Tensions 'trigger' synagogue attack (Sydney)

[sabra]

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,19967317-5003402,00.html

Tensions 'trigger' synagogue attack


ANGER over the Middle East conflict and the spiralling civilian death toll in Lebanon might have triggered an attack on a Sydney synagogue, a rabbi said today.

Rabbi Wernick and his young family were inside a house attached to a synagogue in Mason Street at Parramatta when it was attacked about 9pm (AEST) last night.
Projectiles were hurled at the roof of the synagogue, and blocks of concrete were thrown at two cars, smashing windows.

Shortly after the incident witnesses told police they saw a group of about 10 Middle Eastern men laughing and running down a nearby street.

Rabbi Wernick said the attack on the synagogue, which was firebombed a few years ago, lasted about 30 seconds.

[marmar]

1. We can probably expect this around the world...

Retaliations...and counter retaliations...and counter retaliations...It never ends. Just an endless cycle of stupidity. Human beings learn NOTHING from history.

[951-Riverside]

3. This time I have no pity for israel

People are fed up with the right wing "kill em all and let god sort em out" policy in places like iraq and now lebanon. We killed thousands of innocents for absolutely NOTHING and now israel following our own failed policy are killing scores of lebanese over two soldiers.

[madeline_con]

4. Don't believe for a minute it was over 2 soldiers.

That was just an excuse.

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[LiviaOlivia]

16. An eye for an eye is that right?

So because George Bush is a American criminal does that mean because you live in the same country or are of the same faith as the Chimp you are equally guilty of his crimes?

[AlienGirl]

7. This is about Australian Jews--do you have sympathy for them?

Or is "Israel" now extending to mean "all Jews anywhere"?

Tucker

[Igel]

19. It's a word game, I think.

Play along, it makes life easier.

You see, it's quite simple to be anti-Israeli without being anti-Semitic. That's not sarcastic, it's merely making a difference between being opposed to a country for its policies, real or imagined, and being opposed to a people affiliated by ethnicity and religious affiliation.

But then it's crucial to commit to a classic fallacy: Having distinguished between anti-Semitism and anti-Israelism, mess with the definition of 'anti-Israeli' such that there are no attacks on Jews that are not actually attacks on Israel. Suddenly the set of specifically 'anti-Semitic' incidents drops to zero--they've been defined away--and so the Jew-bashers aren't labelled by the horrible word 'anti-Semitic'. But having established that 'anti-Israeli' is ok, well ... as long as you don't think, it's simple.

:think:

[Ian David]

23. Thank you for contributing your two cents to the genocide of my people

Can my daughter hide in YOUR attic?

[High Plains]

31. Hyperventilate much?

[Behind the Aegis]

27. But, just as in Seattle, it wasn't "Israelis" attacked.

This is just further proof, that it is not a hate of Israel, but of Jews.

[Ex Lion Tamer]

29. But this was a synagogue in Sydney.

My atlas shows that as quite a way from Israel.

[Igel]

22. I continue to amazed by the use of the

phrase 'cycle of violence' and its kin.

Israel hits Arabs. Frequently aggression, sometimes 'cycle of violence'.

Arabs hit Israel or Jews. Cycle of violence. Never 'aggression'.

'Cycle of violence' denies the responsibility and the dignity from being responsible for your acts.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[AlienGirl]

5. Is that the risk I'll be choosing when I go to shul next Friday night?

Will it be another non-issue if/when I am attacked?

Tucker

[newyorican]

10. While I don't echo...

...the sentiment of the posts above, I would have to say that reactions such as this should be no surprise.

No matter how misdirected.

No matter how misguided.

No matter how stupid.

As someone who travels internationally for business reasons, I have seen the reactions to Americans (including myself) based on what the U.S. Govt. has done in our names.

Unfortunately, too many conflate Israelis with Jews around the world. No consideration is given to whether the individual actually agrees or not with the actions of the government, just being from that country (and in this case religion) is enough justification in the eyes of those blinded by emotion.

So, yes, you are at risk and should take steps to safeguard yourself and those around you.

It sucks, but violence could be visited on anyone, anytime over issues like this. Sort of like a 500lb. bomb in the middle of the night, without discriminating innocent from guilty.

[AlienGirl]

13. No surprise, but that does not make the victims at fault

[Ex Lion Tamer]

30. Unfortunately, I hope that your shul already has security.

One of my good friends is a Rabbi here in Indianapolis, and I know that all of the Jewish facilities here in town always have security.

Pathetic, but true.

We all slammed the idiots who went around killing and harassing Muslims after 9/11. These idiots deserve the same scorn.

[Solly Mack]

14. uh?

