Here's a question:
Why is holocaust denial against the law pretty much all over the world, and yet al-Nakba denial is not?
And another one:
Is there another historical event in recorded human history about which it is deemed against the law to ask questions?
Just asking...

Mr Browning, you do seem to be quite touchy about your 'mere criticism' of Israel being called antisemitic. Believe it or not, you aren't the first person to express such shock at your 'mere criticisms' being received in such a way.

What would help us all, Mr. Browning, would be if you could provide examples of instances where you were so unfairly maligned, and let us decide for ourselves whether what you claim to be true, does in fact happen to be so.

I mean, I'm sure your 'mere criticisms' of Israel have always been completely innocent, and therefore, you have nothing to hide. Right?

As for your claims that Israel "controls the volume of water Palestinians can drink," I seriously must ask - on which planet do you draw breath, sir?

I think I've actually hit upon your problem. It may have something to do with the fact that your 'mere criticisms' of Israeli policy are 100% disconnected from reality, so excuse those of us who reside in the real world for justifiably perhaps wondering if you might maybe be driven by hatred?

Good article until the final paragraph. There is nothing wrong with criticizing or belittling any religion. They are all as ridiculous as each other, and if people choose to hold ridiculous beliefs then they will become targets of ridicule.

I do however have concerns about the London declaration and our politicians clamouring to sign it. As much as Jews have faced serious persecution at times during history, they are hardly alone in this.
Many groups have been persecuted and some continue to be today. To single out hatred of Jews suggests that it is somehow worse than hatred of blacks, Muslims, Chinese or untouchables in India, and seems to elevate Jews above the rest of humanity. It is such elevation of one race over another that leads to racism in the first place.
In addition, I don't think Jews in Australia face any real level of racism. Certainly not when compared to aboriginal Australians. I doubt there are many Jews that get knocked back for a job or a tenancy due to their Jewishness. I don't think the same could be said for aboriginals.

It also seems particularly hypocritical given the Israeli attitudes towards the indigenous people of the lands they occupy. One would think they ought get their own house in order before lecturing the rest of humanity on how to treat minority groups.

JayinPhiladelphia,

Let's set some parameters in regard to "anti-Semitism"--

Say a critic of Israel described the creation of the country as "a colonialist project that resulted in the dispossession and subjugation of the Palestinians"

Would that be an anti-Semitic statement? If so,why?

It's a matter of what you do, not who you are.

The holocaust was a horrific and shameful thing but has nothing to do with me, and probably nothing to do with the majority of Israeli citizens.
I acknowledge it and agree that it should always be remembered as an example of religious intolerance and political scapegoating.

However, it's as personally significant to me now as was the Battle of Hastings.

To use the 70-year old blood of the innocent as some sort of "get-out-of-jail-free" card to justify what they do now is becoming less and less relevant in the eyes of the world and devalues the memories of those who died by converting it into some sort of moral currency.

I have no problem with Judaeism but don't agree with many of the practices of Zionism.

I can like Germans but detest Nazis but I'm yet to hear a Nazi claim that I am racist.

I am appalled

"However, it's as personally significant to me now as was the Battle of Hastings"

You should be ashamed at such a remark.

The battle of Hastings was in 1066 the Holocaust happened in this life time. There are people still alive today who somehow lived through it.

"what they do now is becoming less and less relevant in the eyes of the world"

They are doing nothing. I would suggest you visit and see for yourself.