Queens, NY Could Lead The Voice Internationally on anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism in 2018 & 2020
#AOCNot4Me Movement Is Just One Small Part That Makes Queens So Important
If you ask a proud politician, business development leader or historian about Queens, New York, they usually start by mentioning that per square foot, this borough is home to the most religions who live together, work together, eat food from each other's cultures together and even play together. They boast proudly about each little community, two international airports, The New York Mets, the U.S. Open and good college basketball from St. John's University.
Depending on which of the aisle you sit, one brags about the childhood homes in Queens of President Donald J. Trump or Governor Andrew Cuomo.
As in all good fairy tales, they all lived happily ever after......except this is not a bedtime story and the story is missing many pieces.
So as Queens residents do lots together, will they vote together? Will they fight anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism and the BDS movement together?
Queens, New York is home to an increased trend of anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism. The primary win of Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez is no surprise. Her statements about Israel are no surprise. Her support from Jewish elected officials and leading public personalities is no surprise. Self-hating Jew Bernie Sanders tours the country with her.
Gubernatorial candidate, Cynthia Nixon, who talks about raising her children Jewish while running around to political events calling for sympathy for Hamas victims, is campaigning with her. She is supported by Jewish journalist and progressive, socialist Ross Barkan, running for state senate in Brooklyn. She received her first endorsement from Queens Jewish Assemblyman, Andrew Hevesi.
Her congressional seat is not the only elected office in Queens that impacts Jewish issues. A state senate 11th district seat, currently held by Tony Avella is also the of a primary in September on both the left and right. John Liu is running on the far left.
This seat is so important, because if it goes to Liu, or stays with Avella, New York's state senate goes Democratic, more progressive and more anti Jew.
The Republicans have two political novices. Simon Minching is a young, educated successful business man who has made multiple attempts to learn about issues concerning our community. He has been endorsed by the Republican, Conservative and Libertarian parties, multiple public figures and me. His competitor, Vickie Paladino, is a social media figure that became known in New York for screaming in the streets of Queens at Mayor DeBlasio. Her lack of professionalism and knowledge of the issues makes her unqualified to represent us in Albany.
This seat is so important, because if it goes to Liu, or stays with Avella, New York's state senate goes Democratic, more progressive and more anti Jew. With every branch of New York's state government Democratic, we have no hope and must face a reality that anti-Semitism and anti-Israelism will only rise dramatically.
Hate for Jews and Israel Steadily Growing
Queens leadership will never boast about the two most corrupt, unsafe school districts, 27 and 29, it is home to. I have previously reported on some of the anti-Semitic incidents that have happened in these school districts, under both the Bloomberg and DeBlasio administrations. It will never take the appropriate actions to fix it, because many that instigate and are in charge of the anti-Semitic policies are still on the payroll, receiving all kinds of benefits and pensions. We, taxpayers and the opposition, are paying for it, allowing it and turning a blind eye.
Julie Killian, the candidate for Lt. Governor on the Republican, Conservative and Reform
Parties, stated, "For many years, I have been concerned about the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe and on college campuses across the Country. But I never thought I would see that rise in New York. The NYS Assembly Democrats won’t pass anti-BDS legislation. Ms. Orcazio-Cortez’s ill-informed comments on Israel show just how much anti-semitism has become a knee-jerk reaction among progressive Democrats. It's a sad reflection on a Democratic Party moving dangerously left. Israel isn't just our greatest ally in the Middle East, it's one of our greatest allies -- period. And sadly our young people, many of whom we educate at our taxpayer funded CUNY and SUNY schools, start to believe the hateful anti-capitalism, anti-Israel rhetoric. The vitriol is shameful and must not be tolerated. There is no place for it in New York.”
So, when 28-year-olds like Ocasio-Cortez have been taught propaganda and hate for Israel through a common core curriculum in elementary classes and college courses, we only have ourselves to blame.
CAIR-The Council on American-Islamic Relations in Queens
Last November, Borough President Melinda Katz hosted an event on how to teach hate crimes featuring speakers from CAIR. It was cleverly planned as a promotion tied to the death of Matthew Shepard. Radical Moslems torture members of the LGBT community. Where does CAIR fit into his death? CAIR has been identified by the United States government as a partner and designated terrorist organization in an ongoing trial: http://www.anti-CAIR-net.org/
Where were the Jewish elected officials of Queens like Assemblymen David Weprin and Daniel Rosenthal? Where were most of the Jewish media, organization leaders and rabbis? They were silent in opposition of the gathering. Only a handful of groups sent out notices of concern and a handful of protesters stood outside the event.
When a protest outside the Queens building of The New York Times took place last June calling out the publication for its bias, factually incorrect reporting, only a handful of pro-Israel supporters showed up.
What Queens Must Do-Especially A Jew
Queens Jewish communities are as diverse as the borough itself. Non religious communities in Bayside, Little Neck and Forest Hills, religious areas including Kew Gardens, Hillcrest and Jamaica Estates and the Russian and Israeli Jewish communities must join together to fight our issues and speak up.
We must meet our elected officials and ensure they support our needs.
We must speak up when an issue arises.
We have to overcome our differences, stop helping everyone else, and take action.
Historians compare current events to pre-Holocaust Europe.
I pointed out just the tip of the iceberg of why Queens, New York, is getting international attention. Queens, use your fifteen minutes of fame wisely, the world is watching you.
Education is a nonpartisan issue that needs bipartisan support.
Cindy Grosz can be reached at [email protected]