What is Antisemitism?
“Antisemitism is discrimination, prejudice, hostility or violence against Jews as Jews (or Jewish institutions as Jewish).” (from the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism).
To put it another way, to say that all Jews have the same characteristic, or hold the same opinion – solely because they are Jewish – is antisemitic
Who Gets to Define Antisemitism?
One current problem is the promotion of the definition of antisemitism created by the IHRA (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance). This definition includes examples which conflate criticism of the government of Israel with antisemitism.
In response to the IHRA definition of antisemitism, 350 of the world’s most respected Holocaust and Jewish Studies scholars created The Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism, providing a clearer definition of antisemitism, making clear that criticism of Zionism as a form of nationalism, or voicing opposition to acts of the government of Israel are not antisemitic.
Importantly, many major Jewish groups have rejected the IHRA definition of antisemitism, including The New Israel Fund, J Street, Reconstructionist Judaism, Americans for Peace Now, Independent Jewish Voices, and the rabbinical human rights group T’RUAH.
Antisemitism is a Form of Racism
Antisemitism is one of many forms of racism, and as such must be condemned, as must all other forms of racism and discrimination, including Islamophobia, discrimination based on race, sexual orientation, or other characteristics.
Claiming that all Jews speak with one voice – simply because they are Jews – is itself antisemitic. Jews in Canada and around the world hold a variety of opinions on the situation in the Middle East.
Strong Criticism of Israel is not Antisemitism
Calling criticism of the state of Israel antisemitic, or criticizing or opposing political Zionism as a form of nationalism, is not antisemitic. Yet both have often been used to justify restrictions of freedom of speech and academic freedom in North America and Europe.
It is not antisemitic to support arrangements that accord full equality to all inhabitants “between the river and the sea,” whether in two states, one state, or any other political structure that ensures the full rights of all citizens.
What is UNJPPI's position on Antisemitism?
UNJPPI is committed to learning about antisemitism and working with Jewish groups who are committed to ending the occupation.
- Antisemitism is real.
- We condemn antisemitism, as we condemn all forms of racism.
- Because antisemitism is real, and because of tragedies of the past such as the Holocaust, for many Jews antisemitism can be triggering.
We must be aware of such trauma, and speak with love and compassion as we address these issues.
What Can I Do?
~ Learn more about antisemitism. Read what Independent Jewish Voices has to say about antisemitism.
~ Read and reflect on what the United Church has to say about antisemitism in Countering Antisemitism; the voice of the United Church
~ Watch for and reject antisemitism in your own words and behaviour. Listen to others with love and respect.