There are more consequences in the game of hockey than there are on the streets of some American cities.
In New York City, Todd Richman, chair of the Democratic Majority for Israel, walks on Oct. 7, 2024, wearing a “Run For Their Lives” T-shirt. This is the group that meets weekly to raise awareness of the hostages. We have reported extensively on the group here in Denver; Boulder and Albuquerque have ones too. These are the most heartfelt, humanitarian people. The movement is non-political. Richman obviously is political, but the “protesters” — i.e., masked thugs — who verbally and physically assaulted him didn’t know that. They saw a man advocating for hostages holding an Israel flag. And they attacked, drawing blood. In hockey, that’s a double minor — four minutes in the penalty box.
In New York City in 2024, the thugs who drew blood are not only free to go, they continue their verbal assault calling Richman the “agitator.”
Anyone wonder why some Jews no longer feel safe?
Anyone still doesn’t get it on anti-Semitism?
If you’re confused on what or who to believe when it comes to the Israel-Hamas war, I have two tips:
First, a quick rule of thumb:
If someone marked Oct. 7 as a year since Israel’s “genocide” against Palestinians, that person is a bad faith actor. Full stop. Regardless of what ensued post Oct. 7, 2023, on that fateful day, Hamas invaded Israel, purposely targeting civilians, murdering whole families and taking 252 civilians hostage. There was no major military response on Oct. 7, which is why so many civilians lost their lives — they protected their loved ones by falling on grenades and literally taking bullets for them.
Anti-Israel activists on Oct. 7, 2024 not only distort history, but by their actions celebrate brutality and war crimes. Anti-Israel activists in Cherry Creek North, LoDo, DU and CU who march on Oct. 7 are liars. I dislike using such a blunt word, but it’s the correct one.
Second, watch a 12-minute video from Konstantin Kisin entitled “Why I’m Off the Fence About Israel’s War” (via X). The British libertarian satirist is originally from Russia. I’ve always found Russia (or Soviet) defectors incisive socio-political analysts. As a free-speech proponent, Kisin bluntly goes through the arguments, drawing on conversations he’s had over the past year with pro- and anti-Israel activists.
Having listened to the arguments of both sides over the last year, I’m no longer on the fence about Israel’s war. Here is why: pic.twitter.com/a3htcoMkcH
— Konstantin Kisin (@KonstantinKisin) October 7, 2024
Even if the video doesn’t fully convince you of the morality of Israel’s side, if you are a truth-seeker rather than a cause-of-the-month propagandist or, worse, anti-Semitic, Kisin’s video will make you question some of the anti-Israel narrative you’ve been tacitly consuming.
Shana Goldberg may be reached at shana@ijn.com
© IJN 2024
