Are Jews a Nation, a Family, or a Religious Community?
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Sunny Hostin says she’s not antisemitic. This open letter explains why many viewers disagree, and what she can do about it.
Dear Ms. Hostin,
As one of the hosts of The View, you have on more than one occasion complained about the mail you receive from people who call you antisemitic. I am one of the viewers who over the past few years has emailed the show several times to call out your offensive comments.
On June 18, after criticizing Israel you angrily told viewers not to send “hate mail” because you said that criticizing Israel and its government is not antisemitic. You are correct on that point; however, with you, there is more to the story.
During that episode you said that Israel preemptively struck Iran, but you failed to mention that Iran had launched missiles at Israel in April 2024 and October 2024. In addition, Iran’s proxies have been striking Israel for years.
When you frequently criticize Israel and do not criticize other countries, it is understandable that viewers accuse you of antisemitism. In fact, expecting of Israel a behavior not expected of any other country is part of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, adopted by 46 countries including the U.S.
On Oct. 9, 2023 on the first show after the Oct. 7 massacre, while the other hosts expressed their shock and sadness, your focus was already on the welfare of the Palestinians. With no compassion for the Israelis who were savagely tortured, beheaded, mutilated, burnt, raped, and kidnapped, you admonished Israel, saying that when it responds to the attack, it must adhere to international law.
In Nov. 2023, you equated the release of innocent Israeli hostages with the release of Palestinians who were held in prisons for attempted stabbings of Israelis.
Earlier this year when the remains of the two Bibas boys, kidnapped when they were 4 years old and 9 months old, were returned, you immediately pivoted the discussion from their heinous murder to the ICC arrest warrant issued for Prime Minister Netanyahu. Calling it “outrageous”, President Biden strongly condemned the ICC arrest warrant. Yet, you validated the warrant and seemingly implied that both Hamas and Israel were guilty parties.
In January 2024, you disagreed with Harvard’s firing of its president, Claudine Gay, who was unwilling to condemn calls for the genocide of Jews. I wonder if your reaction would have been the same if people were calling for the genocide of blacks, LGBTQ, or any other group of people you consistently advocate for.
On Jan. 6, 2025, you had the audacity to compare the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the capitol to the Holocaust.
Your antisemitic views are not surprising, given that you once stated that you get your news from sources including BBC and Al Jazeera, networks that have often been called out for inaccurate reporting and antisemitism.
If you reflect on all of your comments listed above, perhaps you can understand why you have received letters from people who label you antisemitic.
One of the main themes of The View is calling out prejudice and hatred. All of the hosts routinely identify and condemn misogyny, racism, and homophobia wherever they find it. Alyssa, Sara, and Joy speak out against antisemitism, as well. You, on the other hand, have a pattern of antisemitic comments that undermines the values that The View strives to impart to its audience.
Fortunately, I have some suggestions on how you can turn the tide and stop people from accusing you of antisemitism:
Quote these three statements made by a man whom you have paid tribute to many times on your show, a man who is revered for his fight against prejudice and hatred.
“Peace for Israel means security and that security must be a reality. We must stand with all of our might to protect its right to exist and its territorial integrity.”
“I see Israel, and never mind saying it, as one of the great outposts of democracy in the world, and a marvelous example of what can be done, how desert land can be transformed into an oasis of brotherhood and democracy.”
“When people criticize Zionists, they mean Jews. You’re talking antisemitism.”
The man who made these statements was Martin Luther King, Jr.
Indeed, one cannot help but wonder: If he were alive today, what would he think of your comments?
Beautifully said!!!
We all can - and should - participate in a letter writing (or email writing) campaign. It’s easy and doesn’t have to take a lot of time. When it comes to writing, usually less is more.
https://abc.com/feedback
I have been writing close to weekly for 2 years now. I hope that more will join.
Excellent letter. Was it sent directly to The View?
Interestingly, enough, Sunny Hostin has some Jewish background which was not addressed when she appeared on the program Who Do You Think You Are, with Henry Gates.
I wrote a letter to the View expressing the same sentiments. Sonny, if you spot it, you got it.
A suggestion to Marjorie Davis, the author.
Use the phrase "Jew-hatred" and drop the use of the term “antisemitism,” which has been criticized for its vagueness.
"Antisemitism" was coined in 19th-century Germany to mask outright Jew-hatred with pseudo-scientific language, making it sound more palatable.
Call it what it is. Be honest, be direct, especially when the situation is unpleasant or challenging. Avoid using euphemisms or sugarcoating; instead, call things what they are. Using "Jew-hatred" strips away that veneer and confronts the issue head-on, emphasizing the raw hostility directed specifically at Jews.
Well said. "The View" is a horrible show. I can't comprehend why anyone would watch such a disgusting show. I SUPPORT ISRAEL!!
Excellent letter! The View should be taken off the air!
These are some of the reasons I stopped watching the show years ago!!!
Perfectly said, unfortunately it will fall on deaf ears. She certainly does not care and probably loves her powerful platform. If corporate is not holding her accountable then she will continue to double down. One can condemn the government, its policies and its practices but you can't hate the people and perpetuate the hate towards the people. If that's her position then she's no better than any other radical thinker.
