The exploitation of accusations of antisemitism, especially to counter anti-Zionism and criticism of Israel, is sometimes called weaponization of antisemitism. Claims of weaponizing antisemitism have arisen in various contexts, including the Arab–Israeli conflict and debates over the concept of new antisemitism and the IHRA definition of antisemitism.

Charges of antisemitism made in bad faith have been described as a form of smear tactic and likened to “playing the race card”, and when used against Jews has been said to take the form of labeling as “self-hating Jews”.