In both the local and national press, the term “antisemitism” has been used without regard to context, so the term has become vague and almost useless.
Most people would agree that at the march in Charleston, South Carolina, when people yelled, “Jews will not replace us!” that was antisemitic. When Musk made a gesture that looked like a Nazi salute, that might possibly be considered antisemitic. But what is wrong with the discussion about campus protests is that protests against the Israeli government’s military actions in Gaza are equated with antisemitism.
They are not the same thing. Many Jewish people like myself are appalled at the destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, etc., and death of more than 50,000 people in Gaza. However, we are also horrified at what Hamas did in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and its ongoing refusal to release the hostages and negotiate peace. We support Israel in its right to defend itself against terrorist groups like Hamas, but at the same time we do not approve of the way the Israeli government has waged the war. Students who felt that way joined protests, but does that make them all antisemitic? Some may have been, but there were those who were not.
At this point, with Trump and his cronies making no distinction between different kinds of protest, there will be no free speech on any campus when it comes to voicing an opinion on the war. But regardless of where an opinion is voiced, people should not conflate being against the policies of the government of Israel with being antisemitic.
Judith Bernstein
Arroyo Grande
This article appears in May 8-18, 2025.
Finally, a voice of reason. Unfortunately, organizations like JPAC, the ADL et all, have as one of their goals to quash any negative press about Israel. And they are very powerful . Only recently have they somewhat backed away from Trump’s ransacking of democratic rights under the guise of ferreting out antisemitism.
While objecting to the conduct of the war in Gaza is not necessarily antisemitic, wearing the Palestinian keffiyeh commonly found at most demonstrations indicates more of a partisan stance in support of Hamas than general opposition to the death suffered by both sides. Chants of “from the river to the sea” do little to dispel the appearance of rooting for Hamas, nor does the rhetoric supporting the Palestinian fight against Israel. Showing up to a demonstration in garb associated with just one of the combatants, would be like showing up to a demonstration against, say, the allied fire bombing of Dresden in WWII wearing full Nazi regalia. Appearances count.
John D:
Good one.
@ John Donegan,
Chanting “From the River to the Sea” simply reflects the Palestinian hope for their land. You can make of it whatever you want, but , from their explanation, it’s a hope for freedom of oppression, kind of like some African American spirituals. If anyone is claiming “From the River to the Sea,” it would be the Israeli right-wing government because that’s exactly what they have in mind for Israel.
And wearing a keffiyeh is basically a symbol of your support of Palestinians in their struggle against the oppression of Israel. Interestingly, if you look at the photos coming out of Gaza, you won’t see a keffiyeh being worn.
Don’t worry, the patriotic statespersons in Congress will protect our free speech. In fact, Cassidy, MTG, Gaetz and Tuberville are already backing an amendment to the Antisemitism Awareness Act to make sure Christians can continue to call Jews Christkillers.
Thank You Judith Bernstein for your excellent letter. I agree.
The current white supremacist regime in the White House are using the word “antisemitism” as a tool of fear to stifle and censor all of our Free Speech, along with their attempt to eliminate all the rest of our rights and freedoms.
We must not fall for the doublespeak, half truths and outright falsehoods coming out of Trump and his sycophants in his cabinet. Trump is a conman, and he is Putin’s puppet. As Putin calls Trump his “useful idiot.”
Thank You again for your excellent letter.
Thank You Judith Bernstein for your excellent letter. I agree.
Trump the white supremacist and his cabinet of mostly Russian agents are using the word “antisemitism” as a tool of fear to take away our 1st Amendment rights of Free Speech, and they are coming after the Free Press and all the rest of our rights and freedoms. Do not be fooled by their doublespeak and falsehoods.
Thank you again for your excellent letter.
Scott J:
I thought there wasn’t any sort of religious test to hold public office? Your accusations that everyone in the White House is a “Russian agent” would therefore require all of them to sign the same type of affirmations that public employees had to sign in the 50s during the Red Scare to affirm that they were not communists.
