Anti-Capitalism and Anti-Semitism

Matthew Yglesias makes a peculiar insinuation :

Not to get too sucked into the weeds of nonsense, but with this effort to gin up the idea that Occupy Wall Street is somehow shot-through with anti-semitism, and American media industry that’s full of Jewish people is once again somehow losing sight of the fact that Jewish Americans are incredibly left-wing. Everyone knows this.

I’m not sure where Yglesias gets the idea that there is no correlation between being left wing and being anti-semitic. The brand of leftism on display at Occupy Wall Street is anti-capitalist and at the core of anti-Semitism is a mistrust of capitalism and a fear of economic liberty. In studying anti-Semitism between the years 500 and 1306, Will Durant identified an undercurrent that parallels what we see today: “The main sources [of antisemitism] have ever been economic, but religious differences have given edge and cover to economic rivalries.” ( Story of Civilization Vol. IV: The Age of Faith )

I’m not agreeing with the claim that “Occupy Wall Street is somehow shot-through with anti-Semitism.” The movement seems incapable of rallying around any idea, much less one as nefarious as anti-Semitism. But let’s not be naive. Wherever you find a group that is railing against capitalism, it won’t be long before you attract types who want to blame Jews .

See also: The Jews Occupying Wall Street