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Nexus Project

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Nexus Project
Formation2019
FounderJonathan Jacoby
TypeNonprofit
FocusIssues at the intersection of antisemitism and Israel
Area served
United States
MethodsEducation and advocacy
National Director
Jonathan Jacoby
Washington Director
Kevin Rachlin
Project Board
AffiliationsBard Center for the Study of Hate
Staff2
Volunteers30
Websitenexusproject.us
Part of a series on
Antisemitism
Definitions
Geography
Manifestations
Antisemitic tropes
Antisemitic publications
Persecution
Antisemitism on the Internet
Opposition
Category

The Nexus Project[1] is an American non-profit organization dedicated to combating antisemitism through education, advocacy, and policy implementation. It focuses on promoting effective government action against antisemitism while fostering unity and inclusion. It opposes the use of accusations of antisemitism as political tools to stifle criticism of Israel. The Nexus Project consists of two main components: the Nexus Leadership Project and the Nexus Task Force.[2][3][4]

Nexus Leadership Project

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The Nexus Leadership Project,[5] created in January 2024, engages with American civic and political leaders and decision-makers to enhance understanding of antisemitism, particularly where it intersects with Israel-related issues. Its primary activities include educational outreach to policymakers and advocacy for comprehensive strategies to combat antisemitism.[6][7][2]

Nexus Task Force

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The Nexus Task Force,[8] created in November 2019, analyzes issues at the intersection of Israel and antisemitism.[9] The task force has published the Nexus Document,[10] described as "a resource designed for policymakers and community leaders, aiming to enhance their understanding of the issues that intersect at the nexus of antisemitism, Israel, and Zionism",[11] the Nexus White Paper, titled "Understanding Antisemitism at its Nexus with Israel and Zionism",[12] the Nexus "Guide to Identifying Antisemitism in Debates about Israel"[13] and "A Campus Guide To Identifying Antisemitism In A Time Of Perplexity".[14]

In September 2020, "more than 100 prominent Jewish leaders" sent a letter to Joe Biden, drawing his attention to the resources available on the "Israel & Antisemitism: Policy at the Nexus of Two Critical Issues" website.[15][16][17] The "U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism", released on May 25, 2023, states that "the Administration welcomes and appreciates the Nexus Document."[18]

The Nexus Task Force is affiliated with The Bard Center for the Study of Hate (BCSH), which works to increase the serious study of human hatred, and ways to combat it.[9][19] The director of the Nexus Task Force is Jonathan Jacoby. The director of the BCSH is Kenneth S. Stern, who had been the lead drafter of the IHRA definition and its examples, and is an ex officio member of the Nexus Task Force.

On January 19, 2024, Task Force member Derek Penslar was appointed by Harvard's Interim President, Alan Garber, to co-chair Harvard's Presidential Task Force on Combating Antisemitism.[20]

Nexus Task Force members

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The members of the Nexus Task Force are listed below.[9]

The Nexus Task Force is supported by a larger advisory committee.[9]

What is, and what is not, antisemitic

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The big mistake people are making about IHRA is that it’s the final word, and there are many words and perspectives ... You can think of IHRA as the Mishnah and Nexus as the Gemara.

Jonathan Jacoby, The Forward[15]

The Nexus Document,[10] which is based on the Nexus White Paper, states that a determination of whether speech or conduct about Zionism and Israel is antisemitic should be based on the standards for speech or conduct that apply to antisemitic behavior in general.  It gives seven examples of what should be deemed antisemitic, followed by four examples of what should not be.

