\u201cWill Palestine Solidarity and Peace Advocacy Be a Crime in New Jersey<\/a>?<\/u>\u201d are attempting to convince the public that any criticism of Israel will be labeled anti-Semitic. Of course, this isn\u2019t the case, for several reasons.<\/p>\nFirstly, the proposed addendum explicitly states that these additions are not designed in any way to obstruct the First Amendment rights of the people of New Jersey. Furthermore, the act specifies that legitimate criticism of Israel, as one would criticize any other nation, is not anti-Semitic. However, things become more complex when Israel becomes the sole target for criticism. No other nation\u2019s actions and existence are questioned with the same vigor and chutzpah as Israel\u2019s.<\/p>\n
Because the law specifically states that criticism of Israel, similar to criticism of any other nation, is not anti-Semitic, what are the event\u2019s organizers afraid of? Do they believe that \u201ccriticism of Israel\u201d necessitates comparisons between Israel and the Nazis? Do they believe that legitimate criticism involves advocating for the destruction of the Jewish people\u2019s self-determination?<\/p>\n
It would appear so. Masking anti-Semitic demonization of Israel as \u201ccriticism of Israel\u2019s policies\u201d is a tactic frequently used by anti-Zionists around the world. There is nothing legitimate about trying to eradicate a people\u2019s national identity. The world\u2019s community of nations is comprised of dozens of states organized around religious identities, so why is only Israel\u2019s Jewish character problematic?<\/p>\n
The answer is simple: bigotry. Those who hate Israel\u2019s Jewish character are bigoted against the Jewish state, which is simply the newest form of anti-Semitism. If the intentions of the event organizers were merely to \u201ccriticize Israel,\u201d then they would have nothing to worry about. Rational and reasonable criticism of any country should not employ superficial theatrics, demonization and dehumanization of its citizens or the livelihood of that country.<\/p>\n
(Sasha Chernyak is a campus adviser for CAMERA.)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n