When we address contemporary antisemitism, debate over Israel is inescapable. Not least, this is because the question of whether and when criticism of Israel is antisemitic is a point of wide disagreement. Generally, the upshot is controversy without debate. This symposium attempts to foster debate and promote a conversation. We aim to consider the broad politics of demonization and within this context better understand aspects of contemporary debate on Israel.
The first session will range broadly and will examine the ‘politics of demonization’ in a variety of contexts: the rhetoric of ‘anti-slavery’ in the nineteenth century, contemporary political debate in the United States, and the comparison sometimes made between South Africa under apartheid and contemporary Israel. The second session will focus more closely on the current debate on Israel.
Joint Chairs: David Feldman and Hilary Sapire, Birkbeck, University of London.