Jun. 20, 2016

Anti-Semitism and Anti-Zionism: Same Idea, New Cloak – Brig.-Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser (Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy)

• Showing that anti-Zionism is the modern form of anti-Semitism may be easy if we use the U.S. State Department 2010 definition of anti-Semitism: “Anti-Semitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.”
• The State Department then provides a list of contemporary examples of anti-Semitism, many of which are performed by anti-Zionists.
• Finally the State Department clarifies what anti-Semitism is relative to Israel and provides examples of the ways in which anti-Semitism manifests itself as anti-Zionism:
  • Demonizing Israel – using the symbols and images associated with classic anti-Semitism to characterize Israel or Israelis; drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.
  • Applying double standards for Israel by requiring of it a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.
  • Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, and denying Israel the right to exist.
• This definition makes it clear that anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism. Demonization of Israel, adopting double-standards about Israel, and delegitimization of Israel are expressions of anti-Semitism which is hatred towards Jews.

  The writer was formerly Director General of the Israel Ministry of Strategic Affairs and head of the Research Division of IDF Military Intelligence.