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“Is it Antisemitic to Oppose Israel's Approach to Palestinian Activism?”
Presented by Karen Lynn
On August 6, 2021, in the Epoch Times, Bruce Abramson claimed that pro-Palestinian demonstrators, who are from the left, are behind the rise in antisemitism in the USA.
Why ‘Justice for Palestine!’ Is Antisemitic (theepochtimes.com)
“This spillover from a Middle East conflict to a global war against the Jews is hardly coincidental. It was the explicit intent driving the 20th century imperialists, communists, fascists, and Pan-Arabists who created the entire notion of a distinct Palestinian nation.”
On the other hand, on March 7, 2019, Peter Beinart, in the Guardian, maintained that conflating anti-Zionism with Jew-hatred is a tragic mistake. This is despite his recognition that antisemitism is on the rise. Debunking the myth that anti-Zionism is antisemitic | Antisemitism | The Guardian His solution is to … “be for the West Bank and Gaza to become a Palestinian state, thus giving Palestinians in those territories citizenship in an ethnically nationalist (though hopefully democratic) country of their own.”
“I’d also try to make Israel’s ethnic nationalism more inclusive by, among other things, adding a stanza to Israel’s national anthem that acknowledges the aspirations of its Palestinian citizens.”
“But, in a post-Holocaust world where antisemitism remains frighteningly prevalent, I want Israel to remain a state with a special obligation to protect Jews.”
Further reading: Antisemitic Zionists Aren’t a Contradiction in Terms
Pundits express surprise when antisemitism and Zionism overlap, but the ideologies share much in common—and many adherents. Peter Beinart January 10, 2023
Antisemitic Zionists Aren’t a Contradiction in Terms (jewishcurrents.org)
So, on the surface, it appears that it’s a right vs. left controversy with Abrahamson representing the right and Beinart the left.
The last time I had the strength to ask a Jewish friend his opinion on the treatment of Palestinians by Israel was about 15 years ago. He boomed loudly, “Israel has a right to defend itself.” End of discussion.
What do you think?
Is it antisemitic to oppose the treatment of Palestinian Arabs by Israel?
Has Israel become anti-Arab in its treatment of Palestinians?
What are the causes of rising antisemitism throughout the world?