A new executive order is the latest step in a long-running campaign to embed a nontraditional, Israel-focused definition of anti-Semitism in public institutions, thereby preventing negative information about Israel from reaching the public… and impeding the growing movement for Palestinian human rights.
In his recent, anti-Semitism-tainted speech, President Trump offered a buffet of falsehoods: sins of omission, sins of commission, white lies, and whoppers.
The U.S. House of Representatives voted 411-1 for a bill that would force President Trump to nominate an anti-Semitism envoy, a position that has been vacant since he took office. The definition of anti-Semitism the position uses includes certain criticisms of Israel.
Tillerson will name a special envoy to monitor alleged anti-Semitism, which includes criticism of Israel. All three previous envoys have been Israel partisans and helped create the new definition of the word. Dozens of other positions – on the environment, food security, conflict diamonds, etc – are being eliminated.
The National Association of Jewish Legislators and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) are demanding that President Donald Trump appoint a special envoy in the State Department “to monitor and combat” antisemitism that actually often focuses on activism supportive of Palestinian human rights.
A former Antisemitism Envoy adopted a new, Israel-centric definition for antisemitism, and then used it to train U.S. diplomats. The envoy position has proved a revolving door to Israel lobbying organizations (see video). Now groups from the ADL to the Southern Poverty Law Center are disturbed that Trump isn’t filling the position.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s statement that an antisemitism envoy may be unnecessary are challenged by representatives of the Israel lobby, quoted at length by Newsweek reporter Stav Ziv, whose family is from Israel.
Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., introduced a bill that would elevate the position to ambassadorial level. A companion bill was introduced in the House earlier this year…
IAK INVESTIGATION: For two decades, some Israeli officials and partisans have worked to embed a new, Israel-focused definition of antisemitism in institutions around the world, from international bodies and national governments to small college campuses in heartland America. This effort is now snowballing rapidly. As a result, advocacy for Palestinian rights is well on the way to being curtailed and even criminalized as “hate.”
Harsh conditions in Gaza, as Trump admin halts almost all foreign aid (Israel is exempt); private US security contractors to run checkpoints in Gaza; countdown to UNRWA departure; West Bank under fire; Pope Francis stays in touch with Gaza; Lebanon news; Harvard; more.