Anti-Semitism and Criticism of Israel

Since the late 1970s, mounting criticism has been levelled against Israel. For this, there are several causes and sources which can be divided into two major categories: into forms of anti-Zionism which fundamentally disputes the right of Israel to exist, and into criticism of Israeli politics. 

Anti-Zionism is the opposite of Zionism. The term Zionism refers to the Jewish nationalist movement which began to organise politically from 1880 as a result of European anti-Semitism and work towards the establishment of an independent Jewish nation state in Palestine. Anti-Zionism fundamentally questions Zionism as an expression of the right to self-determination for the Jewish people. In so doing, it ignores the fact that in creating Israel there was no intention of creating a living space solely for Jews. Instead, it was to be a land where Jews could be free to settle if they wished, as well as in times of need and persecution. Anti-Zionism can be anti-Semitic when the objective is the annihilation of the Jewish State.

Blurring the distinction between legitimate and dubious criticism

Criticism of Israel’s political stance, of its government or its socio-political situation is permissible as with every other country. However, criticism still counts as anti-Semitic if it is not directed against Israel as a state or against Israeli politics but instead presents Israelis in the Middle Eastern conflict globally as perpetrators and then transfers this perpetrator image to Jews in general. A further blurring of the distinction between legitimate and questionable criticism occurs when stricter standards are imposed on Israel than on other countries for reasons of political expediency. Thus there have been 25 resolutions of the UN Human Rights Council between June 2006 and December 2008, 20 of which condemned Israel whereas only 5 condemned other countries.

There is also mounting evidence that people who make anti-Semitic statements as well (i.e. by way of purporting to legitimise their anti-Semitic statements) level criticism at Israel or Zionism.

A clear demarcation between criticism of Israel, anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism is not always possible. However, it is obvious that these manifestations of a negative stance towards the Jewish State often are in close interdependency.