I continue to write these blogs not because I believe I will change minds, rather as a small way of possibly helping those looking for context, data, and facts to gain a more balanced perspective. It also provides our community insight on how we, as a school, are addressing the war and attack on the Jewish people with our older students.

If you understand the identity of the Jewish people, our history, our story, and our connections, then you cannot legitimately argue that one can be anti-Zionist and not anti-Semitic. You cannot separate the Jew from the land. 

As I have written in the past, Jews are a people and Judaism is our culture, and within that culture are religious elements. We represent a distinct people, characterized by a shared history, identity, language, and yes, land - a land that speaks of our story, values, and yearnings. Our history even predates the establishment of the religion. If you want to go back to our foundational story in the Torah, God’s promise to Avraham was to make him a great nation, and show him the land that the nation would thrive on - not to be a great religion.

As I wrote a few weeks ago in my blog, The Truth Needs Sneakers, Jews have maintained a deep and continuous connection to the land of Israel for thousands of years. This historical connection is rooted in biblical narratives, archaeological evidence, and a consistent Jewish presence in the region even during times of exile. The attachment to Israel as a homeland is cultural, historical, national, and emotional, as well as a religious aspiration for many.

The establishment of the modern State of Israel in 1948 was recognized by much of the international community, including the United Nations. Israel's establishment was the culmination of a national pursuit, reflecting the collective aspiration of our people to, once again, have a sovereign state where we could exercise self-determination and ensure the safety and security of all of our people. 

Israel is the only Jewish-majority state, and the only land Jews claim for themselves. This recognition by the international community is an important acknowledgment of the uniqueness of the Jewish people. The Jewish people and the land of Israel are politically and culturally interwoven, deeply rooted in the historical narrative and identity of Jews.

From the moment Romans destroyed Judea, Jews everywhere yearned for the return to our land in order to rebuild our country. The Jewish people without Israel are an incomplete, broken people. While we survived, we did not always thrive for long in foreign places - and we are at risk again. Given what we are experiencing now, in 2023, does anyone seriously believe Jews would be safe in much of the world without Israel? We have no place “to go back to” as many like to say; “we are back”.

While criticism of Israeli policies may be valid and can be expressed without engaging in anti-Zionism or anti-Semitism, once you express anti-Zionist views - which is the belief that Jews do not have the right to nationhood or self-determination, which is at the heart of our identity as a people,  it crosses the line into bigotry and hatred. This occurs when anti-Zionists either employ anti-Semitic stereotypes, deny the legitimacy of Israel's existence as a Jewish state, or advocate for its destruction. Such rhetoric not only targets the policies of the Israeli government but also targets the Jewish people and the very legitimacy of Jewish self-determination, in Israel, which is at the heart of Jewish peoplehood.

As part of the anti-Zionist rhetoric, the slogan "From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free" has now gained wide-spread acceptance and is chanted with impunity.  This is not simply a rallying cry for Palestinian self-determination, it is a call for the destruction of Israel. The slogan's explicit call for control of the entire territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea can only mean the removal of the State of Israel and its Jewish inhabitants by means of ethnic cleansing or genocide. Not even apologists can make a counter argument. We now routinely hear this chant globally, on the streets, on college campuses, and this past weekend in Washington D.C. “Free Palestine” means the same thing. Free Palestine from what? 

Anti-Zionism that denies Jews the right to their homeland or singles out Israel for disproportionate condemnation is anti-Semitism because it discriminates against Jews on the basis of their national identity. It feeds into age-old conspiracy theories, stereotypes, and prejudices about Jewish power and influence. We see it now and the deniers are in full gear. 

Why is it when Israel is attacked and defends itself the world rises up in protest and horror?  Every accusation you can think of is thrown at Israel: genocide, ethnic cleansing, apartheid. And the atrocities committed by Hamas are largely met with silence or “justified” excuses.

But, when Syria slaughtered over 300,000 Muslims in their civil war - silence. When 230,000 Muslims were slaughtered in Yemen - silence. When 24,000 Muslims massacred in Myanmar - silence. And over 1,000,0000 Muslims have been “relocated for reeducation” in China - silence.

What is it about the Jews and Israel? Jews seem to only be tolerated as victims. And even then, we were blamed for the massacre of October 7 - “we had it coming.”

Flagrantly accusing Israel of ethnic cleansing, in justifying anti-Zionist rhetoric is another anti-Semitic accusation as it is factually not true, creating a sinister view of Jews as murderers. Such accusations not only misrepresent the reality on the ground but also contribute to the perpetuation of a false narrative. This is not to say the death of innocent civilians is not horrific - it is.

In fact, since Israel’s establishment in 1948, Israel's population has steadily grown, including its Arab citizens. According to Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics, the country's population increased from approximately 800,000 in 1948 to over 9 million in 2021. This growth demonstrates that Israel has not engaged in a policy of population reduction or ethnic cleansing. Israel's Arab citizens, who make up about 20% of the country's population, have consistently grown in number. If Israel were engaged in ethnic cleansing or genocide, it would be impossible for the Arab population to increase.

While the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has resulted in tragic losses of life and displacement, the Palestinian population has steadily increased over the years in the West Bank and Gaza as well, further contradicting the claim of genocide or ethnic cleansing. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, the Palestinian population in these areas grew from around 1.4 million in 1997 to over 4.8 million in 2021. Each year there are significantly more births than deaths.

It remains vital that as Jews we recognize and acknowledge that criticism of Israeli policies is not inherently anti-Semitic, and criticism and differences in opinion should always be encouraged in democratic societies. However, when criticism becomes anti-Zionism, denying Jewish self-determination, historical claims, and the legitimacy of Israel as a nation-state, it becomes indistinguishable from anti-Semitism. Slogans like "From the River to the Sea" that imply the removal of Israel and its Jewish population are particularly problematic and can only be seen as promoting anti-Semitic ideas. 

If there is ever to be a serious conversation about peace and Palestinian self-determination and  statehood, all parties need to be able to distinguish between legitimate criticism of  Israeli policies and the unjust demonization of an entire people's historical and cultural connection to their homeland, while also condemning any rhetoric that calls for violence or harm to any group.  The prospects of even talking about peace seem further away than ever, but, then again, we are a people of hope - Hatikvah!