Could having an anti-Israeli position be an indicator of anti-Semitism?

[Behind the Aegis]

(Posted with permission of Lithos)

Two men, Edward H. Kaplan and Charles A. Small, did a study in 2005 titled: Anti-Israel Sentiment Predicts Anti-Semitism In Europe: A Statistical Study*. Despite its being about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, I thought it was interesting and thought it could be applied to the current conflict among Israel, Lebanon, and Hizb'allah.

I have seen anti-Semitic responses at DU in response to the current conflict. I have also seen legitimate criticism. However, when and how does one distinguish when the criticism of Israel is actually steeped in anti-Semitic attitudes? I know that all criticism of Israel is not anti-Semitic, nor does it necessarily come from an anti-Semitic place. But how do we address it when the criticism does come from anti-Jewish bias? Isn't it possible that some people are critical (overly-critical) of Israel because of something darker?

The Abstract
In the discourse surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, extreme
criticisms of Israel (e.g. Israel is an apartheid state, the Israel Defense
Forces deliberately target Palestinian civilians) coupled with extreme policy
proposals (e.g. boycott of Israeli academics and institutions, divest
from companies doing business with Israel) have sparked counter-claims
that such criticisms are anti-Semitic (for only Israel is singled out). Our
research shines a different, statistical light on this question: based on a
survey of 500 citizens in each of 10 European countries (for a total sample
of 5,000), we ask whether those with extreme anti-Israel views are more
likely to be anti-Semitic. Even after controlling for numerous potentially
confounding factors, we find that anti-Israel sentiment consistently predicts
the probability that an individual is anti-Semitic, with the likelihood of
measured anti-Semitism increasing with the extent of anti-Israel sentiment
observed.

The study is 22 pages long in PDF. It is loaded with statistics and how they came to their conclusions. It may be too much for some (because there are TONS of very technical stats), so, even if you are not heavy into formulas and such, skip over them and read the conclusions. I had to read the stats parts a few times to make sure I was getting it.

*The Study

[nashville_brook]

1. criticism of israel equals anti-semitism

[Behind the Aegis]

2. that is overly simplistic, and not accurate.

Although, for some, that is true. I have seen many criticisms of Israel that were not even close to being anti-Semitic. Conversely, I have also seen criticism that reads like the "Protocols."

[Erika]

3. It appears that pro Israel means patriotic American

And no questioning of Israel spending our tax $ for warring is allowed. Any questions means you have the same status as the Dixie Chicks.

[Behind the Aegis]

4. That has nothing to do with the study.

Your statement is ridiculous and inaccurate.

[Erika]

5. Why don't you check your title

before making such an accusation?

[Behind the Aegis]

9. So you were addressing the title not the actual study?

Interesting.

[nashville_brook]

6. who knew that could happen 'here' ?

[Behind the Aegis]

10. what does that even mean?

[Andromeda]

14. That's an overly simplistic

way to look at such a complex situation. Stop paying taxes if you object so much to a single penney going to Israel. I'm sure the IRS will be sympathetic to your views. :sarcasm:

[Behind the Aegis]

15. I know I shouldn't....but...

...:rofl:

[ConservativeDemocrat]

7. Criticism of Likud (the Israeli equivalent of the GOP) however, does not

No one is saying that all Israelis are angels.

No one is saying that Israeli policies - especially hard right-wing policies associated with taking Palestinian owned and occupied land is anti-semitic.

But the simple fact is that anti-semites plainly do not see any attack on jews as something to get upset about - certainly nothing anyone should have the moral authority to respond to. So therefore, perforce, any Israeli response to any action - no matter how provocative, not matter how vile, no matter how dangerous, is to them "unwarranted aggression". This, of course, simply reinforces their hate.

- C.D. Proud Member of the Reality Based Community

[Erika]

8. Silence is Golden but says a lot n/t

[Behind the Aegis]

11. Interesting take.

It is as I said, and the authors assert, not all criticism of Israel is based in anti-Semitic attitudes. However, if you have been here for the past few weeks, it should give you pause at some of the comments made about Israel, a few have been very blatant anti-Semitic remarks, others thinly-veiled, and still others wrapped in anti-Semitic codewords. There have been very legitimate concerns and critiques.

