Dear Editor,
The University of Toronto (U of T) declared that that it will not adopt the divisive International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism.
The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s new definition
of antisemitism now includes “Holding Jews collectively responsible
for actions of the State of Israel.” That is false and misleading! Reasons?
* Israel doesn’t represent all Jews and not all Jews support
Israel’s crimes against Palestinians.
* It falsely conflates criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism.
* Many Jewish groups like Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), CODEPINK, and
Jews for Justice for Palestinians (JfJfP) oppose Israel’s oppression of
Palestinians.
* Progressive Jewish organizations expressed their strong opposition to the
Israeli occupation of Palestine and endorse the Boycott, Divestment,
Sanctions (BDS) movement as a nonviolent strategy to bring about
peace, justice, and freedom for Palestinians.
By the same token, no one should blame Islam or Muslims if a Muslim commits a crime.
Mahmoud El-Yousseph
Retied USAF Veteran
Westerville, Ohio
