"Antisemitic". That's how @yuval_abraham’s speech at the @berlinale was labeled by Israeli media and even German politicians. The reason: he sees the apartheid reality in the WB for what it is. This is the latest example of weaponizing antisemitism as a tool to silence critics 🧵
No opposition to Israel's policies in the oPt is truly deemed legitimate. If it’s Palestinian diplomatic actions, they're labeled diplomatic terrorism. If you're a human rights Pal defender who believes in non-violence like @Issaamro or @basel_adra, you’ll be constantly harassed
Even the Israeli government’s push for the IHRA definition was meant as a tool to silence HR and civil society NGOs. Less than a year ago MK Ariel Kallner launched a Knesset caucus to "fight antisemitism and delegitimization", and labeled anti-occupation orgs like us antisemitic.
Antisemitism is not a catchphrase: it is hatred with horrific consequences. We’ve seen the tragic results in the past; and we’ve seen them on the rise again since Oct 7. The false and cynical use of it only serves to weaken the struggle against racism and further endangers people
Any civil society or human rights organizations with a moral core must stand tall against any and all forms of racism. Moreover, the moral imperative that drives us to call out antisemitism is the same imperative that drives us to oppose calls to demolish, cleanse, or occupy Gaza
The reasons we fight against the occupation, apartheid, and supremacist systems in our own society are directly connected to our calls against antisemitism and racism as a whole. They stem from the same values that should guide us all.
Israelis and Jews worldwide have always been a part of the struggle against occupation. Our ability to critique our gov's policy isn’t only a theoretical moral stance - it’s showing our own society another viable path based in legitimate criticism and unwavering voices of dissent