On or Un Semitic

The topic of antisemitism has been hot lately, and there’s obviously a great deal that must be said in this matter, but there’s one point in particular that I feel is important to note, because I think many people are unaware of it.

There are many Semitic peoples, including Arabs and a number of other Middle Eastern ethnicities. This means that the following are antisemitic acts:

• Slurs and defamation of Arabic culture or history.
• Dehumanizing or demonizing Arabs.
• Treating Arabs as synonymous with terrorists, and of specific relevance, treating Palestinians as synonymous with Hamas.
• Denying the right of Palestinians to a homeland.

Any attempt to curb antisemitism, which is obviously a noble cause, must excise the above with a fervor equal to that levied against those actions and words which are harmful to Jewish communities.

Additionally, it is vitally important to note that criticism against the government of the state of Israel is not antisemitic, as a government is a political entity and not an ethnic or religious one, and thus is not inherently Semitic in nature.