OVERWORKING ANTISEMITE SLUR AGAINST REP OMAR (D MINN)

LET US GLORY IN OUR RIGHT OF FREE SPEECH-NOT LIMIT IT

LETS NOT WEAKEN TERM “ANTISEMITIC”

Democrats were feuding again—not with Mr. Trump or his supporters, but harmfully and counterproductively among themselves this time.  The feud is over free speech and alleged “antisemitism”.

Our own US State Department fully and adequately defines antisemitism as: “a perception of Jews which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews...or of Jewish community property...religious institutions... as well as targeting the State of Israel as a Jewish collectivity.”  However, the State Department document also adds that “criticism of Israel similar to that leveled at any other county cannot be regarded as antisemitic,” 

Apparently during a political event last week (@ March 1, 2019) at a DC bookstore first term female Muslim Democrat Representitave, Ilhan Omar (D 5th CD Minnesota)) asked her audience why it was acceptable for her to be able to criticize the NRA, fossil fuel industries, and other special interest groups, but not the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).  She complained that in Washington DC there exists a  “political influence that says that it is OK for people to push for allegiance to a foreign country.”  Her remarks were recorded and jumped on by  Democrats and Republicans alike and hysterically characterized   as  antisemitic comment.  

I think there are many aspects of Israeli foreign policy, for example, military actions against Palestinians in the  occupied territories, collective punishment, shooting and killing peaceful Gaza demonstrators, etc. etc. and even that state’s  domestic politics that are worthy of criticism.  As Americans and as members of a Democracy, we are encouraged to think critically so as to function as informed citizens and voters.  Representative Omar is correct to underscore the shortcomings of Israel as a state—like criticism of any other foreign entity. . And she has a right that  in her view our own domestic politics  supports that state inappropriately.  As thinking Americans we should be thankful that our form of government permits such diverse opinions.  

Those on the left (and right) who, instead of  a trenchant politcal response to her statements,  hastily acted to silence her with ill-conceived threats and accusations of misplaced antisemitism.    Let’s reserve that term for those for whom that term fits.  Free speech is without doubt the greatest of our Constitutional guarantees.  We should all glory in our First Ammendment rights and actively use them.   Free discourse on issues is our greatest guarantee of a continuing free nation.

Finally let us not misuse the charge of “antisemitism”.  That scourge  sadly does exist and we as a people and a nation need to label it with a precise term unsullied or weakened by misuse. .