On the Nose After the DC Shooting
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May 23, 2025 Ben Ratskoff, a contributing editor at Jewish Currents and a scholar of antisemitism, joins Mari Cohen and Alex Kane to discuss a tragic shooting of Israeli embassy aides in DC. They delve into the complexities of political violence and the twisted narratives surrounding it. The conversation highlights the intersection of anti-Semitism and government policy, examining how the incident reflects wider societal tensions. The group emphasizes the need for nuanced understanding of the Palestine solidarity movement and the challenges it faces internally amidst rising violence.
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Contextualizing Political Violence
- This shooting was an act of political violence linked to the ongoing genocide, not simple antisemitism.
- Understanding context is crucial even though the trigger is an individual act.
Distinguishing Political and Anti-Semitic Violence
- The attack targeted Israeli embassy aides at a Zionist event, indicating a political motive.
- Anti-Semitism requires targeting Jews for being Jews, which is distinct from this attack's focus on Israel.
Complexity in Political Violence
- Political violence often involves complex motivations beyond simple hatred.
- There's a lack of public language to properly discuss and frame political violence complexity.