Antisemitism no longer hiding behind anti-Israel rhetoric

[grossproffit]

For years, antisemitism has been couched in the language of “anti-Zionism”, allowing its proponents to claim that they are only criticising Israel. Explicitly attacking Jews, whether rhetorically or physically, has been generally seen as unacceptable, even among those who dislike Israel and who are suspicious of its diaspora Jewish supporters.

Meanwhile Jews and their friends have become used to having to explain that saying “Zionists” control the media, or created Isis, or are the real perpetrators of terrorist attacks in Europe, doesn’t count as legitimate criticism of Israeli policies.

These are febrile times, though, with radical politics in the air, and it feels like the language of antisemitism is being set free from this politically correct straitjacket. Tahra Ahmed claims to campaign on behalf of Grenfell Tower survivors. She knows who is really to blame for that terrible fire: it was a “Jewish sacrifice”. Just for good measure, “Hitler and the Germans were the victims of the Jewish conspiracy to destroy Germany.” No carefully calibrated language about “Zionists” there.

Daniel Harris is a Labour Party activist in Brighton and Hove. He thought it would be funny to superimpose the faces of his political opponents in the local Labour party onto a Chanukah video of three dancing Jews, complete with black hats and tallitot. Maybe he really meant it as a festive joke, but at best it showed a remarkable insensitivity; at worst, given the fractious arguments in Brighton and Hove Labour Party over antisemitism, it was a thinly-veiled dig based on the idea that being Jewish is, somehow, a bad thing to be.

https://www.thejc.com/comment/analysis/antisemitism-no-longer-hiding-behind-anti-israel-rhetoric-1.450512

[nycbos]

1. Yup yup absolutely.

[Nitram]

2. I hope I'm mistaken, but it sounds like you assume that all "anti-Israel rhetoric" is actually anti-

Semitism. I see two problems with that.

1. Much of what you term anti-Israel rhetoric could instead be termed criticism of anti-Arab policies that the Israeli government has implemented. There is a difference between disagreement on policy and so-called anti-Israel rhetoric.

2. Criticism of Israeli government policies is not limited to crypto anti-Semites. In fact, I would say that most of such criticism has nothing to do with anti-Semitism.

It may comfort you to assume that criticism of Israeli government policies is just cover for anti-Semitism because that allows you to dismiss what might be informed and substantive opinions. You seem to be unaware of the fact that many American Jews, as well as a significant number of Israelis, also disagree with the same policies. The disproportionate power the ultra-Orthodox parties hold because of Israel’s system of coalition politics inside Israel might well be a bigger problem today than anti-Semitism abroad.

[grossproffit]

3. Criticizing Israels government is not antisemitism. Denying Israels legitimacy or right to exist is.

We criticize our government all the time, but no one questions our countries legitimacy or our right to exist.

[Nitram]

4. Then who are these anti-Semites abroad who are refusing to recognize Israel's right to exist?

Could you share some links?

[grossproffit]

5. What do you think Anti-Zionism means? There are links throughout this group...The Jewish Group.

[Nitram]

6. Anti-Zionism is not equivalent to anti-Semitism.

You should know that...

[EllieBC]

7. I'm a Zionist.

And I'll tell you why. Non-Jews have shown for millennia that they don't want my people around them. At least not praying, assembling, or carrying on our religious traditions around them. They make up laws attempting to ban shechitah or Brit milah or make it illegal to wear a kippah.

My people need somewhere safe to be in the event the non-Jews decide they want to exterminate us or purge us from their lands again.

But anti-Zionists don't want my people to have a safe harbour. Why is that?

[Nitram]

8. Many anti-Zionists just don't want to take land away from someone else to make a special

homeland for the Jewish people. We should have purchased land to make a Jewish homeland. But it is too late for that now.

[EllieBC]

10. Right because there were never Jews in that are before.

Tell you what. We will just fight against every bullshit rule non-Jews try to foist upon us wherever we are.

[Nitram]

12. Of course there were Jews in Jerusalem, in numbers that fluctuated over the centuries.

Jews have been a majority, Muslims have been a majority, and Christians have been a majority at various time during Jerusalem's long history. Do you disagree with that fact? What "bullshit rule" have non-Jews unfairly foisted upon you in Jerusalem? Or are you referring to historical discrimination in Europe and elsewhere? If so, how is that relevant to the suggestion that Jerusalem, a hole city for three faiths, should not be the political capital of any country?

[grossproffit]

9. Pakistan was created at the same time as Israel. No one questions their legitimacy.

There are over 50 Islamic nations across the globe, yet Israel, the one Jewish state, is constantly targeted and bullied.

Yeah, why's that.

Rhetorical question, since I already know the answer.

[EllieBC]

11. Of course.

Half of them don't know why they hate Jews. They just do and need to come up with a new reason every 100 years or so.

And of course they have no problem with the creation of Pakistan. They're all afraid to anger Muslims for some reason.

[Nitram]

13. You appear to assume that any criticism of Israeli government policies is due to

Last edited Fri Dec 22, 2017, 02:13 PM - Edit history (1)

anti-Semitism. That is exactly the same as Trump insisting that any other country's criticism of his policies is due to anti-Christian bias. Yes, there are anti-Semites in the world. And anti-Christians, anti-Muslims, anti-almost-anything. That is no excuse to dismiss legitimate opinions on policy as anti-Jewish bias. How can you have a discussion if you assume you are always right, and anyone who disagrees with you is anti-Jewish. You are playing the old "heads I win, tails you lose" game.

[Nitram]

14. That's a very red herring, grossproffit.

Which city in Pakistan do Hindus and Muslims both consider holy? Do both India and Pakistan wish to make that city their capital? Are you at all aware of the actual reasons (aside from anti-Semitism) many in the world would like to prevent Jerusalem from being any country's capital city?

[grossproffit]

15. Cite the verses in the Quran where Jerusalem is mentioned by name.

[Nitram]

18. You are very good at changing the subject when you can't answer a question.

Happy holidays!

[MosheFeingold]

16. Easy

They don't want us to exist anywhere.

[EllieBC]

17. Exactly. And they are none to pleased we've figured it out.

Unfortunately for them, we don't break or go away.