How do you tell when criticism of Israel crosses the line into antisemitism? As with any country, Israel gets criticized for the actions, policies, and statements of its government. Even harsh criticism of this sort is not inherently antisemitic. However, Israel is the world’s sole Jewish state and rhetoric against it can and does cross the line at times when it is weaponized by antisemitic tropes and stereotypes. Here are questions to ask to help you identify antisemitic criticism of Israel.
Does the critique use a broad brush or assign collective responsibility to all Jews for the actions of Israel?
- Holding all Jews responsible for the real or perceived actions of the Israeli government.
- Example: Denying Jewish students the right to participate in a student club if they refuse to denounce Israel.
Does it use stereotypes, tropes, or Nazi comparisons in the criticism?
- Accusing Israel or Zionists of controlling the media, financial institutions, politics, or government, a trope about power and control.
- Example: Saying “Israelis are more Nazi than Hitler.”
Does it use any coded language (a.k.a. “dog whistles”) to refer to Jews collectively?
- Using the word “Zionists” as a substitute for “Jews.”
- Example: “I don’t hate Jews, only Zionists”. The vast majority of Jews support Israel’s right to exist as as Jewish and democratic state, an expression of Zionism.
Does it describe Israel or the Israeli people as uniquely bad or evil?
- Spreading unfounded, conspiratorial rumors about Israel or accusing them of being bloodthirsty and enjoying killing children.
- Example: False accusation that Israel kills Palestinians to steal their organs.
Does it deny Jews the same rights that other ethnic groups have or aspire to?
- Calling for the destruction of the State of Israel as a Jewish state.
- Example: Telling Jews they have no right to live in Israel and should “go back to Europe”. This ignores the diversity of the Jewish community and is offensive, telling Jews to go to someplace that murdered two-thirds of the Jewish population.
