Criticism of Anti-Semitism in ULK
I just received and read my first issue of Under Lock & Key. Thank you and your contributors for putting out such a thought provoking publication! I especially appreciated the reporting on Palestine and Syria.
…Would it be out of line for me to offer a criticism? In the graphic of Hitler and Netanyahu – a legitimate comparison! Netanyahu is portrayed with a yarmulke, which he seldom wears, and side-locks, which he has never(?) worn, thus emphasizing his Jewishness, when the real problem is his Zionism. I happen to believe that all of us have a degree of anti-semitism (and anti-blackness, misogyny, etc.) instilled in us by growing up in this society and it’s important to keep centering love and solidarity toward our Jewish anti-Zionist brothers and sisters.
MIM(Prisons) responds: Yes, we always welcome criticism, especially from our fans and comrades. And we completely agree that Zionism is the enemy, as an extension of imperialism, and not Jews or even Judaism. Jewish people in this country have been represented disproportionately at the front lines of opposing the genocide in Gaza in recent months.
We would agree that we all have sexism and racism implanted in us by virtue of being in this society. Don’t necessarily agree about the anti-semitism, as that is not universal in the context of the United $tates. Though we can’t speak for the artist behind that art, which was made some years ago. It may have been that the artist just didn’t know what Netanyahu looks like, we don’t know. And as we’ve published the slogan before, “Zionism is Anti-Semitism.” We’d also point out that citizens of I$rael, just as citizens of the United $tates, are criminals (some of us in the process of reforming) for their roles in oppressing and exploiting other nations. As you say, we are all impacted by this oppressive society in negative ways. But yes, we agree with you in opposing any blanket condemnation of Jews because of I$rael and did not intend to promote such a message.
