The Jewish problem, according to Theodorakis (Yikes!!!)

[seventhson]

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/469781.html

The root of evil
Question: Mr. Theodorakis, on November 4, 2003 you said in this house the words that shocked Jews and non-Jews across the world. You said that the Jewish people are at the root of evil. What did you mean?

Answer: "For me the root of evil today is the policy of President Bush. It is a fascist policy. I cannot understand how is it that the Jewish people, who have been the victims of Nazism, can support such a fascist policy. No other people in the world support those policies but Israel! This situation saddens me. I am a friend of Israel. I am a friend of the Jewish people. But the policy of Sharon and the support for the policy of Bush darkens the image of Israel. I am afraid that Sharon is going to lead the Jews - just as Hitler led the Germans - to the root of evil."

Even today, 10 months later, you don't think you made a mistake when you uttered those words?

"No, but it's important for me to emphasize that I never said that the Jews are the root of evil. I said they are at the root of evil."

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A very interesting article, to say the least. It practically DEFINES the perception of many non-Jewish European intellectuals and artists towards Israel- for better amd/or worse - and the article says that the left in Israel might agree with him on many points.

I think in his old age, though, he is clearly getting a little dingy and inconsistent in his assertions. BUT it is a conversation and he bares his thoughts in a way that many would be afraid to do.

Lots of food for thought in this piece.

[CarolynEC]

1. The "Jewish problem" ???????

I hear those words, and the conversation ends right there.

Nobody talking about "the Jewish problem" is going to be anything but an enemy of mine. :grr:

[sui generis]

3. that's close minded

the "Jewish Problem" is an unfortunate (and stupid, given it's history) choice of words in any context, but the context here is that it is hard to extract the idea of a Jewish state from the bad public policy practiced by Israel, and our overt support of it.

I for one, being a half-jew mutt, can honestly say that I despise the policies of Israel without saying I despise judaism or jewish people. The "problem" is that when faith is linked with statehood, people like myself become targeted as "anti-semitic" for those kinds of comments, which is absurd.

[shadu]

6. Good points

I hate Sharon and I love the Jewish people.
I am anti-Sharon.

[CarolynEC]

8. Got to disagree with you here

Just not willing to discuss Israel in the language that led to the slaughter of six million.

I have complaints and criticisms about Israeli policy -- particularly the settlement issue -- but this is not the way to get at the issues.

"If you go carryin' pictures of Chairman Mao,
you ain't gonna make it with anyone anyhow."

[idontwantaname]

9. "...but this is not the way to get at the issues."

true nobody can address the true issues if they only read a couple lines and freak out.

please if you would like to comment or debate well informed points regarding the artilce... read it first.

[CarolynEC]

10. This is my point:

Leading with "the Jewish Problem" is a conversation-stopper right there.

A person walking around talking about "the Jewish Problem" just isn't going to get heard.

It's not a matter of "freaking out," thank you very much. It's a matter of deciding who is worth debating and who is not.

Whether its "God Hates Fags" or "the Jewish Problem," there are things you can say that will pretty much ensure your arguments will never get a hearing.

[idontwantaname]

11. glad i could help illustrate your point.

lets hope nobody flags your post though.

[CarolynEC]

12. I'm afraid I'm not following you here

I'm not sure what you mean by illustrating my point?

[idontwantaname]

13. Leading with "the Jewish Problem" is a conversation-stopper right there.

although the media couldve done something to make it less inflammatory.

[shadu]

4. Calm down and read the article.

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

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

[cspiguy]

5. especially any discussion of a Solution to the Problem

really :scared:

[shadu]

2. "No other people in the world support those policies but Israel! "

This in regard to bush's policies.

Patriot, know thine enemy!

[Lithos]

14. Locking

While the source is good, specific language used in the article is indeed problematic and difficult to use without invoking inflammatory context. I think it best to stop this now and move on to other articles where I thing the valid points people can make of this article can also be made without the baggage of the language.

Lithos
FA/NS Moderator
Democratic Underground