Was There A Rush To Judgement In Flag Incident?
To the Editor:
In the wake of the recent incident involving the cutting down of an Israeli flag being displayed on a private residential property in Sandy Hook, it’s crucial to examine what does and does not constitute an act of antisemitism and the commission of a hate crime.
Central to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism (which is used by the US State Dept) is applying double standards requiring Israel to behave in ways not expected or demanded of any other nation. Criticizing the state of Israel and its political leadership is not antisemitic, unless doing so involves the use of flagrant double standards, perpetrating antisemitic conspiracy myths, or demonizing the Jewish people.
One example: It’s acceptable to accuse Israel of human rights violations. But it’s unacceptable (and hypocritical) to single out Israel while refusing to point out far worse human rights abuses in countries including Syria, Iran, North Korea, and China.
Another example: It’s acceptable to defend campus speech that may be hurtful to Jews. But it’s unacceptable (and hypocritical) for colleges and universities that have spent the last decade dedicating themselves to the construction of “safe spaces” and strict censorship of speech that can be construed as racist, misogynist, homophobic or transphobic to suddenly discover the virtue of free expression when it comes to antisemitic speech.
By definition, a hate crime is motivated by prejudice against a group based on their ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or similar grounds — and typically involves violence. Sarah Stofko appears to be guilty of trespassing, vandalism, and destruction of private property (all against the law) and of holding wrongheaded political views (which isn’t).
I applaud First Selectman Jeff Capeci and Chief of Police David Kullgren for recognizing the danger posed by antisemitism. There is no excuse or rationale for harassing, intimidating, threatening Jews or vandalizing Jewish institutions, Jewish-owned businesses or the homes of Jews.
But in charging Sarah Stofko with a hate crime potentially punishable by three years of imprisonment, it’s reasonable to ask if there’s been a rush to judgement in which the authorities, like antisemites, have relied on double standards.
If Sarah Stofko had instead cut down the American flag instead of the Israeli flag, would that have been a “hate crime”? If they cut down a Palestinian flag, a Ukrainian flag, or a Russian flag would that constitute a “hate crime?” It’s unlikely — unless it could be readily shown that the vandalizer was also harassing, intimidating, threatening, or attacking people of Russian, Ukrainian or Palestinian origin.
In these tumultuous times, we will all be better off if cooler heads prevail — which includes the ability to distinguish between actions that are motivated by hate vs actions that are merely reprehensible.
Arnie Berman
Sandy Hook
No rush to judgement here. Crimes have been charged. The courts will determine. That’s how it works in America.
Mr Berman is correct, we need to be careful accusing someone before we know the facts.That’s especially true in cases like this, with such a public conversation. Antisemitism is not to be tolerated, disagreements over policy or politics are different. Having said this I want to be clear that in my opinion the attack on israel was a war crime, yet I also pray for a cease in Gaza and in Israel. Let’s figure out a way to peace, especially at this time of Year.
I must disagree strongly with the assertions that this does not merit hate crime charges. The extreme positions against Israel, are entirely without parallel in the world. The one sided reductionist propaganda that this horrid individual was obviously influenced by are rooted in anti-Jew hate coming from Arab countries whose goal is both the annihilation of Jews and destruction of liberal democracy everywhere. While this individual might claim to not have been personally motivated by hate, her actions were in lock step with movements who are. She took hateful action from a position of extreme ignorance, she’s a pawn, but a stupid and dangerous pawn (best case). I am extremely grateful to the NPD and people who supported her arrest. Hateful action must not be excused, from any quarter. Lock her up!
Its funny, I didn’t see any similar Letters to the Editor cautioning against a “rush to judgement” when the Progress Pride Flag was torn down from the front of Trinity Church. However, this Letter urges us to disregard the vandalism of an Isreali flag less than two months after the hideous terrorist attack on Israel and the outpouring of anti-Jewish sentiment across this country and other parts of the world.
Also, the author’s definition of what constitutes a hate crime is flawed. As noted by the Department of Justice’s website, a hate crime is a crime that is committed on the basis of the victim’s perceived characteristic, including, among other things, their religion. The crime need not include an act of physical violence, it may also include arson, vandalism, and threats, to name but a few.
Perhaps we should just call a spade a spade – this was an intentional, criminal act that was directed at an individual/group of individuals because of their religion.
Everybody knows which way the wind blows here in Newtown. Nuff said.