this post was submitted on 15 Aug 2024
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It is fueling it because criticism of Israeli politics is constantly mixed with antisemitic narratives. That's the fault of antisemites of course, but the problem is there and cannot be denied. As I said, I don't agree with how it's handled, but it needs to be acknowledged that it's a hard problem to solve. Believe me, I wish all this was easier. I wish I could protest Israels actions without being seen as an antisemite but I can't because of the dynamics of the public discourse which is driven by extremists of all sides. The discourse here has been poisoned by antisemites, racists and islamophobes to an extent where expressing a nuanced and/or pure-hearted opinion on the matter is almost impossible.
How is it hard to take a stand against a genocide after Germany itself made one happen?
Because at demonstrations that call Israel out for what it does, they shout anti-semitic stuff. I don't want to take part in a demonstration that spreads anti-semitism.
Me neither. Sorry to hear this is happening at demonstrations you have seen.
What have they been shouting?
Mostly "from the river to the sea" (which I know isn't historically anti-semitic but has been used increasingly in the context of denying Israel's right of existence and is now even banned on demonstrations in Germany), they also demand the local university to dismiss Jewish or Israel-friendly professors. I looked at social media presences of some of the organizations that support the demonstrations and some of them downplay or even celebrate the October attacks by Hamas.
That being said, there certainly is public pressure to generalize all pro-Palestinian protests as anti-semitic - which is very wrong and I think it's highly problematic that some politicians fuel this narrative. It does, however, make it even harder for someone with a nuanced point of view to join the protests (not an excuse, just an explanation why the demonstrations become more and more extremist).
Israel shouldn't really exist as a country though. Nothing anti-Semitic about that. It's an illegitimate apartheid state. I am not saying any Israelis should be forcefully dispalced.
Other things do sound anti-Semitic though.