Recognizing the "New Anti-Semitism"
Moreover, the so-called "new anti-Semitism" poses a unique challenge. Whereas classical anti-Semitism is aimed at the Jewish people or the Jewish religion, "new anti-Semitism" is aimed at the Jewish state. Since this anti-Semitism can hide behind the veneer of legitimate criticism of Israel, it is more difficult to expose. Making the task even harder is that this hatred is advanced in the name of values most of us would consider unimpeachable, such as human rights.
Nevertheless, we must be clear and outspoken in exposing the new anti-Semitism. I believe that we can apply a simple test - I call it the "3D" test - to help us distinguish legitimate criticism of Israel from anti-Semitism.
The first "D" is the test of demonization. When the Jewish state is being demonized; when Israel's actions are blown out of all sensible proportion; when comparisons are made between Israelis and Nazis and between Palestinian refugee camps and Auschwitz - this is anti- Semitism, not legitimate criticism of Israel.
The second "D" is the test of double standards. When criticism of Israel is applied selectively; when Israel is singled out by the United Nations for human rights abuses while the behavior of known and major abusers, such as China, Iran, Cuba, and Syria, is ignored; when Israel's Magen David Adom, alone among the world's ambulance services, is denied admission to the International Red Cross - this is anti-Semitism.
The third "D" is the test of delegitimization: when Israel's fundamental right to exist is denied - alone among all peoples in the world - this too is anti-Semitism.
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Wednesday 8 September 2010
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2 comments:
That makes sense. Maybe in a way some of this is closed-minded ideology leading folks into having stupid outlooks through fate interacting with their outlooks. So say someone is spouting about the NWO. Then they see everything through the prism of Palestine. They see the US supporting Israel and being the global power. Then when the Iranian President made his anti-semitic remarks, they naturally bought whatever song and dance explanation there was. Taken a step further, all protest in Iran becomes CIA inspired. The theocracy are no longer seen as thugs but as one of the stronger leaders for all oppressed in the Middle East.
Here's another example. I love Ireland, but back during the Second World War, I don't how many, but a significant amount of Irish were in support of Hitler. Please correct me if I'm wrong on that. Anyway, the British oppressed Ireland. Germany attacked England. Thus some kind of dumbass leap of judgement was made by some to support the dark side.
There's another example we shared on a thread many months ago. I was amazed at how so-called lefties could be supporting Mugabe of Zimbabwe, despite all the evidence that he was an oppressor. I've seen one fake lefty say that Stalinist Russia was the most Democratic country during his time period. There are a lot of illogical leaps in logic like that on the net. They're annoying and somewhat cause dizzy feelings, as in wtf, that doesn't make sense. That same person is one who has said Israel should be wiped off the face of the earth. He is a famous troll named David Byron. When questioned about his rhetoric, he answered that it wasn't meant literally. So what are we supposed to do? Will America be given back to the Indians? Is Kuwait going to again become part of Iraq?
I think you're kind of on the right track in turning modern day territory battles into issues of human rights. Look at Northern Ireland. It's highly unlikely Ireland will ever become united. But it can be pushed for equal rights in the North no matter if one is Catholic or Protestant. I believe there should be a Palestinian homeland. For now, it can be pushed for equal rights. South Africa used to be an awful mess. It probably still is. Of course Mandela becoming President was a much better solution than apartheid going on forever. As long as this world is still breathing, there is always hope it will get better.
I think I will give you 3 Fs for your 3 Ds. How can there be progress if every concern, action or proposal is assumed to have a nefarious origin and therefore must be rejected. This behavior, mindset and perspective only makes sense if the whole purpose of action is to derail progress.
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