Talking about Israel and Palestine might be the biggest conversational minefield in global politics, so much so that most of us refrain from doing it on principle. But in the interest of those who do want to enter the minefield, but not stigmatise the Jewish population of the entire planet, I have some tips and tricks.

‘Jews’ aren’t ‘Zionists’; ‘Zionists’ aren’t ‘pro-Israel’

Let’s get the obvious out of the way: criticism of Israel or the political ideology of Zionism is not inherently anti-Semitic. Anyone who tells you otherwise is trying to peddle a political agenda and cheapening the real significance of anti-Semitism. Someone who is pro-Israel approves of the actions of the current Israeli government. A Zionist is someone who believes that there should be some kind of Jewish state somewhere in their ancient homeland, which might not look anything like the current state of Israel. A Jew is.. Well.. That’s more complicated.

Crucially, there is no necessary connection between the three. Noam Chomsky is a Jew who isn’t a Zionist or friendly to Israeli policy (to say the least) – a great deal of conservative Christians are Zionists and friendly to Israeli policy. Any combination you can think of between the three, there’s probably someone fulfilling it.

When you refer to a university with a large Jewish minority as a “Zionist outpost”, or when you assume that every Jew or Zionist agrees with current Israeli policy, you are being both ignorant and offensive. So don’t.

Know your anti-Semitic tropes – and don’t use them

Do you think that Israel-friendly foreign policy in the West is due to a large, nefarious “Jewish lobby”? Do you think Zionists control the media? Did you call Israelis vampires, or insinuate that they eat babies?

On being called out for anti-Semitism, just listen for a while

“Jews, especially those living in Israel, should be an integral part of the process for peace”

Claims of a Jewish “blood libel” and media-led conspiracy have dominated anti-Semitic propaganda for millennia. The strange part is that use of these tropes in some anti-Israel or anti-Zionist rhetoric without their users having any idea of their historical significance. Though there certainly is a pro-Israel lobby (comprised in large part of conservative Christians), there is no ‘Jewish lobby’ that is dominated exclusively by members of Jewish descent. I probably don’t have to tell you that we are not vampires or eat babies of any kind either. To avoid being inadvertently anti-Semitic, educate yourself about the history of anti-Semitism, and don’t mindlessly repeat arguments.

Good intentions only go so far

I know most people don’t intend to vilify all Jews everywhere by criticising Israel. I appreciate that someone calling “The Zionists” the source of all conflict in the Middle East (and possibly everywhere else) probably doesn’t mean to rehash age-old anti-Semitic tropes. But actions have consequences. Just like everyone else, you are obligated to educate yourself so that you don’t end up, in action or argument, vilifying Jews who have no necessary connection to the politics of Israel and Palestine.

On being called out for anti-Semitism, just listen for a while. Sometimes the accuser will merely be trying to shut you up. But sometimes you, ever the paragon of progressive virtue, might have actually said something that perpetrates prejudice against 14.4 million people. And you might want to apologise.

Don’t compare Israel to the Nazis

Just don’t. A thing can be bad without it being literally “just like Hitler”. You may have gathered that the Nazis are something of a touchy subject for Jews. Call Israel whatever else you like, but just don’t go there.

Just because your cause is just doesn’t mean you can be racist

I’m horrified by the state of Israel daily. I despise its leaders, its politics and its disregard for innocent lives. The importance of the struggle for Palestine can seem so urgent that inadvertent anti-Semitism is a minor transgression in the grand scheme of things. But it’s not just wrong, it is strategically wrongheaded. Jews, especially those living in Israel, should be an integral part of the process for peace. But calling someone a vampire is not the best way to get them to join you.

Trump’s administration is not a friend of the Jews

Organisations like Jewish Voice For Peace have thousands of members, especially among young Jews, and work tirelessly for Palestine. Even those who hold political stances you hold abhorrent don’t deserve racist abuse. Just because your cause matters doesn’t mean you can treat individual Jews like they don’t