By Tom Ashbrook.

If you’re looking for hot button issues in the world today, Israel and anti-Semitism are as hot as they come.

Here’s the latest twist: a new uproar, with Jews charging Jews with anti-Semitism over Israel. American Jewish defenders of Israel charging progressive Jewish critics with fueling anti-Semitism – and being themselves anti-Semitic. And they’re naming names: Tony Kushner, Tony Judt, Richard Cohen and many more.

Jewish critics of Israel say it’s an attack on free speech and on the very Jewish tradition of free thinking and open debate.

Jewish critics of the critics say vehement questioning of Israel presents a danger to Jews and Israel and must be stopped.

This hour On Point: Jews charging Jews with anti-Semitism over Israel.

Guests:

Alvin Rosenfeld, director of the Istitute for Jewish Culture at Indiana University, wrote an opinion piece “Progressive Jewish Thought and the New Anti-Semitism ” for the American Jewish Commitee

Alan Wolfe, professor of religion at Boston College

Rabbi Michael Lerner, founder of Tikkun

Shulamit Reinharz, founding director Haddassah-Brandeis Institute