By Isa Myzyraj
Albanian media have published an article by the Israeli Ambassador to Albania, Galit Pelger, titled: Don't lie that you are protesting for Gaza, why don't you march for Muslims?
Ms. Peleg’s writing begins with a dangerous premise: that the protests against the war in Gaza are not about Palestinian civilians, but merely a mask of anti-Semitism. This interpretation not only reduces a tragic reality to an ideological debate, but also delegitimizes the pain of the thousands of people who see every day the images of civilian casualties, wounded children, destroyed hospitals, and families lost under the rubble.
Israel's often targeted attacks have killed thousands upon thousands of children, parents and the elderly, journalists and doctors, so this is not about anti-Semitism, but about a stubborn reality that Israel is committing crimes.
The Ambassador further says: Why don't you protest for the Uyghurs in China, the victims in Syria, or the repression in Iran?
This is exactly what Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said when Russia began its invasion of Ukraine. He said: “Why are you crying in vain about Ukraine, think for a moment that the war is taking place in the Middle East, think that Ukraine is Palestine and Russia is a Western country!”
And making this comparison, it seems to me that all the invaders are the same! Where does Lavrov differ from Mrs. Peleg?
I don't see any difference!
It is true that there are many injustices in the world, the Uyghurs in China, the repression in Iran, the victims in Syria. But the fact that there are other tragedies does not diminish the Palestinian drama. The pain of one people cannot be used to deny the pain of another.
Yes, dangerous anti-Semitism. It must be condemned unequivocally wherever it occurs, in synagogues, on the streets, or in public discourse. But equating any criticism of Israel's military actions with anti-Semitism is unfair and narrow-minded. We cannot legitimize the crimes that Israel is committing and remain silent with the idea that: They will call us anti-Semitic!
No ma'am. Anti-Semitism must be condemned, just as the tragedies in Gaza must be condemned, just as the repression in Iran must be condemned, the violence in Afghanistan, Syria, and the violation of human rights in the most democratic countries around the globe!
You, Israelis, are not invulnerable, and you cannot use anti-Semitism as a shield every time you are told: "You are committing so many crimes in Gaza!"
You cannot and should not be allowed!
Beyond the slogans, Gaza has been a blockaded territory for more than 17 years, this is reality, not anti-Semitism.
The civilian population suffers chronic shortages of water, energy, and freedom of movement; this is reality, not anti-Semitism.
The UN says we are in a severe hunger crisis, this is reality, not anti-Semitism.
Children are being killed, Madam, this is reality, not anti-Semitism.
Journalists are being killed, this is reality, not anti-Semitism.
Your government has banned all international media from entering Gaza since October 7th. This is reality, not anti-Semitism.
What the protesters see is not an abstract debate about the "existence of Israel" - as you put it - but concrete numbers: thousands killed, mostly women and children.
It is neither fair nor helpful to portray the protests as a movement orchestrated by "extremists" who want the extermination of Jews.
No one in their right mind is calling for the "annihilation of Israel," but for the cessation of Israel's crimes!
Most people around the world marching for Gaza are demanding the same thing: a ceasefire, respect for civil life, and a political process that guarantees rights and security for both Israelis and Palestinians. The demand for freedom, dignity, and statehood for Palestinians is not anti-Semitism; it is a principle of universal justice.
And finally, anti-Semitism is an evil that must be fought without compromise. But so is the denial of the basic rights of Palestinians. The protests are not against Jews, but against policies that produce endless pain and death. The goal should not be to silence critics, but to find a path to peace and coexistence, where no people are turned into symbols and no civilian is superfluous.
