Date: Wednesday, October 30, 2019
To: Friends & Supporters
From: Gary L. Bauer, Director

Israel Is Not Racist

One of the most absurd attacks that Israel's critics often level against the Jewish state is the claim that it is an "apartheid state" or a "racist state." Nothing could be further from the truth. But the people making this false argument know how powerful it is in the United States and in other Western nations. And that is exactly why they deploy this smear.

No decent person wants to be thought of as a racist. No decent person would defend David Duke or the KKK.

So when the accusation that Israel is a racist state is made in a debate, it is an attempt to shut down the debate by intimidating supporters of Israel, implicitly accusing them of being bigots. Sadly, it works on many who are not prepared to forcefully refute the charge.

It also preys on modern sensibilities by exploiting the power dynamic, presenting Israel as a powerful oppressor against helpless Palestinian victims. Again, nothing could be further from the truth.

As we have repeatedly noted, the Palestinians are not victims. The Palestinian Authority subsidizes terrorism against innocent Israelis through its "pay to slay" program. It glorifies terrorists as "martyrs" and names schools and public parks after them. And Palestinian leaders have repeatedly rejected generous peace deals.

As for the charge of racism, Israel one of the most diverse states in the Middle East. It is the only state in the Middle East where free speech and religious freedom are truly respected. Arab Muslims serve in the Knesset and in the Israeli military. Israel has conducted very dangerous operations to rescue Ethiopian Jews and relocate them to Israel. (Here and here.)

In contrast, selling land to a Jew is a capital offense in the Palestinian Authority. In fact, Mahmoud Abbas has made it clear that his Palestinian State will be "Jew free." How's that for racism?

Sadly, the false charge that Israel is a racist state is once again making headlines due to recent remarks by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. Ambassador Dore Gold, of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, addresses this vile smear head on.

Please take a moment to watch this brief video. Share it with friends and family members so they will know the truth and will be prepared to defend Israel against false charges of racism.