In a contentious turn of events, two major US Jewish groups have temporarily disassociated themselves from the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM), following the publication of a video that attributes the recent rise in antisemitism to “woke ideology.” This departure is the latest sign that Jews are divided over how to fight antisemitism. What was once presented as a united front against bigotry has now sparked debates over the politics of antisemitism.
The video, titled “What is Woke Antisemitism?” stirred significant controversy and was pulled from the CAM website following intense criticism from the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA), a national liberal public policy group, and the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA). Both organizations subsequently withdrew their partnerships from CAM, at least temporarily.
The contentious video claims, “How does woke-ism, an ideology which purportedly calls for diversity, equity, and inclusion, fan the flames of antisemitism?” It argues that proponents of woke-ism categorize society into oppressors and the oppressed, positioning Jews in the role of oppressors, and thereby justifying antisemitic behavior.
Amy Spitalnick, the JCPA CEO, commented on the video’s stance, stating, “It was deeply disturbing and concerning… The video suggested progressivism, and certain progressive communities, are inherently antisemitic.”
Such allegations have brought to the fore the complicated dynamics within Jewish groups in America regarding the interpretation and the fight against antisemitism. This division reflects the larger national discourse where left-wing and right-wing factions have accused each other of antisemitism, creating a highly politicized climate around the issue.
Interestingly, the video itself has been accused of political bias, particularly considering that the Combat Antisemitism Movement is funded by Republican donor Adam Beren. In fact, some instances of far-right antisemitism were attributed to left-wing ideologies in the video.
In response to the controversy, the American Jewish Committee (AJC), another partner of the Combat Antisemitism Movement, criticized the video but did not sever ties. The AJC has long insisted on vigilance against antisemitism without the politicization of the fight, stating, “This video fell far short of this call.”
Despite pulling the controversial video from its website, CAM has defended its stance. The organization maintains that far-left ideology has played a significant role in propagating antisemitism, even without providing concrete data to support this claim.
The departure of JCPA and JFNA from CAM’s coalition has raised questions about the future of such partnerships. While the JFNA has expressed hope for future collaboration, the decision to rejoin the coalition hinges on whether Combat Antisemitism decides to permanently retract the video.
Meanwhile, CAM continues to foster partnerships with over 700 groups, highlighting the diverse opinions within the Jewish community about how to combat antisemitism effectively. The controversy underscores the inherent challenge of combating antisemitism while navigating the complex interplay of progressive and conservative ideologies within a community.
