Yossi Schwartz ISL section of the RCIT section, 08.05.2025
The extent to which Israel, which accuses the entire world of Anti-Semitism, is becoming increasingly isolated can be seen from the steps taken by the Dutch government, which is known for its unconditional support for Israel until recent days.
“The Dutch government is now calling for a formal review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which underpins their free trade relationship. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp told The Guardian that Israel’s ongoing obstruction of humanitarian aid to Gaza represents a “catastrophic” violation of international humanitarian law.
Veldkamp has formally requested EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas to initiate a review of the agreement, arguing that Israel was now in breach of its human rights obligations under the accord.” [i]
This growing isolation is true even for Jews, and the number of Jews who oppose Israel is growing not only in the U.S but in England.
“UK Jewish creatives write guidance on antisemitism and censorship in the arts
Artists and directors produce guidelines for cultural institutions, stating that Palestinian symbols and criticisms of Zionism are not antisemitic
By MEE staff 7 May 2025 https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-jewish-creatives-publish-guidance-antisemitism-censorship-arts
Dozens of UK-based Jewish artists and creatives have published guidelines to help cultural institutions navigate issues surrounding antisemitism.
The text, titled Courage and Care: Guidelines on confronting antisemitism and Censorship in the Arts, was endorsed on Tuesday by more than 70 Jewish signatories.
“This text is designed as a resource to help institutions, organisations and individuals make better, braver decisions whilst contending with antisemitism and censorship in the arts,” the guidelines state.”It is written from a firm belief that art must be allowed to be political, subversive, uncomfortable – and that bigotry should be challenged.”
The first section outlines what antisemitism in the arts might look like, including workplace discrimination, abuse, problematic representation and tropes, and the minimisation of persecution, such as the Holocaust.
The next section outlines what the signatories say antisemitism in the arts does not look like.
“We are united in believing that art must not be censored under a false guise of protecting against antisemitism,” it states.
Examples of what isn’t antisemitism include artwork that criticises Israel or Zionism as a political force, and supporting the Palestinian struggle for freedom and self-determination.
“Palestinian symbols such as the Palestinian flag, Keffiyeh, a watermelon, and phrases such as ‘from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’ are not in themselves antisemitic and should not be censored or banned,” the guidance says.
It also adds that criticizing the actions of specific Jewish people, as long as their Jewishness is not presented as an explanation of their vices, is not antisemitic.
The final section of the guidance presents “grey areas”, in which there can be ambiguity.The signatories encourage cultural institutions, in these instances, to consider a number of questions, including: “Who is speaking? Where is their platform? When is this happening” [ii]
Not only this, but Jews, including Israelis who live in England, are calling on Labor. “Around 200 Israeli citizens living in the UK have written to the British government demanding it suspend its trade relations with Israel until the country lifts its total siege on Gaza.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy, the group, many of whom hold British citizenship, called on the government to suspend the UK-Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement (TPA )- a deal which covers trade of goods, services and preferential tariffs and quotas.
“We are watching in horror the images coming from Gaza of malnourished babies and children,” the letter read, noting that the siege has barred any aid from entering the Strip for over two months. The signatories warned Starmer and Lammy “not to be complicit in criminal mass starvation”
“Pleading with Netanyahu’s rogue government will not do. The prospect of mass starvation in Gaza is imminent and intolerable. The UK must take immediate and concrete measures to stop this catastrophe before it gets any worse,” it added. government to cut economic relations with Israel.”[iii]
It is not enough to end the war against Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria. A political solution must be achieved. This solution can be only one democratic state in the entire country, including the Palestinian refugees.
Israel out of Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria.
For one democratic state for the Israelis and the Palestinians, including the Palestinian refugees
Endnotes:
[i] The New Arab Staff, 07 May, 2025, https://www.newarab.com/news/dutch-gov-urges-eu-rethink-israel-trade-deal-over-gaza-siege
[ii] MEE staff 7 May 2025 https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-jewish-creatives-publish-guidance-antisemitism-censorship-arts
[iii]MEE staff 7 May 2025 https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/nearly-200-israeli-citizens-living-uk-call-government-suspend-its-trade-relations-israel