Dear Colleagues:

As I am sure you have observed, following the ceasefire that was announced on May 21st after the latest war between Gaza and Israel more than 100 departments, programs, and faculty groups issued condemnations of Israel. Stereotypically the accusations were focused on “genocide,” “ethnic cleansing,” being a “settler-colonial state,” endorsing the “Palestinian right to return,” and equating Palestinians with African-Americans.

Moreover and equally concerning are the findings of a latest poll conducted by the Jewish Electorate Institute which states that 28% of those polled – and 38% of those under 40 – agreed with the statement that “Israel is an apartheid state”; 23% of those polled and 33% under 40 agreed that “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinians”; and fully one-fifth of American Jews under the age of 40 agreed with the statement that “Israel doesn’t have the right to exist.”

All of the above illustrate how much antisemitism is on the rise all over the world yet the debate about antisemitism continues and in many circles getting a pass for just being “anti-Israel” excusing or belittling the problem will not make it go away.

As always, we would love to hear from you and welcome your feedback and article submissions.

Sincerely,

Asaf Romirowsky, PhD