As someone who for past 5+ yrs has exhaustingly documented lawfare (laws/lawsuits) that target criticism/activism challenging Israeli policies - largely based on claims it is all ipso facto antisemitic - this new narrative targeting use of term “weaponize” is just baffling.

1/

To suggest it is illegitimate to use the term in the context of claims of antisemitism - sincere or cynical, it makes no difference - that are being used systemically to delegitimize, silence, & even criminalize political free speech is bizarre.

2/

To suggest it’s illegitimate to use the term in context of campaign - involving Israeli Ministry of Strategic Affairs, NGOS/GONGOS in Israel, US, Europe - to use laws, policies, hasbara to quash criticism/activism re Israel by conflating it w/ antisemitism is even more bizarre.3/

What is most frustrating about this “weaponization” debate is that - deliberate or not - it shifts focus from the ACTUAL CAMPAIGN that is underway, the fruit of which is laws that undermine free speech, a new State Dept policy delegitimizing free speech etc.
4/

Some people prefer to believe there are no bad intentions behind any of this. Based on what I know, I disagree — but I hope we can agree to disagree...

5/

But for the love of free speech - can we keep our eye on the ball? Regardless of underlying intentions, this conflation is being used to attack people as antisemites for criticizing Israel. If you don’t like the word “weaponize” - fine, don’t use it...

6/

Use whatever terms you want - just stand up and fight this conflation!

7/

But PLEASE stop piling on in attacks on people - against whom false allegations of antisemitism are being used like a weapon, or who have been fighting this for years! - by acting as if their entirely reasonable use of the term “weaponize” is unreasonable or out of bounds.

/end