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The Thin Line Between Antisemitism and Anti-Zionism: Unraveling the Protests
Jewish Americans and supporters of Israel gather at the National Mall in Washington, DC on Nov. 14, 2023 for the “March for Israel” rally. Photo: Dion J. Pierre/The Algemeiner
The world has witnessed a disturbing surge in antisemitic, violent protests that contrast sharply with the peaceful demonstrations in support of Israel. The juxtaposition of these demonstrations has stirred controversy and raises important questions about the so-called line between antisemitism and anti-Zionism — a line that is increasingly blurred in these troubling times.
Anti-Zionism is not merely a disagreement with Israeli policies, but an insidious form of prejudice that extends beyond geopolitical boundaries. While it is crucial to acknowledge that criticism of Israeli policies is not inherently antisemitic, there are members of various protests who have not been criticizing, but rather demonizing, the Jewish State. They are not voicing peaceful expressions of discontent or legitimate criticism; instead, they are promoting hatred and calls for violence. Large groups of protestors have called for the destruction of Israel; they also promote violence against Jews, and share antisemitic imagery.
These protestors profess anti-Zionism while practicing antisemitism; advocate for a ceasefire while remaining silent on hostage release; declare support for Palestinians without condemning Hamas; and express a desire for peace while resorting to violence.
These violent protestors are using what should be peaceful demonstrations as a cover for expressing deep-seated hatred, which is a tactic that mirrors the reprehensible strategies employed by Hamas. Just as Hamas members embed themselves in civilian populations to make Israel’s attempts at finding them more difficult (while putting innocent civilians at risk), these vicious protestors do the same, manipulating public perception by using seemingly peaceful demonstrations to mask their underlying agenda.
Not all demonstrators necessarily harbor antisemitic sentiments. Some may be misinformed, misguided, or are critical for a legitimate reason. However, even if they do not espouse antisemitism, their culpability lies in their neglect and disregard for the issue at hand. Standing by while their peers propagate inflammatory rhetoric, tear down signs of innocent hostages, and brandish flags of designated terrorist organizations like Hamas and ISIS, renders them complicit by association.
It also highlights an inherent ignorance of the situation in Israel. The ongoing conflict is not a war against the Palestinian people, but rather a response to neutralize the Hamas terror organization. While it is true that innocent Palestinians are being caught in the crossfire, both Israel and the US have offered considerable proof that Hamas is to blame for those deaths, hiding among civilians, misfiring rockets within Gaza, denying humanitarian aid, and committing further atrocities that force Israel to remove the terror group. By openly supporting Hamas at these rallies, these protesters are not actually supporting Palestinians, but rather their Hamas oppressors, and doing so with antisemitic rhetoric and vitriol.
By contrast, pro-Israel demonstrations, exemplified by the peaceful gathering in Washington, D.C., that took place on November 14, with over 290,000 in attendance, by and large advocate for hope, for shared values with the US, and a nuanced understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
These rallies focus on supporting the right of Israel to exist and defend itself against external threats, particularly from entities like Hamas, providing a counter-narrative to the violent demonstrations.
The stark contrast between the two types of protests underscores the importance of distinguishing between criticism of policies and the promotion of hatred. While violent protesters may try to hide behind the veil of anti-Zionism, now more than ever, the world must realize, that anti-Zionism is antisemitism.
Edmund Burke said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” This statement resonates profoundly in the current context, urging us to confront antisemitism, hatred, and terror head-on.
Asher Stern, Head of Operations, International Legal Forum — an Israel-based global network of lawyers and activists around the world, standing up for Israel, and combating antisemitism in the international legal arena — holds a BA in Government, Strategy, and Diplomacy from the IDC, and an MA in International Relations from the Hebrew University.
The post The Thin Line Between Antisemitism and Anti-Zionism: Unraveling the Protests first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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After False Dawns, Gazans Hope Trump Will Force End to Two-Year-Old War
Palestinians walk past a residential building destroyed in previous Israeli strikes, after Hamas agreed to release hostages and accept some other terms in a US plan to end the war, in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip October 4, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
Exhausted Palestinians in Gaza clung to hopes on Saturday that US President Donald Trump would keep up pressure on Israel to end a two-year-old war that has killed tens of thousands and displaced the entire population of more than two million.
