This morning, the Wilson Center organized an excellent panel discussion on Combatting antisemitism as a global threat. It included Aaron Keyak, the deputy of Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, the US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism and panelists from Australia, Germany, France, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the Organization of American States. It was very thought-provoking and I’d like to share my reflections here.
Eleanor, yes! I suppose it depends on whom you ask. If you ask me and most progressive (Reform) Jews, they will say yes, and some, like me, will say "welcome to the club." If you ask a more traditional Jews, they will more likely say, no, anti-Israel = anti-Zionism = antisemitism. I disagree profoundly with that.
Gerson, as a naïve Gentile, is there such a thing as anti Israel sentiment that is not antisemitic?
Eleanor, yes! I suppose it depends on whom you ask. If you ask me and most progressive (Reform) Jews, they will say yes, and some, like me, will say "welcome to the club." If you ask a more traditional Jews, they will more likely say, no, anti-Israel = anti-Zionism = antisemitism. I disagree profoundly with that.