Jews comprise less than two percent of the US population and an infinitesimal proportion of the global population. More than 93% of them live in Israel, the EU, Canada, or ANZUS And, yet, the normal mechanisms of protecting minorities combined with specialized groups like the Anti-Defamation League, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, etc. have been deemed inadequate by the US Congress.

Even as Jews wage genocide against the indigenous people of Palestine, Congress mandated the creation the Office of the Special Envoy To Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism under the Global Anti-Semitism Review Act of 2004. The Special Envoy and his office are sui generis in the US State Department.

So, what have the fruits of this federal largesse been? Well, one thing is a report on "Contemporary Global Anti-Semitism" which contains this gem (emphasis added):

While the distinguishing features of new anti-Semitism are anti-Zionist rhetoric and opposition to Israel, it often incorporates some classic elements of traditional anti-Semitism, such as drawing on the age-old anti-Jewish theory of blood libel ... by depicting Israelis as bloodthirsty, or perpetuating the traditional conspiracy theory of undue and unseen Jewish influence ..., for example, by attributing U.S. policy to the influence of the "Zionist Lobby," "Jewish-Lobby," or "Pro-Israel Lobby"—terms that tend to be used interchangeably and to imply a Jewish conspiracy or disloyalty to their country. [p. 33]

In the epigraph to the section entitled "COMBATING ANTI-SEMITISM," we are told on page 62, "The new anti-Semitism threatens all of humanity. The Jew-haters must not pass." Who'd a thunk it? All of humanity is under threat but it's not global warming, famine, global corporatization, HIV/AIDS, war and nuclear proliferation, or the global 'credit crisis' that are the threats.

No, it's the new and improved "anti-Semitism," now with colorfast bleach and brightening agents. Where is SuperMensch when you need him? Fortunately, the same epigraph by a UK parliamentarian assures us: "A counterattack is being organized ...." We may yet be saved, folks. The first page of text in the "COMBATING ..." section helpfully reminds us that, "Laws can be among the most powerful tools for fighting anti-Semitism." Yes, indeedy.

But how does the US State Department know when one is an "anti-Semite"? More importantly, are you, dear reader, guilty of the "new anti-Semitism"? Just take a look at the handy excerpt from the State Dept. web site below and judge for yourself before you are judged. Astute readers will note the existence of some overlap with The Nine Commandments of the Holocaust Religion.

“Working Definition” of Anti-Semitism

In its 2004 report on anti-Semitism, the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) called attention to the lack of a common definition of anti-Semitism and sought to obtain one. As a result, a working definition was written collaboratively by a small group of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). In light of the longstanding commitment of the U.S. to free speech and other individual freedoms as demonstrated within our Constitution, the Office of the Special Envoy believes that this definition provides an adequate initial guide by which anti-Semitism can eventually both be defined and combated, and therefore presents this "working definition" as a starting point in the fight against anti-Semitism.¹

Working definition: "Anti-[S]emitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti[-S]emitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities."

In addition, such manifestations could also target the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity. Anti-Semitism frequently charges Jews with conspiring to harm humanity, and it is often used to blame Jews for "why things go wrong." It is expressed in speech, writing, visual forms and action, and employs sinister stereotypes and negative character traits.

Contemporary examples of anti-Semitism in public life, the media, schools, the workplace, and in the religious sphere could, taking into account the overall context, include, but are not limited to:

• Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion.
• Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as a collective - such as, especially but not exclusively, the myth about a world Jewish conspiracy or of Jews controlling the media, economy, government or other societal institutions.
• Accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group, or even for acts committed by non-Jews.
• Denying the fact, scope, mechanisms (e.g., gas chambers), or intentionality of the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of National Socialist Germany and its supporters and accomplices during World War II (the Holocaust).
• Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust.
• Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations.

Examples of the ways in which anti-Semitism manifests itself with regard to the state of Israel taking into account the overall context could include:

• Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination (e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor).
• Applying double standards by requiring of it a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.
• Using the symbols and images associated with classic anti-Semitism (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis.
• Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.
• Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel.

However, criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as anti-Semitic.

Labels: Carlos Latuff, civil liberties, hasbara, thoughtcrime, United States, Zionism