Anti Semitism is raising it’s ugly head again. Universities seem at a loss on how to manage student protests that are drawing attention to the plight of Palestinians in Gaza. Some protests are labeled pro-Palestinian, some pro Hamas, some anti Israel and anti semitic, and some other groups are pushing back on all this. And there are always inside or outside radicals ready to take advantage of the chaos to further their own agendas.
Antisemitism is commonly defined as hostility toward, prejudice against, or discrimination towards Jews, often manifesting itself as hatred or violence, and can be directed towards Jewish individuals, institutions, or property. A semite is defined as anyone who speaks a semitic language. Interestingly, that includes Arabs, but the term, pretty exclusively, refers to just Jews.
Whatever it is, whatever its form, whatever its intention. antisemitism or any form of discrimination against any people because of race, color, language, culture or religion must be condemned, neutralized and abolished. I think that’s a no-brainer. But – – easier said than done.
Shouldn’t people be judged simply by what they do, not by who they are and not by the accident of their birth? Who would not agree with that premise?
It is the actions of people, institutions or states who pursue policies or conduct operations contrary to accepted norms and basic human rights that are legitimate targets for peaceful protests.
Protests are enshrined in our constitution, they are a basic right – – – so long as they remain focused and peaceful. Too often protests get out of hand or get co-opted by manipulators to achieve a distorted objective or to make a contrarian point – – leading to unwarranted and unacceptable backlash.
Protesting against the policies of the Israeli Likud government for the deaths of 48,000 Gaza Palestinians, 70% of which are women and children (according to the U.N. Human Rights Office) seems a legitimate reason to protest. Such demonstrations should never take on the character of antisemitism and certainly should never be directed at Israeli citizens nor Jews worldwide who, no doubt, are just as appalled as any of us.
Regrettably, too often too many things get too distorted and too misused by too many.
– – – – Just the view of a common man.
Views of a Common Man 
I love it ! Very well said !🥰Sent from my iPad
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I appreciate your comments and they are so on target. I had a math. teacher in high school who asked the class, “What did you do to be born in your country, or to have your ethnic background?”
I felt it was such a profound question. We should judge people by their character and their behavior and choose our friends accordingly. The political atrocities conducted by the Israeli government are just that, political. It reflects on the political policies of that government, not necessarily the Jewish people as a whole. I do wonder why the people of Israel are not protesting the atrocities, but maybe they are and we don’t hear about it.
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