Unveiling the distinction: Antisemitism vs. Islamophobia amidst global tensions – opinion

Apr 22, 2024 by Dave Doveton

By Adam Milstein, Jerusalem Post.

Exploring the distinction between Islamophobia and antisemitism, emphasizing the need to confront hate without conflating distinct forms of bigotry.

In 2020, Americans took to the streets to protest the death of George Floyd. The phrase “Black Lives Matter” was born. This chant and slogan are now recognized throughout the world to represent a stance against black intolerance.

When some tried to counter it with “all lives matter,” they were perceived as dismissive of the unique struggles of the black community. One of the better arguments is that universalizing a concept when a specific group of people is harmed is tantamount to an empty platitude or even a bigoted retort.

Following the October 7 Hamas massacre of more than 1,200 Israelis, injuring 7,000 more, the Jewish community is asking the same: condemn antisemitism. Condemn it without caveat and without the universal language of “standing against all forms of hate.” Yet, time and time again, “Islamophobia” is evoked as a counterpart of antisemitism. This is misguided. It’s unproductive. And it’s unfair. Let me be clear.

Bigotry, prejudice, and violence must be called out and combated forcefully – whether it is directed at Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, or anyone else. Anyone who traffics in hatred must be condemned, and when necessary, prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

That said, by definition, antisemitism and Islamophobia refer to two very different phenomena that have no connections to one another. When lumped together, the message is muddled at best and offensive at worst.

First, it’s important to define that despite common misconception, the term Islamophobia doesn’t represent hate against Muslims but rather irrational fear of Muslims. “Islamophobia” as a term has existed since the 19th century but became prominent in 1989 when Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa against Salman Rushdie following his publication of The Satanic Verses.

Read here.