All Criticism Can't Be Anti-Semitic, Right?

In our journey to understand the Palestinian-Israeli situation, we've used analogies, historical contexts, and simplified narratives. Today, let's address a prevalent tactic used to silence critics of Israel's policies: labeling any criticism as "antisemitism."

Understanding Antisemitism

First, let's be clear about what antisemitism is. Antisemitism is prejudice, hatred of, or discrimination against Jews as a religious, ethnic, or racial group. It's a vile form of bigotry that has led to countless atrocities against the Jewish community, including the Holocaust.

Criticism ≠ Antisemitism

However, criticizing a nation's policies, actions, or political strategies doesn't equate to hating its people or their religion. Just as criticizing U.S. foreign policy doesn't make one anti-American, or questioning China's human rights record doesn't make one anti-Chinese, critiquing Israel's treatment of Palestinians doesn't automatically make one anti-Semitic.

The Gaslighting Tactic

Gaslighting is a manipulative tactic where someone tries to make you doubt your reality, perceptions, or feelings. By labeling any criticism of Israel's policies as "antisemitism," there's an attempt to shift the narrative, making the critic question their motives and intentions. It's a diversion, steering the conversation away from the actual issues at hand.

Why This Tactic is Harmful

1. Dilutes Genuine Antisemitism: By labeling every critic as anti-Semitic, the term loses its weight. Real instances of antisemitism might get overlooked or dismissed.
2. Suppresses Genuine Concerns: Many who criticize Israel's policies do so out of genuine concern for human rights and international law. Dismissing these concerns as mere bigotry is unjust.
3. Creates a Barrier to Dialogue: Constructive dialogue is essential for resolution. If one side continually feels silenced or misrepresented, meaningful conversations become challenging.

How to Combat This Tactic

1. Educate Yourself: Understand the difference between antisemitism and legitimate criticism. The more informed you are, the harder it is for someone to gaslight you.
2. Stay Calm and Focused: When faced with accusations of antisemitism, reiterate your stance calmly. Emphasize that your concerns are based on human rights and international law, not on prejudice against a particular group.
3. Seek Constructive Dialogue: Engage in conversations with those willing to listen. Avoid getting trapped in circular arguments that divert from the main issues.

Ask The Important Questions

To dismantle such blanket accusations, here are some questions you can ask accusers of antisemitism:

1. Can you explain what antisemitism is?

   • This question prompts the accuser to define their terms. It's crucial to establish that antisemitism is a specific form of hatred towards Jews because of their ethnicity or religion, not a blanket term for criticism of Israeli policies.

2. Is Israel synonymous with all Jewish people?

   • Israel is a nation-state, and like any country, it is a political entity subject to scrutiny. Jewish people are a diverse group with a wide range of views on Israel's policies. Equating the two can erase the voices of Jewish individuals who may not agree with the actions of the Israeli government.

3. If Israel is pro-Jewish, how do you account for its actions against certain Jewish communities?

   • The treatment of Ethiopian Jews or the sometimes strained relationship with non-Zionist Orthodox communities. This can highlight the complexity within Israel's own society and the fact that criticism often comes from within the Jewish community itself.

   • Ethiopian Jews (Beta Israel community):

     • Operation Moses (1984) and Operation Solomon (1991): These were airlifts that brought thousands of Ethiopian Jews to Israel. However, upon arrival, many Ethiopian Jews faced discrimination and were placed in absorption centers that segregated them from the rest of Israeli society.
     • Blood Donation Scandal (1996): The Israeli Health Ministry was found to have been discarding blood donations from Ethiopian Jews due to unfounded fears of HIV/AIDS, which led to widespread protests and accusations of racism.

   • Non-Zionist Orthodox Communities:

     • Neturei Karta: This is a religious group of Haredi Jews who oppose Zionism and the establishment of the State of Israel, believing that a Jewish state should only be established with the coming of the Messiah. Members of Neturei Karta have been marginalized and sometimes harassed for their beliefs.

   • Russian and Ukrainian Jewish Immigrants:

     • Cultural Integration: Immigrants from the former Soviet Union in the 1990s often faced difficulties integrating into Israeli society. Many were secular and did not fit into the religious categories that Israeli society was structured around, leading to a sense of exclusion.

   • Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews:

     • Wadi Salib Riots (1959): These riots were a response to the discrimination and poor living conditions faced by Mizrahi Jews in Israel. The protesters felt that the Ashkenazi establishment had marginalized them.
     • Educational and Economic Disparities: Historically, Sephardic and Mizrahi communities have faced disparities in education and economic opportunities compared to their Ashkenazi counterparts.