Actions that are considered to be antisemitic

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According to the Nexus Document, it is antisemitic:

  • To promote myths, stereotypes or attitudes about Zionism and/or Israel that derive from and/or reinforce antisemitic accusations and tropes. These include:
    • Characterizing Israel as being part of a sinister world conspiracy of Jewish control of the media, economy, government or other financial, cultural or societal institutions.
    • Indiscriminately blaming suffering and injustices around the world on a hidden Jewish conspiracy or of being the maligning hand of Israel or Zionism.
    • Holding individuals or institutions, because they are Jewish, a priori culpable of real or imagined wrongdoing committed by Israel.
    • Considering Jews to be a priori incapable of setting aside their loyalty to the Jewish people and/or Israel.
    • Denigrating or denying the Jewish identity of certain Jews because they are perceived as holding the “wrong” position (whether too critical or too favorable) on Israel.
  • To use symbols and images that present all Jews as collectively guilty for the actions of the State of Israel.
  • To attack and/or physically harm a Jew because of her/his relationship to Israel.
  • To convey intense hostility toward Jews who are connected to Israel in a way that intentionally or irresponsibly (acting with disregard to potential violent consequences) provokes antisemitic violence.
  • To treat Israel in a negative manner based on a claim that Jews alone should be denied the right to define themselves as a people and to exercise any form of self-determination.
  • To advocate a political solution that denies Jews the right to define themselves as a people, thereby denying them – because they are Jews – the right to self-determination.
  • To treat Israel differently solely because it is a Jewish state, using standards different than those applied to other countries.

Actions that are not considered to be antisemitic

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However, according to the Nexus Document:

  • As a general rule, criticism of Zionism and Israel, opposition to Israel's policies, or nonviolent political action directed at the State of Israel and/or its policies should not, as such, be deemed antisemitic.
  • Even contentious, strident, or harsh criticism of Israel for its policies and actions, including those that led to the creation of Israel, is not per se illegitimate or antisemitic.
  • Opposition to Zionism and/or Israel does not necessarily reflect specific anti-Jewish animus nor purposefully lead to antisemitic behaviors and conditions. (For example, someone might oppose the principle of nationalism or ethnonationalist ideology. Similarly, someone's personal or national experience may have been adversely affected by the creation of the State of Israel. These motivations or attitudes towards Israel and/or Zionism do not necessarily constitute antisemitic behavior.)
  • Paying disproportionate attention to Israel and treating Israel differently than other countries is not prima facie proof of antisemitism. (There are numerous reasons for devoting special attention to Israel and treating Israel differently, e.g., some people care about Israel more; others may pay more attention because Israel has a special relationship with the United States and receives $4 billion in American aid).

Reception

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Haaretz wrote "The new documents [IHRA, Nexus Task Force and Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism], then, may have achieved their goal of opening up the conversation, but consensus among Jews on what antisemitism is looks like [sic] – and how it relates to how Israel is discussed – seems further away than ever."[21]

An article by Ira Forman in the Moment is mildly critical of the Nexus Task Force and the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism, and concludes "These two new definitions focus on issues worthy of debate and analysis. But their guidelines represent the views of a smaller constituency. [...] From a practical perspective, the widespread adoption by dozens of countries, scores of law enforcement organizations and hundreds of governmental, educational and non-profit institutions means we should not relitigate the language of IHRA."[22]

Another article by Ira Forman, this time in The Detroit Jewish News, is again mildly critical of both the Nexus Task Force and the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism, and concludes "There is no doubt that false and reckless charges of antisemitism are a hindrance to the battle against antisemitism. But rather than campaign for an alternative tool, those involved in the fight should support the continued use of the IHRA Definition [...]".[23]

The Forward wrote that "The new definition could serve as an alternative to one from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance [...]".[15]

A more critical article in The Forward states that the Nexus Task Force's "[...] endeavor, while undoubtedly well-meaning, is unnecessary and possibly dangerous."[24]

An article in The Jerusalem Post stated that "For outsiders to the conflict, it’s hard to understand what the fight is about. The IHRA, JDA, and Nexus definitions have many similarities and overlaps. It is in the distinctions, views on double standards, self-determination and legitimate criticism, that counter-antisemitism activists and political activists clash."[25]

The Jerusalem Post also carried an article by Ron Kampeas, with the lead paragraph "Paying disproportionate attention to Israel and treating Israel differently than other countries is not prima facie proof of anti-Semitism."[26]

