Israel is in the news again. The United States has moved its embassy to Jerusalem. There is violence on Israel’s border with Gaza. Israel and Iran have exchanged military strikes in Syria. While in any democracy, like Israel and the United States, criticism of government policy is both legal and encouraged, a recent commentary in The Salt Lake Tribune by Michael S. Robinson crosses the line between criticism and anti-Semitism.
Robinson’s use of the term “the Jews” in the letter is both wrong and bigoted. There are many Israelis who are not Jews, since a significant number of Israel’s citizens are Palestinians. Half of the Jews in the world are not Israeli. When Robinson puts responsibility for the current Israeli government’s policies and actions on “the Jews,” he blames an entire group for the actions of a few. This is the definition of racism.
The letter also refers to “votes that are paid for” by the U.S. Jewish lobby. This is simply a new version of an age-old anti-Semitic trope. “The Jews” have money. “The Jews” use that money to influence world governments. This is not only nonsense; it’s bigotry.
I hope that The Salt Lake Tribune’s editorial board uses greater discernment in the future when choosing to publish letters. Journalism demands a degree of nuance. The Tribune’s editorial board should choose the pen — well reasoned criticism — over the hammer — hatred and bigotry.
Rabbi David Levinsky, Temple Har Shalom, Park City