There is an accelerated movement in the United States towards criminalizing constitutionally-protected freedom of speech (that does not advocate violence, etc) that is critical of the nation of Israel or that is classified and branded as "antisemitism". For example, in just the last few days the Trump administration announced that "U.S. states and cities that boycott Israeli companies will be denied federal aid for natural disaster preparedness". This mirrors laws or executive orders passed by at least 38 states that criminalize or discourage boycotts against the nation of Israel. And, of course, a few months ago the Trump administration started revoking visas and deporting foreign nationals for supporting pro-Palestinian causes and for what they designate as "antisemitic" views.
Can you imagine if laws were passed making it illegal to boycott or express views in opposition to China, Russia, Mexico, or North Korea? It is a flagrant violation of the First Amendment and freedom of speech to enact laws making it illegal for American citizens to boycott any foreign government, or to punish people for constitutionally-protected speech and ideological viewpoints that are critical of any nation or group of people.
If governments are going to take such a draconian stance on ideological views that oppose or are critical of Israel and that they classify as "antisemitism", then this warrants a larger discussion and examination into what exactly the definition of "antisemitism" is, and why these views are apparently of such great concern. What is so "special" about the nation of Israel that governments argue there is justification to censor and move towards criminalization of constitutionally-protected speech that is critical of them? Some claim that it is "antisemitism" to say that the nation of Israel is "controlling" the US Government or that elite jewish interests have great power and influence in society. Well, if governments start passing laws making it a crime to oppose the nation of Israel, isn't this proving this point to be true?
If such views are truly even a real "problem", then what is the best way to counter them? It is not to criminalize and punish by law those viewpoints and violate the First Amendment and freedom of speech. The best way to promote or counter any ideological belief is to encourage a larger debate on the issues, and for more freedom of speech...not less.
Can you imagine if laws were passed making it illegal to boycott or express views in opposition to China, Russia, Mexico, or North Korea? It is a flagrant violation of the First Amendment and freedom of speech to enact laws making it illegal for American citizens to boycott any foreign government, or to punish people for constitutionally-protected speech and ideological viewpoints that are critical of any nation or group of people.
If governments are going to take such a draconian stance on ideological views that oppose or are critical of Israel and that they classify as "antisemitism", then this warrants a larger discussion and examination into what exactly the definition of "antisemitism" is, and why these views are apparently of such great concern. What is so "special" about the nation of Israel that governments argue there is justification to censor and move towards criminalization of constitutionally-protected speech that is critical of them? Some claim that it is "antisemitism" to say that the nation of Israel is "controlling" the US Government or that elite jewish interests have great power and influence in society. Well, if governments start passing laws making it a crime to oppose the nation of Israel, isn't this proving this point to be true?
If such views are truly even a real "problem", then what is the best way to counter them? It is not to criminalize and punish by law those viewpoints and violate the First Amendment and freedom of speech. The best way to promote or counter any ideological belief is to encourage a larger debate on the issues, and for more freedom of speech...not less.
"Ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." - John 15:19
