In recent months, it seems like everyone’s a political expert when it comes to Israel and its hammer to open a walnut policies. Amidst the heated debates, many people appear either ignorant or in denial of the crucial distinction between anti-Zionism and antisemitism.

Apparently, criticising a political ideology is just as bad as hating an entire ethnic group. Here’s why we need to maintain this subtle difference, just in case anyone forgot that Netanyahu is using every bit of criticism of him as antisemitism. This falsehood is now entrenched in UK politics, with the Conservative Party using it as a stick to beat Labour with. Labour, in fear of an antisemitism onslaught in the media, are purging anyone who expresses concern about an apparent genocide. How lovely.

Clarity and Respect

So, who needs clarity when you can just lump all criticism together and call it bigotry? It’s much easier to argue when you can conveniently ignore nuance and paint everyone with the same broad brush. Nothing says respect and progress like equating someone’s political views with hatred. Yeah, let’s embrace diversity of opinion but only as long as it doesn’t challenge preconceived notions or make people uncomfortable.

Free Speech and Discrimination

In British politics freedom to criticise has become a place where the hierarchy are policing dissenting voices and shutting down any discussion that doesn’t toe the party line. Who needs open debate when you can just label anyone who disagrees with you as antisemitic? I get that a party must have discipline but how being critical of the IDF (Israel Defence Force) is antisemitism, I just don’t know?

Clearly, it seems, the best way to combat antisemitism is to dilute its meaning by applying it to anyone who dares question the actions of the Israeli government. Who cares about addressing real instances of discrimination when you can just accuse your opponents of being racists.

Building Bridges or Barriers?

Who needs bridges when you can just build walls of misinformation and misunderstanding? Let’s keep perpetuating stereotypes and demonising those who dare question Israeli policy. That definitely the path to peace and reconciliation. Works every time. Blitzing over 11,000 kids into oblivion will sort it out. Palestinians will learn to love Israel once they’ve buried their dead and found a discarded tent to live in.

Let’s just continue to allow People in power to conflate anti-Zionism with antisemitism. Fuck it, why bother with intellectual honesty and nuanced discourse when you can just score cheap political points? After all, who needs progress when you can just stick to the same tired talking points and never actually listen to each other?

Here’s to building a more divided and hostile world, one mischaracterisation at a time!