The Return of Anti-Semitism

[pistoff democrat]

Israel has become the flash point—and the excuse—for a global explosion of an age-old syndrome. Why has hating the Jews become politically correct in many places? And what can be done about it?

cut

“Comparing what’s going on today to the thirties is both wrong and dangerous,” says Alan Dershowitz, who also has a new book, The Case for Israel, which is practically a point-by-point guide for responding to the Jewish state’s critics. “The old labels don’t apply, and the old diagnoses don’t address the problem. They substitute emotion for reason, and we can’t win this war with emotion. We need to look forward. We need to start thinking about the 2030s, not the 1930s.”

The war to which Dershowitz is referring is the global explosion of hate and hostility directed at Israel and at Jews themselves. For the past eighteen months or so, members of the Jewish community—intellectuals, activists, heads of various organizations, and laypeople—have been struggling desperately to find an effective strategy to address the new reality.

cut

Most American Jewish leaders believe they are up against huge forces around the world and that ultimately they cannot fight this fight alone. “We have to make people understand that anti-Semitism is not a uniquely Jewish problem,” says Harris. “It’s a cancer which left unchecked infects and ultimately kills democratic societies,” he says. “That’s the message we have to get out.”


http://www.newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/news/religion/features/n_9622/

---

Please note you'll find lots of people to hate in this 4-page article, but there's also a great deal of criticism of Israel and its government's policies as well. I am posting this with the sincere desire you will take the time to read all 4 pages before giving a knee-jerk response because this lengthy editorial shows how convoluted and complex the situation is but also might show some people here how vulnerable and traumatized we feel. Thank you and Shalom! L'Chaim!

[La_Serpiente]

1. I was reading this

and was going to make a post about it. I'll post my comments later though.

[pistoff democrat]

5. uh oh

that's okay...

Remember you're my sweetie pie.

:hi:

[JackSwift]

2. Maybe more West Bank Settlements

will allievate Anti-Semitism because the opponents of Israel would be would interpret that as just punishment for their hatred of Jews.

[pistoff democrat]

3. Now, now

I posted this because I'm really trying to be fair and promote articles which also criticize Israel.

Please read the whole article, okay?

[bluesoul]

4. LOL

Haven't seen you post ANY article seriously criticizing Israel's policy.

[pistoff democrat]

6. Try reading this one and

a couple of others I've posted more recently. The problem is one needs to read the article; not just the excerpts. LOL

[bluesoul]

7. OK

I've read a bit more. Granted this is not the typcial RW rant and it does contain some self-critical points. And improvement over anything that Jpost prints that's for sure...

[Gimel]

22. Can you?

Can anyone? Seriously, not just denouncing effects. What is a better policy and for what would be the aims?

[bemildred]

8. Excellent piece.

[pistoff democrat]

9. Now, there's a man who sounds like he

wants to find some common ground so we can be more rational here.

I hope I'm right; but, whether or not I am; your commentary on the piece is very much appreciated.

:pals:

[bemildred]

10. My pleasure.

Credit where credit is due.

[pistoff democrat]

11. Would you maybe please consider this?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=124&topic_id=37917&mesg_id=38473&page=

[Darranar]

12. Nice article...

compared to some of the others on the subject that have been posted here.

I have several or disagreements with the writer on the situation itself, but the points he makes about anti-semitism are pretty accurate. He advocates new methods, which is always good, seeing how the old ones don't seem to be working well, and he manages to criticize the Israeli government - avoiding the talking point that Israel is innocent of everything.

[pistoff democrat]

13. Yes, Darranar,

I so want us to be able to be more fair on this forum.

Your response is very heartening.

The idea is by posting more balanced articles, perhaps we could begin to argue their merits rather than hurl crap at one another.

:pals:

[Jack Rabbit]

14. This is a very good article

I would like to present a few thoughts of my own.

Speaking as one who believes that Israel has defined borders that are not those claimed by Menachem Begin, that there is no such thing as a legal Israeli settlement in occupied territory and that General Sharon is an intransigent warmonger who would never deal honestly with Arabs as equals, there is no excuse for projecting the faults of the any past or present Israeli leader or policy on the Jewish people as a whole. That is anti-Semitism. Nor is it right to conjure up old stereotypes and fears of Jews to criticize Israel. That, too, is anti-Semitism.

