Israel’s Sole Guilt in the Conflict

The idea that the existence and actions of the State of Israel are the sole cause of conflict and violence in the Middle East is one of the most common concepts in contemporary antisemitic discourse. The roots of this concept lie in the classical stereotype that Jews are to be blamed for antisemitism of which they are a victim, that is, that Jewish actions are the only or principal factor motivating antisemitic acts, thereby diverting responsibility for attacks on Jews (and latterly Israelis) away from the perpetrators themselves and onto the Jewish victims. In its updated form, all blame for warfare, violence and wider suffering in Israel and the Palestinian territories—as well, at times, in the Middle East as a whole—is attributed to Israel, including blame for violent attacks on Israel and Israelis. In so doing, and in much the same way as the older concept, the notion of sole Israeli guilt enables and even justifies further antisemitic words and actions.