Certainly anti-Semitism is not limited to Muslim nations. In fact, through modern history, most of the violence and pogroms against the Jewish community were carried out by European nations. Infamously, the Vatican and the US Senate turned a blind eye to the Holocaust during World War II. One of the few times when Jews were treated more humanely was during the period of Muslim expansion. But in spite of this history, in today's geopolitical cauldron, Muslim anti-Semitism will always grab the biggest headlines and do more damage to Muslims themselves.

Of course, criticising the Israeli government is not the same as anti-Semitism. When Mahathir condemns Israeli aggression against Palestinians and neighbouring countries, he repeats a critique that many progressive Jewish commentators will agree with (recall, some of the strongest critique of Ariel Sharon's "Apartheid Wall" comes from the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz). But by expanding that critique to include the entire Jewish community, and to talk about "the Jewish race" and their "tendencies," Mahathir crossed over into anti-Semitism.

His comments come at a critical time for the Muslim ummah. Liberal Muslims are trying to push their countries to embrace human rights in places like Iran and Nigeria. Others are trying to stem the tide of converts to fanatical organisations preaching violence and the murder of civilians. In a time like this, Mahathir's comments may strengthen the hand of the right-wing elements within political Islam.