Anti-semitism acknowledged as hatred of Jews since World War Two

In Charles Hayes’ response to my letter linking contemporary anti-Zionist activities to the rise in global anti-Semitism, he attempted to obfuscate my argument by pointing out it is “is a pernicious form of racism, it is an irrational, blanket form of animosity towards Semitic peoples. These peoples include not only Jews, but Palestinian and other Arabic peoples, who actually make up a majority of semites”, (Letters, 22 June).

It is true all the peoples of the region are Semites with ancient and common linkages, however, since the murderous onslaught of European Jewry; anti-Semitism has been the globally acknowledged definition of Jew hatred.

To blur this distinction is unfortunately the classic riposte of anti-Israel campaigns who appear outraged that anyone could conceivably think that their attempt to depict the Jewish state as a regime supposedly, and preposterously responsible for the “murder of tens of thousands of defenceless Palestinian people”, has any link with the upsurge in anti-Semitic attacks, ethos and intensity.

Perhaps the attempt by Mr Hayes to delineate the irrefutable link between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism is a genuinely held belief, but if so it is a naive one.

It is the type of simplistic world view that the French prime minister, Manuel Valls, has been consistently challenging since the attack on Charlie Hebdo and the kosher delicatessen in January.

I fully understand the difference between anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism, however, I wonder if the same can be said for Mr Hayes?

Dr Kevin McCarthy

Kinsale

Co Cork