Women’s March leader Linda Sarsour issued a statement apologizing to Jews on Tuesday after she and other Women’s March leaders have been criticized for anti-Semitism.
Sarsour began the statement by saying that the Women’s March aims to combat all types of bigotry, which includes anti-Semitism.
“It’s become clear, amidst this media storm, that our values and our message have — too often— been lost,” Sarsour said in the statement. “That loss caused a lot of harm, and a lot pain. We should have been faster and clearer in helping people understand our values and our commitment to fighting anti-Semitism. We regret that.”
Sarsour added, “Every member of our movement matters to us — including our incredible Jewish and LGBTQ members. We are deeply sorry for the harm we have caused, but we see you, we love you, and we are fighting with you.”
Sarsour concluded by saying that the Women’s March is looking to forge better relationships with the Jewish community.
However, not everyone was satisfied with Sarsour’s apology:
Am I crazy or is this apology missing:
1. Any promise of significant change in how the Women's March will relate to anti-Semitism (much less fight it)
2. A repudiation of past anti-Semitic behavior
3. An actual, substantive apology https://t.co/NpBVQ5TlL4— Seffi Kogen (@seffikogen) November 21, 2018
I'm not fooled by @lsarsour "apology"- where is apology for supporting King Jew Hater @LouisFarrakhan, or terrorist Rasmea Odeh who murdered 2 innocent people in Jerusalem? Still waiting for mea culpa on those. https://t.co/wZ75pWjUOj
— Dov Hikind (@HikindDov) November 21, 2018
Lol if there’s ever a Museum of Non-Apology Apologies this should have its own floor. Just cut ties with her already, Jesus Christmas what a hateful person pic.twitter.com/XXyqnq66nc
— Seth Mandel (@SethAMandel) November 21, 2018
Amanda Berman, founder and president of the Zioness Movement, told the Journal in a statement, “Linda cannot say she wants to deepen her relationship with the Jewish community while simultaneously praising and admiring one of America’s most virulent and influential anti-Semites.”
“Zioness exists because our community needs real leaders who will not demand that we abandon our identities and principles in order to be welcomed in the progressive spaces that our forbearers courageously founded and led,” Berman added. “The Jewish community would not accept a self-proclaimed ‘feminist leader’ who praised David Duke and we will not accept one who praises Louis Farrakhan.”
The Progressive Zionists of the California Democratic Party said in a statement to the Journal that they were “unmoved” by Sarsour’s statement.
“Nothing in their statement or in Linda Sarsour’s personal post indicate they understand why their actions have been so harmful and alienating to the Jewish community or how they plan on rectifying it,” the statement read. “These are the basic components of a good apology. As much is on the line with this administration, we need leadership that can navigate the challenges of and build a truly intersectional movement — not reflexively attack or dehumanize those who offer good faith criticism, or who offer perspectives different from theirs.”
The Times of Israel notes that Sarsour had issued an apology on Monday as well, although she said that criticisms of her and the Women’s March were simply a deflection from white supremacy.
Sarsour and the Women’s March have been criticized for their ties to notorious anti-Semite Louis Farrakhan; Sarsour herself has accused Israel supporters of dual loyalty and reportedly said that Israelis shouldn’t be “humanized.”
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