We can all agree that antisemitism is wrong and that those who would attack all Jews worldwide for the actions of the Israeli government are totally irrational and hateful. We can and must defeat the terrorists whose voices are becoming more normalized, including within the U.S.

We can no longer ignore what has become the shameful, disgusting rhetoric and acts by those who would equate Judaism with Israeli racism and criminal acts.

Yet, the Israeli government and much of Israeli society has adopted violence against all Muslims as a tenet of their existence. No justification exists for people such as the National Security Minster Ben-Gvir advocating, during a podcast, the killing of 30 to 40 Palestinians per night. This is racism pure and simple.

The tragedy of the dastardly attack on Israelis at a music concert in 2023 should not be used to justify the exaggerated response in Gaza, where thousands of innocent people have been killed in order for Netanyahu to satisfy his blood lust and protect his power. Especially when recent information in Haaretz is that he knew of an imminent attack by Hamas but did nothing to prevent it!

I have always cherished the Jewish moral response to maintaining their security and been proud of Israel’s accomplishments. But no more! Pure racism is now the motivating factor!

I am Jewish but not Israeli. Being anti-Israel in these times is not being antisemitic! It is being ethical, rational and compassionate.

David Jacobson, Woburn