You are correct that anti-Semites do not get worked up over the attacks in Israel. I might even be inclined to accept that if this were a Yahoo! chat room, but this is supposed to be a progressive, liberal Democratic site. The anti-Semitism displayed by some of the posters here, many long-termers, has been nothing short of disgusting!

[Erika]

12. Silence is Golden n/t

[Behind the Aegis]

13. I am guessing not. n/t

[adriennui]

17. and it's also interesting

that the I/P forum is one of the most active. what would happen if israel wasn't the scapegoat for all this hatred. where would it be channeled?

[Behind the Aegis]

18. It is interesting.

It is also interesting how many have attacked DEMOCRATIC senators and representatives who have come out in support of Israel. It is interesting that the DEMOCRATIC position is "support for Israel," but the DU position (per posters) is the opposite! The philosophy of hate for Bush hasn't won us any elections,a nd now we have the hate of Israel. So who will stay home this round of voting?

[Violet_Crumble]

25. What is "support of Israel"?

Because that particular support you speak of was 110% support for the continuation of the bombardment of southern Lebanon with no regard from those politicians for the civilians being killed in the process. Is that what "support of Israel" means? I sure hope not...

[Behind the Aegis]

26. So sayeth you.

You parrot the same thing..."support for Israel is support for the bombardment of Lebanon." It is as stupid and simplistic as "anti-Israeli comments equal anti-Semitism or support for terrorism."

[Violet_Crumble]

28. No, I asketh you...

And I'd like an answer. I've asked many times in this forum what is meant by 'support for Israel' and have yet to get a reply to the question....

[Behind the Aegis]

33. As usual...

...I don't know why I expect anything different from you.

You asked and answered your own question. Then, reposed it. Support for Israel is NOT "...110% support for the continuation of the bombardment of southern Lebanon..."

[Violet_Crumble]

37. I suggest you read my question again, bta...

I said what that particular resolution voted for by those politicians was. And I asked if that's what's meant by 'support for Israel'. What I'd really like to know is what exactly does 'support for Israel' entail? It seems to me that the most basic one, which would be a support for the continued existance of Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people, doesn't mean everyone who believes that is included in the ranks of 'supporters of Israel'....

[Behind the Aegis]

39. Basically...

...Israel has the right to defend herself against incursions. Is that simple enough for you?!

[Violet_Crumble]

41. Way too simplistic, imo...

There's very few people who'd argue that Israel doesn't have the right to defend itself against incursions. Yet I've seen many of these folk who do agree that Israel has the right to defend itself labelled 'anti-Israel' in this forum by some. Many folk who are labelled that would argue that while Israel has that same right every other state has when its sovereignty is violated, it doesn't have the right to commit human rights violations in doing so...

[Behind the Aegis]

43. Sometimes, simplicty works.

There are more than a "few" that assert Israel doesn't have the right to defend herself.

[Violet_Crumble]

45. I'd like to see some examples where this is said...

I've rarely seen anyone in this forum make such a claim. I've seen many people in this forum point out that Israel does not have the right to ignore international law when it defends itself...

[Waya]

64. And there is the crux of the whole thing.......

....what constitutes self defense when it's Israel? Even the dumbest person can see that there are different rules for Israel. Israel can do what Israel wants and it is condoned under the guise of 'self-defense', while the other side (whoever they happen to be at any given time) is always the aggressor - no matter what.

[Name removed]

71. Deleted message

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[Violet_Crumble]

24. Some manage to channel it into hating Muslims and Arabs...

Not naming names as I think most folk have a fair idea who they are :)

[Behind the Aegis]

27. .

:eyes:

;)

[Violet_Crumble]

29. Sorry, but bigotry against Arabs and Muslims does exist at DU...

Those who do eyerolls of denial are just as ridiculous as those who claim there's no antisemitism at DU....

[Behind the Aegis]

31. I didn't say it didn't exist.

I have alerted on it a few times!

[Violet_Crumble]

32. Then why do the eyeroll?

..when I pointed out that there are some here at DU who are bigoted against Arabs and Muslims?

[Behind the Aegis]

34. That's not what you "pointed out."

[Violet_Crumble]

38. What do you think I pointed out?

n/t

[Behind the Aegis]

40. Simply...

"Some manage to channel it into hating Muslims and Arabs..."

