When Zionists redefine ‘antisemitism’ into a political cudgel
The IHRA definition of antisemitism is designed to muzzle criticism of Israel. It should be rejected in favor of a more historically informed discussion on Zionism's origins in European antisemitism.
Zionism is one of those political terms that is assumed to have a universal definition agreed upon by all when in reality people are using the same word to argue completely different concepts in many cases. It's a sensitive and inflammatory topic because of ongoing prejudice and atrocities committed in living memory so there are obstacles to overcome to have a good faith discussion.
Israel's constituition establishes a secular state which does not privelege one ethnitcity or religion over another. Benjamin Netenyahu represents a far-right contingent of Israeli politics and has enacted policy which does real world harm to Palestinian people. Criticism of his administration can be motivated by anti-semitism, but if we're seriously talking about geopolitics and apartheid on the left I think we're more focused on making sure the human rights of Palestinians are respected. Netanyahu's political opponents in Israel who do not wish to continue expanding settlements into demarked Palestinian territories are most likely not motivated by anti-semitism. Critics abroad making the same arguments against the actions of Israel's secular government similarly are probably less motivated by anti-semitism and more motivated by some sense of universal human rights. Although there are some imperial-minded people that oppose Israel's actions because they have some sense of not wanting their most hated group of people to grow more powerful, I honestly don't think anyone in this comment section or from the linked article has that motivation. Anti-semitism is a very real problem which needs to be taken very seriously, but framing a left-wing political argument in favor of human rights as only possibly motivated by anti-semitism is completely bad faith which does no favors to anyone except the far-right.
Zionists
It's okay, we know you mean Jews.
Is there a reason this article bashes (adjusts glasses, checks) the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance in its opening para?
Yes, because that organization published a definition of antisemitism that effectively makes it almost off limits to criticize the actions of the Israeli state. And that definition is being codified into policy or even law in many cases. Even the author of this definition has objected to the way it's being used.
Yeah, I thought that was it. The definition is clear that criticism of the Israeli government that's comparable to criticisms aimed at other governments isn't antisemitism. You should be able to criticise Israel in the same terms you criticise (e.g.) Russia and China, or for that matter America and the UK. But if you exclusively criticise Israel in virulent terms, or say that Israel is some sort of uniquely evil entity comparable to the Nazis, or imply that all Jews worldwide are agents of the Israeli state, or say Israel as a nation state should be wiped off the map—that's antisemitic.
This should all be pretty uncontroversial.
Curious they choose "Zionists" over Israelis. Not a good start.
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Is anything telling you it’s “real news” credible? They don’t have their domain registered to any sort of entity at all.
What’s the proof this isn’t an entirely spoofed site?
The URL may be dubious, but it's a fairly standard point it's making. Criticism of Israel is not antisemitism.
If I were to make a news site with misinformation, I would sprinkle in genuine criticism with fake criticism, or things that are out of context.
Just wait until you see my new news site, The Real Real News. Double the truth!
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Meanwhile, the actual IHRA definition explictly states: "criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic".
Once again, for the people who imagine it says something different: "criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic".
Now if we're talking and it comes out that I'm a Jew and you immediately shift to BUT ISRAEL, that's racism. You likely understand this for say, Chinese people, right?
If you use antisemitic tropes in your criticism of Israel, those tropes are still antisemitic - whether you realise it or not. Making out it's "just criticism of Israel" doesn't erase the tropes of their antisemitism.
If you believe things which are rooted in antisemitism (and yes, a hell of a lot of stuff circulating on the internet which claims to be "just criticism of Israel" does have its roots in antisemitism), those things are still rooted in antisemitism even if you're ignorant of those origins and are determined to stay in that ignorance.
And once again, the actual IHRA definition explictly states: "criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic".