Antisemitism has become an increasingly visible part of America’s political conversation. While criticism of Israel is a legitimate part of the democratic debate, some rhetoric has crossed the line from disagreement with Israeli government policy into language that many Jews view as hostile to their identity and the legitimacy of the Jewish state. That shift deserves serious attention, regardless of political affiliation.
Criticizing the policies of any government, including Israel’s, is protected speech and an essential part of democracy. Antisemitism is different. It appears when criticism relies on stereotypes about Jews, questions the Jewish people’s right to self-determination in ways not applied to other nations, or treats Jews collectively as responsible for the actions of Israel.
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The United States and our allies spent much of the 20th Century fighting fascism. Few Americans would have imagined political candidates using rhetoric that many Jewish organizations identify as antisemitic.
Several prominent progressive politicians have made statements that many Jewish organizations believe cross the line from criticism of Israeli policy into antisemitic rhetoric. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) of Minnesota has made statements — including “it’s all about the Benjamins, baby” and “Israel has hypnotized the world” that many Jewish organizations have criticized as antisemitic.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) has repeatedly used the slogan “from the river to the sea”, which many supporters of Israel interpret as calling for the elimination of the State of Israel.
Zohran Mamdani, the first Muslim Mayor of New York, has made statements many supporters of Israel view as hostile and received widespread criticism.
Recently, many critics argue that several progressive activists devote far more attention to the only democracy in the Middle East and American ally, Israel, than to authoritarian governments that have expressed anti-American and antisemitic views.
History demonstrates that prejudice rarely begins with violence. It begins with language that portrays an entire people as uniquely dangerous, disloyal, or collectively responsible for the actions of others. Once that distinction is lost, discrimination becomes easier to justify, and hatred becomes easier to normalize. That lesson is not unique to Jewish history; it is one history has taught repeatedly. This is why Americans — and all democratic societies — must not remain silent when antisemitism appears.
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The rising tide of antisemitism, in words and deeds, must be forcefully denounced. Throughout the ages, hatred has often been met with silence, perhaps the most egregious mistake a civilized society can make. In Germany during the 1930s, anti-Jewish propaganda normalized prejudice long before mass violence began. History reminds us that words can prepare the public to accept actions that once would have been unthinkable.
Healthy democracies depend on vigorous debate. Citizens should criticize governments when they believe criticism is warranted. But democracies also depend on rejecting hatred directed at entire peoples. Political disagreement becomes dangerous when it evolves into prejudice. Americans should reject antisemitism wherever it appears — on the left, on the right, and regardless of ideology.
William Pollack is a long-time owner of small market radio/TV stations and movie theaters.