[Violet_Crumble]

42. And they do...they're bigoted against Arabs and Muslims...

Which was my point...

[Behind the Aegis]

44. The implication...

...those who are "pro-Israeli" direct their "hate" toward Arabs and Muslims.

[Violet_Crumble]

46. There was no such implication...

That tactic of accusing people of implying something they never implied or said anything close to is extremely clumsy. And be very careful, because such attempts can backfire in faces very easily :)

[pelsar]

57. add a complication to the "support for israel"

lets assume for the most part israel is allowed to stop incursions into israel....and that is agreed upon.

some reality. Those that do the incursions have the advantage of surprise and most likly will succeed...so does israel have the right to get information to prevent its border communities from being attacked first?..or is the preferred scenario, the attackers slip past the border (not difficult) attack a family (done in the past) and only then will the IDF catch up with them and kill/capture the attackers.



If you living on the border its probably fair to say that the answer is no, the IDF should get information to prevent such incursions to save israeli lives.

and that may mean overflights into lebanon for instance for recon missions......i believe those very overflights have been declared "illegal" etc.

which translates to the preference to have israelis killed as opposed to taking steps to prevent that, like holding the govts from where the attackers come from responsable (which is irrelvant since the lebanese cant/wont prevent it)

(note that when the terrorists come from Egypt and Jordan, there is no "outcry from israel as all those countries share info in preventing it)

[Name removed]

72. Deleted message

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[adriennui]

16. i've noticed this as well

and it is very scary.

[Behind the Aegis]

20. It is scary...and profoundly sad!

[Recursion]

60. Does that make me an anti-semite?

But the simple fact is that anti-semites plainly do not see any attack on jews as something to get upset about

I do not see an attack on Jews, per se, as something to get upset about. Now hear me out: there is nothing about the Jewishness of the victim of an attack that makes it any more repugnant to me than any other attack. There is nothing about the Jewishness of the state of Israel that makes it any more valuable to me than any other state (there are things that makes Israel more valuable as a state to me than its neighbors: its democratic form of government, the rule of law, its willingness to allow Arab citizens, etc.: none of those are its Jewishness, though). I guess you could call me an "asemite": I could care less about the Jewishness of Israeli citizens or of the state of Israel.

[Karenca]

53. Not true

Anti-US Policy
I'm still an American.

Anti-Israel Policy,
and I'm Jewish.

[TomClash]

55. Don't you know?

You're an unpatriotic anti-semite! :sarcasm:

[Karenca]

56. Yes I KNOW THAT!

My Jewish friends think I am an Anti-Semite.
i can't understand them...they hate *.

US Policy=Israel Policy= Not in my name!

[autorank]

19. Wrong or maybe not...

You need to determine if the person is truly anti semitic, anti Jewish. At that point, you could say that the extreme anti-Israel position is a manifestation of the anti semitism. Even then you would need to factor out those anti semites who were also adamantly anti war and protested every foreign adventure, Iraq for example, with equal vigor. Of course, if someone were gung ho for Iraq and virulently opposed to what Israel is doing in Lebanon, I supposed the thesis would work.

Having said all that, I find what Israel is doing to be just dreadful and the ignorance and cowardice of the political response to be a strong form of enabling or even encouraging this strange solution. I think Israel has every right to exist and live securely.
Having presented theier evidence, the researchers should do a research project on those beliefs and attitudes that cause leaders like those in the WH and Israel to undertake such brutal onslaughts. That could then be correlated with findings on the beliefs and attitudes of those who encourage suicide bombings etc. I suspect that there would be certain commonalities.

[Behind the Aegis]

21. Some thoughts.

"You need to determine if the person is truly anti semitic, anti Jewish. At that point, you could say that the extreme anti-Israel position is a manifestation of the anti semitism. Even then you would need to factor out those anti semites who were also adamantly anti war and protested every foreign adventure, Iraq for example, with equal vigor. Of course, if someone were gung ho for Iraq and virulently opposed to what Israel is doing in Lebanon, I supposed the thesis would work."

Why would you need to "...factor out those anti semites who were also adamantly anti war and protested every foreign adventure, Iraq for example, with equal vigor?" Because they are anti-war, does this 'excuse' their anti-Semitism?

