Growing Delegitimization and Antisemitism:
A Challenge for National Security, a Threat to World Jewry
By Dr. Shay Har-Zvi and Brig. Gen. (res.) Sima Vaknin Gill | February, 2023
 |
| Photos: remix - 3D Animation Production Company & Peter H from Pixabay |
The delegitimization campaign promoted by a decentralized network of Palestinian civil society organizations and their allies around the world, which is further fueled by an oppositional political campaign against Israel, led by the Palestinian Authority, has been gaining tremendous momentum and success recently, inter alia in the form of resolutions made against Israel in international establishments and organizations, as well as in western popular opinion. At the same time, the number of antisemitic incidents – verbal as well as physical – against Diaspora Jews and the State of Israel has also been soaring.
The delegitimization challenges
Throughout its existence, Israel has faced expressions of delegitimization led by countries, international and civil society organizations. However, the connection between radical left ideologies and the worldviews disseminated by the Muslim Brotherhood and political Islam has led, in recent years, to the sharp ascent and radicalization of anti-Israeli and anti-Zionist discourse. As 2023 unfolds, Israel is facing an unprecedented convergence of processes domestically, as well as several trends in the international arena, that could create fertile ground for these phenomena to grow as early as within the immediate timeframe.
The resolution made by the UN General Assembly in late 2022, seeking the International Court of Justice’s opinion with regard to the “ongoing Israeli occupation”, and the emerging decision of the Government Pension Fund of Norway – one of the wealthiest funds in the world – to condition its future investments in Israeli organizations upon their undertaking to refrain from providing services to organizations operating in the West Bank, as well as the City of Barcelona will decision to end its twin city alliance with Tel Aviv could all serve as a catalyst for a renewed delegitimization and antisemitism campaign. These steps may be justly viewed as a direct and consequential follow-up to past efforts; however, the timing in the current Israeli political context cannot be overlooked. Moreover, the “quiet boycott” could grow, causing international companies and organizations to show disinclination to promote economic collaborations with Israeli companies in advance for fear that Israel’s democratic character is in jeopardy.
The new Israeli government’s emerging character and policies are raising many concerns around the world, as well as among Jewish communities in the Diaspora, for it may take steps that would infringe on the justice system’s independence, as well as the status of various gender groups, alter the relationship vis-à-vis the Palestinian Authority, and the legal status in the West Bank de facto, while causing detriment to Israel’s ties with the world Jewry. These could all pull the rug out from under the value-based and legal arguments that have been serving Israel in its civil and legal campaign to defend itself.
In view of these concerns, the clear messages being conveyed by the Biden Administration about the Israeli government’s need to protect the values shared by both countries should be addressed. With regard to their potential damage, the unusually poignant statements made in a series of articles published by leading western media outlets (led by the New York Times) warning of the implications of radicalization processes in Israel on its democratic character should be examined.
The Palestinian Authority and delegitimization organizations are identifying and taking advantage of the western attitude toward the new Israeli government to promote delegitimization cloaked as ostensibly legitimate critical discourse against the latter’s proclaimed policies. They actively exploit the foundation built in western countries that successfully introduced the Palestinian narrative into the mainstream, as well as the opportunity presented by the “zeitgeist” in support of the “oppressed” side, to instigate parallel coordinated efforts designed to force Israel to change its conduct or, at least, pay a painful price for it. There are already clear signs indicating that this is going to be a leading strategy of theirs in 2023.
A hike in antisemitic manifestations
The sharp rise in antisemitism is linked to the radicalization in discourse on Israel, and the painting of it as a colonialist venture led by “white” foreign settlers who impose apartheid policies and ethnic cleansing against the indigenous Palestinians. A review of conspiracy theories and classic antisemitic images compared to those prevalent in anti-Israeli discourse reveals broad congruence in motifs and narratives. Viewing all Jews as a single cohort responsible for Israel’s actions is causing a steep ascent in violence against them every time there is a flareup with the Palestinians. Any challenging of Israel in the international arena also harbors direct implications on Jewish communities worldwide.
