Los Angeles Times: Criticism of Israel and Anti-Semitism

Protesters and their targets increasingly reflect upon strategies and whether methods change or harden public stances. Specific questions emerge with protests and calls for boycotts and divestment targeting Israel as related to Palestinian issues, explain Jaweed Kaleem and Teresa Watanabe for the Los Angeles Times: “How much is Jewish identity tied to the modern nation of Israel? Is there a point at which criticism of Israel turns into hatred of Jewish people? If so, when is that line crossed? What is the difference between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism?” Protests have increased on US college campuses due to the long-running Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a stalemate on peace talks, and US decisions to relocate its Israeli embassy and more recently end Palestinian aid. The civil rights office of the US Department of Education is reopening an investigation into reported discrimination at Rutgers University, and activists express concern about attacks on 1st Amendment rights. Intolerance and arguments based on false premises are unacceptable. To change hearts and minds, activists must reject oppression and engage in the time-consuming work of raising awareness about specific policies. – YaleGlobal