Protest of Israeli policy is not antisemitic | Letter

Maine Editor’s Letter Sparks Debate Over Use of “Genocide” in Discussion of Gaza War

A letter published in the August 16 2026 issue of the Press Herald has drawn attention to a dispute over terminology and accusations of antisemitism in the context of the Israel‑Gaza conflict. The letter, written by Brunswick resident Bob Howe, quotes political commentator Laurence Gardner and responds to remarks made by state Representative Troy Jackson.

Who Is Involved?

• Laurence Gardner – an author who regularly contributes to the Press Herald and has written a piece titled “Genocide canard is a smokescreen for antisemitism.”
• Troy Jackson – a Maine state representative who recently referred to Israeli military operations in Gaza as “genocide.”
• Bob Howe – the letter’s author, who attributes its content to Gardner’s views.
• United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory – the body that released a report in September 2025.
• Amichay Eliyahu – head of Israel’s Heritage Ministry, quoted by the New York Times in a July 2025 article about Israeli policy toward Gaza.

What Happened?

Jackson’s comment that Israeli bombing constitutes genocide prompted Gardner’s response. In his letter, Gardner argues that Jackson’s use of the term is “antisemitic” and that it is “a smokescreen for antisemitism.” He counters by presenting findings from the UN commission, which concluded that Israeli authorities committed four of the five acts of genocide as defined by the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. The acts cited include killing, causing serious bodily or mental harm, deliberately inflicting life conditions designed to destroy Palestinians, and imposing measures to prevent births.

Gardner also cites a New York Times article dated July 24 2025, which reported that Amichay Eliyahu told reporters Israel had “no duty to alleviate hunger in the territory” and was seeking to expel its population. The Times quoted Eliyahu saying the government was “rushing toward Gaza being wiped out,” a statement made while Israel blocked food deliveries to Gaza for several months.

In the letter, Gardner questions the evidence that genocide has been an official policy of the Israeli government. He notes that the UN report is “a reaction to Israeli policies, and is not evidence of antisemitism.” He also points out that Jackson’s criticism of Israeli policies is not inherently antisemitic, suggesting that anti‑Zionism can be expressed without prejudice.

Why Is This Controversial?

The core of the dispute lies in whether the label “genocide” applied to Israel’s actions can be defended as a factual assessment or whether it is a political tool that can veer into antisemitic rhetoric. Gardner’s argument that Jackson’s condemnation is antisemitic is countered by his own use of the UN commission’s findings, which many scholars and human‑rights organizations cite as evidence of severe violations of international law by Israel in Gaza.

The mention of Amichay Eliyahu’s statements adds a further dimension: the letter suggests that official Israeli policy has, at times, mirrored the actions described in the UN report. By bringing this in, Gardner attempts to demonstrate that accusations of genocide are based on policy, not on hatred toward Jews.

Key Direct Quotes

• “Jackson has every right to be an anti‑Zionist … every right to protest Israeli policies.” – Laurence Gardner
• “Israel had no duty to alleviate hunger in the territory and was seeking to expel its population.” – Amichay Eliyahu (reported by the New York Times)
• “The government was ‘rushing toward Gaza being wiped out.’” – Amichay Eliyahu (reported by the New York Times)

Contextual Background

The UN commission’s September 2025 report, the first comprehensive international assessment of the Gaza conflict since 2008, cited a range of evidence including satellite imagery, medical reports, and eyewitness testimony. The report’s findings have been referenced by a number of international bodies, including the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

Troy Jackson, who serves on the Maine House’s Foreign Affairs Committee, has previously expressed concern over U.S. policy toward the Middle East. His statement about genocide was made during a legislative session on August 11 2026, in which lawmakers debated potential sanctions against Israel.

Current Status

The letter has sparked discussion in local political circles. Some lawmakers have called for a clearer distinction between legitimate criticism of Israeli policy and antisemitic rhetoric. Others argue that the term “genocide” should not be used lightly, given its legal weight and the potential for inflammatory backlash.

As of September 2026, no formal action has been taken by the Maine legislature in response to the letter, though the debate continues in public forums and on social media. The Press Herald has indicated it will be monitoring the conversation and will publish future editorials and responses.