A manifestation of this phenomenon can be seen in almost any high-intensity security incident that takes place in the region, as well as in global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The outbreak of the latter served as grounds for the promotion of antisemitic theories and narratives by extreme parties across the political spectrum. Underlying these essentially identical notions was the claim that Jews and Israel were using the pandemic to achieve economic and political goals. The events of Operation Guardian of the Walls in May 2021 had led to an increase of hundreds of percents in antisemitic incidents against Jews in western countries. Even internal social issues in the United States, such as the Ferguson unrest, Charlottsville events or the killing of George Floyd were followed by soaring violence against Jews and antisemitic discourse under the intersectionality perception, or the alliance of the oppressed.
All recent studies indicate a hike in the number of antisemitic incidents and proportional share of violent ones among them. The latest Anti-Defamation League (ADL) poll on statements considered to be antisemitic has revealed that 20% of respondents believe at least 6 of them to be true; 40% believe Israel treats the Palestinians like Nazis treated Jews; and a 40% correlation was found between anti-Jewish tropes and anti-Israeli views. According to data found in the Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry’s report, there has been a sharp rise in the scope of antisemitic incidents in 2021, primarily due to Operation Guardian of the Walls and the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, a 28.8% increase was reported in Germany (3028 anti-Jewish incidents), 74% in France (589 incidents), and 34% in the UK (2225 incidents). According to ADL, in the United States there were 34% more antisemitic occurrences (2717 incidents), including on campuses, and a 167% increase in violent encounters. Even Australia saw a dramatic 35% hike. Data for 2022 has shown similar trends (taking into account that 2022 has not witnessed a high intensity conflict in the ME) and even a sharp increase in the volume of antisemitic expressions on social networks and in the US.
It is noteworthy that growing antisemitism, old as well as new, has already led western governments to employ countermeasures. Thus, President Biden has announced (December 2022) the formation of an interagency group for improving the U.S. administration’s coordination and countering of antisemitism and other forms of hate. In December 2022, Felix Klein, Federal Government Commissioner for Jewish Life in Germany and the Fight against Antisemitism, presented the comprehensive federal plan for fighting antisemitism. In October 2022, the EU marked one year to the drafting and publishing of a comprehensive masterplan for fighting antisemitism and ensuring Jewish life, which directs member states to follow it.
Recommendations
The Israeli government must realize that it is starting out at a point of departure that is viewed by global popular opinion as problematic. Any step taken or seen to be detrimental to the independence of the justice system or gender group rights, or any actions deemed as altering the status quo vis-à-vis the Palestinians, will have implications on Israel’s image and status.
The preservation of the status and independence of the Israeli justice system, which the international arena holds in high esteem, is of particular importance, as it serves as a buffer against legal claims and proceedings brought against Israel. It is especially significant in view of the upcoming proceedings against Israel in the legal institutions in the Hague. Thus, although the International Court of Justice’s opinion is merely advisory, the very launching of proceedings could have lasting implications (from damage to Israel’s image, through economic boycotts by international organizations and companies, to the risk of lawsuits).
As for its conduct vis-à-vis the world Jewry, the Israeli government should avoid making decisions (such as cancelling the grandson clause in the Law of Return) that could lead to their alienation, sabotaging its relations with them, and their willingness to get on board this campaign to maintain Israel’s status and image around the world.
The Israeli government is required to address the soaring issue of antisemitism, as well as the delegitimization campaign which is winning over hearts and minds across the globe, as a challenge to national security and a genuine threat to world Jewry, and act accordingly on the political level, legal area, as well as domestic system.
Authored by Brig. Gen. (res.) Sima Vaknin Gill, Strategic Consultant to International Organizations Combatting Antisemitism, Former Director General of the Ministry of Strategic Affairs and Former Chief Censor
and Dr. Shay Har-Zvi, a senior researcher at the Institute for Policy and Strategy (IPS), Reichman University.
If you wish to receive the weekly brief regularly, please follow the link to register.
