Why do people use the word "Anti-Semite" if they have no idea what it means?

Question

It has gotten to where if anyone says anything critical about Israel, some crackpot will be there to yell "Anti-Semite!!"
How stupid. Do you not realize that Israel is a Country, not the entire Jewish religion!?!?!

I have nothing against Jews in general.

I am anti-murder. I am anti-oppression. If the state of Israel participates in these types of things, then I will be be "anti-Olmert" Which has nothing to do with Judaism.

If I dislike Bush, does that make me"anti-born again christian?"

Answer 1

A wide generalization used by the ignorant.

Answer 2

You have to realize that in many cases anti Israel is really just a cover for anti semitism, i.e. the underlying motive is anti semetic, not simply "I am critical of Israel".

It is certainly possible to be ciritcal of Israel and not be anti semetic.
I will use myself as an example of that.
- I am critical of Israel's recent acceptance of the ceasefire (which I beleive will not solve the problems at hand)
- I was critical of Israel's withdrawl from the Gaza strip.
- I was critical of the peace process with the PLO which did nothing to advance peace in the region

See? Does that make me an anti semite?

On the other hand, it is certainly possible to be anti Israel with anti semetic intent.

Thus, if that is the case, calling such comments as "anti semetic" is certianly warranted even if it is said as "anti Israel".

Answer 3

It's just a word that gets thrown out there. You can disagree with what the Jews are doing but that does not make you an anti semite. Also some people get called that because they come accrossed like terrorists or siding with the terrorist. Which does make them an anti semite

Answer 4

Ummm, I think you yourself have the wrong idea of what a semite (and thereby an anti-semite) is. It's not just a jewish thing. Fact is most if not all Israel IS semetic, as is jordan lebanon and parts of Africa too.

Sem·ite Audio pronunciation of "semite" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (smt)
n.

1. A member of a group of Semitic-speaking peoples of the Near East and northern Africa, including the Arabs, Arameans, Babylonians, Carthaginians, Ethiopians, Hebrews, and Phoenicians.
2. A Jew.
3. Bible. A descendant of Shem.

Answer 5

Hello, I am a Jew and let me try to answer your question. Well, I think people in a way "economize" on their thinking effort and so they use well-known catch-phrases and/or notions and (also) stereotypes. Furthermore, I absolutely agree with what you say in "details" part and me, myself am sometimes anti- sth that goes on in Israel but I am never an Anti-Semite - here I could even say that being anti-Semite or Anti-American or Anti-anything that cannot be precisely indicated as a mass of people --- means simply to be anti-human!!!

Thank you,

Mati

Answer 6

You know, I sooooo agree with you. You have guts man.

Keep on speaking!

Everyone else here is completely brainwashed by the Media...They have become zombies just following the commands of their TVs...actually the news!

I'm not against any group of people either. I am against what the country is doing to oppress others.

Defend?? Since when can you defend yourself on someone elses land and home? Aren't you asking for it then?

I hope you check out the links I sent you in the other question you just asked. It's very interesting...

For those of you who do not know...here it is:

http://news.sky.com/skynews/video/videoplayer/0,,31200-galloway_060806,00.html

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7828123714384920696&q=peace+propaganda&hl=en

Answer 7

"If I dislike Bush, does that make me"anti-born again christian?"

No, but it makes you anti-Amerrcan whos with the terrists!

Answer 8

you are correct but the powerful make the rules