat he poses.

On nationwide television Jackson was asked why he would not repudiate his old comrade, the anti-Semite Louis Farrakhan. He answered, “It isn’t necessary.” On July 26 the New York Times published “Anti-Semitism in Chicago: A Stunning Silence,” by Professor Eugene Kennedy of Loyola University. It began: “Virulent anti-Semitism has gripped Chicago’s black community. Nobody morally powerful enough to try to combat it, including the Reverend Jesse Jackson, who lives here, has attempted to do so. It is so poisonous that the Reverend Andrew Greeley, a Roman Catholic priest and writer and a Chicagoan, has said, ‘If I were Jewish, I’d be terrified.’ … Why has he [Jackson] remained silent? As he campaigns for Governor Michael S. Dukakis, what conclusions can Jewish voters in Chicago—indeed, across the nation—draw from that silence?”

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In recent weeks, accusations of anti-Semitism have been launched against the Bush campaign. Exposing and uprooting anti-Semitism should be a major concern for Jews and non-Jews alike, but where should the concern be focused? On the Republicans—considering the culpability, significance within their party, and treatment accorded Fred Malek? Hardly. Consider instead the Democrats, keeping in mind Jesse Jackson’s culpability, his significance within their party, and treatment accorded him. Speaking as a Jew, I am saddened and alarmed by what Jackson shows about the Democratic Party, and by how Jews have reacted—or failed to react—to the threat he poses.

On nationwide television Jackson was asked why he would not repudiate his old comrade, the anti-Semite Louis Farrakhan. He answered, “It isn’t necessary.” On July 26 the New York Times published “Anti-Semitism in Chicago: A Stunning Silence,” by Professor Eugene Kennedy of Loyola University. It began: “Virulent anti-Semitism has gripped Chicago’s black community. Nobody morally powerful enough to try to combat it, including the Reverend Jesse Jackson, who lives here, has attempted to do so. It is so poisonous that the Reverend Andrew Greeley, a Roman Catholic priest and writer and a Chicagoan, has said, ‘If I were Jewish, I’d be terrified.’ … Why has he [Jackson] remained silent? As he campaigns for Governor Michael S. Dukakis, what conclusions can Jewish voters in Chicago—indeed, across the nation—draw from that silence?”