With repeated reports of pro-Palestinian rallies at schools and institutions, American Jews, particularly those in South Florida’s Jewish enclave, are buying weapons to feel safer.
Vicky Furer, a 48-year-old teacher, told Bloomberg this week that she and other members of her synagogue will be taking shooting classes at a firing range in Pompano Beach, just north of Fort Lauderdale.
“It’s scary holding this thing, thinking of how I will ever be able to shoot at someone,” Furer said about her firearm.
Many American Jews who have previously leaned to the “left” politically and appear to support gun regulation are altering their attitudes now that “antisemitism” is on the increase in response to Israel’s handling of the Gaza issue.
According to the most recent FBI statistics from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), the number of gun purchase-related criminal background checks in Florida jumped by 30% in October compared to September.
“This is the first time I really feel unsafe in the U.S.,” said Michele Lazarow, a Hallandale Beach city commissioner. “Maybe it’ll finally be when I get a firearm.”
According to one gun store owner in Hollywood, Florida, even Orthodox Jews have been buying record numbers of firearms, due to fears that they may be attacked inside of the United States.https://t.co/oChVEWC3RF
— DC, Last Legion, Infinity Redux (@DerektheCleric) October 23, 2023
Since Israel initiated its genocidal campaign in Gaza, there has been an increase in pro-Palestinian rallies at prestigious universities such as Harvard. These rallies are alleged to be frightening Jewish individuals who believe that opposing Israel’s political goal in the Middle East is “antisemitism.”
There have been a few accounts of Jewish students being harassed by demonstrators, including one who received a rock to the head during a rally on the Tulane University campus in New Orleans.
A 69-year-old man from Los Angeles died after getting a head injury after a scuffle with a pro-Palestinian demonstrator while rallying in support of Israel’s war.
🚨 Breaking: Pro-Palestinian protester kills elderly Jewish man in Los Angeles.
Those who protest calling for killing Jews actually kill Jews in their protest. Who would have believed that? 🤔
— Dr. Eli David (@DrEliDavid) November 7, 2023
Man goes on antisemitic rant at @Harvard University: “I think they're [Israelis] all dirty, dirty animals…They should be all exterminated, every single one of them—and their kids, their mothers, their children, everybody— just like Hitler did.” pic.twitter.com/XFp7nAjYmi
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) October 31, 2023
This is what Harvard University has come to, the targeting and physical harassment of Jews.
Not Zionists. Jews.
Shame on the administration for helping foster such nefarious antisemitism on campus.
And shame on every bystander who did nothing.
— Yoni Michanie (@YoniMichanie) November 1, 2023
A @Tulane Jewish student was hit in the head today by a pro Palestinian protestor and is now in the hospital.
Enough is enough! pic.twitter.com/3GBeWdhHpb
— Gila Stern (@gila_stern) October 26, 2023
Left-leaning Jewish folks who never thought they would own a gun are now realizing in Biden’s America – that the need for self-defense against crazies is crucial for survival.