I salute the current administration for trying to bring an end to the corporate proxy war in Ukraine. I also salute them for trying to salvage any sort of relationship the previous administration ruined with Russia.
I’d bet if the economy and your life improved by engaging in commerce with Russia rather than nuclear war, you’d be singing a different. Whose rear end are you trying to kiss by perpetuating that worn out trope about “Russia, Russia, Russia?”
Russia is a great way to deflect from the dystopian conditions we created here in America that pushed voters to elect Trump. It’s easier to blame a bogeyman like Putin than admit our own mistakes. It’s a form of denial and your deep in it.
Why is Hamas considered a terrorist group because it killed hundreds of people one day and the IDF a defensible military force when it has bombed, shot, burned, and buried well over 50,000 and counting? Why are Israeli’s held by Hamas “hostages” and Palestinians held by Israel “prisoners”? Because Israel has enough money and US support to produce propaganda. The Palestinians do not. Were the Native Americans who fought to hold onto their land and their way of life terrorists?
One of the most vocal groups in the US supporting the Palestinian people is called Jewish Voice for Peace, organized by Jewish people who do not tie themselves to the apartheid state of Israel but to their religious beliefs. Anyone who thinks Anti-zionism is Anti-semitism could learn a lot by looking into this organization.
This is not a democrat or a republican issue, so please no need to bring Trump, Biden, or Kamala into this, they are no different on the matter. This is a matter of real people, not bought off politicians, valuing human life.
Peace and Liberation in the middle east.
Kyle:
You fail to even look at Palestinian activities against the state of Israel since its creation.
Palestinians held by Israel are prisoners because they go to court where they are tried.
Israel doesn’t need yours or the world’s permission to defend itself.
If Palestinians are pissed now because they’ve basically been blown to smithereens, perhaps they should of thought about the consequences of the actions of the cancer amongst themselves: Hamas. Who’s laughing now?
To Fly,
Your justification for genocide lacks intellectual nuance and any moral fiber. What kind of debased mindset condones killing 19,000 children?
Stegman:
The US firebombed Dresden in WWII as well as numerous japanese cities, we also dropped nukes on two large japanese cities incinerating tens of thousands of civilians instantly, where are your alligator tears for them?
As a liberal, I would imagine you supported Madeline Albright who served under Bill Clinton, when on:
“May 12, 1996, then-ambassador Albright defended the sanctions [on Iraq] on a 60 Minutes segment in which Lesley Stahl asked her, “We have heard that half a million children have died. I mean, that’s more children than died in Hiroshima. And, you know, is the price worth it?” and Albright replied, “We think the price is worth it.”
When Israel is finished with their war, it’ll be a long time before a group of terrorists attempt to fly hang gliders into Israel, machine gun women and children, kidnap old people in wheelchairs, all while pointing to the sky and thanking God for the opportunity to do so.
So please, at least try to stay consistent. If it bothers you so much, you can also return any social security check you may receive while youre at it because the same government that sends you a social security check is the same government that supports the Americans murdered by Hamas. What? You didn’t know? Yeah, many of the people killed by Hamas in their surprise assault were Israeli-Americans. Many of the Israeli troops being killed by Hamas and other Palestinian terrorists as Israel cleans up and mops up Gaza are actual Americans. I’m not sure what side you’re on, but I’m on America’s side. As much as I loath what America has become, I’ll always back up Americans. America and Americans first.
Make no mistake, that land belongs to Isreal and always will. This also adds to the importance of sanctioning Hamas’s benefactor, Iran. Should Iran develope the atom bomb, who is to say they wouldn’t put one in the hands of Hamas to be detonated in downtown Tel Aviv? Iran’s hatred of Israel runs just as deep as Hamas.
Here’s a list of Israeli KIA defending their country:
https://www.gov.il/en/pages/swords-of-iron…
Americans killed by Hamas on October 7:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-charges-s…