4 ways to "shake off" antisemitism claims
Can the pro-Palestinian movement take advice from Taylor Swift?
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In peace,
Steve
Taylor Swift delighted thousands of fans in Toronto recently singing her huge hit, “Shake it off.”
The song might also have a message for the pro-Palestinian movement which just can’t seem to shake off the accusation that it harbours antisemitism, or is itself antisemitic.
Over the weekend a mass pro-Palestinian protest was held in Montreal outside a NATO meeting where some windows were smashed and cars set alight by demonstrators. Prime Minister Trudeau said, “There is never any room for antisemitism, for hatred, discrimination, for violence.”
A woman in the Montreal march was recorded giving a Hitler salute, the CBC reported. “The final solution is coming your way, the final solution,” the woman can be heard saying, in reference to the Holocaust when 6 million Jews were killed by the Nazis.
The actions of one person, unfortunately, can discredit the actions of everyone else.
While the Prime Minister, Jewish and pro-Israel groups decry antisemitism publicly, my sense is that many people who might be sympathetic to the Palestinian cause quietly harbour the same concerns.
So what can the pro-Palestinian movement do to rid itself of charges of antisemitism?
Here are four potential ways that the movement might shake off the charge of antisemitism, and reposition itself as a broad-based peace and justice movement for Palestinians and the region.
Take the poll following each idea and answer whether you agree or disagree.
1. Name antisemitism and reject it, explicitly
Palestinian supporters rightly point out that criticizing the actions of the Israeli government is not antisemitism. OK, but what is?
By acknowledging antisemitism and being clear about the line between legitimate criticism and antisemitism, then the movement can take steps to reject it when it rears its ugly head in demonstrations and other events. To be vague or argumentative might leave outsiders with the misimpression that the movement condones antisemitism. This helps opponents promote that misimpression.
2. Put distance between the movement’s aims for justice, and Hamas’ October 7 attacks on civilians
The pro-Palestinian movement has been largely silent on the terrible crimes committed by Hamas on October 7, 2023 at best, or its supporters try to justify the attacks (or deny the well-documented rapes) at worst.
For instance, many are quick to use the recent International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants as proof of Israeli leader’s crimes, but fail to mention the ICC is unequivocal about the crimes perpetrated by Hamas, too.
The stated aims of peace and social justice are incompatible with Hamas and its ilk, and the movement should be clear that it seeks a truly democratic and legitimate leadership based on the values of peace and justice, not rape and murder.
3. Build links with the Israeli anti-Netanyahu movement
As I have written previously, the pro-Palestinian movement and the Israeli political opposition that has drawn thousands into the streets of Tel Aviv have a common enemy: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The two forces coming together in unity against Netanyahu’s right-wing government would put the focus squarely on his horrific policies.
But to do this would require taking up the call for the release of Israeli hostages seized by Hamas on October 7, many of whom, ironically, were part of the Israeli peace movement and had actively undermined Israel’s occupation. See my earlier story about Vivian Silver.
4. Speak to the swath of Canadians who are softly supportive, and broaden the movement
One of my most popular articles recently quoted long-time activist Judy Rebick, who credited the pro-Palestinian movement as the most powerful movement since the 1960s.
But she had some advice for activists: “One of the biggest problems we face right now in the move on a movement level is that people don't want to have discussions with people – they just want to be with people who agree with them about everything.”
Rebick says the movement must reach out to the broader public. Activists need to overcome their desire just to speak among themselves, and embrace those who might hold different views.
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Thank you for everything you do for peace.
Steve
If there had been an independent and free Palestinian state for the past many decades, it is highly improbably that the attacks of October 7, 2023 would have ever taken place. This is not to justify the attacks, but to suggest there is an historical context which seems taboo to discuss in this era of increasingly dominant repression of critical, fact-based thought.
I'm with Scott Ritter on this one. Palestine is the testing ground for the world's most advanced surveillance technology. It is not credible that the Hamas attack was a complete surprise. I think that the goal was to exchange prisoners and establish mutual respect. It makes no sense to poison that with an atrocity. Under the Hannibal protocol, Israel perpetrated the atrocities, re-making the event into a false-flag attack. The "response" has been outrageously disproportionate, as usual.