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.

FOREIGNER'S VIEWS ON AMERICA

PICTURE CREDIT:  ROLLING STONE

An Indian friend of mine asked:  “Is the world looking at a turbulent America?”

He stated that the world has traditionally had a perception of America as a strong, affluent, advanced nation. In addition, American has been viewed in the past as a rich nation and strong military super power.

In view of the recent Occupy Wall Street demonstrations, he asked if that image has changed? Is America at crossroads financially and politically? Is this the most turbulent times in America’s history? I believe he asked very good questions.

I believe that only in third world countries does the positive image of America exist. Unfortunately, many people in the developed world now see America only as arrogant, narrow, and gluttonous (as we sometimes are).

There have been times that are more turbulent in American history, but not with the potentially wide-reaching devastating effect of today’s “small world”. This fact creates fear and anger toward America. The consensus does not appear positive.

Another young woman gave answers that struck me as naïve and uninformed. This woman, an intelligent, outspoken, hard right-winger, dramatically insisted that the fall of America will be inevitable when Americans are criticizing free enterprise and business. (Some younger people are very opinionated. The less they know, the more they know.)

Of course, what we are actually protesting against is a system where free enterprise is disappearing and the cards are unfairly stacked against us by the elite 1%. I believe, if someone does not see how we no longer have a truly free economy and that the elite are stealing from the 99%, they are in deep denial or blind.

For good measure, she added a personal attack on “those Americans” who support the Palestinian cause. If we show any sympathy or support to the Arabs, we are truly lost! That statement struck me as highly ironic considering that it is our adversarial stance toward the Arabs and support of the Zionist state that has stirred up Arab resentment and hatred against us.

A GREAT POSTER HELD AT AN OWS DEMONSTRATION

Are there faults with America and its economic and political policies?  Yes, yes, yes!  However, they are not so easily classified. The reasons for our declining position as a super power is a subject of great debate.

Another person remarked, “I think the idealistic image of America is gone and, like a Polaroid film camera, America needs to reinvent and re-market itself in order to stay relevant to modern times.” Yes, the image is fading, but the solution will not be found in better publicity and marketing, but rather in clear actions that are beneficial to the world.

If you are a super power, you are under scrutiny. You are vulnerable to much criticism. Some driving forces of criticism are jealousy, but mostly others are because of America’s attitudes of entitlement in other countries. (No country really likes foreign bases on their soil. Put yourself in their shoes.) They view American politics as dangerous—and I understand their fears. People tend to hate what they fear.

U.S. SAILORS MOVE SUPPLIES TO JAPAN

Yet, there are other foreigners, those who gain from American expansionism, those who remember the young men who sacrificed their lives in Europe, those who have traveled and are more educated and sophisticated, realizing that Americans are not necessarily their politics—and that they are all different!

I believe people from other countries see America as becoming more aware of the existing problems and other problems American politics are instigating along with their global consequences.

Perhaps they look at America now and gloat, seeing that America is struggling financially.  "Just desserts"?  Or they worry that, for all their antipathy toward America, they realize they would rather have America be the superpower than the other options.

USA HELPING INDIA WITH WATER SOURCES

Then there are those foreigners that may look at the “Occupy Wall Street” movement as courageous, active people at the forefront, trying to do something about America’s financial straits. They may remember that Americans often speak up and fight for their rights.

Obviously, many foreigners agree that the OWS are on the right track. As evidence, we see other countries following suit with 1500 OWS demonstrations around the world. Both Americans and foreigners are becoming more informed and sophisticated in realizing that the financial situation is not America’s isolated problem.

Some may look upon OWS and wonder at the coming together of so many different races and religions for not only an American cause but a world cause! Hopefully, the world will see that Americans are not American politics. Hopefully, they will recognize that, in contrast, most Americans care about not only their country's welfare but also the welfare of other countries!

My hope is that, as I have differentiated foreigners in this post, they will realize that generalizations are not always true.  I also hope that they will think for themselves, leaving out party political propaganda and cultural conditioning.