[ Antisemitism, like all forms of injustice, harms people and
communities. Many Jewish organizations speak about criticism of Israel
or Zionism as antisemitic, but that is a misuse and, in fact, an abuse
of what antisemitism is.]
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WHAT ANTISEMITISM IS, WHAT IT IS NOT, AND WHY IT MATTERS  
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Donna Nevel
September 25, 2022
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
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_ Antisemitism, like all forms of injustice, harms people and
communities. Many Jewish organizations speak about criticism of Israel
or Zionism as antisemitic, but that is a misuse and, in fact, an abuse
of what antisemitism is. _

A Palestinian flag is removed from a building by Israeli authorities
after being put up by an advocacy group that promotes coexistence
between Palestinians and Israelis, in Ramat Gan, June 1, 2022., Oded
Balilty/AP Photo // The Times of Israel

 

As we enter the Jewish New Year, many Jews are beginning to reflect
upon our past year and consider how we — individually and
collectively — can participate in creating a more just world in the
year to come. One of the critical issues that I hope will engender a
good deal of reflection in our Jewish communities is how we speak and
think about antisemitism, and why it matters.

Antisemitism, like all forms of injustice, harms people and
communities. In recent years, we have witnessed Jews being murdered
in synagogues
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Jewish cemeteries being desecrated
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and visibly religious Jews being harmed
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We have seen the growth of white nationalist
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white supremacist movements that, in different forms, denigrate and
target Black people and other communities of color, queer and trans
people, Muslims, immigrants and Jews. We have seen so-called political
leaders doing much the same.

Resisting antisemitism must be part and parcel of our collective work
for liberation and justice. But — and there is a but here — much
of the organizing against antisemitism by mainstream Jewish
organizations actually makes it more difficult to challenge
antisemitism and to participate in work for collective liberation.

Many Jewish organizations speak about criticism of Israel or Zionism
as antisemitic, but that is a misuse and, in fact, an abuse of what
antisemitism is. Antisemitism is directed at Jews as Jews. Criticism
of Israel or Zionism is directed at a nation-state. There is nothing
discriminatory or antisemitic about challenging any or all policies of
a nation-state, including the Jewish state.

There are critiques of Israel and Zionism that grow out of a deep
commitment to human rights. This commitment is not about
being _against_ anyone, but, rather, it’s about the unwavering
support of equal rights for all. Zionism is a political movement that
resulted in the dispossession and expulsion of 750,000 Palestinians
from their land and homes. Opposing that movement in favor of a
movement that honors and respects all who live there is an important
principle to uphold. That is not remotely antisemitic. In truth,
conflating anti-Zionism and antisemitism turns the focus far away from
fighting antisemitism and envisioning a world in which all people are
treated with dignity, and, instead, is about building support for
Israel’s unjust, discriminatory system that privileges Jews over all
others and continues to engage in land theft and enormous violence
against Palestinians.

When I was a young Zionist activist in college — before I learned
about the consequences of Zionism on the Palestinians living there —
I went to a _hasbara_ (propaganda) training at the Israeli
Consulate. I remember being shocked that one of the things we were
told was that when someone argued against Israel, not to address the
argument, but, instead, to accuse the person of antisemitism. This
tactic has become much more widespread today and it’s why dangerous
definitions of antisemitism, like the one put forth by the
International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), which conflates
criticism of Israel with antisemitism and has gotten much attention,
must be vehemently opposed.

The IHRA definition comes appended with 11 illustrative examples of
antisemitism, seven of which specifically focus on the state of
Israel, rather than Jews as a group. One such example: “Applying
double standards by requiring of it a behavior not expected or
demanded of any other democratic nation.” What does that even mean?
Is this something we would even consider as a problem in any other
international issue? Of course not. People have a right to focus on
issues that move them, and for many of us who are Jewish, we feel an
obligation to make clear Israel does not have our support and to speak
out about the injustices being committed. And, frankly, for
Palestinians or anyone concerned with human rights and justice for the
Palestinian people, it should be quite obvious why they would focus on
this issue. That is not antisemitic.

This Jewish New Year, may we recognize that to truly challenge
antisemitism and participate in the struggle for justice, we are
obligated to insist that the struggle against antisemitism not be
derailed to further policies and practices that harm Palestinians and
all those fighting for justice, for this also harms the struggle
against antisemitism itself. Our commitment to challenging
antisemitism must be rooted in a politics and practices that embrace
justice for all.

_[DONNA NEVEL, a community psychologist and educator, is a long-time
Jewish activist living in South Florida.]_

_Thanks to the author for sending this to xxxxxx._

_This op-ed originally appeared in the South Florida Sun Sentinel
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* Left Unity
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* Jewish community
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* Israel
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* zionism
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* Anti-Zionism
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* Racism
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* Palestine
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* Palestinians
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* Occupied Territories
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* apartheid
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* Holocaust
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* IHRA
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