Responding to "Critics" and "Haters" (Week III) - June 20, 2025

Including the Slur of "Dual Loyalty" - or "First Loyalty" to Israel

As anyone on social media is extremely-aware; there is a torrent of anti-Israel - and anti “supporters-of-Israel” - vitriol out there - going far, far beyond “just” criticism of Israel or its supporters. Among the more pernicious vitriol are the insinuations that first loyalty of people whose views they disagree with, is not to the this country, but to Israel. In this hate-filled practice, such charges are merely reviving an age old assertion used in so-many countries over the decades against Jews. It is of course a dangerous practice, which can be expanded and used against so many others. Once again Jews are that proverbial “canary in the coalmine.” (That that some of those employing that slur are themselves Jewish, merely speaks volumes about those who engage in such a practice.) One obviously has the choice of ignoring these slurs - or highlighting the practice. Just a few of my Social media responses these past seven days - Shabbat Shalom

Note: Three of my Substack articles this week

Israel, Iran and the US - A few off-the-cuff thoughts

Israel, Iran and the US - Distinguishing Between Critics of US or Israeli Policy and Haters of Israel

Response to J Street re Iran


The Slur of Disloyalty to the United States

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Various “Critics” rush to use the term “Israel First” to apply to those who have a view different to theirs. People should argue their case regarding Iran without getting into such slurs. It just suggests their case is not-so-strong if they need to resort to such terms

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The term "Israel First" is just another slur to try and denigrate a certain view held by American citizens. Slurring people rather than focusing on or explaining or refuting the arguments made is repugnant - something I would hope you would agree on.

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Use of terms such as “Israel Loyalist” and “Israel Firsters” to denigrate people. Done by some of the left and some of the right. Can’t get much closer than this to engaging in antisemitic tropes than this. Not really-different to engaging in various other slurs against people for their belief. On the basis of their race or their sexuality. Fine to criticize or denounce peoples opinions or worldview. But to impugn their loyalty? A dangerous thing to do. And something that can be applied no less to others…

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Fine to criticize peoples' views. Pretty-repugnant to impugn peoples' loyalty to the US. Disgustingly, there's an increasing usage by some on left and right of terms such as “Israel Loyalist” and “Israel Firster” to denigrate people. An old slur with deep antisemitic roots

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Might not like or agree with many of the comments and insinuations out there; but that they would be said; was really very-predictable (and of course, dangerous). Both many of the people saying them; and what they're saying. A continuation of a certain age-old theme which seen before

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"Israel and its loyalists" - There you go again. Being concerned concerned or supportive of Israel doesn't make one a "loyalist" of Israel. It's this constant effort to disparage those whose views aren't in accordance with yours.

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To Code Pink’s Medea Benjamin - Chutzpah: You obviously have the absolute right to denounce any Congressman you like. But to say "You are 100 Israel first. Un-American." Again that's disgusting. You would - perhaps do - object to people calling you "Un-American"

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There you go again @Ggreenwald with your denigrations. " Israel and its AIPAC-funded US loyalists" - Make the case why Iran was not a threat to Israel; was not working towards nukes; does not want to destroy Israel? (Or even say destroying Israel is a great idea). But slurs?

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And the old, old "response" by some to Mark Levin and others. Rather than argue the merits of what's the best policy for the United States which is a reasonable debate; loyalty and religious imputations are made or implied

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It's always when certain people keep impugning the loyalty of others....

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To Pocan - Jun 19 That's a pretty-disgusting comment and (hopefuly) not worthy of you Congressman Pocan. Would you like to make comparable comments on other people and other groups on the issue of the Middle East and numerous others?

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Blocked by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) @CAIRNational and its head, Nihad Awad @NihadAwad -busy impugning the loyalty of a US Senator @tedcruz "Ted Cruz declared his loyalty to a foreign state. Shouldn't he register as a foreign agent and leave the US Senate?"

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Max Blumenthal"Termites"? "Israel first"? You use the most polemical language. I presume you believe that being born Jewish; that gives you leeway to engage in such language. Strange hatred you have.

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To Glenn Greenwald: Why do you keep engaging in slurs "Israel loyalists." You can make your same point/argument with the slur.

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Always interesting to read peoples’ language when talking about Israel, Israeli actions, Zionism and Jewish supporters of Israel. Rather than offer critiques to Israel’s actions - and the actions against Israel or refutations about the criticisms about Hamas, Hezbollah or Iran; quite a number engage in blatant antisemitism or use the smear phrases.

