Anti-Semitism: What It Is, What It Isn't, and Why It Matters

I have a new column for The Hill. Here is the gist:

Anti-Semitism: What it is, what it isn't and why it matters

BY STEVEN LUBET, OPINION CONTRIBUTOR — 11/03/21 01:00 PM EDT 

It would be wrong to claim that all opposition to Israel is anti-Semitic, but it would be dangerous to believe that none of it is. Even the fiercest criticism of Israeli policies, including the oppressive occupation of Palestine, should never be confused with anti-Semitism, so long as it is objective, specific and based in fact. In contrast, actual anti-Semitism can be identified when actions are taken against, or demands are made upon, Jewish individuals or organizations that are never imposed upon others.

It is likewise anti-Semitic when baseless accusations are leveled against imaginary “Zionists” that just happen to dovetail with ancient anti-Jewish stereotypes. Here are some examples.

Samirah’s advocacy of Palestinian rights, which nobody should call anti-Semitic, has been intertwined with the bizarre accusation that Israel is “enabling oil wars burning our planet,” including the “Iran-Iraq [that] killed MILLIONS of Iraqis and Iranians.” In one tweet he managed to sink from an undeniable truth into an anti-Semitic fantasy, rightfully protesting Israel’s violation of Palestinians’ land and water rights, but then charging that the “Mossad creates fossil fuel wars [and] the WMD lie Colin Powell spewed to the world to justify the Iraq war.”

Samirah doubtless wishes no physical harm to individual American Jews, but that is a low bar. The story of behind-the-scenes Jewish manipulation of governments has been a staple of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories for centuries.

The Palestinian people have suffered greatly under Israeli occupation, and their advocates in the U.S. can easily find legitimate material to support their cause. It is disheartening, though perhaps inevitable, that so many have stooped to the disreputable tactics of boycotting Jews or leveling pernicious charges of malign behavior. That is anti-Semitism, plain and simple.

The Hill is not paywalled. You can read the entire piece here.