When protesters start breaking into buildings, it's a bit more than just "voicing an opinion". I swear the comments on these posts make me think everyone on Lemmy is 17 years old. As Shakespeare said,"Sound and Fury, signifying nothing."
It requires the Department of Education to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism when enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws. The working definition says antisemitism is in-part "a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews." The definition includes denying Jewish people their right to self-determination by claiming that the State of Israel is a racist state and drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.
I agree with the overall definition, but one of the examples is used to shut down criticism of Israel's actions that fit the definition of genocide.
Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.
The holocaust is the genocide that most western countries are familiar with, and most criticism that mentions the current actions fitting the definition of genocide are accused of falling under this umbrella. Yes, terrible people have pretty much poisoned that well by using "Jews are the real Nazis" which is unquestionably antisemitic and what the example is referencing.
Unfortunately it also means that any criticism that includes the actions of the current Israeli government meeting the definition of genocide is assumed to be a comparison to Nazis without them ever being named or intended to be used as the comparison.
**Adopt the following non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism: **
“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”