Op-Ed: The Key to White House Reporting on Anti-Semitism is Rooted in Education
By M. Anthony Harper • December 2, 2022For purpose of this article, the working definition of Anti-Semitism by The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance is as follows:
“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
Besides news reporting on Anti-Semitism, there is the crucial role as educator to White House staff and fellow news reporters on this topic. Anti-Semitism reporting at the White House addresses hateful expression toward Jewish people and Israel either directly or indirectly whether it is by funding the Palestinian Authority with their “Pay to Slay” policy, UNRWA school curriculum, enemies of Israel (Iran, etc.), supporting the dividing up of Israel, desecration of Jewish cemeteries and other Jewish properties as well as all forms of discrimination against Jews in speech or other actions.
What was the significance of defunding UNRWA? The defunding of UNRWA brought attention to their school curriculum and textbooks portraying Israel as the Occupier and training children to hate Jews. The key player in the investigation of UNRWA is U.S. Senator James Risch. In 2017, Senator Risch, who then headed the Near East subcommittee of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, successfully requested an investigation by the GAO (General Accounting Office) into how U.S. tax dollars funding UNRWA are being used. The resulting GAO investigative report, issued when Senator Risch assumed the chair of the US Senate Foreign Relation Committee, revealed that UNRWA was lying to the State Department on how funds were used, resulting in President Trump defunding UNRWA. A key researcher on this issue is David Bedein of the Center for Near East Policy Research.
Expressions of Anti-Semitism are addressed in numerous news reports which emanate from the White House. First, a kick-off White House question regarding the Anti-Semitic U.N. agency UNRWA was featured on Jerusalem television station Channel 20 January 25, 2017 during the first week of former President Trump’s White House press conferences with Press Secretary Sean Spicer. Next, the most prominent opportunity to comprehensively address key components of Anti-Semitism occurred when President Biden’s White House Press Secretary Jennifer Psaki responded to questions April 25, 2022 regarding the Palestinian Authority “Pay to Slay” program, UNRWA, the Two State solution of dividing Israel and the desecration of the Jewish cemetery in Vilnius. The third experience took place when President Biden’s National Security Council member Rear Admiral John Kirby also answered questions June 23, 2022 regarding Russia’s aggression toward Israel. Furthermore, General John Kelly addressed questions regarding U.S. funding of UNRWA October 12, 2017.
Still another form of Anti-Semitism is the desecration of the Jewish cemetery in Vilnius, Lithuania. This cemetery was desecrated by the Russians at the end of World War Two. Jewish people constantly rally at this site and plea for protection over this sacred cemetery from further desecration by Vilnius city officials.
Reporting on Anti-Semitism is a challenge at the White House, since too many reporters and staff describe Israel as an occupier that has created an Apartheid state. But what about the Anti-Semitic individuals in the West Bank and Gaza that do not want Jews living there? Those Apartheid concerns are especially laid to rest in a new report at a Jerusalem Hospital visit titled ‘Debunking the Apartheid Myth: A Typical Day in Jerusalem’s Hadassah Hospital’ September 14, 2022.
Why is more education recommended regarding all forms of Anti-Semitism? Because according to an Anti Defamation League (ADL) May 11, 2022 report, Anti-Semitism is greatly on the rise. The following statement was made in their report:
“We are always concerned about an increase in antisemitic incidents, but this year’s big spike is especially troubling,” said ADL Southwest Regional Director Mark B. Toubin. “Moreover, incident reports have continued seemingly unabated into 2022, with numerous distributions of antisemitic and racist propaganda. Generally, where there is antisemitism, there are other types of hate.”
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Very telling is an ADL Global study of over 100 countries (2014-2019) revealed that 1.09 Billion people in the world held anti-Semitic attitudes. This is but a brief overview of White House experiences addressing this topic and videos referenced in this OpEd that reveal more information can be found on the InterMountain Christian News YouTube channel.
By Rev. M. ANTHONY HARPER, Ph.D., White House Correspondent for IMCNews and Israel news service Newsrael
This Op-Ed was submitted by M. Anthony Harper. Op-Eds do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of those at the Idaho Dispatch.
Tags: Anti-Semitism, Biden, Jewish, Jews, Jim Risch, Senator Jim Risch, Trump, UNRWA, White House
Problem is that we’re supposed to believe all these Anti Semites are wrong. What if theyre right? Why have the jews been kicked out of nearly every country they went too? I guess even asking those questions makes me a anti Semite right…
Next, do one on AIPAC and how wonderful it is that US politicians are forced to pledge allegiance to Israel (wait, what?). Why is that? I would like to know more. Isn’t pledging allegiance to another country treason? Inquiring minds want to know.
Or is asking a question “anti-semitism”?
That’s utter nonsense. So you just like writing fiction, or what?
what part is utter nonsense?
Hmmm… but what if Jewish people are doing things worthy of criticism? Why is it every other group can be critiqued except for the Jews? It seems like Jews would be able to get away with anything if they are free from scrutiny.
Why don’t White people have powerful organizations protecting their interests, in the very countries they are native to or established civilization in?
Why are American tax payers forced to give billions of dollars in aid to Israel?
Why are Jews, despite being ~2% of the population, dominate Entertainment, Media, Finance and Politics?
We need to be able to openly talk about Jewish influence.
The normal every day scrutiny that the rest of the world is subject to, is not anti-semitism when applied to a particular religion. Noticing a crime is not anti-semitism. Opposing genocide is not anti-semitism. Defending the rights of Christians is not anti-semitism. Opposing media and banking monopolies is not anti-semitism. Opposing international banking and marxist central banking is not anti-semitism.
Why is it that speech questioning any group but whites is hate speech? Whites are THE WORLD’S MINORITY.
I will question anything I want and if you censor me for doing so and tell me it’s illegal or that it’s hate to question and criticize, I will know there IS something to criticize.