Conversations With Naomi: David Appletree  # 1  

I find myself profoundly impacted by recent events and occurrences concerning the Jewish Internet Defense Force and its founder, David Appletree. Since knowing David, I've been witness to dramatic developments concerning the JIDF which would have caused any ordinary man to despair and surrender. But we are not discussing an ordinary man. We are talking about David Appletree.


How did we get so lucky as to have this guy in our midst? In my opinion, it is divine intervention. You may not all agree, but you will agree that inquiring minds want to know all there is to know about David Appletree.

Here is a little more insight into David, our modern day Jewish hero.

David: To me, loyalty means unwavering devotion to a friend, vow, or cause. If people are loyal to the things I'm loyal to (i.e. Jews, Israel, being against antisemitism and terrorism, etc.), then I expect them to generally be cool toward me, even if I might upset them from time to time. It's keeping your thoughts and your heart on "the big picture" and not losing site of it.

Naomi: During the recent voting for the #ShortyAwards for #Politics, people that I thought would support you did not. Some, in fact, spoke up against you and/or voted for your Hamas supporting opponent. Do you feel that you were betrayed and can you describe how you felt during that time?

David: I'm a little ashamed I went a little OCD during that contest. More than anything, I was upset that this Hamas sympathizer was doing so well, but ultimately? Good for them, let Israel and the Jewish people fully comprehend why we're not just losing a little Shorty Awards contest. Extreme leftist Jews like Daniel Sieradski voted for a Hamas sympathizer out of "spite" and called me repugnant names (even after I helped spread the word for people to daven for his grandmother, several weeks prior). Beyond that, there were people like Ahuva Berger (@ahoova) who wrongly felt that a vote for me meant they supported everything I was about, which was untrue. I felt that anyone remotely pro-Israel or who cares about the promotion of antisemitism or terrorism online should have voted for me and encouraged others to do the same, despite any personal issues they may have with me.

Ultimately, while the Shorty Awards are pretty insignificant in the grand scheme of things, I do feel what was played out can be viewed as a microcosm of why we, the Jewish people and Israel, are losing our wars, and why our history always repeats itself. Too many people who are supposed to be our friends are either busy aiding and abetting our enemies, trying to make our lives difficult, too apathetic to care, or too insecure about what people think of them to do the right thing. Between all that, we have some big problems on our hands.

  
Naomi: How do you cope with all the hatred and disrespect that is dumped on you?

David: With a sense of irony. Music also helps. 

Naomi: Can you please explain the purpose of your new list, "people hostile to Israel or Jews" and give the link?

David: It's a work in progress. I'd rather not give the link as it might change venues. I think it's important to keep a close eye on our enemies, to know who they are, learn how they think, and stay on top of their propaganda. I'm also creating it so that perhaps our people can see just how overwhelming the situation against us is right now, but I myself am getting overwhelmed in the process of putting it together. Even FriendFeed and Google Reader can't seem to keep up with the feeds of hostility against Jews and Israel. I've recently decided to focus upon the Jews who are hostile to Israel, instead.

Naomi: Which of the new left-wing 'pro-Israel' groups are the most dangerous to Israel's survival?

David: I personally don't like J Street and I don't like No Israel Fund a/k/a "New Israel Fund", but I don't think the mainstream Jewish establishment's views are that much far off from theirs. The only reason the mainstream is so against these organizations, is because they are trying to hold onto their own power. Because the JIDF is a right wing organization, we hardly represent as much of a threat to the mainstream. I personally don't see much of a difference between AIPAC and J-Street. I believe AIPAC is only concerned because it sees a threat to its power, and donations from its leftist supporters.

Naomi: Is there anything you'd want to ask those groups directly?

David: Beyond things like "what is wrong with you?" "You have a Jewish brain, why aren't you using it?" Not really.

Naomi: What, if anything, gives you hope about Israel and Jewish survival?

David: The knowledge that Moshiach will be arriving shortly.

Naomi: Thank you, David, and I wish you the best in your endeavors. It's been absolutely fabulous having you as my social media consultant. I look forward to our continued association.