Can one be against the policies of the state of Israel, and not be anti-Semitic?

Question

I am seeing more and more people call those against the military action of Israel claim that their opponents are anti-Semitic. To me, anti-Semiticism is anti-Judaism. Hitler and the Nazis were anti-Semitic. Right? Are there degrees of anti-Semitism, and perhaps those against Israel's military action are only slightly anti-Semitic? Is anti-Semtisim to the lesser degree, if not violent are aggressive, tolerable if so?

Answer 1

Yes, just like one can be against illegal immigration, and not be racist.

Or one can be against gay marriage, and not be a homophobe.

Or one can be against affirmitive action, and not be racist or sexist.

It all depends on how you determined your viewpoint.

Answer 2

anti-semitism is not the same as anti-judaism. the semitic are the group of people that includes Hebrew, Aramaic, arab and many other races.

Jews although included under the definition of semitic races are not all semitic, as a race where many are caucasian and african so any discrimination against jews should better be called anti-judaism.

however, I beleive Hitler and the Nazis are anti-semitic. Since there were no arab or other semitic races living in germany during WW2 the holocaust only included Jews.

however anti-semitism could be applied to the seriously increasing discrimination against arab (muslims in general) that is growing largely all over the USA and not even condemned no.

I think we should drop the used of the term anti-semitism and anti-judaism and try to use one term "racial discrimination" because I beleive that jews and arab are the least to suffer racial discrimination.

By the way, opposing Israel politics and millitary descision is a must and a humanitarian act when it come to stop it from killing innocent lives.
for the opposer of this last statment: we all know that the israeli occupation of south lebanon created Hizbollah from the first place, so forget this "antisemitic" statment that say israel has the right of self defence.

Answer 3

Yes. It is very possible. Criticizing the actions of a nation's government is not the same as criticizing a religion or a race of people. Is an American Jew against who criticizes Israeli policy a self-hating Jew?

Anti-Semitism, even non-violent, is not tolerable. I abhor any form of bigotry and that's why Mel Gibson should be ashamed of himself. We'll see if he's able to repair relationships with the Jewish community. Perhaps, but the combination of "The Passion" followed up by the most recent statements may paint him into a corner.

Answer 4

Of course. I'm not anti-Semitic, but I am vehemently opposed to Israels political stance, and have been for years. I'm not even anti-Israeli. I firmly believe Israel has a right to exist. But I'm opposed to their aggressive, bullying foreign policy, the fact that they have illegally taken land from Egypt and Jordan (Gaza strip and West Bank) and the way they have denied Palestinians even the most basic rights, and have actively oppressed and terrorised them.

If you noticed, the only point in the above statement in which I mentioned something even remotely religious was in my first sentence when I mentioned that I was not anti-Semitic but I am opposed to Israels politics. That's exactly it really. To me, it's not a religious problem (Jews and Muslims lived pretty happily together in the region for 1500 years), but a political one.

Just another point: in this context, the term "anti-Semitic" is flawed, as both Hebrews and Arabs are a Semitic people. Semite is to a Hebrew or Arab as Caucasian is to a Slav or Celt.

Answer 5

Probably, but I think most people who are against Israel's policies are anti-Semitic but just don't want to admit it. No, I don't think there are degrees to anti-Semitism. That would be like being a little racist. That's why I think so many who are against their policies are underneath it all anti-Semites.

Answer 6

Of course. Being anti Semitic is the intolerance of judism (a religion). Being against a jewish country bombing another country into the stone age has nothing to do with the religion....it has to do with the policies used by all the countries in that region.

Answer 7

They are only called anti-Semitic if they say something like "Death to Israel." Most insulting is when they compare Israel to the Nazi's of Germany.

Answer 8

first of all, you want to seem up words contained in the dictionary as obviously you don't comprehend what they recommend. A Jew or Arab are both Semites, assuming you imagine all Jews are descendants of Semites. i imagine the Jews of Ethiopia ought to disagree with you, as ought to the Jews of Spain. I wager the blued eyed blond Jews of Denmark ought to chortle on your face. Your declare that both Jews and Arabs are Semites is stupid. "Anti-Semitic" is a particular time period which means to be hostile to Jews. It does not remember how the time period developed, in the present day it means something stated or performed hostile to Jews. the actual undeniable reality that part of the muse note is "Semite" does not remember. at the same time as that aspect period is used, it means particularly, comments or moves geared in route of the Jews. seem up the words before making yet another stupid remark. Secondly, in hide, people attack Israel who extremely prefer to attack the Jews. They sense by technique of attacking a rustic somewhat than a people, that someway makes it ok. i'm itemizing a reference less than, do you are able to ought to like extremely practice your self and not in any respect be lead round by technique of the nostril. 0.33, use of the time period "Many." For some who favor to make a level at the same time as they don't have any data, using the time period "many" is basically appropriate. To them, 5 or ten is "many". virtually all of Jews contained in the country help Israel. (Majority means more effective than 1/2, basically in case you do not comprehend that aspect period both.) ultimately, your declare of Israel being an apartheid state. Assuming it is genuine, is that no more effective constructive than a state the position all who're different are wiped out or forced to flee? look into Saudi Arabia. No christian church homes, no Hindu temples, no Buddha statues, no synagogues. if you're stuck with a bible, you're in huge difficulty. if you're stuck proselytizing a faith except Islam, you're beheaded. Israel has over a million non-Jews residing competently interior their united states. you've the balls to remark negatively about Israel without condemning Saudi Arabia? Your double universal is displaying. Your mustache is roofed with crap.

Answer 9

Absolutely yes. Israeli state just like any state doesn not represent people of Israel. People of Israel do not necessarily dream and think of killing other people, be it Lebanese, or any other nation. I think its all the bad politicians who are responsible. The guy who is in Israel and that horrible Mr Bush. Yuck, I hate him so much.

Answer 10

Yes.

If you hate Judaism you are anti-semetic. Not if you disagree with Israels policies.

You see it is different in this country. If you dont believe in god you are shunned by society and you are unpatriotic.

Answer 11

Yes I think you could be against the state policy's and not be against Jews or Judaism