Defender Of The Faith

In an attempt to defend the indefensible, Bret Stephens felt compelled to address the anti-semitism of right wingers.

More or less. But before I get a head of myself…

Bret Stephens is a conservative columnist for the New York Times, who’s made his reputation fighting any sign of antisemitism when it comes from the left. 

When it comes from the right—well, that’s another story.

The indefensible he’s defending is the Right’s revulsion to immigrants who don’t look like them.

Thus, he felt compelled to confront the right wing’s replacement theory, which blames “the Jews” for increases in immigration.

To be more specific, there’s a significant strand of replacement theory advocates, who view “the Jews” as an evil cabal, plotting to erode the greatness of America by replacing real (or white) Americans with brown-skinned subhumans snuck in from south of the border. And help Democrats win elections along the way.

Here’s what Stephens–the great fighter against anti-Semitism—had to say about it.

“Liberals and progressives typically dismiss replacement theory as antisemitic, racist demagoguery, and no doubt there are plenty of bigots who believe it.”

That’s it. Then he goes on to pound away at those aforementioned “liberals and progressives” while defending replacement-theory advocates. 

Conveniently, ignoring…

Among the earliest proponents of replacement theory were a several hundred neonazis who took to the streets of Charlottesville, Virginia in the summer of 2017, chanting “Jews will not replace us.”

Not very subtle.

They also waved Nazi or Confederete flags and carried signs reading “the Jewish media is going down.”

A few showed up at Beth Israel, a local synagogue, armed with rifles, forcing congregants to take the Torah out of the back door. In case, the neonazis made good on their threat to burn down the synagogue.

In opposition to the neonazis, counter protestors came to Charlottesville, including many “liberals and progressives” and antifa militants.

One of the neonazis intentionally rammed his car into counter protestors, killing Heather Heyer, a 32-year-old woman, and injuring 35 people.

In response, President Trump, then in his first term, told reporters there were “very fine people on both sides.” 

Which, in retrospect, is more even handed than Stephens. Who can’t seem to find anything nice to say about the “liberals and progressives” who oppose replacement theory. 

Now, I’m not saying all replacement theory advocates are neonazis. Just that all neonazis are replacement theorists. A disturbing issue Stephens might want to address in more detail, before brushing it off as inconsequential.

Not sure why so many right-wing Jewish Americans stay silent about antisemitism on the right. Maybe they think “the Jews” in the Jews-will-not-replace-us-chants applies to “other” Jews. You know, “bad Jews” as opposed to “good Jews.” Like themselves.

It’s starting to remind me of The Plot Against America, Philip Roth’s dystopian novel about what happens to Jews when a fascist gets elected president. 

With Bret Stephens playing the role of Rabbi Lionel Bengelsdorf. Read the book, if you want to know why this is no compliment.