The same article by Ron Kampeas appeared in The Times of Israel, with the lead paragraph "Nexus Task Force [...] says IHRA definition is too broad, not all double standards toward Jewish state manifest prejudice".[27]

U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism

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The "U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism", released on May 25, 2023, includes the following paragraph:

There are several definitions of antisemitism, which serve as valuable tools to raise awareness and increase understanding of antisemitism. The most prominent is the non-legally binding “working definition” of antisemitism adopted in 2016 by the 31-member states of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), which the United States has embraced. In addition, the Administration welcomes and appreciates the Nexus Document and notes other such efforts.[18]

The inclusion of definitions other than the IHRA definition in the National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism was a topic of heated debate leading up to the Strategy's unveiling.[28]

The significance of including the Nexus Document in the National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism was noted by The New York Times,[29] NPR,[30] Vox,[31] the Jewish Insider,[32] and numerous other media outlets.

61 Jewish American leaders issued a statement praising the National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism, saying: “We are encouraged that the strategy acknowledges the necessity of employing a diverse toolkit to combat antisemitism, including the Nexus Document.”[33]

Critical reactions from some Jewish organisations

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Some Jewish organisations have criticized the inclusion of the Nexus Document and/or downplayed its significance:

  • The Zionist Organization of America called the National Strategy a “lopsided document” because it includes the Nexus Document and insufficiently embraces the IHRA definition.[34]
  • B'nai B'rith wrote "We are, however, disappointed in the document’s mention of the Nexus definition of anti-Semitism. We believe that definition allows the more invidious of Israel’s nemeses to hide their animus behind 'strident' criticism of Israel. The important and well-established IHRA definition addresses this issue in a far superior manner."[35]
  • Ronald Lauder, head of the World Jewish Congress, said that "The inclusion of a secondary definition in addition to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism is an unnecessary distraction from the real work that needs to be done."[36]
  • The Anti-Defamation League's CEO, Jonathan Greenblatt stated that "The White House plan elevates and embraces IHRA as the preeminent definition that it is now using to understand antisemitism in all its forms. Whereas previously only the State Department and Department of Education were using it, now it’s the position of the entire administration."[37] Downplaying the significance of the inclusion of the Nexus Document, Greenblatt added, "They did welcome the Nexus Document, but they didn’t cite their definition."[37] The latter statement is hard to understand as the Nexus Document is the Nexus definition. So in citing the Nexus Document, the strategy does cite the Nexus definition.

Deborah Lipstadt's response to the critical reactions

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Responding to criticism from some Jewish organizations of the inclusion of the Nexus Document, Deborah Lipstadt, the United States Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Antisemitism, said that “there are portions of the Nexus Document which almost are more explicit than the IHRA."[38]

She quoted from the Nexus Document: "It is antisemitic to promote myths, stereotypes or attitudes about Zionism and/or Israel that derive from and/or reinforce antisemitic accusations and tropes."[38]

According to the Nexus Document, these include: "Characterizing Israel as being part of a sinister world conspiracy of Jewish control of the media, economy, government or other financial, cultural or societal institutions; Indiscriminately blaming suffering and injustices around the world on a hidden Jewish conspiracy or of being the maligning hand of Israel or Zionism; Holding individuals or institutions, because they are Jewish, a priori culpable of real or imagined wrongdoing committed by Israel," and so on.[10]

"That's pretty explicit,” Lipstadt said. “I think some of the things that have been said about Nexus are not accurate. There were parts in there that some people can see as troublesome. I'm not denying that, but we didn't adopt or embrace Nexus. We recognize that because of where it's explicit there, that is helpful to us."[38]

October 2023 – November 2024

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Hamas attack of October 2023

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Following the Hamas terror attack of October 7, 2023, when some left and pro-Palestinian advocates demonstrated support for Hamas despite the murder of innocents, Nexus Task Force member David Schraub wrote a column with Alan Solow, a former Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, asserting that the Biden administration's National Antisemitism Strategy is a more effective tool for forming alliances across the wide range of American constituencies and communities because it incorporates the Nexus Document and does not rely solely on the IHRA definition.[39]

