Who Is An Anti-Semite?

ITW Blog

Don Bowers in Los Angeles writes requesting: “Please post your definition of the word ‘anti-Semite’.”

Okay. Here is my working definition for purposes of our Anti-Semite of the Week and Anti-Semite of the Year designations. Please share with me your thoughts and recommendations. I’m open to refining the definition.

Definition: For purposes of my "competition" I believe that an anti-Semite is someone who maintains a posture of public neutrality, yet consistently and exclusively finds fault with Israel (and the Jews) to the virtual exclusion of all other parties and in defiance of clear and overwhelming evidence that Israel (and the Jews) are not singular in their behavior.

While Israel and the Jews do make mistakes and can measure their behavior against higher standards, anti-Semites single them out among all offenders for criticism and condemnation.