When is criticism of Israel antisemitic or legitimate? 

Antisemitism must be identified and fought, but so too must efforts to squash reasonable protest of Israel by conflating it with antisemitism, writes Joshua Shanes

People attending a Pro-Palestinian protest at Leinster House, Dublin. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

There has been a sharp increase in antisemitism around the world since the October 7 massacre by Hamas and Israel’s subsequent military attacks in the Gaza Strip.

The apparent connection of this spike to many countries’ condemnation of Israel’s response has brought renewed focus on the relationship between antisemitism and anti-Zionism. When does criticism of Israel “cross the line” to antisemitism, and when is it a legitimate political expression?