Even before the openly anti-Semitic remarks of Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., forced Congress to adopt a vague anti-hate resolution in March, the case for America's Jews to leave the left and the Democratic Party was building. The rise of identity politics makes their run to the right and the Republicans sooner or later all but inevitable.
Identity politics puts America's Jews in a tight spot. Often misunderstood as mere tribalism – where each group gets to be part of its own racial or ethnic tribe – identity politics is about victimhood and oppression. The people belonging to victim groups get liberation, the full celebration of their identity and political rule. The people belonging to oppressor groups are not only denied an identity – they must perpetually atone for the sins of their ancestors.
In elevating victims, identity politics creates a hierarchy of victimhood where the highest status goes to those most aggrieved. This logic – applied to Jews – was at work when House Majority Whip James Clyburn, D-S.C., defended anti-Semitic comments by Rep. Omar.
