Powerfully argued. I would only add that some of the blame for the conflation of anti-Zionism with antisemitism lies with Netanyahu and his supporters in Israel and abroad who use the antisemitic accusation indiscriminately in order to attack and undermine legitimate criticism of the policies of the current Israeli Government. And I write this as someone who identifies as a Zionist - to the extent of accepting Israel's right to exist and the value of Jews having a 'homeland' (the original words of the Balfour Declaration).
Remember the qualification in the declaration " it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country." Rather conveniently and permanently overlooked by the invaders. That, as I understand it, was put in partly because the AG at the time was very humane and knew that the Palestinians were well established.
Yes but I am looking for an answer as to why- why is anti-semitism on the rise? Why are anti-racists not protesting? I think the answer may be because many people ( Jews and non-Jews) are angry with the Israeli government and Israeli government policies. I as a Jew feel let down by these policies. I say not in my name. I am not against the state of Israel but what it has become and is becoming. We are told that
Wise and rationally argued as always! It is so important in these divided times to hold on to the notions that two things can be true at once. The acts of Hamas can be abhorrent without slipping into defending the indefensible actions of the Israeli government in Gaza by default as have our last governments.
I am interested to hear your view of this Robin. Once again this the weekend we heard guests on BBC broadcasts calling Palestinian Marches “ hate marches” which is an observation they are perfectly entitled to make. However in no case did the presenter do what they would do in any other case and point out that it is a contested observation that millions of British people would disagree with.
Many on the far left are antisemitic. That's what happened under Calamity Corbyn's leadership of the Labour Party. For them they use Zionism in place of Jews, "I am not antisemitic, I am anti Zionism" is their cry just like the far right racists, "I am not racist but....."
Such depressing whataboutery, which for its effect relies on both a) the notion that there has been no important change in this country since 1947, and that b) the notion that the Enlightenment had no discernible effect on the views of British people.
The sharp rise in anti-Semitic violence in recent years has been caused by the sharp rise in the Muslim population (leading to a parallel increase in the Islamist population), and by the acceptance into the political mainstream of a party that has been thoroughly infiltrated by Islamists. It has not been caused by anything else.
Nothing the matter with a bit of whataboutery? Rory, for who's link, thanks, whatabouted a purely imaginary situation. If we can't cite other events without being labelled for Whataboutery our thinking about and talking about is bound to be inhibited. All strategies are to be welcomed if they are deployed with sincerity. Criticise the efficacy by all means, but don't label for disdain and dismissal.
Whataboutery is intended to carry the idea "there is nothing to see here because after all, what about this/that/the other - so move along". That doesn't apply to Rory's piece.
The pro-Palestinian marches, which are not hate marches, always contain a large number of Jews, ,who make their identity known and who believe Palestine is being maltreated. On one march, crossing a bridge, there was a whole line of them cheerfully occupying the bridge. If only the Israelis were so generous!
Powerfully argued. I would only add that some of the blame for the conflation of anti-Zionism with antisemitism lies with Netanyahu and his supporters in Israel and abroad who use the antisemitic accusation indiscriminately in order to attack and undermine legitimate criticism of the policies of the current Israeli Government. And I write this as someone who identifies as a Zionist - to the extent of accepting Israel's right to exist and the value of Jews having a 'homeland' (the original words of the Balfour Declaration).
Remember the qualification in the declaration " it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country." Rather conveniently and permanently overlooked by the invaders. That, as I understand it, was put in partly because the AG at the time was very humane and knew that the Palestinians were well established.
"civil and religious rights"
To be clear, though, those rights don't include the right to one's own state.
Yes but I am looking for an answer as to why- why is anti-semitism on the rise? Why are anti-racists not protesting? I think the answer may be because many people ( Jews and non-Jews) are angry with the Israeli government and Israeli government policies. I as a Jew feel let down by these policies. I say not in my name. I am not against the state of Israel but what it has become and is becoming. We are told that
Wise and rationally argued as always! It is so important in these divided times to hold on to the notions that two things can be true at once. The acts of Hamas can be abhorrent without slipping into defending the indefensible actions of the Israeli government in Gaza by default as have our last governments.
I am interested to hear your view of this Robin. Once again this the weekend we heard guests on BBC broadcasts calling Palestinian Marches “ hate marches” which is an observation they are perfectly entitled to make. However in no case did the presenter do what they would do in any other case and point out that it is a contested observation that millions of British people would disagree with.
Many on the far left are antisemitic. That's what happened under Calamity Corbyn's leadership of the Labour Party. For them they use Zionism in place of Jews, "I am not antisemitic, I am anti Zionism" is their cry just like the far right racists, "I am not racist but....."
"1947/1936/1190"
Such depressing whataboutery, which for its effect relies on both a) the notion that there has been no important change in this country since 1947, and that b) the notion that the Enlightenment had no discernible effect on the views of British people.
The sharp rise in anti-Semitic violence in recent years has been caused by the sharp rise in the Muslim population (leading to a parallel increase in the Islamist population), and by the acceptance into the political mainstream of a party that has been thoroughly infiltrated by Islamists. It has not been caused by anything else.
Worthwhile reading: https://roryhanrahan.substack.com/p/jew-hate-bingo
Nothing the matter with a bit of whataboutery? Rory, for who's link, thanks, whatabouted a purely imaginary situation. If we can't cite other events without being labelled for Whataboutery our thinking about and talking about is bound to be inhibited. All strategies are to be welcomed if they are deployed with sincerity. Criticise the efficacy by all means, but don't label for disdain and dismissal.
Whataboutery is intended to carry the idea "there is nothing to see here because after all, what about this/that/the other - so move along". That doesn't apply to Rory's piece.
The pro-Palestinian marches, which are not hate marches, always contain a large number of Jews, ,who make their identity known and who believe Palestine is being maltreated. On one march, crossing a bridge, there was a whole line of them cheerfully occupying the bridge. If only the Israelis were so generous!