Dog WhistleNoun: a whistle used to train dogs, with a very high sound that humans cannot hear — Cambridge Dictionary.
Last month, I was present at a closed discussion in Washington with senior government officials, where a senior Democrat, known for supporting Israel, stated, "I don't understand what you want from Biden; he's giving you more time to fight than any other American president." The remark's casualness was startling, implying that they were merely "allowing" us to defend ourselves. Such impressive generosity. It was then that it hit me: The normalization of attempts to murder Jews is so ingrained that they think they are doing us a favor by allowing us to defend ourselves.
The initial "DON'T" issued by President Biden at the onset of the conflict, initially presumed to be aimed at Iran, was, in fact, a stark directive towards Israel: "Don't win, do as you are told." This dictates a new directive significantly deviated from the countries' historical alliance. This administration seems to take advantage of Israel's moments of distress to advance its own goals.
As the real intent of this message became clear, it effectively served as a dog whistle to those harboring anti-Semitic sentiments. This signal has been perceived as an open season on Israel, igniting a disturbing wave of anti-Semitic attacks across university campuses fueled by the perceived new U.S. stance regarding Israel. This troubling trend highlights a disturbing alignment: as the administration challenges Israel's sovereignty, it tacitly signals to anti-Semites that their time has come.
Mapped: Where pro-Palestinian student protesters have been arrested (orange dots)1
In the past few months, it has become evident that the Biden administration has implemented a calculated strategy to exert unprecedented pressure on Israel concerning its self-defense measures in Gaza. This strategy is not just a shift in diplomatic stance but is part of a broader, more concerning pattern:
Following Iran's aggressive missile attack on Israel, the U.S. explicitly forbade Israel from mounting a counter-strike, undermining its sovereign right to defend itself.
In hostage negotiations with Hamas, the U.S. pressured Israel, effectively siding with the demands of a recognized terrorist organization.
Restrictions were imposed on Israeli military operations in Rafah, mandating that Israel must allow supplies to reach Hamas, despite clear evidence that Hamas diverts civilian aid for military use.
Neglect of Israel in the UN Security Council: The U.S. has not used its veto power to shield Israel from unjust international criticisms and resolutions.
False War Crime Accusations: IDF units have been falsely and aggressively labeled as war criminals, damaging Israel’s global standing.
Unlawful Persecution of Settlers: There has been aggressive and often illegal pursuit of Israeli settlers, framed negatively in diplomatic communications.
ICC Prosecutions: Discussions are ongoing about allowing the International Criminal Court to prosecute Israeli officials, further threatening Israel's diplomatic security.
These actions collectively paint a disturbing picture: The Biden administration's policies is not mere diplomatic maneuvers, effectively it is normalize anti-Semitism and undermine Israel's sovereignty. By preventing Israel from addressing exi
stential threats, the U.S. endangers Jewish lives and fosters a climate that emboldens anti-Semitic attacks globally, as seen in the U.S. universities. But make no mistake—once the anti-Semitic genie is out of the bottle, it is almost impossible to contain it. Universities are just the beginning.