A few very good examples of absolutely prolific left-wing antisemitism amongst pro-Palestinians are:
- Denying the right of Jews in the State of Israel to exist and flourish, collectively and individually, as Jews, in accordance with the principle of equality. I will talk more about this at the bottom of the post, but many left-wing people defend the right of Palestinian nationalism whilst simultaneously denying the same right of Jews. And they see absolutely no problem with this. When it comes to Palestinians it's "their land" but when it comes to Jews "oh they can live anywhere!"
- Requiring people, because they are Jewish, publicly to condemn Israel or Zionism (for example, at a political meeting). This has happened to me endlessly. They have decided "zionism" is racism for their moronic reasons and will then get quite adversarial with Jews demanding that they denounce the concept of Jewish nationalism or else face shame.
- Assuming that non-Israeli Jews, simply because they are Jews, are necessarily more loyal to Israel than to their own countries. I have come across this a lot. If I have even remotely offered a balanced view on Israel that doesn't fit the "Palestine are downtrodden" narrative, then I have been outright accused of being a paid lobbyist! (I have never even BEEN to Israel!)
- Engaging in really, really classic antisemitism but believing it's okay because they change the words they use to say Jews. So for example they will engage in the most obvious tropes and racist conspiracy theories, ideas where “the Jews” possess hidden power that they use to promote their own collective agenda at the expense of other people. A fantasy that “the Jews” control governments with a “hidden hand,” that they own the banks, control the media, act as “a state within a state,” and all these kinds of things. They outright do that, and you can see it all day every day on Twitter - but they think it's not antisemitism because they say "zionist" or "Israel" instead of Jews.
So I am not talking about "Bigotry" in the sense that most left-wing people would identify it, but all of the above is recognised on the Jerusalem declaration as antisemitism because that's what it is. It is holding Jews to strange standards linked with the age old, pernicious idea that we are crafty, powerful, up to no good and wielding power over some powerless weakling.
Going back to the anti zionism thing, I think this has become the badge of honour for the Pro Palestine brigade, but to me this is a concerning position because it denies the Jewish people alone a right to self-determination; It equates Zionism with racism when really it is a response to the racism of others, it focuses obsessively on the world’s sole Jewish state and holds it to standards to which no other country is subjected.
This idea of an “international Zionist” conspiracy came from soviet propaganda. It draws upon, mimicks and replicates antisemitic myths which stretch back hundreds of years. But because it comes wrapped up in an anti-imperialist package, many on the left can't see it for what it is.
In reality, supporting Hamas or condoning their behavior or even wishing for them to rule over people with their disdain for human rights, women, gays or justice should appal the left. In real terms, if you have left wing values, you must be pro-Israel, pro-Palestine and pro-peace.
For some people, and I spotted a few on this thread, they are using the Palestine issue as a vehicle for disproportionate, ferocious criticism of the Jewish state and dehumanisation of the Israeli people. Of course this state should be held accountable for all it's faults and wrongdoing, but should not be held to standards not expected or demanded of other democratic states.
The cry of "Give them their land back" is not reasoned thinking. Anyone who genuinely considers all people equal might advocate for a negotiated two-state solution to realise the legitimate aspirations of both the Jewish and Palestinian peoples to self-determination and to guarantee Israel’s most precious characteristic: its democratic and Jewish nature. Ignoring that because you don't like Israel shows a deep prejudice.
When people jump on the bandwagon, like one did on the thread last night calling Zionism "evil" and denouncing it in these awful terms, Jews are generally well aware that the denunciation points the finger at them. And ultimately this term has taken the shape of a monster for many lefties - to mean racism, colonialism, western power, money, conspiracy. When really all it actually means is that Jews do have a right to their state. Just like Palestinians.