FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction

When Israel comes up in conversation, discussion often focusses on assertions made by supporters of Israel. Here, Jewish Voice for Labour (JVL) members examine ten of the most common of these, to help find a way through the half-truths, fudges and twisted logic to a clearer view of the issues involved.

We offer to each a brief response and then a more detailed one, adding links to materials for those seeking further information. They are offered as guides as how best to think about these issues.

They do not claim to provide comprehensive coverage of a complex and dynamic situation. For that we recommend regular viewing of our JVL website for news, analysis, educational resources and details of our regular online webinars.

Topics

1. Doesn’t Israel have the right to defend itself?

2. Is it antisemitic to call Israel an apartheid state?

3. Isn’t singling out Israel antisemitic?

4. Isn’t Anti-Zionism antisemitic?

5. Is BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) antisemitic?

6. Does Israel control US foreign policy?

7. Isn’t Hamas simply a terrorist, antisemitic organisation?

8. Isn’t “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free” a call for the elimination of the Jews?

9. Doesn’t the Palestinian right of return mean the death of Israel?

10. Isn’t comparing Israel to the Nazis antisemitic?

11. Isn’t the slogan “globalise the intifada” an antisemitic justification of terrorism which glorifies and incites violence against Jews?