The faults of any given Israeli leader are faults because they seek to deny the rights to others or to do violence. It is not anti-Semitic to point this out in and of itself, but it is anti-Semitism to attribute these faults to the fact that Israel is a Jewish state rather than some other kind of state. It is no more anti-Semitic to say that General Sharon is a war criminal than it is to say that Meyer Lansky was a gasngster. One can pull out the report of the Kahane Commission and build a case against Sharon based on its findings alone. However, it is anti-Semitic to assert that because one can build a war crimes case against General Sharon, or that because Meyer Lansky was a gangster, that all Israelis or all Jews are criminals.

Obviously, these examples of anti-Semitism depend on fallacious logic to make the anti-Semite's point. It is a propagandist's art; it is the way of the liar. One should always be wary of this kind of rhetorical slight-of-hand.

Jews and Gentiles alike stand as equal human beings, with each containing its saints and sinners. The acts of men stand as the acts of men. Human acts should be judged according to what good or evil they will leave behind, not some abstract conception about a greater mass of which the human actor is a part. That more often than not reduces to psychological projection on the part of the judge. That, indeed, can never lead to justice. A wise judge considers the act in the context of its chain of events before praising or condemning the actor. To do that should we endeavor.

[dudeness]

28. common sense once again, jack

well written..
I cannot claim any great knowledge or background in I/P that many here can. However , from a laymans point of view, any increase in anti-semitism that is perceived world wide, must eminate from the plight of the palestinian people. Israel, as a sophisticated, well educated, democratic society with established systems of government in place, must, IMHO, lead the way to peace.
Yes, the palestinians must cease ALL actions against Israel and recognise its right to exist peacefully, no question about that. Israel holds the whip hand and can negotiate from a position of power, the palestinians must be given the opportunity to develop systems of democratic government, and provide services to the people. Hope and the promise of a peaceful future from a benevolent Israeli government will do more to bring peace and stability to Israel than gunships and provocative settlements.

[MikeGalos]

15. Bump

Since the dupe of this article had over thirty new posts four days later, this is obviously still an article that could use discussion.

[Resistance]

16. the writer is obviously mentally challenged

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

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

[legin]

18. See i told you the article had been posted before

but you didn't believe me, you thought I was pulling a stunt, so you had to go checking backwards. :P

[legin]

20. OK now I am really hurt

I saw the other thread, you didn't even bother to go checking back, it was Darranar who showed you this thread, you just assumed I was lying through my front teeth.

[legin]

19. The article sucks anyway

Obviously someone is keeping a database of all the slurs and insults committed against israel over the last couple of years. I mean even the old 'French Ambassador story' gets yet another outing.

[MikeGalos]

21. The "old" French Ambassador story

is what triggered the first public notice in the UK. It's a major turning point where people finally acknowleging that anti-Semitism had become acceptable in polite society in the UK and was becoming a real problem with people in power rather than just the province of a few hooligans in bars.

[muriel_volestrangler]

41. Why is it acceptable politics for a US President

to label Iraq, Iran, and North Korea as 'evil', while unacceptable for an ambassador to label Israel as 'shitty'? Rude, and unwise, maybe; but it is still not anti-semitism.

[GabysPoppy]

42. A couple of things

1) who said it was acceptable for *Bush to make those statements?

2) When did it become "acceptable" for any ambassador, who supposedly is appointed to be an appropriate representative of their country to use the word shitty?

3) and if you don't see a touch of anti-semitic leanings, you don't want to see it.

[Aidoneus]

23. how many threads on "anti-semitism" do we regularly need?

Is there some quota that has to be filled on orders from the fan club bosses, or is it just from the "stick with what (sorta, kinda, not really) works and endlessly beat it into the ground" school of technique?

[GabysPoppy]

24. When it stops being so prevelant hopefully none

Until then, you will continue to see them.

Unless of course you want to say it's not a problem.

[RPG-7]

25. it's not a problem

[bluesoul]

26. Not a serious one

at least..

[Lurking Dem]

30. African-American racism

and homophobia aren't problems either - for me. Yet I went home in tears the other day for how I was treated at a store and last year my friends kids were threatened by a National Alliance whackjob with an assault rifle at the Jewish dayschool. Then there was the bomb threat at my Temple and the swastikas painted on another. But, really, no problem.

[Noon_Blue_Apples]

33. You make our point

Homosexuals don't get beaten or killed, blacks don't get beaten or killed? Yes they do. If a Jew got 40 rounds in him for going for his wallet in NY - guess what - it would be because of his/her race/religion.

But people here will claim that hatred towards Jews is more prevalent. I don't believe that is the case. Especially in the US.

If I may ask, what is the National Alliance? As well, would you consider the pigs that torment you the old style right wing hate or this new style of hate from the left that has supposedly taken over (in regards to the incidents you describe above)?

