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A Dangerous Conflation – An Open Letter From Jewish Writers

A Dangerous Conflation | Online Only | n+1 (nplusonemag.com)

A group of Jewish writers drafted this letter after seeing an old argument gain new power: the claim that critiquing Israel is antisemitic. Editors at a corporate-owned magazine were prepared to publish the letter, but their lawyers advised against it. The writers share this letter in solidarity with those who continue to speak out in support of Palestinian freedom. Add your name here.

We are Jewish writers, artists, and activists who wish to disavow the widespread narrative that any criticism of Israel is inherently antisemitic. Israel and its defenders have long used this rhetorical tactic to shield Israel from accountability, dignify the US’s multibillion-dollar investment in Israel’s military, obscure the deadly reality of occupation, and deny Palestinian sovereignty. Now, this insidious gagging of free speech is being used to justify Israel’s ongoing military bombardment of Gaza and to silence criticism from the international community….

Photo, October 30, 2023 by Jewish Voice for Peace Jews across the U.S. are protesting in unprecedented numbers against Israel’s destruction of Gaza and the United States’ unwavering support.
From Albuquerque to Minneapolis, Seattle to Miami, Washington DC to Detroit, students, elders, faith leaders, and activists, many of whom are affiliated with the group Jewish Voice for Peace, are organizing sit-ins in Congressional offices and blocking streets as they demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
These demonstrations were held in over 25 cities, including Washington D.C., New York City, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New Orleans, Albuquerque, Denver, Philadelphia, Detroit, Minneapolis, and Miami. This is the largest Jewish mobilization in support of Palestinians in American history, and many people who have never before taken action are pouring into the streets.
The demonstrations have included peaceful marches and prayerful sit-ins at district Congressional offices and in the Capitol. Protesters across the country sang Jewish peace songs, prayed, chanted, and carried banners saying “Ceasefire Now” and “Never Again.”
Since October 7th, the Israeli government has killed more than 8,000 Palestinian people including over 3,000 children. The United States government gives $3.8 billion in aid to Israel each year and President Biden and many other politicians promise more weapons and more funding to Israel.
For decades, tens of thousands of U.S. Jews have said that the Israeli government does not represent all Jewish people. For decades, Jewish Americans have criticized the Israeli occupation of Palestine. We are no longer willing to be silent — we’re speaking up louder than ever before and taking to the streets to demand an immediate ceasefire. We will not sit by as a genocide is waged in our name.