Women wear face masks as they join hundreds of members of the Orthodox Jewish community attending the funeral for a rabbi who died from the coronavirus in New York City. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) published a report on April 29 highlighting efforts on social media to scapegoat Charedi and Orthodox Jewish communities for the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report explains there are Facebook comments accusing all Charedi and Orthodox Jews of disregarding social distancing measures and spreading the virus. There are also posts calling for Charedi and Orthodox communities to be isolated from everybody else.
A Facebook comment cited in the report states, “They [Charedi and Orthodox Jews] don’t really give a damn about anyone but themselves, and it is time to forcibly contain these people.”
Other posts advocate for Charedi and Orthodox Jews to be denied medical treatment; the report cites a Facebook comment that reads, “Why are we wasting tests and medical supplies on a community that refuses to follow the rules??” Some posts called for “law enforcement officials to use water hoses and tear gas to stop Haredi and Orthodox community members from gathering,” according to the report, as well as compare Charedi and Orthodox rabbis to Adolf Hitler.
The report states that such posts can be found in “mainstream community Facebook groups that purport to discuss public policy issues, but instead quickly morph into forums that enable Jew hatred, both veiled and overt.” Politicians also participate in these forums and don’t condemn these anti-Semitic comments, thus enabling the anti-Semitism to continue, according to the report.
The report acknowledges that although some members of the Charedi and Orthodox communities have flaunted social distancing measures, most have been following these measures.
“These aberrations are not unique to the Haredi or Orthodox communities,” the report states. “Nevertheless, and as too often is the case, the bad acts of a few have been widely attributed to an entire community — leading many to conclude that the Orthodox community as a whole is collectively failing to adhere to public health directives and is therefore responsible for recklessly or even intentionally attempting to spread COVID-19 — an untrue and alarming allegation reminiscent of age-old anti-Semitic tropes blaming Jews for spreading filth and plague.”
The report comes after New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted in response to a large funeral gathering for a rabbi that died of COVID-19 complications, “My message to the Jewish community, and all communities, is this simple: the time for warnings has passed. I have instructed the NYPD to proceed immediately to summons or even arrest those who gather in large groups.” Videos of the funeral procession showed thousands of people not following social distancing guidelines.
Several Jewish groups and leaders have condemned de Blasio’s remarks, arguing that he unfairly singled out the Jewish community. However, two Chasidic synagogues issued letters on April 30 defending de Blasio from accusations of anti-Semitism.
“The close relationship between Mr. De Blasio and our community go back close to two decades, during which time we have come to know, respect and appreciate his understanding and sensitivity to the unique needs of our community,” Yetev Lev D’Satmar President Mayer Rispler wrote. “We consider him a dear friend and pray for his success.”
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