The best way to deal with being called antisemitic is to be prepared for it.
Speaking out against Israel’s actions in Gaza and beyond in Lebanon, Syria, Iran is an act of courage with the potential for ‘life-changing’ consequences. To speak out is to invite accusations of antisemitism and ignorance; of sympathising with terrorists; to risk being fired or forced to resign; to be told to ‘go home’ or to be publicly humiliated.
Many, including friends and colleagues, have already been at the receiving end of such opprobrium. Being Jewish is no protection. It’s shocking, isolating and deeply upsetting. And it serves an important purpose: it silences people who might want to speak out but are unsure of where exactly justifiable criticism ends and antisemitism begins. That is by design: Israel has successfully weaponized accusations of antisemitism by equating support of Palestinian rights with antisemitism, says Abraham Gutman, US-based Israeli economist and writer.
What is Antisemitism?
Jewish Voices for Labour describes it as a form of racism consisting of prejudice, hostility or hatred towards Jews as Jews.” It adds an important caveat:
“Jews, Israelis and Zionists are separate categories that are too frequently conflated by both supporters and critics of Israel. This conflation can be antisemitic. Holding all Jews responsible for the actions of the Israeli government is antisemitic. Many Jews are not Zionist. The majority of Zionists are not Jewish but fundamentalist Christian Zionists. Over 20 percent of Israeli citizens are not Jewish.”
Criticism of the Israeli government in the Middle East is often conflated with antisemitism because Israel describes itself as ‘the nation-state of the Jewish people … representing the State of Israel, its citizens and the Jewish people on the global stage.”
The New AntiSemitism
Israeli institutions and advocacy organisations around the world have been working to codify this new definition, ‘framing opposition to the Jewish state as the principal manifestation of antisemitism [thereby putting] Israel at the centre of Jewish identity.’
By suggesting that anti-Zionism equals antisemitism, this “new antisemitism” drains the word antisemitism of any useful meaning” argues Antony Lerman, writer and former Director at the Institute for Jewish Policy Research. According to this definition you can be antisemitic if you hold any view “ranging from criticism of the policies of the Israeli government to denial that Israel has the right to exist as a Jewish state” even if you don’t hold any of the views ‘traditionally’ associated with antisemitism such as “hatred of Jews per se, belief in a worldwide Jewish conspiracy, belief that Jews generated communism and control capitalism.”
Under this definition, pro-Palestinian speech or advocacy effectively and immediately becomes antisemitic. Jewish advocates for Palestinian rights or critics of the Israeli government are similarly disparaged as self-hating Jews. As absurd as that is, it explains both our confusion and our caution.
When are you not being antisemitic?
A better, more useful definition of antisemitism is contained in The Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism (JDA) notes Daniel Levy, the President of the US-Middle East Project (USMEP). Written by scholars of Jewish and Middle Eastern history, antisemitism and the Holocaust, the JDA explains antisemitism in a way that allows for continuing dialogue and debate around the question of Israel and Palestine, he says.
In effect, the JDA asserts that if you are advocating for the “Palestinian demand for justice, opposing Zionism, comparing Israel with other historical cases including settler colonialism or apartheid, calling for boycott, divestment and sanctions, and arguing for a variety of constitutional arrangements for Jews and Palestinians” you are not being antisemitic.
Nevertheless, in the current climate, it’s almost inevitable that you will be accused of antisemitism or self-hate if you choose to criticise the Israeli government’s behaviour or publicly advocate for Palestinian rights.
What should you do when you’re accused of being an antisemite?
The best strategy is to be prepared and to stay calm when the accusations start flying. It is also perfectly sensible to think carefully about where and how you engage in advocacy if your employer or your clients are pro-Israel. Finally, when you do speak, speak from a position of knowledge that comes from credible sources. Don’t get caught out by spreading misinformation or quoting an actual antisemite. On that last one, it won’t matter whether the quote is controversial or thoughtful or powerful or considered. It will be tainted by association and take your argument with it. Finally, there’s no point talking to people who don’t want to listen. You cannot change their minds. Talk to the ones willing to see, listen, understand and take action.
Note: You can find a detailed version of the working definition of new antisemitism as adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance on their website.