Antisemitic News of the Week: You Know Who on American Jews and the Figurative Moving of the Israeli Capital

Antisemitism is the oldest version of hate in human history. For thousands of years and in many parts of the world, we have been hated, forced out of our homes, persecuted, and murdered.

Earlier this week, a certain former President made the following statement about American Jews.

“No President has done more for Israel than I have,” Trump wrote before saying it was somewhat surprising that “our wonderful Evangelicals are far more appreciative of this than the people of the Jewish faith, especially those living in the U.S.”

Aside from his usual braggadocio, the disturbing aspect of what he says speaks to one of the basic tenets of antisemitism. Jews in America (or in any country that is part of the diaspora) are not 100% loyal to the nation in which they live. The culprit is, as usual, Israel. It is curious (though it should not be to anyone with a working brain), why other Americans whose families came from other parts of the world are not accused of the same lie?

Speaking of Israel, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that until the two-state solution is resolved, her country’s embassy will remain in Tel Aviv. They also refuse to recognize that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital city.

I would like to make the following proposal: until her government deals honestly and openly with their colonial past, how about we recommend that their capital city be changed? Instead of Canberra, how about we recognize Melbourne or Sydney as the main seat of the government? How would they feel?

It is morally reprehensible that Israel is told what she can and cannot do, but she cannot turn around and do the same thing. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

Just another week of antisemitism. What else is new?

Flashback Friday: This Is 40 (2012)

Every birthday is special. But there are some that hold more significance than others.

The 2012 film, This Is 40, is a sort of sequel to Knocked Up (2007). Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann) have a plate that is more than full. On the verge of turning 40, their collective lives are best described as a shit show.

Their daughters are at war with one another, their careers and financial future is on the line, and their marriage looks like it is on the way to falling apart. It is obviously going to take work to fix all of these problems. Will they be able to make it work or will everything they have worked for go down in flames?

This is a classic Apatow movie. As both writer and director, he speaks to the hard truths about life while putting a comedic spin on everyday troubles.

My only issue is in regard to a scene towards the end of the film. Pete and his father, Larry (Albert Brooks) are talking about who is a good Jew and who is a bad Jew. I don’t know what Apatow (who is also a member of the tribe) was thinking when he wrote that scene. But I got the feeling that depending on one’s perspective, it could be seen as borderline offensive.

Do I recommend it? I am leaning toward yes.