Hamas’ declaration that it was ready to hand over hostages and accept some terms of Trump’s plan to end the conflict while calling for more talks on several key issues was greeted with relief in the enclave, where most homes are now in ruins.
“It’s happy news, it saves those who are still alive,” said 32-year-old Saoud Qarneyta, reacting to Hamas’ response and Trump’s intervention. “This is enough. Houses have been damaged, everything has been damaged, what is left? Nothing.”
GAZAN RESIDENT HOPES ‘WE WILL BE DONE WITH WARS’
Ismail Zayda, 40, a father of three, displaced from a suburb in northern Gaza City where Israel launched a full-scale ground operation last month, said: “We want President Trump to keep pushing for an end to the war, if this chance is lost, it means that Gaza City will be destroyed by Israel and we might not survive.
“Enough, two years of bombardment, death and starvation. Enough,” he told Reuters on a social media chat.
“God willing this will be the last war. We will hopefully be done with the wars,” said 59-year-old Ali Ahmad, speaking in one of the tented camps where most Palestinians now live.
“We urge all sides not to backtrack. Every day of delay costs lives in Gaza, it is not just time wasted, lives get wasted too,” said Tamer Al-Burai, a Gaza City businessman displaced with members of his family in central Gaza Strip.
After two previous ceasefires — one near the start of the war and another earlier this year — lasted only a few weeks, he said; “I am very optimistic this time, maybe Trump’s seeking to be remembered as a man of peace, will bring us real peace this time.”
RESIDENT WORRIES THAT NETANYAHU WILL ‘SABOTAGE’ DEAL
Some voiced hopes of returning to their homes, but the Israeli military issued a fresh warning to Gazans on Saturday to stay out of Gaza City, describing it as a “dangerous combat zone.”
Gazans have faced previous false dawns during the past two years, when Trump and others declared at several points during on-off negotiations between Hamas, Israel and Arab and US mediators that a deal was close, only for war to rage on.
“Will it happen? Can we trust Trump? Maybe we trust Trump, but will Netanyahu abide this time? He has always sabotaged everything and continued the war. I hope he ends it now,” said Aya, 31, who was displaced with her family to Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.
She added: “Maybe there is a chance the war ends at October 7, two years after it began.”
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Mass Rally in Rome on Fourth Day of Italy’s Pro-Palestinian Protests
A Pro-Palestinian demonstrator waves a Palestinian flag during a national protest for Gaza in Rome, Italy, October 4, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Claudia Greco
Large crowds assembled in central Rome on Saturday for the fourth straight day of protests in Italy since Israel intercepted an international flotilla trying to deliver aid to Gaza, and detained its activists.
People holding banners and Palestinian flags, chanting “Free Palestine” and other slogans, filed past the Colosseum, taking part in a march that organizers hoped would attract at least 1 million people.
“I’m here with a lot of other friends because I think it is important for us all to mobilize individually,” Francesco Galtieri, a 65-year-old musician from Rome, said. “If we don’t all mobilize, then nothing will change.”
Since Israel started blocking the flotilla late on Wednesday, protests have sprung up across Europe and in other parts of the world, but in Italy they have been a daily occurrence, in multiple cities.
On Friday, unions called a general strike in support of the flotilla, with demonstrations across the country that attracted more than 2 million, according to organizers. The interior ministry estimated attendance at around 400,000.
Italy’s right-wing government has been critical of the protests, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni suggesting that people would skip work for Gaza just as an excuse for a longer weekend break.
On Saturday, Meloni blamed protesters for insulting graffiti that appeared on a statue of the late Pope John Paul II outside Rome’s main train station, where Pro-Palestinian groups have been holding a protest picket.
“They say they are taking to the streets for peace, but then they insult the memory of a man who was a true defender and builder of peace. A shameful act committed by people blinded by ideology,” she said in a statement.
Israel launched its Gaza offensive after Hamas terrorists staged a cross border attack on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 people hostage.
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Hamas Says It Agrees to Release All Israeli Hostages Under Trump Gaza Plan
Smoke rises during an Israeli military operation in Gaza City, as seen from the central Gaza Strip, October 2, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
Hamas said on Friday it had agreed to release all Israeli hostages, alive or dead, under the terms of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza proposal, and signaled readiness to immediately enter mediated negotiations to discuss the details.