This is why we focus on what Israel is doing
JVL Introduction
Here is a perspective as to why Israel is “singled out” compared with other nations who, eg violate international law and/or target a particular community living within their borders. We think it is necessary to ask what other nation that does such things is so strongly supported, including financially by other governments and allowed to commit ethnic cleansing and plausible genocide with impunity?
Rosenthal writes as a Jew, highlighting the obligation many of us brought up to defend Israel feel is needed to undo earlier pronouncements and actions. Furthermore there is clear evidence that antisemitism rises during heinous attacks on Palestinians but the Jewish Establishment is uncritical and Netanyahu goes unchallenged when he claims to represent “the Jews of the world” thus making the world less safe for Jews. Rosenthal highlights not only what Israel is doing but also the complicity of so many. As a US citizen, he focuses on the backing of that country and the power of the lobby to influence US politics and more; but most western governments are also complicit and, indeed, large numbers of western corporation . (See eg Francesca Albanese’s-assault-on-global-corporations)
LL
This article was originally published by The Progressive Jew (on Substack) on Sat 21 Feb 2026. Read the original here.
Yes, Israel Should Be “Singled Out” For Condemnation
“Israel shouldn’t be singled out!!!”
Every critic of Zionism has most likely heard it. Repeatedly.
But does that admonition have merit? To answer the question, I looked at whether Israeli crimes against humanity add up to something uniquely atrocious.
Spoiler alert: They do.
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Another angle I have heard is that if Israel is supposed to be one of our allies, should it not be held to higher standards than than those countries which are not?
The current Israeli administration, more than any other, does not meet the lowest level the acceptance bar can register. It’s on the floor. BDS is the only non-military action any decent country/people can employ against this genocidal occupier. The French Resistance was not criticised for its actions during WW2: nor should any action taken by the occupied in Palestine be condemned, as per International Law.