There are certain debates and discussions that many ethnic and religious communities don’t want to have – or refuse to have. The prevailing position therefore becomes rigid and virtually impossible for future generations to penetrate.

Here’s a prime example. Canada’s Jewish community fiercely believes a major component of anti-Semitism is an intense dislike or even hatred of the State of Israel.

If you’re aware of anything I’ve ever written or said, you’ll know that I’m neither anti-Semitic nor anti-Israel. At the same time, I would argue that being anti-Semitic and anti-Israel aren’t mutually exclusive.

Let’s deconstruct this point a bit further.

Yes, most anti-Semites are anti-Israel. If an individual hates Jews, it almost goes without saying this hatred would naturally extend to a Jewish homeland. So, these two positions are inherently linked for a certain percentage of the population.

At the same time, it’s possible for an individual to dislike or resent some, most or all of Israel’s political, economic and cultural positions without disliking or resenting Jews.

Significant portions of the Jewish left and anti-Zionist left have deep concerns about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud government. They dislike everything from his small “c” conservative values to his hawkish positions.

Many of the same individuals have been troubled by the actions of previous governments headed not only by Likud, but also Labor and Kadima. In a nutshell, they perceive the average Israeli politician as being aggressive, militaristic and decidedly “un-Jewish,” irrespective of political stripe.

Meanwhile, Jewish leftists (along with various non-Jewish leftists) have taken active positions or roles in criticizing Israel and supporting a free Palestine. They don’t mince their words, and have used language, both cryptic and public, that has shocked many Canadians.

This has led some people to call them “self-hating” Jews – or worse.

For what it’s worth, I find that most of the Jewish left and non-Jewish left’s statements about Israel range from disagreeable to detestable. I don’t share their worldview, and I perceive many of their positions on foreign affairs, the Middle East, security and safety, and the war on terrorism to be remarkably juvenile and ignorant.

I would imagine that many CJN readers, and supporters of organizations like the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and B’nai Brith Canada, would express similar concerns and positions.

That’s not the point, however. If you believe in freedom of speech, as I strongly do, you should be defending their right to hold, discuss and debate these controversial views.

Many so-called free speech “defenders” regularly change their tune when they hear about ideas they find offensive, or that don’t fit in with their particular belief system.

Well, guess what? If that’s what you do, you’re actually not onside on freedom of speech.

Freedom of speech is the defence of ideas that are objective and objectionable. In other words, a democratic society has to support views that appear right to us – and tolerate views that appear wrong to us. We don’t have to agree with an opposing viewpoint, but we must defend a person’s right to support a particular position in a nonviolent manner.

Let’s end this column by answering two questions.

First, do some people disguise their anti-Semitism by using freedom of speech as a shield to criticize Israel? Of course. Yet, in most cases, it’s remarkably easy to distinguish between pro-Palestinian supporters who are repulsed at Israeli military endeavours – and unsophisticated bigots who believe Jews control everything from high finance to the press.

Second, does every criticism of Israel and Jews constitute anti-Semitism? Of course not. I believe Israel is an imperfect nation, and that many Jews should be embarrassed for having historically seen the world through left-wing political blinkers.

If this makes me anti-Semitic or anti-Israel, I’m going to have a great deal of company very soon.

Michael Taube is a Washington Times columnist, and a former speechwriter for Prime Minister Stephen Harper.