"Criticism of Israel is antisemitic."

Supporters argue that “criticism of Israel is antisemitic.” They claim that focusing on Israel, through protests, divestment campaigns, or labeling its actions as imperialist, reveals underlying anti-Jewish prejudice. This narrative contends that Israel, as the Jewish state, cannot be criticized without invoking antisemitic stereotypes or hate.

Critics, including Jewish Voice for Peace, Kenneth Stern, and other experts, stress that legitimate critique of Israel’s policies, actions, or leadership is not inherently antisemitic. They argue that only criticism employing antisemitic tropes, such as collective blame of Jews, demonization, or denial of Jewish self-determination, crosses the line. Effective frameworks (like the “3 Ds”) specifically distinguish between valid political discourse and antisemitic expressions.

Defining all criticism of Israel as antisemitic suppresses free speech, academic inquiry, and human rights advocacy. In the U.S., the IHRA working definition has influenced enforcement actions that critics say stifle campus debate and equate valid dissent with hate, leading to backlash even from IHRA’s original authors.