Anti-Israelism and anti-Semitism

Allison Kaplan Sommer mention an incident at the Kristallnacht commemoration in Vienna and asks how those who differentiate anti-Israeli violence from anti-Semitic violence would explain it. I would say simply that all anti-Semites are by definition anti-Israeli, but that does not mean that all opposition to Israel is based on anti-Semitism. I oppose many policies of the Israeli government, yet find Judaism interesting and have Jewish friends (some of whom agree with me). This is pretty much the same as my approach to Syria or Egypt, the main difference being that at least some people think Israel shouldn't exist anymore. I can't answer for them.

Part of me also wonders if there's a difference here between Europe and the United States. Without having studied it out in detail, it seems like anti-Semitic parties and rhetoric continue to be significant forces in many European countries, and this anti-Semitism easily tips into opposition to the Jewish state. By contrast, anti-Semitism in the United States seems much more limited in scope, and doesn't make it into the public sphere at all unless you already believe all opposition to Israel is veiled anti-Semitism. The issue might be somewhat complicated by the fact that some people dislike those who don't share their political views, and if they're strongly opposed to Israel may dislike Jews as people who tend to support Israel, as many Jews, especially of the older generation, take this as an important aspect of Jewish identity. (Please note that I place the flaw here in those who engage in this sort of "shadow anti-Semitism," and in no way wish to insinuate that it is the Jews' fault.) But in an interesting irony, the disengagement of younger American Jews from Israel may indicate the security they feel in this country: If they felt there was a chance they could face a campaign of anti-Jewish violence of some kind, they'd probably be more likely to support the state which would seek to protect their interests and to which they could ultimately flee, if necessary.