On the Ethical Implications and Political Costs of Misinterpreting and Abusing the Notion “Anti-Semitism”

Abstract

There is antisemitism in the world, even several distinct kinds of antisemitisms. There is also a lively discourse on what antisemitism is. This discourse, often inflamed, is pierced by both hypersensitivity and rejections, accusations and counteraccusations. Different groups have vested political interests both in launching accusations of antisemitism and in denying that certain propositions and actions are in fact antisemitic. The interrelations between actual real-life antisemitism and the discourse on antisemitism in media and public debate in general are subtle and complex. This article focuses on how the notion “ antisemitism ” in the contemporary era is sometimes used by different political interests as a vehicle for promoting certain political goals. By way of conclusion, the ethical implications and political costs for the Jewish people of the political exploitation of the fear Jews associate with real-life antisemitism is discussed.