   • Women at the Western Wall:

     • Women of the Wall: This group has been advocating for the right of women to pray at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, a right that has been met with opposition from Orthodox authorities. There have been instances of arrests and confrontations.

   • LGBTQ+ Members within Jewish Communities:

     • Pride Parade Incidents: Members of the LGBTQ+ community in Israel have faced opposition, particularly from conservative religious groups. Notably, there have been violent incidents at Pride Parades, such as the stabbing at the Jerusalem Pride Parade in 2015 by an ultra-Orthodox Jew.

4. How does criticizing a government's military actions equate to hating a religion or an ethnic group?

   • This question challenges the accuser to differentiate between a government's decisions and the people it represents. It's a reminder that one can oppose policies without bearing ill will towards the people.

5. Are there instances where Israel has been criticized by Jewish organizations or individuals?

   • Jewish figures or organizations have spoken out against certain Israeli policies. 

   • B'Tselem:The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, has been critical of Israeli policies in the West Bank and Gaza. They have published numerous reports on human rights violations in the occupied territories.(https://www.btselem.org/)

   • Breaking the Silence: An organization of veteran Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers, Breaking the Silence has been critical of the military's practices in the occupied territories and has worked to expose incidents of abuse and misconduct. (https://www.breakingthesilence.org.il/)

   • Rabbi Henry Siegman: A former Executive Director of the American Jewish Congress, Rabbi Siegman has been an outspoken critic of Israeli policies towards Palestinians and has written extensively on the subject. (https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v36/n15/henry-siegman/israel-s-lies)

   • Noam Chomsky: The renowned linguist and political activist Noam Chomsky, who is of Jewish descent, has been a vocal critic of Israeli policies, particularly its treatment of Palestinians. Reference: Chomsky, N. (1999). "Fateful Triangle: The United States, Israel, and the Palestinians". South End Press. ISBN 0-89608-601-1.

   • Peter Beinart: Journalist and political commentator Peter Beinart, who has written extensively on Jewish affairs and Israel, has criticized Israeli government policies, particularly the occupation of Palestinian territories. Reference: Beinart, P. (2012). "The Crisis of Zionism". Times Books. ISBN 978-0-8050-9412-1.

   • American Jewish Committee (AJC): While generally supportive of Israel, the AJC has at times criticized certain government policies, especially those that it sees as undermining the prospects for peace with the Palestinians. (https://www.ajc.org/)

   • Union for Reform Judaism: The largest Jewish denomination in the United States has occasionally criticized Israeli policies, particularly those related to religious pluralism and the rights of non-Orthodox Jews in Israel. (https://urj.org/)

   • J Street:

     • J Street is a liberal advocacy group based in the United States that promotes American leadership to end the Arab–Israeli and Israeli–Palestinian conflicts peacefully and diplomatically. They have been critical of some Israeli policies, advocating for a two-state solution.
     • Reference: Policy positions and statements can be found on J Street's website at J Street.

6. How do you differentiate between antisemitism and anti-Zionism?

   • While the two can sometimes overlap, they are not the same. Anti-Zionism is opposition to the political ideology of Zionism, whereas antisemitism is prejudice against Jews. Understanding this distinction is crucial.

7. Can a person oppose policies of the Israeli government without being against the Jewish people?

   • This question encourages the accuser to consider the possibility of separating the actions of a state from the cultural and religious identity of a people.

8. Why is it important to be able to criticize government actions in a democratic society?

   • The essence of free speech is to foster open debate and hold power to account, which includes critiquing government policies. When legitimate criticism of Israeli actions is dismissed as antisemitism, it not only stifles this fundamental democratic right but also risks diluting the serious charge of antisemitism, making it harder to combat actual hate against Jews. It's crucial to distinguish between the Israeli state and Jewish identity, and to recognize that criticism, when based on evidence and international law, is a necessary part of upholding human rights and justice. Engaging with criticism, rather than labeling it, encourages dialogue and contributes to a more just and accountable international community. Labeling all criticism as antisemitism is a weak response to avoid having to answer tough questions that may make your argument invalid. Ask these questions to plant the seed.

 

In Conclusion

While it's essential to stand against all forms of bigotry, including antisemitism, it's equally crucial to ensure that genuine concerns about state actions aren't silenced under the guise of combating prejudice. Let's strive for a world where we can voice concerns without fear of being mislabeled, and where open dialogue paves the way for understanding and resolution.

*Note:* This blog post aims to shed light on the misuse of the term "antisemitism" to silence critics. The Brown Capitol encourages readers to approach the topic with empathy, understanding, and a commitment to justice for all.