Meretz USA
114 West 26th St. #1002
New York,
NY,
10001
Fax: (212) 242 5718 mail@meretzusa.org
Film: "Anti-Semitism in the 21st Century"
On Tuesday, June 26th, Meretz USA hosted a screening of the PBS documentary “Anti-Semitism in the 21st Century” at its NY offices at Beit Shalom. After reviewing the history of anti-Semitism in Europe, the film focused on the migration of “Christian anti-Semitism” to the Arab world, starting in the 19th century, and gaining momentum in the wake of Israel’s establishment in 1948.
Following the screening, Meretz USA Vice President, Ralph Seliger, led off a discussion of the film, suggesting that the upsurge in anti-Semitism witnessed in recent years, while undoubtedly morally reprehensible, is of a somewhat different character from classic anti-Semitism. In other words, the “new anti-Semitism” is more a reaction to the changing political landscape in the Middle East than anti-Semitism was in years past. During the animated, and at times passionate, discussion that followed, participants commented on what constitutes anti-Semitism and whether a difference can be drawn between anti-Semitism and anti-Israeli actions (such as calls to boycott or divest from Israel).
Meretz USA Assistant Director, Ron Skolnik, summarized the evening by noting that Meretz USA strives to maintain an important balance: On the one hand, it will continue to speak out for Israeli civil rights and peace, criticizing certain Israeli government policies – even harshly - when necessary. On the other hand, as a Zionist organization that supports Israel’s continued existence, it will both oppose efforts to unfairly single out Israel for opprobrium, and speak out against those who claim that Israel, by its very nature, is inherently racist or “sinful”.
Following the screening, Meretz USA Vice President, Ralph Seliger, led off a discussion of the film, suggesting that the upsurge in anti-Semitism witnessed in recent years, while undoubtedly morally reprehensible, is of a somewhat different character from classic anti-Semitism. In other words, the “new anti-Semitism” is more a reaction to the changing political landscape in the Middle East than anti-Semitism was in years past. During the animated, and at times passionate, discussion that followed, participants commented on what constitutes anti-Semitism and whether a difference can be drawn between anti-Semitism and anti-Israeli actions (such as calls to boycott or divest from Israel).
Meretz USA Assistant Director, Ron Skolnik, summarized the evening by noting that Meretz USA strives to maintain an important balance: On the one hand, it will continue to speak out for Israeli civil rights and peace, criticizing certain Israeli government policies – even harshly - when necessary. On the other hand, as a Zionist organization that supports Israel’s continued existence, it will both oppose efforts to unfairly single out Israel for opprobrium, and speak out against those who claim that Israel, by its very nature, is inherently racist or “sinful”.