Excellent. Thank you.
Fantastic response. If they had any nerve, they would have you on the show. I hope your letter gets to her.
you should send it to her bosses she needs to be fired as well as whoopi
Excellent article. Thank you!!
Excellent letter.
Pathetic bigoted small brain, this big mouthed Sunny.
But technically, not an anti-Semite. She can find consolation for her worthless positions in that.
She's a Jew-Hater.
Semites are Arabs too. She loves those. And Persians. But she only hates Jews, and by extension, Israel.
Today it is widely acknowledged that anti-Israelism is equivalent to Jew hatred.
As a reader stated earlier, the term antisemitism was coined to refer to Jews, not any other Semitic group.
It is obvious to me Sunny used to love to throw around that she had a Jewish Grandfather (when it could be thought of as cool ). We've been here before. Remember Torquemada? Either those with some ancestry or those desperate to assimilate, the worst!
Hitler would have had two reasons to kill her. She should realize that fact.
For the time being, anti-Semites chafe at being outed as anti-Semites. That will probably change.
I do NOT watch The View - for reasons such as their antisemitic, anti-COMMON SENSE views, which are many. Should have been cancelled some time ago, in my humble opinion....
Yes...repeatedly Sunni Hostin has labeled Israel's defense activities as not "proportional," a term used from the start by the BBC and Al Jazeera....which,
by the way are the primary channels available while I was in Madrid...
Shortly after October 7th, Sunni invited the mother of her son's Palestinian
friend....to complain about harassment of her son.
There was never a time afterwards about the Jewish Students at the various
universities facing terrible abuse by Pro Palis.
Only Alyssa (of part Arabic heritage) and Sarah are very balanced and supportive
of the hostages...they have to tread lightly.
Whoopi is just not qualified....excuses the abuse of Israeli citizens by comparing what Blacks have gone through.
There is no use with Sunni....a narcissist cannot be helped.
GREAT!
When I tape The View for years I have ignored anything this woman says. Her hate for Eretz goes back years. I am also avoiding what Whoopie says. Only the two youngsters wear the yellow ribbon. Have you noticed who has not been a "guest" on The View? Michael Rapaport for one. Or Ben Shapiro? etc. etc. etc. How about the actors from the Israeli TV programs Prisoners of War and Fauda. And Joy has, at times, been obnoxious. Please continue to say Tehillim for Our Hostages and Our Israeli Soldiers.
I agree and Joy, who I'd always liked, I've been greatly disappointed in this year for essentially staying silent .
I agree wholeheartedly with this article. I watch the View and cringe when Sunny talks about Israel an d seems only recognize Black and Hispanic issues. Sunny's arguments are very dismissive of her co-hosts.
It is not enough to speak of Israel's right to defend itself; Israel has the DUTY to defend itself and its populace!!!
This is an excellent piece. It points out the problem with her comments in a logical, non-hateful manner.
Yes, very commendable – and in direct contrast to the obvious bigotry of the hostess who is in dire need of proper decorum!
Well written.How does this show still exist.It hasn’t been my view for many years.
Thank you!! Sunny and Whoopi are AWFUL!!!
I can’t stand the show. I haven’t watched it in years. Thanks for a great letter. You’re right on target.
I feel the same! I can’t stand the show and haven’t watched it for years! I think they try to say awful things so that it gets to people talking about them.
Except - this show has for years been so left-leaning as to question if there is any other opinion allowed. Just why the American Left embraces the so-called "Palestinians," dismiss obvious gaps in logic, like supporting the ONLY country in the Middle East that mirrors Western morality, stands for principles that support democracy is beyond me...but then I believe that entity is rife with anti-American attitudes as well. My own take is that any attitude that is against Israel's right to defend itself is so WRONG as to be painfully obvious, and this one, in my opinion, has effectively lost any right to call itself true journalism.
Thank you so much for your very valid comments on who and what Ms. Hostin truly is. Unfortunately antisemitism is rampant now and much more visible than it ever was. It's very troubling times in our world today with all the hate that exists. I guess the one thing we have to be thankful for is that we can clearly identify those that are antisemitic by their actions, what they say and what they don't actually say. Thank you again for sharing your comments.
Thanks for your well written and articulated letter. However, I don't think ms. hostin will take your advice.
Barbara Walters would be disgraced with Ms. hostin and would have fired her immediately. By the way, she would also be upset with all the hosts. When the show started there were hosts of different ages and opinions. Now they all have the same disgusting opinions. The shoes should go off the air !
I stopped watching when Barbara left. The few times I've watched it since then were more like episodes of Jerry Springer! Never again!!
Beautifully articulated and spot-on accurate all the way through. A must read for those of us who watch and cringe every time Ms. Hostin, esq (she reminds us of her legal expertise every chance she gets) refers to the Middle East with such snide contempt for Israel, Israelis and Jews with the disclaimer, "but my grandfather was Jewish" as if that gives her permission to malign so viciously the victims of Hamas' atrocities.
