The weaponization of anti-Semitism Following the Hamas attacks of October 7, the Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with its Western allies and the mainstream media, launched a massive public relations campaign. Its goal was and is to smear anyone who criticizes the policies of the Israeli government and stands in solidarity with the Palestinians in both Gaza and the West Bank. The weaponization of anti-Semitism has played a central role in this hard-hitting media campaign. The charge of anti-Semitism has been used as a powerful political tool and a last-ditch defense by apologists for Israeli crimes against Palestinians under occupation. Many critics of Israel and its assault on Gaza, or advocates of Palestinian rights, have been tarred as anti-Semites. The purpose of conflating criticism of the Israeli government with anti-Semitism is to curtail activism and protest and to silence criticism of Israeli policies. The increased efforts to manage the debate, in Israel and on both sides of the Atlantic, are a sign that Israel is losing control of public opinion, especially among the younger generation.

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