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NEWSLETTER APRIL 2008

ANTI-ZIONISM AND ANTI-SEMITISM – A JEWISH QUESTION

A case of Classic Anti-Semitism – The Plaque Commemorating Synagogue Street, Norwich

The above photograph, taken on March 15th, 2008, was sent to me by Susan Steward. It really brought home to me the fact that, in a sense, all Jews today are survivors of the Holocaust. (The graffiti has since been painted over. The wall — on the site of St Anne's Wharf — is about to be demolished. Planning approval for the proposed development has been granted on condition that the prior existence of the Synagogue and Synagogue Street be marked in some way.)

While recorded anti-Semitic incidents in many countries are reportedly on the increase, I have to say that I have rarely thank God been touched by anti-Semitism directly.

I have though of late started to take an interest in the relationship between anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism, probably because I increasingly meet anti-Zionists, both Jewish and non-Jewish, who strive to assure me that their anti-Zionism is in no way to be confused with anti-Semitism.

Two definitions:

Anti-Zionism	-	The belief that the modern State of Israel should not exist
Anti-Semitism	-	Anti-Jewish racism
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Blurred Edges

It is a fact that some Jews are anti-Zionists.

To accuse a Jewish anti-Zionist of being anti-Semitic (a self-hating Jew) fails to distinguish between a political position (anti-Zionism) and a racist position (anti-Semitism).

Anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism are not the same thing, but they can and often do reinforce one another.

Moreover, anti-Zionism is perceived generally within the Jewish community, as fueling anti-Semitism.

While I am more that happy to come out as an albeit progressive Zionist, accusing anti-Zionists of fuelling anti-Semitism seems to me to be less than helpful when trying to understand what is going on between Israel and her neighbours.

— Byron Simmonds

FRA WORKING DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM

The purpose of this document is to provide a practical guide for identifying incidents, collecting data, and supporting the implementation and enforcement of legislation dealing with antisemitism.

Working definition: "Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities."

In addition, such manifestations could also target the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity. Antisemitism frequently charges Jews with conspiring to harm humanity, and it is often used to blame Jews for "why things go wrong." It is expressed in speech, writing, visual forms and action, and employs sinister stereotypes and negative character traits.

Contemporary examples of antisemitism in public life, the media, schools, the workplace, and in the religious sphere could, taking into account the overall context, include, but are not limited to:

• Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion.
• Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as collective — such as, especially but not exclusively, the myth about a world Jewish conspiracy or of Jews controlling the media, economy, government or other societal institutions.
• Accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group, or even for acts committed by non-Jews.
• Denying the fact, scope, mechanisms (e.g. gas chambers) or intentionality of the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of National Socialist Germany and its supporters and accomplices during World War II (the Holocaust).
• Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust.
• Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations.

Examples of the ways in which antisemitism manifests itself with regard to the state of Israel taking into account the overall context could include:

• Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor.
• Applying double standards by requiring of it a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.
• Using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis.
• Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.
• Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel.

However, criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic.

Antisemitic acts are criminal when they are so defined by law (for example, denial of the Holocaust or distribution of antisemitic materials in some countries).

Criminal acts are antisemitic when the targets of attacks, whether they are people or property — such as buildings, schools, places of worship and cemeteries — are selected because they are, or are perceived to be, Jewish or linked to Jews.

Antisemitic discrimination is the denial to Jews of opportunities or services available to others and is illegal in many countries.