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The old disparagement: If the policy is one you don't like or agree with; it becomes "Israel First." Just possibly @Mhedirhasan; what RealDonaldTrump is doing what he believes is "America First." Maybe should discuss whether some disparagers are themselves not "America First"


OTHER MATTERS

When you see the Iranian missile fired at Israel: some hitting; many stopped. One sees the damage and casualties in Israel (with presumably much more to come.) Beyond the future Iranian nuclear threat; Imagine how things were and might have been when Iran’s funded, armed, trained and even-directed Lebanese proxy, Hezbollah had literally tens of thousands of missile just across the Israel’s Lebanese border targeted at Israel. If they hadn’t been destroyed; the casualty toll and damage in Israel. Thanks IDF. Thanks Iron Dome & David's Sling and the United States of Americ
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Responding to Susan Abulhawa Once again an example defamation, denigration and hatred. This from Susan Abulhawa (who I see has “blocked” me on twitter.) It’s an interesting phenomenon certain posters who are so “brave” in their advocacy against Israel; but hate to have people respond or comment critically to their posts. I’ve seen that from a few other “brave” denouncers of Israel. x.com/susanabulhawa/sta…

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@susanabulhawa (blocks me) ongoing vitriol "Zionist demons" "Israel is a disease." "Israel is a cancer" "these invented people without history or heritage" "this jewish supremacist death cult must be destroyed if humanity is to have any semblance of a moral future"

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But of course it's not. No country in the Middle East is freer than Israel. And many anti-Zionists care little about the "restrictions" on freedoms in Middle East countries. And to speak the obvious: Zionist Jews are totally in the fight for democracy in the United States

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RESPONDing to Cailtin Johnstone "There you go again!" "....Israel isn’t just exposing itself, it’s exposing its supporters. It’s showing us that we’re surrounded by psychopaths who think genocide is fine. Friends. Family members. Coworkers. They all have a big fat “I WOULD’VE SUPPORTED HITLER IN NAZI GERMANY” sign around their necks now..." I think it's pretty clear for whom such a sign would be far more appropriate.

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Talk about an inappropriate response! You are aware of how Hamas and Hezbllah and the Iranian regime (and others) feel about Israel. What do you think would happen to Israel if there was no @IDF ? (Put aside your "critique" of Israel. Do you think Israel would survive?

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You might add: “Israel hasn’t been calling for or working towards the elimination of Iran. Iran has been calling for and working for the eradication of Israel”

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If millions of Jews should be murdered; I have no doubt that the many haters in the West will just shrug their shoulders; a few may acknowledge they were wrong - and then move on to new issues. Just for most of them those new issues won't be concern for Palestinians or Iranians

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To Beinart You've obviously got the "gift of the gab" both written and spoken @PeterBeinar But sadly think you've become something of a caricature and an apologist. Twisting words and meaning. Defending so many. And not speaking out when it might mean offending those on "your side."

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Certainly can't deny that about half the World's Jews live in Israel. And that Israel is the one place that will assuredly take in any Jew who is fleeing persecution. And you can't even deny that for most Jews; Israel has special meaning for them. (Albeit maybe neither of you)
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And Antisemitism against those European Jews?? Treatment of Eastern European Jews as second-class citizens if even that. Discrimination against Jews across Europe. Just totally ignoring the migration of Jews in the early 19th century from the pogroms of Russia, Ukraine...

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No. But when a country repeatedly claims its goal and desire is to totally eradicate the Jewish State. And it clearly means it (if it can); perhaps Israel's right to be concerned?

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Responding to Ori Goldberg - That's a pretty disgusting comment and reveals more about you than many of your posts "have brought me into contact withe vile-yet-pathetic mindset of the "Pro-Israel" (read "cowardly and tenaciously racist") British Jew"

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What an idiotic, hateful, disgusting post. I would suggest that at least one of the sources of evil in the world - and there are sadly many sources of evil - but one of them are the rabid antisemites.

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Jun 15 Why not make this appeal to the armies and terrorists of Iran and the Houthis and Hamas...? You really don't understand what Israel is facing. Absolutely criticize certain Israel actions (as you of course do and have done). But ultimately without the IDF; there will be no Israel

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The true irony is that what would have prevented this war between Israel and Iran is if Iran hadn't been trying to develop nuclear weapons and calling for and working for the extermination of the Jewish State.

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When you see the Iranian missile fired at Israel: some hitting; many stopped. Imagine how things were and might have been when Hezbollah had literally tens of thousands of missile just across the Lebanese border targetted on Israel. Thanks @IDF Thanks Iron Dome & David's Sling

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If only th @UN had condemned Iranian calls for Israel's eradication...If only the

@UN had condemned Iran's arming, funding, training Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthi to attack Israel. If only the @UN had condemned Iranian back terror attacks on Jewish civilians and US forces

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Any chance spending a little time not criticizing Israel? Maybe spending a little bit more of your time focusing your criticisms on Iran, Yemen, Hamas etc/ (Just if you want to keep your focus on the Middle East.)?

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How better to protest Israel than to attack a Kosher grocery store...There's an always an excuse for Antisemitism

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Trita Parsi was of course the founder and long-time head of the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) @NIACouncil till he moved over to the newly-founded

@QuincyIns (Doesn't have that in his Twitter Bio!)

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Re Trita Parsi - Moving on from founding and heading the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) @NIACouncil to the then just-founded Quincy Institute @QuincyInst

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Who are these "Zionists all over social media" calling Iran's strikes on Israel "another Holocaust?" As for Israel and Israelis: Almost every-time you post; you show that Israel is completely rational in thinking people want to destroy the Jewish State.

