How To Define Anti-Semitism
Congresswoman
Ilhan Omar, a first term representative from Minneapolis MN’s 5th
district, recently accused AIPAC of buying influence in Congress. Ms. Omar was born in Mogdishu, Somalia, is a
naturalized American and is the first African-American, female, Muslim
Representative in history. Ms. Omar has
been a consistent critic of Israel in the past, accusing Israel of humanitarian
and political evils, but is she “Anti-Semtic?”
In a tweet
from 2012 Ms. Omar said, “Israel has hypnotized the world, may Allah awaken the people
and help them see the evil doings of Israel. “ In this past
month, she described her view that the Israel lobby buys off members of
Congress to be pro-Israel. Regarding AIPAC (The American Israel Political
Affairs Committee), she tweeted: “It’s all about the Benjamins
[$100 bills], baby.”
Speaker Nancy Pelosi put out a statement that Ms. Omar’s “use of anti-Semitic tropes and prejudicial accusations about
Israel’s supporters” was both offensive and wrong, and that she needed to
apologize. Ms. Omar’s apology included a
rejection of “Anti-Semitism” and acknowledgement of hurt feelings. But this is
not the only example.
The
Labor party in England, under Corbyn in particular, as also been strongly
condemned for “left wing” Anti-Semitic content in its criticism of Israel.
Several members of the party left in 2018 and in February, in part citing this
reality. In France, elements of the “yellow
vest” protests have been accused of anti-Semitism in recent weeks. So much so
that President Macron announced that they will accept the International Holocaust
Remembrance Alliance’s definition from now on:
“Antisemitism
is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.
Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward
Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community
institutions and religious facilities.” In their explanations, this includes denying the Jewish people their right to
self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel
is a racist endeavor.
As Purim reminds us of Haman and Amalek, there will always be
those who accuse “the Jews” of this kind of ugliness. Yes, Ms. Omar, Mr. Corbyn and others – there
is a line beyond which you cannot hide as mere free speech. And we will
call you out on it.
