These are the words of Rabbi Alissa Wise of Jewish Voice for Peace (lightly edited):
Anti-Semitism is real – that’s not up for debate. Wherever anti-Semitism exists, we need to stamp it out. But criticizing Israel isn’t anti-Semitic. Nor is speaking out against the occupation of Palestine.
Unfortunately, the State Department doesn’t see it that way. Their definition of anti-Semitism includes “demonizing,” “delegitimizing,” or creating a “double-standard” for Israel. These definitions are intentionally vague, and are already being used by colleges and others to silence those of us — Jews and non-Jews — who speak out against Israel’s human rights abuses.
Labeling legitimate criticism of Israeli aggression as anti-Semitism does not just stifle debate. It trivializes the real struggles of those who are being persecuted because of who they are. This isn’t an abstract issue. This State Department definition is having real ramifications, across the U.S. and around the world. All too often, Jewish Voice for Peace chapters and members are slandered for organizing boycotts of companies profiting from injustice in Israel. All too often, Palestinian students on campus are punished for sharing their stories of oppression and occupation.”
We need to end all forms of hate and prejudice, wherever they exist. But we won’t do that by muzzling activists. The State Department should revise its definition of anti-Semitism.
I think this may be undue criticism of the State Department. Obama has been very critical of Israel at times, as have many other Democrats and even some Republicans (though not necessarily for the same reasons as Jewish Voice for Peace.) I’m not sure if there is really much evidence that the State Department is being ‘intentionally vague’; it seems very clear that the Department does not want to shut down criticism of Israel. What I hope it wants to do, is refute criticism of Israel that is disproportionate and libelous. For instance, many Palestinian activists say that the Israelis enjoy killing Palestinian civilians, and want to kill lots more. This is a disgusting attack, and any Israeli ought to be outraged.
I welcome criticism of Israel, I’m often critical of them myself. But criticising the for things they are not doing or intending is completely unfair, and will not help the peace process. From what I’ve heard from Jewish Voice for Peace, they are too critical of Israel and won’t hold the Palestinians sufficiently to account.