Bill

[Lurking Dem]

36. I think threatening to shoot 3 year olds

just for being Jewish is fairly damning. That is the old fashioned right wing kind of hate as National Alliance is a KKK affiliated group of white supremacists. The bomb threat was local Palestinians (as well as another child in a stroller threatened and he mother assaulted by a woman) and the Swastikas, as a guess, were right wingers of the ick variety.

Hatred against Jews IS more prevalent (or at least less couched) than it has been in MY memory - from both the right AND the left.

My incident the other day was just ingrained, thoughtless bigotry. Politics didn't enter into it. I have also faced the kind from the Left, including being called a "Zionist pig" with accompanying rooting, snuffling sounds.

I would say the majority are the right wing kind but the left wing type is the fastest growing.

To say it is not a problem is to deny reality and to not try and stop the spread of something hateful before it is too late. To be frank, there are few attics of the posters here I would feel safe hiding in - but there is a handful.

[Darranar]

37. How do you distinguish...

Leftists from xenophobic isolationists like Pat Buchana/

From all I have read on the topic, it seems that the greatest anti-semitism comes from the anti-globalization movement and the pro-Palestinian movement. Both are full of xenophobic isolationists, who certainly do have a history of anti-semitism.

[Noon_Blue_Apples]

43. Not my point

"To say it is not a problem"

Again, that is not what I asked or stated. Is it more of a problem than hatred towards visible minorities or homosexuals?

Thanks for your personal experiences and thoughts

Bill

[Darranar]

38. It most certainly is...

all racism and all bigotry is a problem, regardless of how prevalent it may be.

Anti-semitism most certainly exists and most certainly is high at the current time. It is quite a significant problem, and it is one that needs to be dealt with.

[Name removed]

27. Deleted message

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

[drdon326]

29. That 's a tough question, Willie...

.

[Noon_Blue_Apples]

31. are you claiming jews are inharently less violent?

I didn't think so.

Why don't you answer the question. We are talking racism...who should be more concerned flying to the US - a Jew or a Muslim. Who is going to be arrested without charge, held in secrecy and subjected to torture based upon religion and the colour of skin...well

I thought so...

By the way, my name is Bill

[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

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

[Noon_Blue_Apples]

34. Ummm, because of racism

it's not rocket science

[drdon326]

35. And btw

when did this happen on a flight:

"Who is going to be arrested without charge, held in secrecy and subjected to torture based upon religion and the colour of skin...well"

arrested?? for what??

held in secrecy wanting to take a flight?? name it

torture for taking a flight?? name it.

[drdon326]

39. H e l l o ??

.

[MikeGalos]

40. Gee

I haven't gotten word from my secret bosses yet. Maybe it's lost in the mail with my International Jewish Conspiracy monthly paycheck.

So, are their any other forms of bigotry where you want us to limit discussion?

If so, please let us know.

If not, please let us know why bigotry against Jews deserves "special treatment".

[Aidoneus]

44. Not so much limiting the discussion..

putting the brakes on contradictory monotony--yes, absolutely in favour of that..

What is the pay these days for ZOG footsoldiers? It has to be better than what I'm making--I'm getting stiffed so badly, shown so little respect, that people are semi-anonymously trying to put words into my mouth on the net! No respect at all.. Apparently it's easier to have an argument when you have this set image in your mind of what you'd like an opponent to say and respond to that constructed ideal, rather than paying attention to what they do exactly say.

On the other hand, there are a few other discussions I would like to limit, and give the special napalm & dynamite treatment to:--the pathetic (and even more monotonous & contradictory than these) candidate threads upstairs, for example.

[GabysPoppy]

45. You mean like

Rachel Corrie?

[Aidoneus]

46. don't just piggyback me with the "I know you are but what am I?" game

That may have knocked 'em dead on the 2nd grade playground, but could you please explain how that applies to the same criterea?

[GabysPoppy]

48. Don't be so defensive

you know as well as I do that that is a similar topic that comes up more than the sun rises.

So you haven't been piggybacked at all.

[Aidoneus]

49. don't be so evasive

to be fair, "monotony" is perhaps determined by agreement/disagreement, but the contradictions should be easy enough to finger..

[GabysPoppy]

50. Spin away as much as you want

It would have been easier to just say "yes, both sides can benefit from not rehashing the same shit day after day"

And if you want to call that evasive, be my guest.

:shrug:

[Aidoneus]

51. That isn't quite what I meant by "evasive"

What I meant by that was the avoidance of any answer to the question I asked.. An explanation of the contradictions, please?

[Name removed]

47. Deleted message

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