Socialism of Fools: Anti Semitism on the Left

Although written over a decade ago, Rabbi Michael Lerner's concise, thoughtful look at anti-Semitism on the Left remains deeply relevant--perhaps even more so--in today's political atmosphere. The book is unique in that the author, founder of the progressive Jewish organization Tikkun and a critic of Israeli policy toward the Palestinians, is motivated by his concern for the Left rather than a desire to undermine it. Unlike some other commentators who have addressed the subject, Lerner's criticisms cannot be dismissed as a cynical attempt to silence criticism of Israel. Lerner surveys the history of anti-Semitism in populist movements worldwide, from Eastern European peasant revolts to the Stalinist purges to the troubled side of black-Jewish relations in America. His thesis is essentially that throughout history, Jews have been placed in the role of the "middle man," where they have born the brunt of anger that would have otherwise been directed against ruling elites. While he strongly emphasizes that anti-Semitism is a far greater problem on the Right, Lerner contends that the Left has largely failed to understand the unique dynamics of Jewish oppression, and has resultantly failed to acknowledge and address Jew-hatred both among its own ranks and in the society at large. He also discusses Jewish anti-Semitism, a consequence of internalized prejudice, and the pressure on many Jewish Leftists to renounce their ties to the Jewish community and to vocally denounce Jewish comrades who "make an issue" of their Jewishness. The book includes a thoughtful and astute section on the distinction between legitimate criticism of Israel and anti-Semitism masquerading as political criticism. Among the criticisms he deems "legitimate" are: 1) criticism of the occupation of the West Bank & Gaza; 2) human rights abuses against Palestinians in the context of the occupation; 3) economic discrimination against Arab Israelis; 4) the domination of the religious courts in issues such as marriage; and 5) discrimination against Israeli Jews from Middle Eastern countries (Mizrachim). "Illegitimate" criticisms include: 1) labeling Israel an "apartheid state" or a fundamentally racist state (unlike apartheid South Africa, Israel affords full political participation to minorities within the state); 2) singling out Israel as not having the "right to exist"; 3) labeling Israel the "worst" country while ignoring more extreme abuses in other nations. In short, he is suspicious of those who apply a double standard to Israel and those who ascribe some unique, fundamental "evil" to Israel that does not apply elsewhere. While the book is a valuable contribution, there are some things I felt were missing. Lerner assumes the reader is already familiar with the presence of anti-Semitism on the Left and provides only a handful of actual examples of what he is talking about. The examples he gives are striking, but since he only gives a few of them, it might be easy for the reade