Prominent figures on the Left rejoiced after the Supreme Court handed down a decision last week that disqualified Michael Ben-Ari's Knesset candidacy due to his extremist right-wing views but let the Arab party Balad and Hadash candidate Ofer Cassif run.
The court claimed that the Ben-Ari had to be disqualified because he promoted far-right and racist views, whereas Balad and Cassif were promoting uncomfortable, yet legitimate, views - such as rejecting Israel as the nation-state of the Jews.
That is a double standard.
Everyone agrees that racism against Arabs is wrong. The Basic Law: The Knesset is designed to disqualify racists, but trying to undo Israel's character as a Jewish state is a form of racism, as well – racism against Jews.
Arab parties say they support self-determination for all peoples, and that is why they call for a Palestinian nation-state. But they also oppose the Jews' right to national self-determination. This is not just racist, but also anti-Semitic, because it defines the state of Israel as a racist enterprise.
Those who support the disqualification of Ben-Ari should show consistency and apply the same standard to the Arab parties and Mr. Cassif. But they haven't, because the Israeli Left is content to allow racism against Jews, which they say should be permitted because Jews are the majority.
But the more important question is which kind of racism is more dangerous. Ben-Ari and his friends have been denounced across the board and they have negligible influence. Not only that, even when he was a Knesset member, Ben-Ari failed to promote his racist agenda.
But in contrast to Ben-Ari's case, racism against Jews has become a legitimate ideology around the world. Arab MKs and the Jewish propagandists have been spreading anti-Zionist vitriol against Israel worldwide. The boycott, divestment and sanctions movement has received backing from the radical Left internationally.
This only foments more anti-Zionist sentiment among Arabs in Israel and bolsters their reluctance to integrate into Israeli society.
Anti-Zionism and anti-Arab racism are two sides of the same coin. Those who look the other way when Jews are discriminated against should not be surprised when people call them hypocritical.
Those who are deeply saddened by Jewish racism against Arabs are also very forgiving when it comes to anti-Zionism and various forms of racism against Jews.
This double standard is mind-boggling and has for the most part outraged Israelis. It also legitimizes efforts to attack Israeli interests and worst of all, it erodes the public's faith in the Supreme Court.
