Labels, not arguments

June 30, 2025

I acknowledge Sue’s pain at the bullying use of labels such as antisemitism to divert community attention from the perpetration of genocide. Many of us have been similarly targeted. but not to the same extent, by the supporters of a regime that closely resembles in its guiding political ideology and its criminal actions the Nazis of mid-last century Europe.

That drawing attention to this and highlighting its corrosive affect on our shared humanity can be used as a weapon demonstrates the capacity of such extreme ideologies to distort the perceptions and actions of possibly otherwise normal human beings.

As Voltaire wrote, “those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.” That is a pithy and succinct summary of Zionism. Long may you fight its poison, Sue!!