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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.
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Pro-Palestinian Rapper Leads ‘Death to the IDF’ Chant at English Music festival
Revellers dance as Avril Lavigne performs on the Other Stage during the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 30, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
i24 News – Chants of “death to the IDF” were heard during the English Glastonbury music festival on Saturday ahead of the appearance of the pro-Palestinian Irish rappers Kneecap.
One half of punk duo based Bob Vylan (who both use aliases to protect their privacy) shouted out during a section of their show “Death to the IDF” – the Israeli military. Videos posted on X (formerly Twitter) show the crowd responding to and repeating the cheer.
This comes after officials had petitioned the music festival to drop the band. The rap duo also expressed support for the following act, Kneecap, who the BCC refused to show live after one of its members, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh – better known by stage name Mo Chara – was charged with a terror offense.
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Rubio Holds First Meeting with Hostage Families, Urges End to Gaza War
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio attends a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, DC, US, April 10, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Nathan Howard
i24 News – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held on Friday his first meeting with the families of the hostages still held in Gaza since taking office in January, telling the loved ones that a “real victory” can only occur in Gaza when the remaining hostages are returned.
Those in attendance included Omri Miran’s brother-in-law; Evyatar David’s brother; Hadar Goldin’s brother; and Iair Horn, who himself is a freed hostage, with his brother Eitan still held by Hamas in Gaza.
According to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, they urged the current US administration for a “bold decision.” “We’ve waited long enough,” the family members said. “It’s time to make brave decisions and bring all our loved ones back—all at once.”
Rubio, in turn, expressed the Trump administration’s “unwavering commitment” in rescuing the 49 remaining hostages, 20 of whom are believed to still be alive.
This meeting comes after U.S. President Donald Trump said earlier this week that he believes a ceasefire will be reached between Israel and Hamas “within the next week.”
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Trump Says He Would Consider Bombing Iran Again, Drops Sanctions Relief Plan
US President Donald Trump speaks at a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (not pictured), at the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, June 25, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Brian Snyder
US President Donald Trump sharply criticized Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamanei, on Friday, dropped plans to lift sanctions on Iran and said he would consider bombing Iran again if Tehran is enriching uranium to worrisome levels.
Trump reacted sternly to Khamanei’s first remarks after a 12-day conflict with Israel that ended when the United States launched bombing raids last weekend against Iranian nuclear sites.
Khamanei said Iran “slapped America in the face” by launching an attack against a major US base in Qatar following the US bombing raids. Khamanei also said Iran would never surrender.
Trump said he had spared Khamanei’s life. US officials told Reuters on June 15 that Trump had vetoed an Israeli plan to kill the supreme leader.
“His Country was decimated, his three evil Nuclear Sites were OBLITERATED, and I knew EXACTLY where he was sheltered, and would not let Israel, or the U.S. Armed Forces, by far the Greatest and Most Powerful in the World, terminate his life,” Trump said in a social media post.
“I SAVED HIM FROM A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH,” he said.
Iran said a potential nuclear deal was conditional on the US ending its “disrespectful tone” toward the Supreme Leader.
“If President Trump is genuine about wanting a deal, he should put aside the disrespectful and unacceptable tone towards Iran’s Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, and stop hurting his millions of heartfelt followers,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in a post on X in the early hours of Saturday.
Trump also said that in recent days he had been working on the possible removal of sanctions on Iran to give it a chance for a speedy recovery. He said he had now abandoned that effort.
“I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust, and immediately dropped all work on sanction relief, and more,” he said.
Trump said at a White House news conference that he did not rule out attacking Iran again, when asked about the possibility of new bombing of Iranian nuclear sites if deemed necessary at some point.
“Sure, without question, absolutely,” he said.
Trump said he would like inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency – the U.N. nuclear watchdog – or another respected source to be able to inspect Iran’s nuclear sites after they were bombed last weekend.
Trump has rejected any suggestion that damage to the sites was not as profound as he has said.
The IAEA chief, Rafael Grossi, said on Wednesday that ensuring the resumption of IAEA inspections was his top priority as none had taken place since Israel began bombing on June 13.
However, Iran’s parliament approved moves on Wednesday to suspend such inspections. Araqchi indicated on Friday that Tehran may reject any request by the head of the agency for visits to Iranian nuclear sites.
Trump said Iran still wants to meet about the way forward. The White House had said on Thursday that no meeting between the U.S. and an Iranian delegation has been scheduled thus far.
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