Guide to Identifying Antisemitism in Debates about Israel

• Mistaking political disagreements about Israel for antisemitism is counterproductive.
• It diverts the debate away from the substance to whether something is — or is not — antisemitic.
• It hinders policy debate about Israel.
• It distracts from addressing real instances of antisemitism and bigotry.
• Making your case on its merits is the most effective way to refute unfair criticism of Israel.

Be on the lookout for antisemitism. Here are some examples:

• When criticism of Israel or Zionism uses an antisemitic trope that has historically been directed at Jews — it’s antisemitic.
• When Israel is used as a surrogate term for Jews — it’s antisemitic.
• When criticism depicts Israel as having hidden power or control — it’s antisemitic.
• When Israel is criticized because of its Jewish character — it’s antisemitic.
• When Jews are held collectively responsible for Israel’s policies or actions — it’s antisemitic.
• When criticism insinuates that Jews are more loyal to Israel than to the country in which they live/are citizens — it’s antisemitic.
• When, based on their Jewish identity, Jews are denied the same individual or national rights as others — including the right to self-determination and/or to physical safety and full human, civil, and religious rights  — it’s antisemitic.
• Any behavior that targets and harms someone because they are Jewish, whether through words or actions, is antisemitic.

But don’t confuse criticism of Israel with antisemitism.

• Criticism or disagreement with Israeli government policies are not antisemitic.
• Harsh characterizations of Israel that may be unfair are not necessarily antisemitic.
• Even Yitzhak Rabin once warned that maintaining an occupation would lead to apartheid. He certainly wasn’t an antisemite.
• Non-violent actions that press for changes in Israeli policies are not generally antisemitic.
• Boycotting goods made in the West Bank and/or Israel is not antisemitic unless it specifically singles out Israel because of its Jewish character.
• Anti-Zionism can be antisemitic if it specifically denies the Jewish right to self-determination or it employs an antisemitic trope.
• But opposition to Zionism in and of itself is not necessarily antisemitic.
• Devoting special attention to Israel is not generally antisemitic. Israel attracts special attention for many reasons: e.g., because it is at the crossroads of the three major Western religions or because the U.S. is Israel’s closest ally and provides $3.8 billion annually in aid to Israel.
• Advocating for equal rights and justice for all peoples is not antisemitic.