Israel & Anti-Semitism
Allegation: Mainstream Muslim organizations have repeatedly expressed anti-Semitic views. They have also repeatedly shown sympathies with organizations that are bent on the destruction of Israel. As a religion, Islam clearly anti-Semitic.
Another claim of Islamophobes is that Islam inherently is against Jews, and that Muslims are inherently anti-Semitic. To prove the point, the worst details of the Palestine Israeli conflict are brought as examples of Muslims’ hatred of Jews. This is another twisting of the facts and the truth.
Muslims and Jews in history
Generally speaking, Islam has been quite hospitable to Jews across history. Jews experienced the Jewish Renaissance when they were living in Muslim Spain. Islam places special degree of accommodation and tolerance to the “People of the Book”. Jews lived and prospered in Muslim lands for centuries.
It is certainly true that one can find various examples of oppression of different minorities including Jews at different time in various Muslim lands-–however, broadly speaking, this was relatively uncommon, and not even comparable to oppression of religious minorities, especially Jews, in Europe.
Is Israel always right?
Muslims are more aware of the problems and challenges facing the Palestinians, and therefore are more sympathetic than the general American with the Palestinians plight. Because of the influence of the Israel Lobby in America, the average American mostly hears one side of the story. This is not the case in most other western countries around the world. In fact, there is much more open discussion about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict in Israel than there is in America.
Don’t forget the Holocaust
It is useful to remember that the Holocaust occurred in Europe, and not in Muslim lands, although the Palestinians are made to pay for the mistakes of Europe. Because of the trauma of the holocaust, many Jewish Americans are simply unable to criticize any of Israel’s policies towards the Palestinians, however unfair. To them, the holocaust legitimizes any wrong that Israel needs to do.
Furthermore, due to the terrible events of the holocaust, there is (for good reason) great sensitivity about anti-Semitism. However, there is also a standing belief, especially within Jewish American organizations, that criticizing Israel’s unfair policies towards the Palestinians is the same as being anti-Semitic.
Against Israel’s occupation and unfair policies
Mainstream Muslim organization are not calling for the destruction of Israel, but are calling for a fair and peaceful stand on the conflict. For instance, here is where MPAC and where other mainstream Muslim organizations stand on the issue of Israel/Palestine (for example, accepting a two state solution)
Muslim organizations have stood against denying the Holocaust, or other anti-Semitic views, even from other Muslims. For example here is where MAS stands.
The Israel lobby and its pressures
The Israel lobby in America has a binding monopoly on defining the conflict in very limited terms, where Israel is portrayed as the most noble, most democratic, most just state, while the Palestinians are mostly terrorists. Israel is portrayed as a land without a people, ignoring that Palestinians have lived there for centuries. Below is a paper on the influence of the Israel lobby by Stephen Walt, Harvard Kennedy School of Government Professor. Walt argues that the “Israel Lobby” has unmatched influence over America’s institutions, which forces aggressive hawkish policies that are definitely not good for America’s foreign policy, and arguably not good for Israel in the long run.
Mainstream Muslim organizations are not the only ones portrayed as supporters of Hamas and as anti-Semites, but anyone who speaks out against Israel’s policy is labeled as such. See accusations against Jimmy Carter, who condemned Israel’s policies in the occupied territories, calling them worse than South Africa’s apartheid regime. Here is what Carter says in response.
What about Hamas?
When it comes to Hamas, Mainstream Muslim organizations have tried to balance between the following:
A commitment against Hamas’ suicide bombing or violent tactics
A commitment against the horrors of Israel’s occupation
A condemnation of the terrors of Hamas cannot be discussed without mention of the terrors of Israel against the Palestinians. Of course, the Israel lobby and most mainstream Jewish organizations will accept only a blanket condemnation of Hamas, but nothing that criticizes Israel.
Other Resources
The Israel Lobby (Wikipedia)
The Israel Lobby (Stephen Walt, Harvard Kennedy School of Government)