Anti-Semitism,has recently become one of the most used (and misused) words in currentpolitical terminology. It falls into a category with other terms such as"Human Rights", and "terrorism" - terms often used but with"flexible," nebulous definitions.

Whereas renowned Jews have often denounced the misuse and thereforetrivialization of the term, few non-Jews have dared come forward to do thesame. This problem is often treated as if it were an inter-Jewish problem andnot one that concerns the whole of humanity.

The term anti-Semitism is often deliberately misused to silencecriticism, particularly to intimidate non-Jewish critics of Zionism, both inthe form of Israeli state policy and as policies of the Israel lobby abroad.

I believe that this intimidation of many non-Jews - especially in Germany- is so effective, because many are so insecure about what anti-Semitismactually is, where its limits lie, and how far one can criticize the actions ofthe Israeli government before committing anti-Semitism.