I think the letter is proceeding on an unstated assumption that it is antisemitic to criticize Israel’s conduct in the war. I’m not sure that position can be maintained. Perhaps the Pope’s remarks are unfair or misinformed, but I think calling them antisemitic is wrong unless we are to understand that the modern nation of Israel represen…
I think the letter is proceeding on an unstated assumption that it is antisemitic to criticize Israel’s conduct in the war. I’m not sure that position can be maintained. Perhaps the Pope’s remarks are unfair or misinformed, but I think calling them antisemitic is wrong unless we are to understand that the modern nation of Israel represents Judaism and that any criticism of Israel is, therefore, antisemitic per se. I’m not sure that’s a position that can be maintained or would be maintained by other Jewish people. Nobody insists, for example, that this letter is engaging in anti-Catholic bias by criticizing the Vatican despite the Vatican being the head of the Faith.
And I also think the letter is completely wrong to say that meeting with Iranian representatives is antisemitic. Many nations have Iranian embassies. Are we to understand each of these countries as antisemitic? It strikes me as absurd to make blood libels the equivalent to meeting diplomatic representatives.
At this current time, anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism practically speaking. There are true differences between criticism of Israel, anti-Zionism, and anti-Semitism. However, in the current global climate these differences fall away for all practical purposes. Jews, synagogues, and Jewish owned businesses around the world are being attacked by pro-"Palestinians" precisely because of the current conflict. So, yes, criticism of Israel by the Pope does fan the current flames of anti-Semitism. This most especially because his criticism has largely been one-sided. His statements make it clear that he is biased against Israel and sees Israel as the real aggressor in this war.
Further, Iran funds and controls multiple terror groups that have and still are indiscriminately firing missiles on civilian populations (with the intent of specifically targeting civilians which Israel does not do), but what has he said regarding Iran's actions toward Israel and it's civilian population? When he has said nothing but incendiary words against Israel that suggest they may be committing genocide and at the same time meets and smiles with Iranian representatives while not calling them out on attacking civilians in Israel, then, yes, that could certainly be seen as anti-Semitic.
I think the letter is proceeding on an unstated assumption that it is antisemitic to criticize Israel’s conduct in the war. I’m not sure that position can be maintained. Perhaps the Pope’s remarks are unfair or misinformed, but I think calling them antisemitic is wrong unless we are to understand that the modern nation of Israel represents Judaism and that any criticism of Israel is, therefore, antisemitic per se. I’m not sure that’s a position that can be maintained or would be maintained by other Jewish people. Nobody insists, for example, that this letter is engaging in anti-Catholic bias by criticizing the Vatican despite the Vatican being the head of the Faith.
And I also think the letter is completely wrong to say that meeting with Iranian representatives is antisemitic. Many nations have Iranian embassies. Are we to understand each of these countries as antisemitic? It strikes me as absurd to make blood libels the equivalent to meeting diplomatic representatives.
At this current time, anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism practically speaking. There are true differences between criticism of Israel, anti-Zionism, and anti-Semitism. However, in the current global climate these differences fall away for all practical purposes. Jews, synagogues, and Jewish owned businesses around the world are being attacked by pro-"Palestinians" precisely because of the current conflict. So, yes, criticism of Israel by the Pope does fan the current flames of anti-Semitism. This most especially because his criticism has largely been one-sided. His statements make it clear that he is biased against Israel and sees Israel as the real aggressor in this war.
Further, Iran funds and controls multiple terror groups that have and still are indiscriminately firing missiles on civilian populations (with the intent of specifically targeting civilians which Israel does not do), but what has he said regarding Iran's actions toward Israel and it's civilian population? When he has said nothing but incendiary words against Israel that suggest they may be committing genocide and at the same time meets and smiles with Iranian representatives while not calling them out on attacking civilians in Israel, then, yes, that could certainly be seen as anti-Semitic.