Defamation

Defamation follows Israeli filmmaker Yoav Shamir in his journey to understand anti-Semitism in the modern world. Shamir, who grew up in Israel and had never personally experienced anti-Semitism, sets out to investigate its prevalence and impact on Jewish communities globally.

Shamir accompanies a group of Israeli high school students on their trip to Poland, where they visit Holocaust sites including Auschwitz. He observes how the students’ perceptions of anti-Semitism are shaped by their experiences and the information they receive from their leaders.

Shamir also gains access to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), interviewing its National Director, Abraham Foxman. Through these interactions, he explores how the organization defines and responds to incidents of anti-Semitism. The film presents various perspectives on the ADL’s approach, including criticism that it may sometimes overstate the threat of anti-Semitism.

The documentary features interviews with diverse voices, including Norman Finkelstein, a controversial Jewish professor who argues that some Jewish establishments exploit the Holocaust and accusations of anti-Semitism for political gain. Shamir also speaks with John J. Mearsheimer, co-author of “The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy,” adding another layer to the discussion.

Throughout the film, Shamir investigates specific incidents reported as anti-Semitic, such as rocks being thrown at a school bus in Brooklyn and a stabbing at a Moscow synagogue. He presents these cases while also including perspectives that question whether anti-Semitism was the primary motivation in some instances.

The documentary touches on the complex relationship between criticism of Israel and accusations of anti-Semitism, highlighting the ongoing debate within Jewish communities about how to define and address anti-Semitism in the contemporary world.