Why Are Some Jews Excusing Antisemitism?

The working definition states:

“Antisemitism  is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish and non-Jewish individual, and/or their property, toward community institutions and religious facilities.”

Examples for the guidance of members included “targeting the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity, …charging Jews  with conspiring to harm humanity…blaming Jews for “why things go wrong”…in speech, writing, visual forms, action… (ascribing to Jews) sinister stereotypes, and negative character traits.”

Contemporary examples included “calling , aiding or justifying killing or harming Jews…making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing or stereotypical allegations of controlling media, the economy or other societal institutions,… accusing Jews of being  collectively responsible for the  wrongdoing of a single or group of Jews… denying the fact, scope, mechanisms of the genocide,…accusations of (disloyalty) relative to (Jewish interests) Israel, … denying Jewish people’s right to self-determination… Israel is racist… claims of Jews killing Jesus,… applying a double standard, demanding behavior not expected of other nations… comparing Israeli policy to that of the Nazis,… holding all Jews responsible for the actions of the state of Israel.”

Antisemitic acts are criminal when so defined by the law, when the targets of attack – people or property – are selected because they are or are perceived to Jewish.

These have been adopted or endorsed by twenty-seven countries, including the major North American and Western European countries and the United Nations and the European Union, the Organization of American States and The Council of Europe.

A dissenting group, called “The Progressive Israel Network”, is made up Ameinu, Americans For Peace Now, Habonim Dror North America, Hashomer Hatzair World Movement, The Jewish Labor Committee, J Street, New Israel Fund, Partners for Progressive Israel, Reconstructing Judaism and Truah. They have challenged the working definition as presenting a danger to free speech, by denying legitimate criticism of Israel. But free speech is not a licence to engage in antisemitic argument which denies Israel right to exist and to defend itself. And, indeed, legitimate criticism of Israel is expressly included as permissible under the working definition. “

There have also been similarly twisted comments by some Jewish academics. These statements aid and abet our community’s enemies.