Anti-Semitism's increasingly thin and hard-to-see line

[oberliner]

136. Good post

Responses here are interesting to say the least.

Here are my thoughts on your points:

1. Agreed. When the Nazi Germany comparison rears its head, this is a dead giveaway that we are dealing with something more than "criticism of Israeli government policies". I would add that it is similarly ridiculous for Israeli leaders and others to throw around the same comparison with respect to the leaders of Iran or whomever.

2. This is a tricky one. I do think there are folks who just substitute the word "Zionist" for "Jew" to inculcate them from charges of anti-semitism. The whole "hey, we are just talking about Zionists, not Jews" is a neat trick. This becomes especially clear when you see references to "Zionist control of Hollywood, Wall Street, the White House" and such. That's the more obvious giveaway.

There are, however, people who don't fall into this category and are genuinely critical of the movement. However, in my opinion (people will of course disagree), they don't really understand what Zionism is. I would love for those who are critics to read some first-hand accounts of some of the earliest Zionists (not just cherry-picked quotes). In any case, there is certainly a lot to criticize about the movement and about Israeli government policies in general.

3. This seems to be not all that controversial. I think almost everyone agrees with you here.

4. Right, yes of course. I would add, though, if you say Israel government policies are causing anti-semitism or that the attack on the Jewish market in Paris was some kind of blowback for Israeli treatment of Palestinians you are similarly misguided.

5. This is very typical here. "I'm sure I will get called an anti-semite for saying this, but..." Or "Of course if you say this, you are called an anti-semite.." That's a trick to be able to get away with saying whatever anti-semitic stuff you want and then come back with "See, I told you they would accuse me of this!". It's a good tactic, I suppose, but hopefully most can see through it.

I also think there is overlap with the USS Liberty people and anti-semitism to some degree. Especially if coupled with some of the other items listed above. Also, the people who list quotes from the Talmud showing how bad Judaism is or some such. And the ever popular out of context and questionably sourced list of quotes from Israeli leaders to show how evil they are.