What is antisemitism

 It would be a good thing to understand what constitutes antisemetism in these troubled times.

This is the definition of antisemitism that the UK signed up to on 2th December 2016:

In the spirit of the Stockholm Declaration that states: “With humanity still scarred by …antisemitism and xenophobia the international community shares a solemn responsibility to fight those evils” the committee on Antisemitism and Holocaust Denial called the IHRA Plenary in Budapest 2015 to adopt the following working definition of antisemitism.

On 26 May 2016, the Plenary in Bucharest decided to:

Adopt the following non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism:

“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.”

To guide IHRA in its work, the following examples may serve as illustrations:

(*1) Manifestations might include the targeting of the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity. However, criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic. 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.

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.

(*2) Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.

(*3) Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel.

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.

My observations

*1 If you criticise the government of Israel, it is not an antimsetic act.  Israel is not just a country of Jews, just as the UK isn't a nation of only White Anglo-Saxons:

Israel ethnic groups

Jewish 73.5% (of which Israel-born 79.7%, Europe/America/Oceania-born 14.3%, Africa-born 3.9%, Asia-born 2.1%), Arab 21.1%, other 5.4% (2022 est.)

Languages

Hebrew (official), Arabic (special status under Israeli law), English (most commonly used foreign language)

Source CIA

A country must govern for all of its citizens.

*2 Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis. 

You may find this paragraph problematic given what the Israeli government is doing to the Palestinians at the time of writing this piece.  The Palestinians are being slaughtered, just as the Jews were in WW2.  I feel that this part of the definition needs to be taken out or altered given that Israel have dropped over 29,000 bombs on one city during the first six weeks of the genocide, just under half of them unguided.  The Palestinian death toll has risen to 29,092 since the start of the attack by Israel, around two-thirds of them women and children. More than 69,000 Palestinians have been wounded, overwhelming the territory’s hospitals, less than half of which are even partially functioning.  Israel's actions are a breach of International Law and their views of the Palestinians are the same as the views of those that killed the Jews a few decades ago...exactly the same.

*3  Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel.  You can't collectively blame Jews for the actions of the Israeli government, just as you can't collectively punish all Palestinians for the actions of Hamas.

Many Jews all over the Earth have been calling for a ceasefire in Palestine.  Many Arabs and Jews have been living side-by-side peacefully for generations.  

I have noticed some groups groups in the UK blaming all Jews for the attrocities being carried out by Israel and this is something that needs to stop.  Judaism isn't to blame for the plight of the Palestinians...it's Zionism.  If this situation is to be stopped, all people must come together inspite of any religious, cultural, ethnic or political differences.

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

Villayat 'Wolf' Sunkmanitu