We must fight antisemitism here in Florida, everywhere
As we continue to grapple with the tragic news coming out of Israel in the aftermath of the devastating, full-scale attack by Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists, our hearts are heavy. Our hearts are torn.
This was nothing less than a barbaric massacre of innocents going about their Saturday morning routines — celebrating Shabbat and the holiday of Simchat Torah, dancing at a music festival and being with their families. The death toll in Israel has surpassed 1,000, with more than 2,300 injured — the largest number of Jews killed and injured in one day since the Holocaust.
There is absolutely no justification for this act of terror. Innocent lives have already been lost, and many more will suffer as a result of this horrifying violence. There is no excuse in this moment for making wild accusations, slanderous claims, and defamatory charges – and then blaming the victim. There is no equivalence, no “bothsides-ing” this issue. Israel has every right to defend itself and must do everything in its power to protect its citizens.
These kinds of massacres happen when violent, ugly, antisemitic and anti-Zionist rhetoric brainwashes people and conditions the public to accept that hateful acts of violence like kidnapping children and mocking the elderly are somehow normal. This is not normal. This is deranged and evil.
And that is why we must fight antisemitism here in Florida and everywhere – from wherever and whomever it arises. Unfortunately, we know that tensions abroad often manifest in hateful activity here in Florida. For example, during the conflict between Israel and Hamas in May 2021, we saw a national and local spike in antisemitic incidents – here in Florida, a 264% increase in comparison to the same month in the prior year (from 11 to 40 incidents). We must be vigilant in denouncing antisemitism and calling out hateful rhetoric now, in the coming months and always to prevent hate from escalating into violence.
Many are asking what they can do in this moment, so I offer a few suggestions: Join together in community. At times like this, it is important that we come together as a community to stand in support of Israel and to mourn the loss of life that has taken place. ADL Florida is proud to support community solidarity rallies throughout our state, and we invite you to join us. We are also aware of a number of anti-Israel protests that are planned. We encourage all community members to remain vigilant about their personal safety and to avoid confrontation and violence.
Advocate for a U.S. Ambassador to Israel. Israel is confronting its biggest crisis in 50 years, and the U.S., its most important ally, does not have an ambassador in place. Congress must confirm nominee Jack Lew to this role immediately. Visit adl.org/stand-with-israel to take part in our action to contact your elected leaders and ask for this confirmation.
Call for support of Israel. Support for Israel sends a clear message that Jewish individuals are valued and protected in our community and that antisemitism is not acceptable in our community. I thank the many elected leaders who have already issued public statements supporting Israel and encourage those yet who have not yet found their voice to speak out and reach out to ADL if they need our support.
Report incidents of antisemitism and hate. Letting ADL know allows our team to respond appropriately and support the target and community. Report incidents at adl.org/report.
Lastly, take care of yourselves and support one another.
Sarah Emmons is the Anti-Defamation League Florida Regional Director.
With this recent wave of horrific loss of civilian life for both Israelis and Palestinians, we have once again seen a very divided South Florida, along tribal lines.
With passions running high, it is unlikely anyone will be looking to better understand the reasons that brought the Israelis and Palestinians to yet another round in the long-running war. A war that starts and stops for the Israelis and never ends for the Gazans. However, if we do not recognize that real human beings are being impacted on a daily basis by this cycle of violence, we will never find peace. Humanizing each side to the other is a necessary step.
To be clear, we stand firm against any terror inflicted on anyone and equally feel the loss of life, irrespective of the race or religion of whose life is taken. All life is sacred, and we must uphold the right of every human to live in dignity, freedom, peace, and security.
We acknowledge and respect the humanity of the hundreds of Israeli civilians and nine Americans who were killed, injured, or taken by force. Equally important is recognizing the humanity of the innocent Palestinian civilians who have been killed and whose lives are capsized. They too are human beings and if we are to move forward toward a lasting peace we must be willing to understand their perspective.
After the disengagement of Gaza by Israel in 2005, Hamas was elected to govern the people of Gaza. However as part of the disengagement plan, Israel retained exclusive control over the airspace and waters connected to Gaza as well as constructed a fenced perimeter with security forces to monitor the Gazans. Now generation after generation of young Palestinians in Gaza grows up knowing Israeli citizens only as soldiers with guns, who keep them within the fence.
The freedom to live life and the opportunity to thrive are things all humans deserve under a functional democracy. For 70 years that has been denied to the Palestinians. In the past few
These kinds of massacres happen when violent, ugly, antisemitic and anti-Zionist rhetoric brainwashes people and conditions the public to accept that hateful acts of violence like kidnapping children and mocking the elderly are somehow normal.