"Having said all that, I find what Israel is doing to be just dreadful and the ignorance and cowardice of the political response to be a strong form of enabling or even encouraging this strange solution. I think Israel has every right to exist and live securely."

So, what should the solution been?

"Having presented theier evidence, the researchers should do a research project on those beliefs and attitudes that cause leaders like those in the WH and Israel to undertake such brutal onslaughts. That could then be correlated with findings on the beliefs and attitudes of those who encourage suicide bombings etc. I suspect that there would be certain commonalities."

While that might be interesting, what would the purpose be?

[autorank]

63. ...bit more

On the anti-war point, I was merely saying that strong opposition to Israels attack(s) would not automatically indicate anti semitism because there's an alternative. Say you have 100 people who are strongly opposed to this adventure in Lebanon and 50 also oppose preemptive military action by any power (including the shameful retail version by Hamas of attacking civilian events), then there is no reason to connect the opposition to this action with antisemitism. Sure, there may be some antisemitism in the group but the opposition to the action would not indicate it because it was consistent with a general view. The other 50, oppose this action but think Iraq and similar action by the US, Russia, etc. are OK, well as they way bingo, that's total garbage. I'm one of the 50 who oppose all military action but I'm a strong supporter of Israel's right to exist, thrive, etc. and I'm not the least bit antisemitic.

What's the solution? Don't know but I just read a column by a blogger in Israel about this being a great "opportunity" for real democracy in Lebanon. What a sad thought. The Lebanese people will despise Israel. Makes no sense. The middle east conflict is a "process" not a "product." The US, it seems, is taking the "benign neglect" approach and we're seeing the consequences. With nations like Saudi Arabia who teach their children the craziest things (in their schools in America too!) about Jews, I don't know if there is a solution, per se. Those who favor peace are dealing with crazy people, which is why the process approach is vital, not a solution. I don't know the solution but maiming ia bunch of civilians, on either side, certainly is not.

Why find commonalities if they exist. Well interesting is enough. I have a theory that a lot of the reflexive conflict we see is due to a shift in consciousness from conflict and violence based thinking to much more productive approaches. Those who just haul off and attack have a rationale, I think, that many others don't, they're a minority. But interesting is enough.

What I do believe very strongly is that * and the idiots in the WH don't do anyone any good, whether it's Israel or any other country. When they act (even when "inaction" is the deliberate act), bad results follow. That's my axiom for the day.

Israel and the surrounding countries could form one of the most exciting cultural and economic entities in the world. There is so much intelligence and energy there, particularly between Israel and Lebanon. It is a tragedy to see this happen.

[gaspee]

22. I refuse to discuss this topic anymore

Can't criticize Israel, oh no, can't do that. Can't complain about our tax dollars going to support a country that doesn't need it. Can't complain that realpolitik doesn't take into account human life. Can't even question anything Israel does. Not without being called a jew-hater. Can't even post an alternate viewpoint. Can't look at two sides to the issue. Nope, no can do.

It's quite offputting to not even be able to discuss Israel at DU, of all places.

I've come to the conclusion that those in the middle east are seeking the destruction of the world. And I think they'll suceed. It's all over so-called holy land and milennia old grudges. Fuck 'em all. This rock's going to be uninhabital for humans within the next 250 years anyway, so what's the point?

I no longer give a shit about what Israel does.

And I'm not anti-semetic, but I'm proudly anti-religion. So stick that in your pipe and smoke it (about the only religion I can get behind.)

I've extemely pessimistic about the future of the human race. Between the rightwing Christians and their completely asinine belief in a premise so stupid as the rapture and their willingness to bring it about, to the crazy-assed fundamentalist muslims who want to kill anyone who doesn't believe the way they do or act the way they do, to the zionists who want to reclaim greater Israel, which never really existed in the first place, no matter if it destroys the rest of the world, to the radical religious worldwide who want to go backward 1000 years in human rights, especially the status of women...

Our species is suicidal. Fuck it. let 'em all blow themselves up. Something new will evolve to replace us over the next 100,000 years or so.

[Name removed]

23. Deleted message

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[Karenca]

58. Thanks for your post.

[TomClash]

30. Let's start with an obvious question

Who funded the study? I'll bet the ADL funded the study and provided the data.

