Principles for Responding to Antisemitic Incidents and Accusations

Before jumping into a reaction, it’s important to think carefully and assess the situation. Each one is unique, though certain incidents fall into patterns or follow a strategic playbook. Consider where the incident falls on each of the following scales. Each of these is independent but should be considered together to get a complete picture of the challenge.

To assess the situation, ask the following questions:

• Are we participating in an effort designed to harm our movements, leaders, or causes?

• If so, don’t participate! (See below.)

• Was this antisemitic? Did it trigger fear, discomfort, or hurt for Jewish audiences but was not antisemitic? What/who was harmed?

• What are the real stakes for all parties involved? How are people more vulnerable because of their races, classes, or other aspects of their identities?

• What will be the effects of public responses on all parties?

• What is the best possible outcome of the situation?

The first thing to consider when a difficult moment arises is your positioning and relationship to the actors involved. Remember that, often, the biggest risk in these moments is fracture or disruption of relationships, and while it may feel important to jump quickly to make a statement or put out a tweet, take a moment to consider: which relationships do we have that we want to preserve? Which relationships could we leverage to make things better? When a difficult moment related to antisemitism, Israel, and Palestine comes up, there are two communities who are at greatest risk for harm depending on how things go: Jews and Palestinians. What cross-communal organizational relationships, perhaps through work on other justice issues (immigration, antiracism, housing, etc.), exist? Reach out directly and privately first, get clear on what’s happening and what everyone’s concerns are, and strategize together. Even if you don’t share all the same positions and perspectives, use this as an opportunity to learn and make sure you are strengthening each other—not driving wedges.

Accusing progressives of antisemitism is an explicit tactic of right-wing political movements and organizations, and it is intended to break apart progressive coalitions and damage democracy. In some cases, it is intended to suppress any efforts to speak up for the rights of Palestinians or against unjust policies of the Israeli government. Sometimes this looks like accusations of antisemitism that are wholly made up. Sometimes they involve subjecting progressives—and specifically Muslims and progressive women of color—to intensive scrutiny and amplifying even minor mistakes or missteps into full-blown crises. Some of the organizations behind these smear attempts exist solely to “track” and “monitor” progressives to find opportunities to accuse us of antisemitism. Whether the accusations they amplify are legitimate or not, it’s important to recognize when we are the targets of a smear campaign, and to refuse to take part in it. If something antisemitic has happened, it’s important to address it and take steps toward repair. But rushing to condemn, demanding public apologies, and putting out communications that feed a story that is designed to harm us, our movements, and our partners is always a mistake. Never participate in a campaign designed to break us. Instead, move forward with integrity and by leaning into relationship—even through mistakes and missteps.

Whether the accusation of antisemitism is made in good faith or not, it’s also true that mistakes and missteps happen and if there has been an incident of antisemitism, it’s important to take it seriously. Take a lesson from the teachings of restorative justice and from Jewish concept of teshuvah (repair): in any response, public or private, start by considering who was harmed, whether intentionally or not. Even if an antisemitic trope was repeated without knowing its history, Jewish people may be harmed. If a mistake or misstep has occurred in the context of a movement struggle— for Palestinian rights, Black liberation, immigrant rights, climate justice, or anything else—those movements and their constituencies may be undermined or unfairly tarnished. Acknowledge those harmed and how they were harmed in public and private communications and orient responses toward repairing the damage. Being willing to acknowledge when people are harmed is a marker of a sophisticated and strong understanding of antisemitism even if it follows an accusation of antisemitism that was leveled as part of a smear campaign. You gain trust among audiences by showing your values, especially in moments of crisis.

Showing you have strong values that include Jewish people, a strong understanding of how antisemitism is connected to your core work, and a commitment to ending it will build trust among audiences, especially in difficult moments. Show which individuals, political parties, or movements are using and benefitting from antisemitism. If it’s appropriate, name the strategy being used against you or your allies, and show how those hurling the accusations have demonstrated that they do not care about safety for Jewish people.

This is a simple but very important point: it’s very tempting to respond, especially when faced with a smear campaign, “This is not antisemitism”—or, for example, “It’s not antisemitic to criticize Israel.” But, in fact, saying this undermines what you’re trying to communicate, reinforcing a mental link between “criticism of Israel” (or anything else) and “antisemitism.” Instead, say what antisemitism IS, and state clearly what you are FOR using the messaging in this guide.

Every incident—real, manufactured, and everything in between—is an opportunity to learn. If the situation has revealed a deficiency in knowledge, understanding, relationship, or anything else that would have helped the situation, don’t sit on it! Use the opportunity to implement any changes that need making. Even better: share your learning with partners so that your experience can benefit all of us. And when partners share this hard-won advice: listen and act accordingly.

We all make mistakes. We all face opposition. We can all learn and grow. Even when things go wrong, or when we disappoint each other, recognize that we need each other, across many lines of difference, to realize the future in which we are all safe, free, and thriving. That means we have to keep showing up.