DOES CRITICIZING ISRAEL MEAN YOU ARE AN ANTI-SEMITE?

Palestinian Refugee Camp in Lebanon After the 1948 War

A blog I recently read takes an interesting view on antisemitism, the Israeli conflict, and accountability. In short, the author asserts that, because Israelis have killed many less people in wars and conflicts than other nations, it is surprising that they are still hated.  The conclusion:  anti-Semitism continues because people are making excuses to justify hating Jews.  It is a long tradition that is unfair and will probably never change (at least in my lifetime).

There is no doubt that anti-Semitism is alive and kicking.  I believe hating Jews because they are Jews is a shame and a crime against human nature.  I do not consider myself an anti-Semite.  

However, I think the explanations for this phenomenon are more complicated than comparing how many people Israelis have killed in relationship to other countries.  Engendered hatred of the Jews has more to do with the potential danger Israel has created by invading Palestine and subjugating Palestinians, thus enraging the Arab world.   

The Zionist nation is a threat to world peace.  And, ironically, Americans are fostering this threat through their support of the Israeli state!

The blog states that Jews are only responsible (in modern times) for 0.07% of deaths through conflict.  I am interested to know the source of these figures on deaths caused by Israelis. The author argues that so many more deaths have been incurred by other countries, and yet they are not hated.  I see that as faulty logic. Therefore, I am compelled to argue the point.

First, a reason for hating a people should not be based on how many are killed by that people's country.

Second, let's take another look at the statistics.  Do the numbers include Arab deaths at the hands of Irgun and Haggenah before the creation of Israel by the U.N.?  Do they include a comparison of Arab and Israeli deaths during the 1967 war, which was a war of aggression on the part of the Israelis? (Even the UN considers the borders of the state of Israel after 1948 to be occupied territories. However, Israel insisted they needed "lebensraum".  Ironic, in view of the so-called reason for WWII.)

In my opinion, backed by numerous eyewitness reports, over one million Iraqis were killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom at the behest of Israel, through Israeli lobbyists and neo-conservative American officials, some of whom have duel Israeli/American citizenship.

(Some of these dual citizenship Americans served in the Israel army, but not the American army. Why didn’t these "dual citizens" also have enlisted in the American army, as well? This may be one illuminating factor regarding where their loyalties actually lie.)

The author of the blog asserts that Israelis have not been suicide bombers, hi-jackers, or bombers. That seems to be true on the surface of the facts with which we are presented.  

Hence, my third point:  I argue, why would they commit those acts knowing that it will incur the wrath of other nations, when they can cause a great amount of damage covertly?  (For example, there are many reports that the Mossad creates and engages in many conflicts.  If you think that sounds like a conspiracy theory, I say, read more!)

Fourth, Israelis have no need of resorting to such tactics; they have considerable military strength and international connections backing them up.

Israel's complaints that they are surrounded by enemies belies the fact that Israel has the most powerful army (financed and supplied by the U.S.) in the region, and possesses 200 or more nuclear weapons (that they will not admit they have).

Yes, anti-Semitism is alive.  However, more informed and thoughtful Americans, Israelis, Europeans, and other nationals will no longer be fooled by Zionists who label them as anti-Semitic simply for criticizing the unfair and dangerous policies of Israel.  They are not the same issue.  They are not excuses to hate Jews.  In fact, there are many intelligent, thoughtful people, among them Jews, who love Jews and Jewish culture, but who object to Israeli political actions in the Middle East.

Fifth, people are afraid of the strength and backing of the Israeli state and what that means for, not only Palestinians, but also the potential for world conflict erupting into WWIII.  This fear creates conditions for many people to hate the Jewish state—but not necessarily the Jews, themselves.  A crucial and important distinction needs to be made between a people and its country's politics.

Living many years in Greece, a pro-Palestinian country, I was exposed to another side of the propaganda machine.  There I had the opportunity to weigh carefully both sides of the argument.

 

In America, with so many pro-Israeli people at the helm of mass media, we are falling victim to propaganda.  Yes, the atrocities towards the Jews and many others are inexcusable.  We all seem to agree on that point.  However, using sympathies for Jews is a dirty tactic to convince the public that the Israel state is in the “right” and that we should continue supporting Zionist policies.  

Sixth, Judeo-Christian beliefs are also culpable for misplaced hatred.

Critical thinking skills are crucial to understanding this Arab/Israeli political morass--and courage to challenge the popular, misguided attitudes of the populace.

Increasing numbers of people in the world are sick of this incessant lethal tit-for-tat between Arabs and Jews and will no longer be persuaded by accusations of terrorism by state terrorists or otherwise.