Gaza and the Weaponisation of Antisemitism
In a recent conversation on authoritarianism and resistance at the University of San Francisco, Rebecca Solnit spoke with clarity and moral courage about the tragedy unfolding in Gaza and the weaponisation of antisemitism to suppress dissent.
Her intervention is timely and necessary, offering a principled challenge to those who conflate criticism of Israeli policy with bigotry. Solnit reminds us that solidarity with Palestinian civilians is rooted in deep traditions of Jewish resistance to injustice.
A Voice of Moral Clarity
Solnit addressed a wide range of topics, from Trumpism and the global far right to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Most powerfully, she criticised how accusations of antisemitism are being used to silence legitimate protest. Highlighting the disturbing case of Germany’s withdrawal of Jewish journalist Masha Gessen’s Hannah Arendt Award, Solnit exposed the painful irony: Holocaust memory is sometimes invoked not to honour resistance to injustice, but to suppress it.
She affirmed that “Jew” is not a political category and that there is no singular Jewish position on Israel—a fact often overlooked in mainstream narratives. By lifting up figures such as Judith Butler, she grounded her remarks in the long, diverse tradition of Jewish voices standing against occupation and violence.
The Weaponisation of Language
Solnit’s analysis aligns with her long standing critique of how language and power interact. In her essay, The “She Made Him Do It” Theory of Everything, she writes:
“In mainstream discourse, it’s become standard to blame the excesses of the right on liberals, the left, feminists, Black Lives Matter, affirmative action, environmental protection, and BIPOC and LGBTQ people… ‘She made him do it’ operates in politics too.”
This framing offers valuable insight into how Palestinians are blamed for their own dispossession, and how justifications for violence often invert the reality of power and oppression. When political leaders argue “they made us do it” to excuse military assaults, the same harmful logic is tragically repeated.
A Call Forward, Not a Callout
Rebecca Solnit’s words at the University of San Francisco were careful, morally serious, and full of solidarity. At a time when many progressives feel uncertain or afraid to speak out, her voice serves as a guiding light: principled, nuanced, and deeply rooted in human rights.
We see an opportunity for Solnit’s leadership to extend beyond lectures and essays into wider public discourse. While she has posted critical commentary on Facebook, greater engagement across platforms like Twitter/X, Bluesky, and Substack could amplify her message at a critical moment. Given her influence, her voice can help normalise international legal terms now widely recognised by human rights organisations: apartheid, occupation, genocide, ethnic cleansing, and collective punishment.
We would warmly welcome her contribution to outlets such as The Guardian, where her writing already resonates with a broad and thoughtful readership.
This is a call forward. The door Rebecca Solnit has opened in this conversation is vital but she is not the only progressive who could be saying and doing more.
Let us walk through it together, with courage, integrity, and solidarity.