Gaza war deepens divisions of ideological and generational blocs in the US

Competing positions, debates Zionism and anti-Semitismand it collapses on you Freedom of expression or for him The unwavering support of the White House Joe Biden with Israel They have been in military operations for months challenging campus University students, streets, restaurants and other businesses and power scenarios in the country. AND 10 months before the presidential electionseverything We are already embroiled in deep cultural wars What Republicans have made central to their political modus operandi.

Republican bloc and Democratic split

Although just over 25% of them 7.5 million American Jews People who identify as Republicans, according to Pew Center data conservative party since October 7 Israel defended its cause with almost no cracks. From the same Republican leaders who point out George Soros within the “great change” conspiracy theory that is tolerant and more Neo-Nazi movements and figures, most coming now strong complaint messages regarding alleged widespread anti-Semitism United States of Americawhere anti-semitic incidentsbut these Islamophobia.

Inside democratic partyMeanwhile, despite maintaining extreme sensitivity to the interests of the Jewish community and overwhelming support for Israel’s right to defend itself, voices disagree. As the humanitarian and humanitarian tragedy in Gaza worsened from the first moment, progressive wing rather, it reflects positions that divide their base. And especially among them youth and minorities those who have shown Evolution with reference to the Palestinian causemore intensely penetrated by ideas racial and social justice attracted attention in protest movements after his murder. george floydand in a will Be able to criticize and condemn Israel’s most questionable actions.

These divisions were reflected in several important events in Congress. In November, 22 Democrats joined Republicans to pass a bill. Decision to condemn Rashida Tlaib, The only congressman of Palestinian descent accused him of “promoting false narratives” about Hamas attacks and “calling for the destruction of the State of Israel” for using the slogan “from river to sea“. And the following month, when the Republicans made a presentation Decision equating anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism, The resolution was approved with 311 votes in favor, 95 of which came from Democrats. But 13 people (and one Republican) voted against it and 92 Democrats abstainedOthers, including prominent Jews such as Jamie Raskin and Jerry Nadler, reminded that “it’s very simple: not all anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism.”

More than fighting antisemitism

As the lines between free speech, censorship, and hate speech blur, Republicans are looking for opportunities to redirect debates and divisions into the realm of hate speech. culture wars Nothing exemplifies this strategy and timing like this week’s resignation of Harvard Chancellor Claudine Gay.

He was one of three presidents of prestigious Ivy League universities, along with Penn and MIT, and testified before the House Education Committee on Dec. 5 at a hearing held in response to accusations of widespread antisemitism. Pro-Palestinian protests It has been on their campus since October 7th. That look they offer legal answers and they refrained from outright condemning the hypothetical calls. Jewish HolocaustThis is a fiasco.

Both Gay and Penn’s chancellor, Liz Maguill, later apologized. The latter, already under criticism for organizing a Palestinian literature conference in September, resigned just four days later. Political pressures and big donors He decided to withdraw funds vital to the university’s $30 billion budget.

These pressures also arose in the following situations: Harvard (50 billion budget) and its rector. Although he initially maintained the support of the company running the university and a significant portion of the faculty, a campaign was launched from the right to expose this situation. plagiarism sections in his academic studies. And this Tuesday, Gay, Harvard’s first black president and the daughter of immigrants from Haiti, announced her resignation.

Race, gender and identity

What many see in what is happening is that it has gone far beyond a determined fight against anti-Semitism and has clearly engaged the right in open warfare on social issues. race, gender and identityespecially since authority donald trump.

From conflicts in states and schools, national republican campaign against higher education, Where conservatives accuse universities, especially elite ones, of being intolerant of their own voices, of incubating the so-called radical left, and of being overly concerned with issues of race and identity.

We celebrate Gay’s resignation Elise Stefanik, The extreme Republican congressman who was the protagonist in the interrogation of the rectors left no doubt about the target. “This just the beginning reveal decay “At our ‘most prestigious’ institutions of higher education,” the New York representative said this week. university system “fundamentally broken and corrupt” not only because of anti-Semitism, but also Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI for English abbreviation). Conservative activist Christopher Rufo, who helped make Gay’s plagiarism accusations public, also celebrated: “This is the beginning of the end of DEI in US institutions.”

Now it’s reaching to worry Why is Congress getting involved in the issues? academic freedom and other university subjects. Gay also wrote a column in ‘The New York Times’ the day after his resignation and warned that what happened in his case was “part of a larger war” and that what was being attempted was “It erodes citizens’ trust in one of the pillars of society United States of America”.