Episode 2519: Is Criticism of Israel, by definition, Anti-Semitic?

Keen On America

Is any criticism of Israel, by definition, anti-semitic? Not according to Uri Kaufman who, in his new book American Intifada, examines what he calls the "new antisemitism" following the Gaza war. That said, Kaufman nonetheless believes that progressive institutions and figures like Obama and the New York Times manifest a form of antisemitism by holding Israel to different moral standards than other countries. He contends that many supposedly well-meaning media organizations willfully misrepresent facts about Gaza and Israel's actions, and that the path to peace requires Palestinians to unambiguously accept a Jewish state in the Middle East. Perhaps. Although just as Uri Kaufman believes progressives hold Israel to different moral standards than other countries, I wonder if Zionists like Kaufman hold Palestinians to higher moral standards than other disempowered peoples.

Five Key Takeaways

* Kaufman defines "new antisemitism" as discrimination against Jews that comes from well-intentioned progressives who unknowingly apply different standards to Israel than to other countries.

* He argues that media organizations like the New York Times and BBC misrepresent facts about Gaza, incorrectly labeling it as "occupied" despite Israel's withdrawal, and uncritically reporting Palestinian casualty figures.

* Kaufman believes many progressives automatically side with Palestinians as "people of color" against Israelis, who they view as a "white group of privilege," regardless of factual context.

* He maintains that criticism of Israel can be legitimate without being antisemitic, but claims many critics apply double standards they wouldn't use for other conflicts.

* Kaufman believes peace will only come when Palestinians unambiguously accept a Jewish state in the Middle East, and suggests that educating progressives about their biases is needed to change Western perceptions about Israel.

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