The Guardian May 23, 2025
But endorsing murder because of the other side’s atrocities is a sure path to a bloodbath. That is wrong on two counts.

First, there is no evidence that the gunman acted because of Israel’s critics as opposed to Israel’s conduct.
Second, it cheapens the concept of antisemitism to equate it with legitimate criticism of Israeli war crimes.

Antisemitism is a real and growing problem but if the concept is misused to deflect condemnation of Israeli atrocities, it weakens protection for Jews around the world. There are lessons to be drawn from this tragedy.

Critics of the Israeli government’s atrocious conduct in Gaza should be clear that their focus is the authors:
1. Netanyahu, the generals directing the slaughter,
2. and the soldiers carrying it out,
3. but not the Israeli people,
4. not people who happen to work as civilians for the Israeli government,
5. and not Jews.

The Israeli government might also reconsider its policy of endless reprisals.

Not that I am holding my breath in anticipation, but it is nice to think that the needless and unjustified killing of these two young embassy workers could prompt a rethinking of the government’s own callous treatment of Palestinian civilians, whose horrible and mounting death toll is also needless and unjustified.