Sunny Hostin and all those women on the View are haters! They never have a kind word to say. The show should be taken off the air and they all should be fired! A disgrace!
I agree, it went downhill since Barbara Walters left the show
This article is spot-on correct!! Well researched and well written. I applaud Marjorie Davis for her article.
P.S. I am not Jewish but support Israel in all that she does!!
Same here. One does not have to be a member of the tribe to see the innate morality of another groups' survival - esp. the Jews...!
great article!!! wonderfully written.
I agree 100% with this article. She doesn’t even try to hide or minimize her “views”. Then she goes happily and smilingly on her way to the shopping segment. I laugh when she throws out how one of her grandparents was Jewish as if that gives her a pass to be antisemitic. I cringe whenever she purses her lips and starts to speak. Very infrequently some of the other hosts (Sarah, Joy) call her out, but not often enough. I believe she should be removed. When Whoopi made antisemitic stupid remark that “the Holocaust was not about race”, she was temporarily suspended from the show. Why not Hostin?
Answering your ending question: Because in the upside down world of enterprise media and, anti-Semitism pays too well, and like all Hollywood types, the greater the external validations, the greater the ratings, applause, and greater the pay.
If the woman's grandfather was Jewish (which I doubt), has she enough "Jewish blood" to be targeted in a progrom? In a lot of minds, yes. (Maybe Whoopi too, though I don't actually believe that either l (I think she pulled the same stunt as George Santos).
Excellent - well researched and well written.
Well done!
I stopped taping and watching the show mainly because of Sunny.
The View just continues to allow half truths, bias, propaganda, rhetoric and outright falsehoods from this useful idiot with a megaphone, and Whoopie Goldberg who appropriated a Jewish name to further her own success. Thank you for writing this.
It is about time they should take off the View from TV, the irony is a respected Jewish journalist started the show Barbara Walters, and now it is anti Jewish and anti Israel, if she was a live she would be upset about how anti Jews and anti Israel the show is
Beautifully said!
Excellent article!
Thank you for writing this…hope she will read it!! I have been saying all these things about Sunny Hostin and stopped watching the view mainly (but not only) because of her anti semetic rhetoric. Thank you! Thank you!!
I don't know how this show has not been forced off the air at this point! Its become so distributing!
The thing Whoooi Goldberg said that " Holocaust wasnt about race" when thats exactly what Hitler said! Yes they suspended her but she went right back on and no one cared!
No one else would be allowed to express so much hatred and ridicule towards who disagrees with them!
How do you know if she can read? We don't actually know that she's a lawyer anymore than Claudine Gay is a PhD.
This antiJewish and antiIsrael character is called Sunny, she should be called dark clouds, because she brings hate of Jews and Israel to the audience, if she really had a Jewish grandparent, if there would be a Holocaust she would of been send to the concentration camp and also the gas chamber, because Hitler( may his name be erased) and Nazis( may their name be erased) put anyone with any Jewish blood in concentration camps and in gas chambers, she sounds anti Jewish and anti Israel to me also Bernie Sanders and George Soros sound anti Hewish and anti Israel to me too, and they are Jewish in name only
Such a brilliant article! Come visit when in Israel.. I'll give you a free tour.
Excellent. Thank you
Please please forward her and ABC network this letter!!!!
The letter needs to go to Disney. But the show makes far too much money for Disney (who owns ABC).
Yes, imagine if Mamdani advocated "Global Black Intifada" or "Global Chinese Intifada" ("Kill all blacks on the planet" or "Kill all Chinese on the planet"). Of course, he would be taken off the ticket. He would probably be jailed or deported.
And did you see the video of his loony assistant with that heroic cop? My first thought was, someone was absent in 2nd grade when the class was learning about respecting private space...
Honestly, how can a country survive when it allows shreiking hyenas like that to shame and bully our glorious cops? That man would put his life on the line to protect her!
I don't understand it. Are there no laws saying you're not allowed to do that to a cop?
I don't understand it.
I didn’t see the incident you mention. While one may not touch a police officer or interrupt them when performing their duties, we do have the right to criticize and even to be rude. It’s our First Amendment right of free speech.
I agree with you
Mamdani(may his name be erased) is a Muslim socialist, in reality with socialism/ communism they don't believe in religion, also he was from India and then went to Uganda, if you think his bad his dad is even worst and a professor or something in a colleges, can't someone deport the father and son, there is a back lash against him by not only Jews, people are worried that women will gphave to wear hijabs( the way Muslim women cover their hair) and it could become like Europe where there is already Sharia Law( Muslim Laws) instead of the host countries Laws, in some European countries there is no go zones, even the police are scared to go there because it is full of Muslims that are out of control, I hope this won't come to America, London has a Muslim mayor and it is a nightmare
Agreed, but I hate it when people say they believe that Israeli has the right to exist. It is as if it is up for debate. Whenever you say it, it is as if you are acknowledging that there is an equally valid view that Israel has no right to exist. For what other established country is that even a question?
Great point, thank you!
You are absolutely right