As I continue to publicize my criticism of Israel and Zionism, a specific kind of criticism has emerged from people in my life, frequently enough that it has become a pattern.
The gist of their argument is this: “We agree with you in theory that Israel is doing many terrible things, but we’re worried that you being so vocal about it will serve as fuel for antisemites. They will take your statements as a Jew and use it to justify and validate their hate speech.”
To which I say:
Israel has done more harm to other people in the last 70 years than any anti-Semite has harmed the Jews. You want I should silence myself around an ongoing atrocity that cannot be tolerated, simply because it might become some sort of amorphous, unspecified threat?
Why are we living our life based on what antisemites think?
What happened to speaking up for the truth despite the risks? My critics are not even denying the terrible acts themselves (although they might try to explain them away as anecdotal incidents instead of systemic issues). They are simply refusing to decry them publicly for fear of how this will be perceived.
I fear, further, that they are grouping all critics of Israel into the “antisemite” category, a common Zionist tactic. Yes, there are people who froth at the mouth at the very thought of Jews. But there are thousands of liberal and rational individuals and organizations who also condemn Israel, and it’s not from a place antisemitism – it stems from the exact opposite, basic respect for the human rights of all people regardless of their ethnicity.
Here’s what really gets me: why are we living our life based on what anti-Semites think? By their very definition, these are racist, irrational, and bigoted people. Their beliefs are not founded in reality – that is exactly what makes them racist in the first place. They don’t need our valid criticism to serve as ammunition, they already believe that Jews control the weather.
To censor your values because it will “fuel antisemitism” is to give in to these racist fanatics.
To quote them, as my father does of Hitler, as proof of your moral superiority, is to base your own value upon the irrational beliefs of some of the world’s most misguided people.
To try to appease them by withholding criticism where it is due means buying in to their own false beliefs – that they have legitimate reasons to hate Jews and that if you stopped giving them reasons, they would change their mind.
Do you think Hitler, or Kanye West, or Candace Owens, or David Duke or any of your favorite antisemites really cares what you say, one way or the other? They are out to lunch, and you serving them the tastiest bagels will not change their world views.
The truth is, they will hate you anyway.
The only thing you can do is try to live with a clear conscious.
A life based on speaking truth even when it’s difficult, of living by your values even when it’s unpopular and alienating.
And that’s why I speak out.
