Is anti-Zionism a form of antisemitism? It depends. A non-Jewish person criticizing Jews or Israel is not necessarily an antisemite.
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Even Jewish people have been known to criticize Israel or even oppose the establishment of a Jewish state – Philosopher Martin Buber, political scientist Hannah Arendt and even the great Satmar Rebbe Joel Teitelbaum – but they cannot be described as antisemites.
And yet, when it comes to the 21st century, more often than not, anti-Zionism does go hand in hand with antisemitism.
Look at the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism, which says that anti-Zionism and Jew-hatred are two sides of the same coin.
While it received extensive global support, having been adopted or recognized by 36 countries worldwide, it has also been lambasted by critics for "stifling free speech."
A common claim is that the definition stifles criticism of Israel. Bogus. The definition itself makes it clear that "criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic."
In other words, legitimate criticism of Israel is not considered antisemitic, only that which is disproportionate, obsessive, and dishonest.
It is clear that critics of the IHRA definition are not looking to criticize Israel in a legitimate manner. They are trying to make it seem that denying the very existence of a Jewish state is just as legitimate as criticizing any other country.
Whoever denies the Jewish people the right to a sovereign state in their national homeland engages in antisemitism. And in the case of certain Israeli academics, who support the Palestinian "right" to a sovereign state, yet deny the Jewish people the same, the situation is patently absurd.
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