Zionism, antisemitism and Israel

Byron Shire Council passed a rather messy but nevertheless important motion last week on Gaza and Israel. 

The motion captures the key points – end the siege, return the hostages, respect international law, sanction those who breach it, support the UN, condemn all civilian deaths and ceasefire now.  

You can see why the Zionists were horrified. Predictably, the word ‘antisemitism’ was utilised by public speakers against. Those expressing support for Council’s motion (like me) copped a barrage of such claims. To suggest that any councillors, speaking with such heart, were supporting antisemitism is way beyond the pale. 

Let’s get back to basics. There is a war between Israel and Hamas. Israel specifically identifies as a Jewish state. Israel has non-Jewish citizens, and a token few serve in the armed forces, but that’s what it calls itself. All members of the war cabinet are Jewish, the flag is a Star of David, and citizenship is open to every Jew in the world. Not my cup of tea, but lovely to feel eternally welcomed. 

Antisemitism is prejudice against, or hatred of, Jews. So, is it possible to criticise Israel, the Jewish state, without being antisemitic? Of course. 

To chant ‘from the river to the sea’, even if it means that the Jewish state be dismantled, is not antisemitic. 

It is absurd to cloak yourself as a nation in a religion, and then say if you take issue with our actions or policies you are bigots. 

The overwhelming evidence now is that Israel is guilty of genocide. 

I have hesitated to come to this terminology, but the facts don’t lie. Israel of course denies this, but claims that although they are killing citizens, because their intent is only to hunt Hamas operatives, it is not genocide. Israel says that they are not blocking food from entering Gaza, but instead doing their best to feed civilians without supporting terrorists. 

Both these arguments are false. Israel can defend itself without carpet bombing the entire place, and civilian deaths be damned. Excessive self-defence is not self-defence. Reckless killing is just as illegal as deliberate killing. Famine is, and always was, avoidable. Never in my lifetime have people on such a scale been hemmed in, starved, and then massacred in such a way. I was born after the Warsaw Ghetto, but only by 20 years. 

The international legal bodies Amnesty and Doctors Without Borders making declarations against Israeli actions are independent, and are not antisemitic. 

Muddying the waters 

Further, muddying the waters is the moving definitional feast of antisemitism from the Zionist lobby. 

One minute it was antisemitic to be calling for a ceasefire, but when our leaders did, then suddenly it was not. Then it was antisemitic to call for a cessation of the attack in Raffa, but now that government ministers have done that the claim falls away. And then the ICC and the ICJ are antisemitic, until the government states that they respect these courts and all nations must follow their rulings. 

It is just so discombobulating to be an antisemite one moment, and then just a self-hating Jew the next. 

When otherwise intelligent and reasonable people engage in irrationality, the source is almost always trauma. The shadow of the Holocaust, triggered by October 7, is understandably deep, raw and multigenerational. However, reasons are not excuses. 

Israel claims that it is being held to standards that no other country is, and that this is because of antisemitism. Really – if there is inconsistency in reactions to international misdeeds then that is a point well made, but to jump to the worst possible motive is glaringly disingenuous.  

So, has there been a rise in antisemitism in Australia? 

First, we have to discount all the anti-Israel commentary which only very rarely strays into antisemitism. Secondly, we have to markdown the moving feast discussed above. 

Third, it is understandable that some commentary inadvertently crosses the Israel/Jewish divide. But all that aside, I have no doubt that there has been an increase. Nazis, some religious extremists and other odds and sods will no doubt capitalise on the current blurred lines to spread their poison. Criminal attacks on individuals or local businesses have been reported and are deplored. 

For myself, the only angst I have received has been from Zionist groups and supporters. I have spoken at pro-Palestinian and peace rallies and forums and fundraisers as openly of Jewish heritage, and have been warmly welcomed and respected by all – even those who disagreed with my learning curve and blinkered stance on some issues. I have learned so much. 

For me, I am heartened by Council’s motion and grateful there are so many Jews speaking out against Israel’s actions in Gaza, including at the Council meeting itself. For example, two of the advisory panel members for the ICC warrant application are leading Jewish lawyers and are brilliant. 

I take solace from Australian organisations like New Israel Fund and Jewish Voices for Peace in the US. 

Many leaders of, and participants in, the university protests are openly Jewish young people. They are brave. 

Friday nights with the family must be tense. 

The Zionist community would be well served by using the term ‘antisemitic’ sparingly, if at all. 

It is an insult to all those whose family died as a result of real antisemitism, and it does not aid their cause.

All this reminds me of man of Asian descent when I refused bail after he was caught red-handed killing his partner. ‘You racist’ he called as he was led away. 

♦ David Heilpern is Dean of Law at SCU and a former magistrate.