It is impossible to understand how anyone at this point can defend Richard Silverstein from charges of racism.
To quickly recap:
Five days ago, Silverstein posted the following on his Facebook and Twitter accounts, referring to a young black Zionist named Chloe Valdary who had published an op-ed at Times of Israel critical of Judith Butler.
They finally did it: found a Negro Zionist: Uncle Tom is dancin’ for joy! http://t.co/O6Yx2WvOal ^rs
— Tikun Olam (@richards1052) February 22, 2014
Not only did Silverstein fail to apologize for, in effect, accusing Valdary of betraying her race by supporting Israel, he actually defended it in the following Tweet.
@lukobe Thinking the term “Negro” or “Uncle Tom” is racist is just plain dumb. It betrays yr own right-wing political prejudices.
— Tikun Olam (@richards1052) February 23, 2014
Then, after Valdary penned an essay at Times of Israel responding to Silverstein’s vile comments, they engaged each other on Twitter – a series of exchanges which include this Tweet today:
@cvaldary accused me of implying she’s “house slave,” which is pretty much what she is in relation 2 Israel Lobby except she’s paid.
— Tikun Olam (@richards1052) February 27, 2014
So, Silverstein, a Comment is Free contributor, has now called Valdary a ‘Negro Uncle Tom’ and a ‘House Slave’!
This blog has previously exposed Silverstein’s defense of Hamas, his suggestion that Israel behaves like Nazi Germany (and, of course, his faux scoops), but after his latest racist outburst is there really anyone who can honestly claim that the Seattle-based Jewish blogger represents anything resembling liberal values?
Related articles
- Source of 2012 BBC story on faux Israel briefing document in racist Tweet row (BBC Watch)
- Richard Silverstein (Israellycool)
- Richard Silverstein and the New York Times (CAMERA)