Anti-Semitism

This a series of posts explores anti-Semitism, its origins, the motivations behind it, its various manifestations, its consequences, and its possible future. The series also proposes a method for determining when an act or statement is anti-Semitic and concludes with some suggestions for remedying the consequences of anti-Semitism. A series of discussion questions is also included.

Review of the previous post.

The previous post, post number 29 of 33, was the sixth of ten posts discussing a process for determining if an act or statement is anti-Semitic.

Preview of this post.

This post, post number 30 of 33, is the seventh of ten posts discussing a process for determining if an act or statement is anti-Semitic and is s the first of three posts applying this process to an actual situation.

Determining Anti-Semitism

The following examples are presented to illustrate these motivation and context elements.

Based on the foregoing analysis of whether or not an act is an act of anti-Semitism being strongly dependent on the act or accusation being taken because the actor is acting because he believes he is acting against a Jew (mens rea), it might be instructive to re-examine some acts which occur in the world’s political arena. Based on this analysis, one wonders if the actions of the Arab States against Israel qualify as anti-Semitic. Clearly, these acts are taken against the State of Israel and its citizens. However, are they motivated by hatred of Jews? Or are they motivated by hatred of a state and a people who occupy land that the Arabs believe is theirs and was stolen from them? Most reports out of the antagonist groups of Arabs (such as the PLO) refer to Israel and its citizens as “occupiers” and want Israel and its citizens to be gone from the occupied territory. This is not Jew hatred, it is hatred of a state that is perceived as occupying one’s homeland. Therefore, viewed in this light, it would appear that the groups opposing Israel do not qualify as being anti-Semitic, but Nationalistic.

Preview of the next post.

The next post, post number 31 of 33, is the eighth of ten posts discussing a process for  determining if an act or statement is anti-Semitic and is s the second of three posts applying this process to an actual situation