Published in Hebrew by HaAretz Daily June14, 2025.

We are abusing the concept of antisemitism.

It has become a shield, a reflexive defense mechanism to deflect legitimate criticism of Israeli policies. When someone—especially a non-Israeli—criticizes our treatment of the Palestinians, not based on Hamas propaganda but on credible, documented reports of wrongdoing, they are immediately branded an antisemite.

If someone dares question the continuation of a war that even former heads of Israel’s security establishment—past Chiefs of Staff, heads of the Mossad and Shabak—agree is unnecessary, the same accusation follows. The label is deployed not as a guard against hatred, but as a way to silence dissent.

Meanwhile, Palestinians are being expelled from their homes in the West Bank. Gaza lies in ruins. Hungry children beg for food. And I read reports that Israeli soldiers are ordered to shoot at civilians waiting in food lines. Knowing the war can be stopped, how can I remain silent?

If I were not Jewish, I have no doubt I would be called an antisemite. A Holocaust survivor, branded as such—how tragic, how absurd.

This overuse of the antisemitism charge cheapens a term that once marked real, terrifying hatred. Today, it is often used to avoid accountability. Any criticism, no matter how justified, is swept aside by calling the critic an antisemite. It’s a convenient excuse. It spares us the hard work of self-examination and moral reckoning.

Once, antisemitism fueled global rejection of Israel. Now, Israeli behavior is fueling antisemitism. That is a dangerous reversal.

Much of the student movement rising against Israel around the world is not antisemitic. Many of those marching are Jewish. They are not “anti-Jewish.” They are anti-Israel—and for reasons that cannot be dismissed.

Labeling all criticism as antisemitism also excuses our failure in diplomacy. Israel’s public relations efforts are either weak or nonexistent. When I challenged senior officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on this, I was told, “No use explaining. They hate us anyway.”

This attitude is self-defeating. Refusing to listen, even when criticism is valid, only makes the problem worse.

The conflict we have long faced as Israelis is no longer local. It is becoming global. And it is going to get worse.

If you want to see where the world is heading, look at university campuses. Students today are demonstrating against Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. Tomorrow, they will be the policymakers, business leaders, and heads of state. The rejection of Israel will grow, and hatred of Israelis will increasingly blur into hatred of Jews. It may soon be dangerous to identify as Jewish—or worse, as Israeli.

If once it was antisemitism that led to rejection of Israel, now it is rejection of Israel that is feeding antisemitism.

Yes, Israel has the right to defend itself. But are all actions true need to defend our existence or is it  to follow the messianic visions of extreme messianic Jews. Is the global outcry merely prejudice—or is it the reaction of decent, sensitive human beings who sees horrific images broadcast daily on television?

We must ask ourselves: Are we prepared to accept any criticism at all? Or will we continue to hide behind a sacred term—until that term loses all meaning, and we are left truly defenseless?