#if you don't believe me that JVP exists to keep people ignorant just look at the last slide

[slyandthefamilybook]

In addition to the above, there are things about this post that call it out as very intellectually lazy and poorly made

Number one, if you're going to complain about the IHRA definition of antisemitism maybe, idk, show it? The first two "sources" link to pages complaining about the IHRA definition, not the IHRA's own page with the definition itself (the third link is broken). (I also doubt the sources are included in the comments of the original post on Instagram as hyperlinks, meaning people would have to copy and paste them manually like I did. It's highly inconvenient and all but guarantees people won't actually read them.)

Here is the primary source which JVP seems to not want you to read.

Here is the definition in full:

“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

It's important to note that the IHRA definition is not legally binding; it's merely a guideline directing lawmakers on how to recognize instances of antisemitism. It's already been adopted by 28 countries including most of the EU (the definition is actually based on one the EU came up with in 2005), and dozens of smaller organizations worldwide. It's been endorsed by the U.N. and is already adopted in certain forms in the U.S.

The primary complaint is that the definition comes with several examples of what the IHRA considers to be antisemitism under their definition. This includes "denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor." This doesn't mean you can't refer to Israeli policies or actions as racist, or talk about the racism of Israeli politicians or citizens. It means you can't call the idea of Jewish self-determination itself racist. Whether you agree with that or not it's important to discuss what's actually being said

Also, the IHRA makes a point to note that "criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic". As long as you're not singling Israel out (which many people do) you're in the clear.

My second issue may be more of a semantic nitpick but it's very confusing to call this supposed phenomenon "weaponized antisemitism." Not "weaponized accusations of antisemitism." Weaponized antisemitism. As if antisemitism itself is sensu lato blithe and harmless, and only becomes a problem when it's "weaponized." If you ask me, "weaponizing antisemitism" is the stuff of antisemites, people who take their preconceived notions about Jews and use them to justify harmful rhetoric and violent actions. Of course JVP as a project exists to give carte blanche to antisemites by insisting that not only is anti-Zionism not always antisemitic, but that is never is. By crying "anti-Zionism isn't antisemitism" every time anti-Zionism is criticized, they've built a shield around people who use anti-Zionism to be antisemitic. It's like telling someone "food isn't poisonous" every time they complain your food tastes funny. Eventually it will be, but you'll have wiped your hands clean because you're technically correct. I don't know about you, but creating rhetorical structures in which Jews can be easily proven to be liars and deceivers sounds like weaponized antisemitism to me