"When Is Anti-Zionism Antisemitism?"

Asked the Toronto School Board

For such a controversial question, even a chatbot can give a reasonable answer:

And yet we have a controversy today on the Toronto District School Board:

Expanding the definition of ‘anti-semitism’ to include ‘anti-zionism’ is being debated and in this podcast, these women, Shelley Laskin, and Tamara Gottlieb, are right on several key points:

• Institutions have been deaf to the rising tide of antisemitism for years

• The report acknowledged definitely the existence of systemic antisemitism in the Toronto District School Board

• Addressing all hate must be embedded in the system so it does not rely on individuals

• In the short-term we must be explicit that antisemitism is included as a form of hate

• The definition of Anti-Zionism in the report is not opposition to “capital P Political Zionism” but simply opposition to “the right to self-determination of a Jewish homeland” [so, under that definition, Anti-Zionism IS Anti-Semitism, folks.]

• Students in Toronto should not be blamed for actions of a government in Israel

• Identity Politics is not an ideal tool for combatting Anti-Semitism

• A considerable number of Jewish students do not feel safe identifying as Jewish, so they don’t sign up for ‘safe programs’ for Jews

• Safety at school cannot be limited to certain spaces

• Code-of-conduct matters more than DEI

• Students should not self-segregate out of fear, but demand integration

• Identity Politics has itself become its own systemic issue that must also be addressed

• Changing definitions around is wildly insufficient as a measure against anti-Semitism

  On these points, I agree with Shelley and Tamara.
  
  I will add, what I wrote to a concerned parent, who wrote me simply:

  “Anti-semitism: What are your views and how will you combat anti-semitism in TDSB schools?”:

  ”Antisemitism is a scourge that I have considered my enemy my entire life. I have many Jewish family members and will not tolerate a Toronto District School Board in which students are afraid to display a star of David, or any symbol, or where they are afraid to identify as Jewish. Merely redefining anti-semitism is of course not sufficient to combat anti-semitism. I support Shelley Laskin and Tamara Gottleib based on what I hear them saying in this podcast:

  I just put out an article saying so: https://adamgolding.substack.com/p/when-is-anti-zionism-antisemitism
  
  But I don't hear them proposing how to go further than this mostly toothless report, other than 'code of conduct'. I am in constant dialogue with many members of the Jewish community and will hear your specific proposals on an ongoing basis. I am also planning to oppose Chrystia Freeland because of her Nazi ties. I have been her constant critic on the same blog mentioned above.
  
  For a start, encouraging students not to show stars of David or other Jewish symbols has to be itself classed as a hate-motivated offense in the school board.
  
  Sincerely,
  Adam Golding”
  --
  adamgolding.ca for Don Valley West Trustee