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TThe 122 Palestinian and Arab intellectuals (Letters, November 29) have been in charge of defining anti-Semitism and the fight for Jewish rights. This is a flawed approach that also does not understand the IHRA’s definition of anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitism manifests itself, in part, by denying Jews their collective right to self-determination under international law. That is why the view of Israel as a “racist effort” is an example within the definition of the IHRA. A Jewish majority state is no more racist than a Muslim or Christian one.
The current plight of the Palestinians, far from being an intrinsic feature of Zionism, is the result of a tragic conflict between two peoples. In recent decades, Israel has made at least four offers to divide the land and create a Palestinian state, and all offers have been rejected, often violently. Palestinian rejection is therefore the main cause of their statelessness.
The IHRA definition insists that legitimate criticism of Israel, similar to that directed against other countries, cannot be anti-Semitic. Denying Israel its right to exist as a sovereign state is a different matter.
Jeremy havardi
Director of the International Affairs Office at B’nai B’rith UK
