The US-Israeli "New Antisemitism" Nexus (draft 1)

 

The US-Israeli "New Antisemitism" Nexus: Origins, Expansion, and Repression

The 1967 War: Disputed Territories and International Law

The Six-Day War of 1967 was a pivotal moment, resulting in Israel's occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem, the Golan Heights, and Sinai. These territories became the subject of intense international legal and political disputes. The United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 242, emphasizing the inadmissibility of acquiring territory by war and calling for Israeli withdrawal from occupied areas. Despite decades of UN resolutions demanding compliance, Israel has continued to expand settlements and maintain control, with consistent US diplomatic, military, and economic support—including repeated use of the US veto to block Security Council action and shield Israel from accountability.

The Birth and Expansion of "New Antisemitism" (NAS)

In the aftermath of 1967, global criticism of Israel’s occupation and settlement policies intensified, especially within the UN and among anti-colonial movements. Zionist organizations in Israel and the US responded by reframing criticism of Israel as a form of antisemitism, giving rise to "New Antisemitism" (NAS). This concept was institutionalized through lobbying, academic initiatives, and the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition, which equates criticism of Israel and Zionism with antisemitism. US-based advocacy groups and political actors played a central role in promoting this expanded definition, embedding it in federal and state policy, and using it to suppress dissent and shield Israel from scrutiny.

Suppression of Dissent: Crackdowns and Weaponized Definitions

• Crackdowns on Protesters

  • In both Israel and the US, antiwar and pro-Palestinian protesters have faced escalating repression, especially since October 2023. In Israel, police have violently dispersed demonstrations and detained protesters, often under the pretext of preventing support for "terrorism" or "antisemitism." In the US, the IHRA definition and similar frameworks have justified the suppression of campus protests, defunding of student groups, and deportation of international students involved in activism. Academic bodies like the American Anthropological Association have faced Congressional threats for adopting resolutions critical of Israeli policy.

• Weaponization of the "Hamas" Label

  • The "Hamas" label has been used to delegitimize humanitarian agencies such as UNRWA, campus protesters, and even Jewish critics of Israeli policy, often without evidence. This tactic has justified funding cuts, bans, and the exclusion of dissenting voices, compounding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and chilling free expression in the US and Israel.

Decimation of Gaza: Humanitarian and Media Blackout

• Destruction in Plain Sight

  • Since October 2023, Israeli military operations have devastated Gaza’s infrastructure. Hospitals, schools, water, electricity, and sanitation systems have been destroyed or rendered non-functional, leading to mass starvation, disease, and displacement. Humanitarian agencies and the UN have repeatedly warned that the blockade and destruction of infrastructure amount to collective punishment and may constitute war crimes. Israel has systematically denied or obstructed aid delivery, even in defiance of International Court of Justice orders.

• Barring UN Observers and Journalists

  • Israel has barred UN observers and most international journalists from entering Gaza, severely restricting independent verification and accountability. Journalists who remain, especially Palestinians, have been systematically targeted, with over 200 journalists and media workers killed since October 2023. Israeli strikes have targeted press tents and media convoys, often justifying attacks by alleging (without substantiation) that journalists are affiliated with militant groups.

Sanctioning and Targeting Critical News Outlets

• Haaretz

  • Israel’s liberal newspaper of record, Haaretz, has faced government sanctions and boycotts due to its critical coverage of the war in Gaza. In late 2024, the Israeli Cabinet severed all ties with Haaretz, freezing state-paid advertising and subscriptions, and banning government officials from communicating with the paper. Local officials have banned Haaretz from distribution, citing its reporting as "incitement" and a threat to state legitimacy.

• Al Jazeera

  • The Israeli government banned Al Jazeera from operating within its borders in May 2024, citing national security concerns. This move followed months of criticism of Al Jazeera’s reporting on the Gaza war, which often contradicted official narratives and exposed humanitarian abuses.

Conclusion

The origins and expansion of NAS are rooted in the aftermath of the 1967 war and the enduring occupation of Palestinian territories, with Israel’s defiance of UN resolutions enabled by unwavering US support. The NAS framework, institutionalized through the IHRA definition and enforced by a network of US and Israeli organizations, has become a powerful tool for suppressing dissent, criminalizing protest, and shielding Israel from accountability for grave violations of international law. The decimation of Gaza’s population and infrastructure, the targeting and silencing of journalists and critical news outlets, and the chilling effect on free speech and protest in both countries are the predictable outcomes of a system built to maintain impunity and suppress inconvenient truths.

References

1. Mondoweiss, "History and Impact of the IHRA Antisemitism Definition" (New Antisemitism:Mondoweiss.pdf).

2. United Nations Security Council Resolution 242 (1967).

3. United Nations General Assembly and Security Council resolutions (1970s–present).

4. Reports by humanitarian organizations and international law experts (2023–2025).

5. Independent reviews and media investigations (2024–2025).

6. International Court of Justice and International Commission of Jurists statements (2024–2025).

7. Previous conversation history regarding protest suppression, media targeting, and humanitarian impacts.