I have often been critical of specific policies of the Israeli government, but I am not an anti-Semite. So yes, there is no necessary connection between the two.
Indeed, the prophets of ancient Israel had it exactly right. To love Israel is to want her to "do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly before God" (Micah 6:8). The prophet Amos was no anti-Semite, but he was not afraid to speak harsh words to Jews who dealt unjustly with their neighbors.
But that does not mean that we ought to ignore the very real threat of anti-Semitism in today's world.
These are frightening times for many in Jewish communities, especially for a generation that has clear memories of how the horrors of Nazism had their beginnings. Holocaust deniers are getting publicity for their views, and acts of violence are being committed against Jews in Europe and North America -- to say nothing of terrorist attacks in Israel itself.
Those of us who criticize Israeli policies have to be very careful not to encourage anti-Semitic attitudes, especially those of us who are worshipers of the God who forged a very special -- and eternal -- bond with the Jewish people.
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