In the Forward’s opinion section, you’ll find analysis and essays from diverse corners of the Jewish world.
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Opinion
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Opinion
The Backlash Against Omar Shows Justice Is Coming For Palestinians Like Me
Watching Ilhan Omar confront attacks for her criticism of Israel has been disheartening, and revealing of the fraught discourse surrounding Israel in the United States. As a Palestinian living under Israeli occupation in the West Bank, having Omar, a United States Congressperson, speak up on our behalf has been a breath of fresh air. And…
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Letters Ilhan Omar Shouldn’t Apologize. Her Critics Should.
This weekend, the internet combusted into an uproar after Representative Ilhan Omar tweeted “It’s All About The Benjamins Baby” with regards to American elected officials standing up for Israel. When Forward op-ed editor Batya Ungar-Sargon asked Omar who the money came from, Omar answered AIPAC. AIPAC! https://t.co/UdzaFUEfrh — Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) February 11, 2019 Ungar-Sargon…
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Opinion The Sick Double Standard In The Ilhan Omar Controversy
The following two things are true. First, Representative Ilhan Omar was wrong to tweet that the American government’s support of Israel is “all about the Benjamins.” Secondly, she’s being judged by a grotesque double standard. Her fiercest critics in Congress are guiltier of bigotry than she is. Omar’s tweet was inaccurate. Yes, of course, AIPAC’s…
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Opinion The Democrats Have A Jewish Problem
The Democratic Party has a Jewish problem. This may seem like a ludicrous statement considering that a majority of Jews are hardened Democrats, but hear me out. Some of the loudest, most hateful voices in the Democratic Party today share a consistent anti-Semitic theme. The party’s biggest celebrities, freshman Reps. Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and…
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Opinion I’m Black And Jewish. Ilhan Omar’s Tweet – And The Backlash – Are Tearing Me Apart
Yesterday, I opened my Twitter timeline to find friends, allies, and colleagues pitting racism and anti-Semitism against each other. The battle lines had been drawn, and I was, as I often am as a mixed race Jew, caught in the middle. Sunday afternoon, Rep. Ilhan Omar tweeted a response to Glenn Greenwald, who was musing…
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Opinion Ilhan Omar Writes Bad Tweets. But The Right Has Jewish Blood On Its Hands.
It should go without saying that these two things can simultaneously be true: that criticism of the Israeli government and AIPAC’s lobbying for U.S. support of it is not anti-Semitism, and that Representative Ilhan Omar’s recent tweet about “the Benjamins” was a mark of poor judgement, for which she has commendably apologized. It’s all about…
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Opinion The Right Is Using Accusations Of Anti-Semitism To Distract From Their Own Crimes
The internet was consumed yesterday with a backlash to Minnesota Congressperson Ilhan Omar’s tweets about Jewish money in politics, and the influence of AIPAC on Congress. In an attempt to criticize Israeli policy, Omar stumbled into anti-Semitic tropes about Jewish influence and corruption. She was roundly condemned by both Republicans and Democrats, and quickly forced…
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Letters Letter | Show Some Respect For Jewish Institutions
Twice last week, The Forward published articles accusing American Jewish institutions of “betraying us” and “selling us out.” The authors of these articles accuse institutions — specifically the American Jewish Committee and Anti-Defamation League — of abdicating their responsibility to the American Jewish community by supporting right-wing, racist leaders in Brazil, America, and Israel instead…
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Opinion No, Ilhan Omar Is Not Anti-Semitic For Calling Out AIPAC
Who knew that he whose name must not be spoken was Benjamin? Apparently not Representative Ilhan Omar, the brave Muslim congresswoman from Minnesota who stated an inconvenient truth when she wrote, “It’s all about the Benjamins baby” over reports she was to be “punished” for her criticisms of Israel that include support of BDS. It’s…
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Opinion Ilhan Omar Tweeted Something Anti-Semitic. Again.
On Sunday night, freshman Congresswoman Ilhan Omar tweeted something anti-Semitic. Again. This one came just weeks after she finally apologized for her first. In 2012, Omar tweeted that “Israel has hypnotized the world,” a message that played on the anti-Semitic trope of Jews having supernatural power which they use to control the world. Last night,…
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Opinion The Most Jewish Super Bowl In History And Other Good News For The Jews
Percy Bysshe Shelley was not a Jew (sometimes, the name really is a dead giveaway.) But the poet was right when he said, “If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?” As polar vortexes bring arctic breezes, the warmth of Spring is already on its way. Here are five moments of pride and joy from…
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Sports First Puka Nacua, now Mookie Betts: Why do sports stars keep getting antisemitic around a Jewish streamer?
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Fast Forward After MIT professor’s killing, Jewish influencers spread unverified antisemitism claim
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News Christians are displaying menorahs in their windows post-Bondi Beach attack. Why some Jews object
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Politics This politician refused to say ‘Happy Hanukkah,’ then blamed ‘political correctness’ for the backlash
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Culture Righteous gentiles in the Holocaust were no ‘ordinary thing’
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