Here's a second obvious question: what "antisemitic" questions were asked of the respondents in Table 1 - how was it worded and structured?

[Behind the Aegis]

35. So find out.

Why does it matter who funded it?

They did use data from the ADL...so what?

[TomClash]

48. Don't you think that might indicate a bias?

While it does good work in other areas, the ADL is not exactly known for its objectivity on the Palestinian question.

[Violet_Crumble]

36. What I'd be interested in finding out is...

Not so much what questions were asked, as I picked up some of them throughout the 22 pages, but more about the 'anti-Israel' questions and whether people were only given the option of answering yes or no, or whether it was like the polls where it's on a scale of 1 to 10. Some of those questions, in particular the one about does the IDF deliberately target civilians would be impossible to answer fairly using either method, imo....

[TomClash]

47. Well I think the "anti-Israeli" questions were articuated

It's the anti-semitism questions that are omitted.

You other point is well taken.

[Violet_Crumble]

51. The anti-semitic questions are on page 16...

Those ones were statements that look like they required a yes or no reply. The 'anti-Israel' questions are listed after them. If a reply saying Israel to the question about who is more responsible for the violence over the past few years, Israel or the Palestinians, means that the answer adds to the 'anti-Israel' feeling of a person, then obviously a reply saying the Palestinians must mean there's some anti-Palestine feeling there? ;)

[TomClash]

52. You assume that

But it doesn't say it requires a yes or no answer.

What if the question were phrased "wouldn't you agree that jews don't help others?

But you're right - the survey questions are highly simplified, not allowing for any nuance.

I don't think the authors of the survey, or their backers were interested in anti-Palestinian bias.

[TomClash]

49. Another Point

Even if this is correct - and I have my doubts without examining it more thoroughly - there is a difference between correlation and causation. Is it the antisemitism that causes the anti-Israeli view or is it the Israeli policies that cause the anti-Semites? Or is it some combination of both?

[TomClash]

50. Biographies of the Study's Authors

http://www.southernct.edu/faculty/paffairs/news/?file=view.php&id=148

http://mba.yale.edu/faculty/professors/kaplan.shtml

[bemildred]

54. Sounds like drivel.

Opinion dressed up as fact. It is clear on logical grounds alone that there will be a correlation between opposition to Israel and anti-semitism, that is that 5% or 15% of the time - or whatever - opposition to Israel will "predict" anti-semitism. One could just as well conclude that pro-Israel sentiment "predicts" hatred of Arabs or Jewish fundamentalism. Correlation is not causation.

I downloaded the PDF to look over later. I'll may or may not comment further.

[IndianaGreen]

59. No more than opposing Bush's policies are indication of anti-Americanism

"Support the Troops" and "Support Israel" are converging into meaningless.

[4dsc]

61. Should read Anti-zionist is not anti-Semitism

I wish people would come to realize that the current action of Israel are those of zionist's and not Jews..

[oberliner]

65. Non-Jewish Zionists?

Who are these non-Jewish Zionist in Israel of which you speak?

[Name removed]

66. Deleted message

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[oberliner]

67. agreed

Yes, I agree.

But it appeared that you were saying that the current action taken by Israel was being taken by people who are Zionists but not Jews.

I am suggesting that they are both Zionists and Jews.

[4dsc]

69. Jews that are zionist's

The current action is being taken by zionist jews.

[Lilith Velkor]

62. Sometimes, a "pro-Israel" position indicates anti-Semitism

End Times lunatics, I'm looking at you.

[oberliner]

68. Amen

Amen to that.

The reasons why Bush is so supportive of Israel are as scary and disturbing as the reasons why Buchanan is so opposed to Israel.

[norml]

70. Could having an pro-Israeli position be an indicator of anti-Semitism?

Minute by minute right wing radio clowns push the false concept that the more you act like Nazis, the stronger you will be.

Israel is to them but a weinie to roast on the bonfire of their vanities.

They don't care if the world goes up in flames.

That in fact is their goal.

[JackNewtown]

73. Could having an "anti-Palestine" position be an indicator of anti-Arabism?

Racism cuts both ways in this conflict, although quite a few people like to pretend that it only applies to one side.