Criticism of Israel policy is not antisemitic

The murder of two Israeli embassy employees in Washington was tragic and morally reprehensible. But there is no evidence that it was an antisemitic act. All the evidence shows that it was a political act. The killer did not attack any random Jews. He attacked employees of the government of Israel.

Though horribly misguided, he was motivated by opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza — which include murdering innocent victims every day. One murder never justifies another. But in wartime, killing is a political act and should be seen as such.

In Israel, prominent political leader Yair Golan is being vilified as an antisemite because he said: “A sane country doesn’t engage in fighting against civilians, doesn’t kill babies … and doesn’t set for itself the goals of expelling a population.”

To call Golan an antisemite is absurd. He served in the Israeli Defense Forces for 38 years, rose to deputy chief of staff, and fought for Israel in nine wars. His accurate critique of his government’s policies is a purely political act.

Unfortunately, it is more common than ever to hear criticism of Israeli policy condemned as antisemitism. How convenient. There’s no need to rebut the criticism or deal with its substance. Just dismiss it as racism or ethnic hatred.

The Trump administration is using this dishonest trick to justify its attacks on free speech and due process.

This is not good for Jews, the U.S., or Israel. If opposition, no matter how justified, to anything Jews do is written off as antisemitism, the word loses any real meaning. People will stop taking it seriously. So it will undermine efforts to reduce genuine antisemitism, efforts that should be supported—if they are done without a political agenda.

Antisemitism is a powerful word. It should be handled with great care.

— Ira Chernus, Longmont