See nothing, hear nothing . . .

One of the examples provided in the IHRA’s definition of anti-Semitism which could lead to one being accused of being an anti-Semite is this: ‘Applying double standards by requiring of it [Israel] a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.’ This is a very broad and difficult to pin down thought, but essentially it means ‘don’t expect Israel to be more perfect than your country.’ In other words, condemn yourself equally. As a notable Jew said. ‘Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.’ In this sense, might it be injudicious to note that in the U.S. midterm elections, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) according to the Intercept is
 
‘intervening in a race for a House seat that’s growing uncomfortably close for Democrats in deep-blue Pittsburgh. And, with its super PAC’s first attack ads of the 2022 general election, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee is going after a familiar target: Pennsylvania state Rep. Summer Lee, a would-be member of the growing progressive Squad in Congress. After spending close to $3 million and failing to defeat Lee during Pittsburgh’s Democratic congressional primary in May, the United Democracy Project, the political action committee for AIPAC, is again trying its hand at defeating Lee’s insurgent campaign. On Saturday, UDP dropped just under $80,000 on new mail ads against Lee’s campaign, and more than $600,000 of new television ads were announced on Monday.’ (report 1/11/22)

Now, my question is what other democracy would countenance such behaviour in another democracy’s internal affairs? Indeed, in that other country’s democratic process? A less immediately brazen piece of meddling on Israel’s behalf took place in the UK, as exposed by Al Jazeera. Is this not an egregious form of behaviour that at least demands comment if not outright condemnation? Or is such comment only permissible if one condemns every time in the same breath all the many examples of ‘democratic’ countries’ meddling in other countries affairs (assassinations, coups, invasions, etc., etc.)? And where, from the left or right are those condemnations most likely to come from? Rarely or never from the right. Yet it seems the left is considered chiefly guilty of only criticising Israel. The ‘double standards’ applied here are plain for all to see.