Yesterday, I spoke with Adam Hertzman of the Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh. We spoke of ways of combating antisemitism in the Alleghenies. Conversely, there were 4 busloads that traveled to the rally in support Israel in Washington from Pittsburgh on November 13.
According to a survey by Anti Defamation League and NORC (national opinion research center), “highly antisemitic Americans were 3 times more likely to support violence to achieve certain political goals compared to the general population.” This survey was conducted between March 30 and April 8 of 2023 which was before the October 7 attack. Other findings include increased support among antisemitic Americans for conspiracy theories, using violence to restore Donald Trump to the presidency, and ignoring the U.S constitution. The graphic below shows increased support for violence among highly antisemitic Americans but it is still not quite a majority of those with these views.
Hertzman said that Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh is working with law enforcement to discourage antisemitic attacks against the Jewish community. I pointed out to him that Palestinians and other Arabs are also Semitic. The Palestinian-American boy who was murdered in Illinois by his landlord was the likewise the victim of an antisemitic attack. He responded stating that they are surely opposed to Islamophobia and other attacks on ethnic minorities. Combating antisemitism and other forms or racism in the Alleghenies and elsewhere is a never ending struggle that is exacerbated by the Israel-Hamas war. Hertzman stayed away from making statements about ways to resolve the Palestinian question such as the two state solution or about Benyiamin Netanyahu.