Subsequent responses to antisemitism and allegations of antisemitism

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Former AIPAC executive director Tom Dine, wrote "The Nexus Document provides a more precise characterization of antisemitism than IHRA’s and allows for a broader range of criticism of Israel. In doing so, it lays the groundwork for building a more expansive coalition to combat antisemitism, a coalition that is particularly important at a time like this."[40]

In an article discussing whether anti-Zionism is always antisemitic, Jonathan Weisman wrote "Jonathan Jacoby, the director of the Nexus Task Force, [...] warned that shouting down any political action directed against Israel as antisemitic made it harder for Jews to call out actual antisemitism, while stifling honest conversation about Israel’s government and U.S. policy toward it."[41]

November 2024 onward

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Concerns about the possible weaponization of accusations of antisemitism

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Following the election of Donald Trump as president in November 2024, the Nexus Project raised concerns that his administration could weaponize accusations of antisemitism to punish political opponents, suppress academic freedom, and silence legitimate criticism of the Israeli government’s actions.

Nexus Project National Director Jonathan Jacoby warned that he expected the incoming Trump administration to "use the idea of fighting antisemitism as a way of suppressing free speech and breaking up coalitions", adding that "Campuses, for [Trump], are a way of dividing coalitions, dividing Jews from other minorities and capitalizing on places where there are divisions and not in order to come to a common understanding."[42]

