Boycotting Israel is not anti-Semitism
In the June 13 news article “In Israel, concerns rising over boycott movement,”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the movement to
boycott Israel or disinvest from those doing business in the occupied
territories as “anti-Semitic.” Similarly, Las Vegas casino mogul Sheldon
Adelson, who recently presided over a meeting that raised more than $20
million to fight this movement, referred to it as “anti-Semitic.”
Whether one agrees with this movement or not, and many Jews are leading
participants, the fact is that it is in no way “anti-Semitic.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the movement to
boycott Israel or disinvest from those doing business in the occupied
territories as “anti-Semitic.” Similarly, Las Vegas casino mogul Sheldon
Adelson, who recently presided over a meeting that raised more than $20
million to fight this movement, referred to it as “anti-Semitic.”
Whether one agrees with this movement or not, and many Jews are leading
participants, the fact is that it is in no way “anti-Semitic.”
Judaism
is a religion of universal values. Israel is a sovereign state. It has
violated international law by occupying the West Bank and East
Jerusalem. The boycott movement is a nonviolent effort to show
opposition to this occupation, similar, its advocates argue, to the
sanctions movement against South Africa to show opposition to apartheid.
Hatred of Judaism or Jews, which is what constitutes anti-Semitism,
appears to be absent from these boycott efforts.
is a religion of universal values. Israel is a sovereign state. It has
violated international law by occupying the West Bank and East
Jerusalem. The boycott movement is a nonviolent effort to show
opposition to this occupation, similar, its advocates argue, to the
sanctions movement against South Africa to show opposition to apartheid.
Hatred of Judaism or Jews, which is what constitutes anti-Semitism,
appears to be absent from these boycott efforts.
