How to Be Called an Anti-Semite

I have been called anti-Semitic for years. I find that interesting because my Christ is Jewish, and the Bible I read was written by Jews and for Jews. The foundation stones of my faith are rooted in Judaism. I greatly admire the culture, race, and religion of Judaism.

To me, however, there is a big difference between Judaism and the nation of Israel. The latter tries, though not very successfully, to claim that it is based on Judaism.

I believe that being labeled anti-Semitic often isn’t about being against Jews or Judaism itself. Instead, it can be based on anyone who doesn’t agree with everything Jewish people do or say. For example, when I visited Auschwitz, I immediately wondered, “What is the difference between what the Nazis did to the Jews and what the nation of Israel is doing to the Palestinians?” I shared this with a Jewish friend. Suddenly, I was branded anti-Semitic and lost a Jewish friend. I was only seeking a conversation.

I do realize that because Judaism has a long history of its followers being hated, being the underdog, and constantly facing the threat of elimination, they have the right to be defensive. But is their pat answer to any discussion about Israel “You’re anti-Semitic!” helpful or harmful?

Because my faith is based on agape love—unconditional love for all humanity no matter where they are in their life’s journey—I am forced to leave behind all my prejudices, biases, and hang-ups. The Great Commandment (Jewish in origin) demands that I love Creation, my neighbor, and myself. This includes Jewish folks and Israel, but at the moment I don’t like them.

I’m mystified: Why can’t I have an intelligent conversation with a Jew discussing the outrageous things that are happening to Palestinians in Israel? If you would like to speak with a Jewish friend about Palestine, I strongly recommend that you don’t ask the following questions:

1. Is Israel committing genocide against the Palestinians?
2. Is killing 60,000 Palestinians, most of whom are innocent people, as punishment for the 1,200 Israelis that the terrorist group Hamas murdered overkill? (Bad pun!)
3. Do you believe that the reason Hamas started and flourished is because Israel refused to give basic services to the Palestinians?
4. Isn’t denying Palestinians food and medical supplies as they are starving to death and dying of curable diseases simply another form of genocide?
5. Do you believe that building thirty-foot walls, thus enclosing an area resembling an open-air prison, is going to stop the attacks on Israelis?

I could go on and on. Because I have been to Israel three times and seen it with my own eyes, I hope my readers trust me when I say that everything Israel is doing to the Palestinians today is a form of genocide.

I’m left with some important questions:

• Why can’t Jewish people discuss the idea of Israel committing genocide?
• When the bombs that kill Palestinians are marked with “Made in the USA,” don’t all people living in the United States have a right to protest?
• Do we need another Vietnam-type protest to stop Israel from obliterating the Palestinians?

What do you think?

PeaceLoveJoyHopeKindness

Bil

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P.S. People often ask me provocative questions about current events, both religious and secular. I have found that some of these questions are being asked universally. I’ll be periodically alternating regular articles with one of those questions and my answer. I invite you to send me your question to bilaulenbach@yahoo.com.

 

Photo by Raimond Klavins on Unsplash