In an article highlighting Jewish leaders’ priorities and concerns for the second Trump term, Jacoby stated that, "[w]e expect the incoming Trump administration to aggressively exploit real concerns about Jewish safety for political gain" and warned that the administration could use antisemitism concerns as an excuse to target federal funding for higher education and academic freedom. Nexus is committed to differentiating between antisemitic behavior and legitimate political activity and demonstrating how Jewish students can be best protected using existing civil rights law.[43]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Nexus Project". Nexus Project. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Rosenfeld, Arno (January 23, 2024). "How a new group is convincing Democrats to separate Israel criticism from antisemitism". The Forward. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  3. ^ Tsui, Karina; Winter, Jeff (November 1, 2024). "US colleges failed to hold students accountable for antisemitic harassment, House committee says". CNN. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  4. ^ Myers, David N.; Stolzenberg, Nomi M. (September 16, 2024). "Opinion: Can legitimate campus protest be distinguished from antisemitism? This guide aims to help". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  5. ^ "Nexus Leadership Project". Nexus Project. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  6. ^ Kampeas, Ron (April 15, 2024). "A bill to create a national coordinator to fight antisemitism is drawing rare bipartisan support in Congress". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  7. ^ Rod, Marc (May 22, 2024). "Across political and religious spectrum, 61 Jewish groups urge House to take up antisemitism bill". Jewish Insider. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  8. ^ "Nexus Task Force". Nexus Project. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  9. ^ a b c d Nexus Task Force. "Nexus Task Force". Israel & Antisemitism: Policy at the Nexus of Two Critical Issues. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  10. ^ a b c Nexus Task Force (February 24, 2021). "The Nexus Document". Israel & Antisemitism: Policy at the Nexus of Two Critical Issues. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  11. ^ "Israel & Antisemitism". Israel & Antisemitism: Policy at the Nexus of Two Critical Issues. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  12. ^ Nexus Task force (November 22, 2020). "Understanding Antisemitism at its Nexus with Israel and Zionism". Israel & Antisemitism: Policy at the Nexus of Two Critical Issues. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  13. ^ Nexus Task Force. "Guide to Identifying Antisemitism in Debates about Israel". Israel & Antisemitism. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  14. ^ "A Campus Guide To Identifying Antisemitism In A Time Of Perplexity" (PDF). Nexus. September 3, 2024. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  15. ^ a b c "With backing of liberal Jewish leaders, new definition distances Israel criticism from claims of antisemitism". The Forward. March 16, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  16. ^ Nexus Task Force (September 18, 2020). "A Letter to Vice President Biden from American Jewish Leaders". Israel & Antisemitism: Policy at the Nexus of Two Critical Issues. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  17. ^ "Israel & Antisemitism - Policy at the nexus of two critical issues". Israel & Antisemitism: Policy at the nexus of two critical issues. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  18. ^ a b "THE U.S. NATIONAL STRATEGY TO COUNTER ANTISEMITISM" (PDF). The White House. May 25, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  19. ^ Bard College Public Relations (March 10, 2022). "Bard Center for Study of Hate Announces Affiliation with Nexus Task Force". www.bard.edu. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  20. ^ President, Harvard University (January 19, 2024). "Announcement of Presidential Task Forces". Harvard University President. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  21. ^ Shamir, Jonathan (April 18, 2021). "Two Jews, Three Definitions: New Documents Challenge Mainstream View of Antisemitism". Haaretz. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  22. ^ Forman, Ira N. (April 2, 2021). "We Should Not Replace the Working Definition of Anti-Semitism". Moment Magazine. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  23. ^ Forman, Ira N. (April 13, 2021). "Essay: The Working Definition of Antisemitism Needs No Rewrite". The Detroit Jewish News. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  24. ^ Goldfeder, Mark (April 6, 2021). "The IHRA definition isn't perfect. But its critics aren't making things better". The Forward. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  25. ^ Starr, Michael (April 22, 2021). "War of the words: The conflict between definitions of antisemitism". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  26. ^ Kampeas, Ron (March 17, 2021). "A liberal definition of antisemitism that allows for Israel criticism". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  27. ^ Kampeas, Ron (March 17, 2021). "US Jewish scholars push anti-Semitism definition allowing more Israel criticism". The Times of Israel. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  28. ^ Rosenfeld, Arno (May 24, 2023). "Israel 'mudslinging' threatens to overshadow White House antisemitism strategy". The Forward. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  29. ^ Williamson, Elizabeth (May 25, 2023). "Biden Unveils a National Plan to Fight an Ancient Hatred". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  30. ^ Treisman, Rachel (May 23, 2023). "The first national strategy for fighting antisemitism is finally here. What's in it?". NPR. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  31. ^ Guyer, Jonathan (May 25, 2023). "The high-stakes debate over how the US defines "antisemitism"". Vox. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  32. ^ Deutch, Gabby; Rod, Marc (May 25, 2023). "In sweeping antisemitism strategy, White House calls mainstream IHRA definition 'most prominent' but 'welcomes' progressive alternative". Jewish Insider. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  33. ^ "National Jewish Leadership Statement on Antisemitism". Israel & Antisemitism. May 25, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  34. ^ "ZOA Criticizes Biden Antisemitism Strategy's Embrace of Dangerous "Nexus" Antisemitism Definition & Not Calling Out Islamists & Other Antisemites". Zionist Organization of America. May 25, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  35. ^ "B'nai B'rith Lauds White House Strategy to Combat Anti-Semitism". B’nai B’rith International. May 25, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  36. ^ "Jewish organizations critique Biden's antisemitism strategy". The Jerusalem Post. May 29, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  37. ^ a b "'Now the Hard Work Begins': ADL Chief on Biden's Plan to Combat Antisemitism". Haaretz. May 28, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  38. ^ a b c Klein, Zvika (June 11, 2023). "Lipstadt: Aware of CAIR's antisemitic past, giving them a chance to overcome". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  39. ^ Schraub, David; Solow, Alan (October 15, 2023). "Biden's antisemitism strategy was made for a moment like this". Forward. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  40. ^ Dine, Tom (November 19, 2023). "No partisanship in fighting against antisemitism". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  41. ^ Weisman, Jonathan (December 10, 2023). "Is Anti-Zionism Always Antisemitic? A Fraught Question for the Moment". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  42. ^ Cohen, Haley (November 8, 2024). "Trump's election puts greater pressure on universities to crack down on antisemitism". Jewish Insider. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  43. ^ Silow-Carroll, Andrew (November 10, 2024). "We asked Jewish leaders about their priorities under a second Trump term". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
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