By Aaron S., Jerusalem Online—
The US State Department has updated its definition of anti-Semitism, by adding that “making comparisons between contemporary Israeli policy and Nazi policy” is an example of anti-Semitism in public life.
In 2018, the State Department adopted the definition of anti-Semitism established by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).
Most of the examples presented by IHRA were already included in the definition, with the exception of comparisons between Israeli policies and those of Nazi Germany.
Elan Carr took notice and officially determined that this comparison is anti-Semitic. Carr was appointed as Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Antisemitism by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on February 5th.
Here are the definitions that are now on the US State Departments website.
- Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion.
- Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as collective — such as, especially but not exclusively, the myth about a world Jewish conspiracy or of Jews controlling the media, economy, government or other societal institutions.
- Accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group, or even for acts committed by non-Jews.
- Denying the fact, scope, mechanisms (e.g. gas chambers) or intentionality of the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of National Socialist
- Germany and its supporters and accomplices during World War II (the Holocaust)
- Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust.
- Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations.
- Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor.
- Applying double standards by requiring of it a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.
- Using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis.
- Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.
- Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel. Continue Reading….