The Making of Antisemitism

Watching evolution in action

I’ve watched lots of foxes, but I’ve never watched Fox TV. I’ve enjoyed many piers, but I’ve never enjoyed Piers Morgan. I’ve met Ben Shapiro, both on his frequent visits to my museum and when I gave a shiur at his home, but I’ve never listened to his podcast. I’ve seen lots of Islamist, antisemitic and anti-Western propaganda, but I’ve never watched the Tucker Carlson show.

Still, from dipping my toes into Twitter/X, I’ve gotten the lay of the land. And there’s a fascinating phenomenon taking place, which sheds light on antisemitism and Israelopathy. You can see, in real time, how and why they develop.

It all started after Charlie Kirk of Turning Point USA was murdered. Candace Owens, who long ago degenerated into conspiracy theorist lunacy, started positing that it was an inside job by TP-USA, and indicating that none other than his widow Erica was involved. Ben Shapiro, like all normal people, was appalled. And it was also frustrating that other people in the same media space, notably Megyn Kelly, refused to criticize Candace for this. Ben said as much to Megyn in a show.

Erica Kirk, Megyn Kelly, and Candace Owens

Megyn first denied that Candace was doing this. Then she attempted to broker peace between Candace and Erica Kirk. Candace responded by becoming ever more vicious and unhinged, stirring up her one million viewers to harass Erica as Charlie’s murderer, and even Erica’s unwell mother as being involved.

Throughout all this, Megyn, who has plenty of criticism for people she disapproves of, refused to ever call out Candace. Naturally, many people were horrified by Megyn’s refusal to stand up for Erica. Ben called her out for her cowardice. And Megyn responded by claiming that Ben was attacking her for criticizing Israel!

A similar phenomenon happend with Piers Morgan. He hosts a panel which has become a shouting-match that platforms the most horrible and deranged anti-Western and antisemitic activists, as well as complete ignoramuses who are spouting their views about geopolitics and the morality of war. Piers invited Ben, a former guest, to return to his show, and Ben refused, explaining that he doesn’t want to appear on a show that has degenerated into a “clown car of stupidity.” Piers responded by claiming that Ben is trying to cancel him for being critical of Israel!

Piers Morgan and his clown car

As far as I can tell, unlike Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens, neither Megyn Kelly nor Piers Morgan are antisemites. They are merely happy to platform antisemites in order to boost their audience ratings. But what they are now doing is utilizing a very basic aspect of antisemitism and Israelopathy that has been a feature of history. In order to avoid responsibility for their obvious shortcomings, they are trying to deflect blame onto the Jews and Israel. Got problems? The Jews and Israel make for great scapegoats.

This aspect of antisemitism is also being demonstrated by the New York Times, in its astonishing presentation of the terror attack in Michigan:

So, the attack on a synagogue/ daycare is not to be blamed on radical Islam, nor on the demonization of Israel and Jews that has been normalized in the US by the NYT’s heroes. It’s the synagogue’s fault, because it was founded 85 years ago during the Holocaust to support Israel.

Of course, there will likewise be many people blaming Israel and the Jews for whatever negative consequences occur as a result of the US-Israeli war against the Iranian Regime. Some Jews think that this is reason for Israel not to have done it. Personally, I’d rather have an outbreak of antisemitism than a crazed genocidal regime pursuing nuclear weapons and working on building an arsenal of ballistic missiles so large that they would become untouchable. Of course, the stakes are a lot higher for me, since I’m in Israel and Iran is an existential threat. But even if you live outside of Israel, hopefully you can see the importance and value of this war. I’ve leave you with a quote from Ben Shapiro to his American audience:

“It is in America’s interest for Iran to pose no threat to its neighbors, the region, or the world. It’s in our interest to dramatically weaken the China-Russia-Iran axis, and it’s in our interest to act when we can at the point of highest possible success and the point of lowest possible risk.”

Shabbat Shalom! I must go and prepare our emergency room for Shabbat.