Episode 2519: Is Criticism of Israel, by definition, Anti-Semitic?

Apr 30, 2025

Uri Kaufman, author of American Intifada, addresses the controversial line between criticism of Israel and anti-Semitism. He argues that well-meaning progressives often apply different moral standards to Israel, leading to misunderstandings and misrepresentation in media. Kaufman asserts that peace is contingent upon Palestinians recognizing a Jewish state, while examining how narratives shape public opinion. The discussion also touches on the complexities of academic responses to anti-Semitism and the ramifications of political rhetoric, provoking deep reflection on biases in societal discourse.

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INSIGHT

New Antisemitism by Progressives

New antisemitism is often practiced unwittingly by well-intentioned progressives who apply different moral standards to Israel than to other countries.
Progressive media often misrepresent facts about Gaza, such as wrongly labeling it as occupied despite Israel's withdrawal.

INSIGHT

Progressive Double Standards on Israel

Progressives often side with Palestinians as "people of color" against Israelis perceived as a "white group of privilege," leading to double standards.
This identification leads to changing facts to fit the narrative when they don't align with preconceived views.

ANECDOTE

Peace Processes and Violence Standards

The Northern Ireland peace process strictly excluded violent actors per the Mitchell Principles.
In contrast, the Oslo peace process with Palestinians continued despite ongoing suicide bombings early on.

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Is any criticism of Israel, by definition, anti-semitic? Not according to Uri Kaufman who, in his new book American Intifada, examines what he calls the "new antisemitism" following the Gaza war. That said, Kaufman nonetheless believes that progressive institutions and figures like Obama and the New York Times manifest a form of antisemitism by holding Israel to different moral standards than other countries. He contends that many supposedly well-meaning media organizations willfully misrepresent facts about Gaza and Israel's actions, and that the path to peace requires Palestinians to unambiguously accept a Jewish state in the Middle East. Perhaps. Although just as Uri Kaufman believes progressives hold Israel to different moral standards than other countries, I wonder if Zionists like Kaufman hold Palestinians to higher moral standards than other disempowered peoples.

Five Key Takeaways

* Kaufman defines "new antisemitism" as discrimination against Jews that comes from well-intentioned progressives who unknowingly apply different standards to Israel than to other countries.

* He argues that media organizations like the New York Times and BBC misrepresent facts about Gaza, incorrectly labeling it as "occupied" despite Israel's withdrawal, and uncritically reporting Palestinian casualty figures.

* Kaufman believes many progressives automatically side with Palestinians as "people of color" against Israelis, who they view as a "white group of privilege," regardless of factual context.

* He maintains that criticism of Israel can be legitimate without being antisemitic, but claims many critics apply double standards they wouldn't use for other conflicts.

* Kaufman believes peace will only come when Palestinians unambiguously accept a Jewish state in the Middle East, and suggests that educating progressives about their biases is needed to change Western perceptions about Israel.

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