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You are so ignorant and so hateful; it's pathetic. No one denies Iranian or Persian history...Or long Arab history and contributions to humanity. It's you who repeatedly denigrates and denies that Jews too have deep and millenia ties to this area

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Which would mean Israel living permanently under a “Sword of Damocles” from an Islam regime, religiously inspired and committed to the destruction of Israel and not certain MAD applies

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I think a fair number of people know exactly what Iran wants to do. And has threatened to do. And would do if they could. They just don't want other people to know!
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There you go again...Incessantly "Bad Israel. Bad Israel. Bad Israel." How about a thread from you just focused on "Bad Iran." Both for human rights; and in its ongoing hatred of Israel; calling for Israel's destruction and arming funding training Hamas, Hezbollah Houthi attacks

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Maybe "Stability and peace" will require accepting the state of Israel; and end efforts to destroy it. You don't want to live in Israel; that's fine. Your choice.

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Blocked by a true hater: Susan Abulhawa who is with as she characterizes Israel "Demonic Entity" and very free with her impugning of the loyalty of Americans whose view differ from hers @susanabulhawa

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Lot of fake videos and fake news posts. And then when the posts or videos are refuted; there's no apology or retraction. Just moving onto another fake video or fake claim. And then another. And then another. (Thank you @X for "Community Notes" - but of course most don't read..)

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What would have been your position regarding Israel's preemptive strike on the eve of the June 1967 "Six Day War?"

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Maybe I missed it; but time and time again; over the years there have been statements and post by Iranian officials including Iranian Presidents, Generals and @khamenei_ir calling for the destruction of Israel. And from various peace groups and human rights groups: Silence

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Might not like or agree with many of the comments out there; but that they would be said; was really very-predictable (and of course, dangerous). Both many of the people saying them; and what they're saying. A continuation of a certain age-old theme which seen before
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It's one thing to condemn Israel. But people freely throw around the word "genocide" - many doing so in the first 24 hours of October 7th (Some long before Oct 7th). Meanwhile all over social media are those urging the extermination of Israel - home of half the World's Jews.

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To Glenn Greenwald What an inane comment of someone who doesn't really know or understand Israel. "Israel...showed it accepts no moral or humanitarian limits...It's because they believe they are on a God-mandated crusade to re-shape the world"

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If Israel can; they should. A lot of the arguments from many (not all) on the right is that the United States should not be involved militarily; far more so than that Israel shouldnt act. (Obviously there are exceptions from the avowedly anti-Israel. But from broader it's US)

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What we NEED is an end to efforts to destroy Israel
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To Glenn Greenwald - You're displaying both your ignorance and hatred to suggest that the Shah of Iran's regime was in any way an "Israel puppet to rule" the people of Iran for 26 years.
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Voting is separate issue. But You know why there are fences and checkpoints? You know what led to these fences and checkpoints? You aware that for decades after 1967; these fences and checkpoints were not there? @mattgaetz

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Anyone who ever thought@KenRoth was a dispassionate Internal Law and Human Rights activity without a bias against Israel (maybe few thought that!) Just note Ken Roth's posts/reposts these past 72 hours. One after the other after the other

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To Ken Roth - But the very title of that @NYT piece you cite "Are Israel’s Airstrikes on Iran Within Legal Bounds?" includes "International law experts are divided." Anyway for Israel survival is key. As Charles Dickens' Mr. Bumble: "If the law supposes that," ...the law is a ass — a idiot"

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Roth - Looking for the Iraqi and Syrian nuclear weapon..

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If you ask Iranian officials - as have been asked in the past: Have you been involved in terrorism in Europe? Or terrorist attacks in the America and on Americans? or Jews? They deny it. So obviously because they deny it; means they didn't?

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Wonder how many people around the World will now die or suffer as a result … “Years of Work Down the Drain': Iranian Missile Tore Through Israel's Leading Science Institute-

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Alternatively: "The original sin" is that Iran - with a history of killing Americans was working towards a nuclear capability; calling for and working towards the destruction of Israel. And was arming, funding, training and promoting terrorism across the Middle East. Even Europe

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Of course democracy did come through war vis-a-vis Germany and Japan after World War II

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Perhaps haters of Israel would like to comment on Iran's repeated threats to eliminate the Jewish State. (which of course many of these Israel haters may share that goal.) Time after time after time; year after year Iranian leaders have been advocating Israel's extermination

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Basic rule of thumb I: There is no "Zionist conspiracy" accusation too wild. There is no antisemitic comment too great. And if you have Jewish heritage; there is no limit to the hatred you can express towards Israel and about Zionists. (To be continued!)

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Obviously something to be deplored and condemned @TimesOfIsrael "Muslim NY mayoral candidate reports receiving threats from anonymous caller ...

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Unacceptable: Obviously doesn't matter if the "target"/victim" is a pro-Israel Jewish Congressman or an anti-Israel Muslim Congressman - or any Congressman/woman regardless of race, religion, sex, party, ideology. Unacceptable. @J_Insider


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