– Am I anti -Semite because I criticize Israel’s actions in Gaza?

When I advocate what is happening in Gaza, I am immediately labeled as anti -Semite by some. But is it really true that all criticism of the Israeli government’s actions automatically make me a Jewish hater?

I do not criticize a religion, people or culture. I criticize a government that has chosen a brutal military strategy, a policy that results in civil disorder at an unacceptable level.

Can’t we distinguish between a state’s actions and the people it represents? Of course, we can and should do it.

It is crucial that we can discuss international law, human rights and war crimes without being reduced to simplified labels. If we cannot criticize rulers without being accused of prejudice, we lose the opportunity for an honest, necessary debate.

So I ask myself and others: Is it really anti -Semitism to condemn war actions and demand justice? Or is it just an easy way to avoid the unpleasant conversation?

My answer to myself is no on the first and yes to the Israeli government using this against us in the way they do. Many of us may remember an interview with Likud politician and head of the Israeli Security Council, Boaz Bismuth, where NRK journalist Yama Wolasmal is accused of being anti-Semite and an anti-Israeli journalist as we can read in Journalist.

So yes – it is challenging to criticize Israel for their gruesome war against Gaza’s population there even hunger is used as weapons against the Palestinian people. But I can’t help it.

Kåre Simensen

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