If

socialismoffools:

If you are unable to condemn anti-semitism without first criticizing Israel or identifying yourself as an “anti-Zionist” or “pro-Palestine,” you’re being anti-semitic.

If you begin every conversation about anti-semitism by asserting that anti-semitism is often or “nearly always” instrumentalized, exaggerated, or fabricated, you’re being anti-semitic. (Relatedly, I don’t think this is true and the Left’s willingness to swallow it whole and use it to attack or delegitimize Jews is troubling, but that’s another post.)

If you only condemn anti-semitism on the grounds that it “doesn’t help Palestinians” or “fuels the Zionists’ fire,” you’re being anti-semitic.

If you the only time you talk about anti-semitism is when you’re blaming Israel for it, you’re being anti-semitic.

If you only condemn anti-semitism to “define it down” so you and your allies are never guilty of it (i.e. condemning a neo-Nazi group but refusing to acknowledge left-wing or Islamist anti-semitism), you’re being anti-semitic.

If a Jew talking about anti-semitism fills you with rage, think about why that is. If you need Richard Seymour to give something an “anti-semitic/not anti-semitic” stamp instead of listening to Jews or asking yourself whether you’d tolerate the behavior if it were directed at, say, Muslims or gay men, think about why that is. Peace/shalom.