It's not reasonable, indeed may well be anti-Semitic, to hold Israel to a higher standard than other countries around the world.

But don't some of those defending Israel's actions do exactly that? When they sing, for example the praises of Israeli academia, of its science and technology, pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors? One JC blog contributor posted earlier today on a separate thread:

"if they cannot see that Israel represents everything that is positive and intelligent in this world, then I have to conclude that they are demented. Israel is on the front-line of the war against Western civilization"

Isn't that singling Israel out, holding it to a higher standard? (As far as I know, that criticism is not one leveled by the author of the quote above.)

Surely Israel loses out if this is the criteria for supporting it. The issue is one of self determination, for both Israelis and Palestinians, no?