Seth Leibsohn: In Response to Resurgent Antisemitism

With all the resurgent antisemitism breathing its odious stench on us—in precincts both left and right—we do well to remember how un-American and anti-American it all is.

George Washington—America’s indispensable man, first in the hearts of his countrymen as children used to be taught—put this to rest long ago. In his letter to a Jewish synagogue in Rhode Island, he wrote that this is a country that “gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.” It was the first time a civil political leader ever addressed the Jews as his equals. That is no small part of the great beauty of our great country—dedicated to equal civil, natural and religious rights.

What we’re seeing and hearing today—in all of this politically-based Jew hatred and insinuation—is neither right nor left. It’s just un-American. We should view it as George Washington did. That is: A disgrace, a desecration and an ugly stain on the nation we love.

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