Dear Foxy,

The term, antismemitism, was invented in 1879 as a scientific sounding term for Jew hatred.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisemitism

The root word Semite gives the false impression that antisemitism is directed against all Semitic people, e.g., including Arabs, Assyrians and Arameans. The compound word Antisemitismus ('antisemitism') was first used in print in Germany in 1879[6] as a scientific-sounding term for Judenhass ('Jew-hatred'),[7][8][9][10][11][12] and this has been its common use since then.[13][7][14]

Dear David F.,

Thank you for the explanation.

What I find problematic is the mis-use of the term -
anti-Semitism. That any criticisms of Israel's
policies and programs is labelled as anti-Semitism.

Criticizing Israel's policies and practices is not the
same as criticizing Judaism. It does not equate to Jew
hatred.

"Semitic" was commonly used specifically for anything Jewish -
see this Hebrew typewriter labeled "SEMITIC" (enlarge to see clearly or turn to 3rd photo):
http://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/hebrew-typewriter-536-c-1cc4b7e848

Dear Foxy,

If one criticizes Israel's policies for the same reasons one would criticize any nation's policies it is legitimate criticism and not antisemitism.

If one criticizes Israel's policies for another reason the other reason is usually antisemitism.

My cousin was head of the Orthodox Union and stated his 'unconditional support' for Israel. When I told him that 'unconditional support' means precisely that and you will support the state no matter how wrong its actions are he accused me of mouthing an antisemitic trope. He remains my cousin, and I remain critical of unconditional support.

Dear David,

«My cousin was head of the Orthodox Union and stated his 'unconditional support' for Israel.»

Unconditional support is not the same as unconditional agreement.

One can well support the ones they love by stopping them from doing stupid things that harm themselves - and what could be more harmful to Israel than its 1967 occupation?

Dear David F.,

I find it difficult to understand anyone being anti
any people. You might not like a certain person
on an individual basis -
for a variety of personal reasons but to be against
an entire group of people - people that you don't even
know - you'd have to have something seriously
wrong with you