Readers React: Criticizing Israel isn’t always anti-Semitic, but blind criticism might be
To the editor: In addressing letter writers who say that criticizing Israel does not make someone anti-Semitic, allow me to make a statement that I hope those writers would support: Criticizing Israel isn’t necessarily a hateful act.
As someone who lived in Israel for almost 17 years, I did not experience a day without hearing strong criticism. It is not a secret that each Israeli, Jewish and Arab alike, considers himself an important contributor to the discussion.
Anyone who blindly criticizes Israel may be doing it with anti-Semitism as a motivator. There are critics who hold Israel up to standards that they do not apply to any other country or people, and who remain deafeningly silent on egregious Palestinian behavior.
I agree that not all criticism of Israel is anti-Semitic. I just bristle when it is.
Steve Klein, Encino
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