If you get attacked because you're Jewish then that's what you chose?

So if a Muslim is attacked, did they choose that too?


Hate works both ways you know

Don't blame the events in the Middle East for someone who is using those events to justify their hate. And don't blame racism against Jews on the Jews.

Do you also blame racism against Muslims on Muslims? Or do you blame the hater?

Do you blame black people for racism against black people? Or do you blame the hater?

Nothing happening in the Middle East excuses, or even makes understandable, attacks of racism.

[Violet_Crumble]

18. I can't believe yr trying to blame the victims...

Does this 'the risk they chose' attitude only apply to Jews, or do you extend it to other groups who are subject to attacks? The only ones who chose to risk something were the wankers who carried out this attack. Let's hope they're tracked down and have the book thrown at them....

[IndianaGreen]

8. When lawlessness is allowed to flourish

that's when might makes right, and innocents die.

Rabbi Wernick is no more guilty than the people of Lebanon.

Unless we stop the cycle of violence, we will find ourselves doomed to become victims of it.

[ShockediSay]

9. More than once I've seen staged attacks on Israeli interests

In the US there was a car vandalized and owned by a new covert to Judaism
on campus, which, it turned out, she vandalized herself. Before the truth was
discovered, it was a cause celebre for the Anti-Defamation League., and Abe
Foxman, whose mission in life, it seems to me, is to keep anti-Semitism alive
so he and his organization continue their funding.

There were one or two other bogus "anti-Semitic" attacks in France
(of course, there were more genuine ones).

There was also one in the NY area as I recall,
by some nut case belonging to the Temple in question.
(once again, in NYC there were many more genuine attacks
on Jewish cemeteries and the like).

Long and the short of it, I don't presume to judge.

[IndianaGreen]

12. There was similar case in France involving a rabbi

and he came clean afterwards. However, until there is some evidence to the contrary, I would have to believe Rabbi Wernick's account.

One problem with the story is that the paper reported that the "Middle Eastern men" were "laughing and running down a nearby street." Considering the anger generated by the Qana massacre, I doubt that laughter would have been an attribute of the attackers.

[ShockediSay]

15. Best reserve judgment until those with the power and willingness

to conduct an impartial investigation, produce the necessary evidence, findings of fact, etc, IMHO

[grassfed]

11. Tikkun - Peace ad

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[David__77]

17. Condemn Israel, condemn racism and anti-Semitism.

Jews must not be targeted on account of their religion. This is about the state of Israel. Please do not confuse the two.

[Gully Foyle]

21. Well

I recall three or four so called antisemitic attack stories over the past two years. All have been debunked.
Makes you wonder what news letter these people are getting.

[Ian David]

25. That will make the victims of Krystalnacht 2006 feel so much better...

when they hear, "We're killing you because we object to some of Israel's policies, not because you're Jewish."

That comment isn't necessarily directed at you personally.

[Gully Foyle]

20. Uhoh

Mel's rant was really an incitement it seems.

[Ian David]

24. This is the sort of Backlash that the Christian Triumpahlists have planned

This attack is a PLANNED CONSEQUENCE of Bush's foreign and Domestic policies.

America's Roadmap to The Apocalypse
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2747646&mesg_id=2747646


And while most here on DU condemn this sort of attack, they still spew the same exact talking points that the attackers do-- Mostly without even knowing they're doing it.

[Tight_rope]

26. Now who didn't see this coming!

[oberliner]

28. Islamic and Jewish leaders condemn synagogue attack

Sydney synagogue rocked by attack
August 1, 2006

ISLAMIC and Jewish religious leaders have condemned the stoning of Sydney's Parramatta Synagogue and warned extremists against importing the war in Lebanon to Australia.

NSW Premier Morris Iemma said attacks on mosques and synagogues would not be tolerated. "The tragic events taking place in the Middle East are no reason for people to take the law into their own hands," he said.

The synagogue is believed to have been attacked by a group of youths who showered projectiles onto the roof and used chunks of concrete to shatter windows and damage nearby cars.


http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/sydney-synagogue-rocked-by-attack/2006/07/31/1154198074617.html

[gauguin57]

32. where was mel gibson at the time of this attack?

oh, sorry ... he's in "rehab"

[noonwitch]

33. Tensions didn't trigger the attack, violent people did

this happened in Australia, thousands of miles from Israel. Whoever did this would have done it no matter what the situation in Israel or Lebanon. Whoever did it wanted to blow up a temple because he hated jews, not because he was protesting the war in Lebanon.

the media doesn't need to feed the irresponsibility by saying that the "tensions" are responsible. The person or persons blowing up the temple is responsible.