in theory it is possible to criticize israel without being an anti semite...
in practice this hardly ever actually happens...here are some of the immediate giveaways that an 'anti zionist' is really just an anti semite...
...they deny the validity of israel's desire to establish a secure and independent jewish state in the israelite homeland...unless they similarly denounce the notions of sovereign statehood and ethnic self determination in general...then they are denying the jews a right they grant to every other ethnic group...which is pure racism...
...they insinuate that israel is wrong simply for defending itself from violent aggression...unless they similarly denounce the notion of self defense in general...then they are denying israel a right they grant to every other nation...which is also racism...denying israel's right to self defense also carries the implication that israel and its population should just passively allow themselves to be destroyed...which is a wish for genocide against the an almost exclusively jewish population...
...their criticism of israel is unbalanced and one sided...israel is always the sole guilty party and even the documented crimes of its enemies are always to be overlooked or excused...this kind of criticism sets up a double standard between the jewish state and its arab neighbors...holding one state to different standards from another state when the primary distinction between the states is ethnic is racism as well...
...their criticism of israel includes frequent mention of crimes committed by israeli citizens long dead and by israeli or pre israeli organizations long since disbanded...this is nothing more than a variation on the classic racist theme of 'racial guilt'...
if a person does any of the above...then their 'anti zionism' is really just loosely veiled anti semitic racism...
On the basis of definitions and logical congruence, I have to disagree with you.
The first point is missing far to many variables. There is no universal right for ethnic groups to have separate soveriegn nations. That very notion is actually considered as racism by segregation.
Khoikhoi of South Africa do not have their own country, and it would be racist to create one and import them to it.
Following your logic, Palistinians also deserve the right to their own sovereign nation (but the logic is flawed in the first place).
I do not reject the sovereignty that has been granted to the state of Israel by the UN, but I also don't trust the UN and their motives. On a world system basis, the nation of Israel is legitimate. The concern of most non-Zionists is not about world system legitimacy, but concerning motive, and spiritual legitimacy.
The second point deals with defense, and is subjective. On most of the news reports, I tend to side with Israel, however I don't think that the Israeli leadership has handled any of this conflict with impunity.
I have not heard anyone on this forum actually deny Israel's right to defend its citizens. The only thing that gets brought up is where the line of self-defense meets aggressive domination.
As for 'unbalanced criticism', it is difficult to give balanced criticism when you are speaking to someone with an unbalanced disposition. It is easier to simply state the one side, and let them fill in the other.
When I am debating socialism with a socialist, I don't bring up the good potential that socialism can produce, but focus on it's failures. I have a balanced disposition on socialism, but I am trying to bring the other person's attention to the issues that they have been avoiding by their fanaticism for socialism.
I don't need to criticize Hamas. They are obviously terrorists. I don't need to state the obvious every time I discuss Zionism.
When people start saying that Israel is committing genocide against the Palistinians, I come to Israel's defense,
but that doesn't mean I am supporting ALL of their actions, nor supporting ALL of their intentions.
Too many on here support Israel with an unholy fanaticism. They can do no wrong. Their decisions are all done by the guidance and desire of God.
Sorry, but if the individual is not a Believer, then they do not have the Spirit. If they reject Christ, then they do not worship the same God as we do, even though they read from the same Book.
I praise God that there are so many Messianic Jews, and I pray for their number to increase,
but this hope does not require me to support the Israeli government in it's decisions and efforts.
I pray that they would make right decisions, but I don't hold their decisions as above reproach.
