The question starts around minute 48.
by Mike Kanarick & Yoram Samets
Shalom Alliance is deeply concerned by an incident at the July 9 South Burlington Democratic candidates forum in which Vermont State Senate candidate Joanna Grossman was publicly accused of being a leading supporter of genocide.
This statement is not an endorsement of Ms. Grossman or any other candidate. It is a defense of the basic standards of fairness, dignity, and civil discourse that should govern every public forum.
Candidates should expect to be questioned about their positions, records, and judgment. They should not be subjected to inflammatory personal accusations, particularly accusations that appear to be based on their Jewish identity, their connection to Israel, or their belief in Israel’s right to exist.
Accusing a Jewish candidate of supporting genocide is not a substitute for a serious policy question. It invokes one of the most inflammatory charges imaginable and places the candidate in the position of having to defend her fundamental character and humanity rather than explain her views. Disagreement with Israeli government policy is legitimate. Turning a Jewish person’s relationship with Israel or Zionism into evidence of complicity in genocide crosses a dangerous line.
Political forums must remain open to difficult questions and strong disagreement. At the same time, moderators and sponsoring organizations have a responsibility to prevent personal vilification, enforce standards of respectful discourse, and respond immediately when a participant is targeted because of identity or presumed beliefs.
We urge the South Burlington Democratic Committee and other organizations hosting candidate forums to establish clear expectations for audience questions, prepare moderators to recognize antisemitic and other discriminatory rhetoric, and intervene when legitimate political discussion becomes personal demonization.
Vermont’s political culture should make room for disagreement. It should not make room for the targeting or public shaming of Jewish candidates because of their connection to Israel. No candidate should be left to confront that alone.
Mike Kanarick, Yoram Samets
Shalom Alliance