Confront, Combat and Defeat Anti-Semitism in Every Form

Bentleyspop

Time for an opposing view....

Posted: Monday, January 13, 2014 10:35 am

For decades, the American Studies Association has labored in well-deserved obscurity. No longer. It's now made a name for itself by voting to boycott Israeli universities, accusing them of denying academic and human rights to Palestinians.

Given that Israel has a profoundly democratic political system, the freest press in the Middle East, a fiercely independent judiciary and astonishing religious and racial diversity within its universities, including affirmative action for Arab students, the charge is rather strange.

Made more so when you consider the state of human rights in Israel's neighborhood. As we speak, Syria's government is dropping "barrel bombs" filled with nails, shrapnel and other instruments of terror on its own cities. Where is the ASA boycott of Syria?

And of Iran, which hangs political, religious and even sexual dissidents and has no academic freedom at all? Or Egypt, where Christians are being openly persecuted? Or Turkey, Saudi Arabia or, for that matter, massively repressive China and Russia?

Which makes obvious that the ASA boycott has nothing to do with human rights. It's an exercise in radical chic, giving marginalized academics a frisson of pretend anti-colonialism, seasoned with a dose of edgy anti-Semitism.

Don't tell me this is merely about Zionism. The ruse is transparent. Israel is the world's only Jewish state. To apply to the state of the Jews a double standard that you apply to none other, to judge one people in a way you judge no other, to single out that one people for condemnation and isolation — is to engage in a gross act of discrimination.

And discrimination against Jews has a name. It's called anti-Semitism.

Former Harvard President Larry Summers called the ASA actions "anti-Semitic in their effect if not necessarily in their intent." I choose to be less polite. The intent is clear: to incite hatred for the largest — and only sovereign — Jewish community on earth.

What to do? Facing a similar (British) academic boycott of Israelis seven years ago, Alan Dershowitz and Nobel Prize-winning physicist Steven Weinberg wrote an open letter declaring that, for the purposes of any anti-Israel boycott, they are to be considered Israelis.

Meaning: You discriminate against Israelis? Fine. Include us out. We will have nothing to do with you.

Thousands of other academics added their signatures to the Dershowitz/Weinberg letter. It was the perfect in-kind response. Boycott the boycotters, with contempt.

But academia isn't the only home for such prejudice. Throughout the cultural world, the Israel boycott movement is growing. It's become fashionable for musicians, actors, writers and performers of all kinds to ostentatiously cleanse themselves of Israel and Israelis.

The example of the tuxedoed set has spread to the more coarse and unkempt anti-Semites, such as the thugs who a few years ago disrupted London performances of the Jerusalem Quartet and the Israeli Philharmonic.

In this sea of easy and open bigotry, an unusual man has made an unusual statement. Russian by birth, European by residence, Evgeny Kissin is arguably the world's greatest piano virtuoso. He is also a Jew of conviction. Deeply distressed by Israel's treatment in the cultural world around him, Kissin went beyond the Dershowitz/Weinberg stance of asking to be considered an Israeli. On Dec. 7, he became one, defiantly.

Upon taking the oath of Israeli citizenship in Jerusalem, he declared: "I am a Jew, Israel is a Jewish state. ... Israel's case is my case, Israel's enemies are my enemies, and I do not want to be spared the troubles which Israeli musicians encounter when they represent the Jewish state beyond its borders."

Full disclosure: I have a personal connection with Kissin. For the last two years, I've worked to bring him to Washington to perform for Pro Musica Hebraica, a nonprofit organization (founded by my wife and me) dedicated to reviving lost and forgotten Jewish classical music. We succeeded. On Feb. 24, Kissin will be performing at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall masterpieces of Eastern European Jewish music, his first U.S. appearance as an Israeli.

The persistence of anti-Semitism, that most ancient of poisons, is one of history's great mysteries. Even the shame of the Holocaust proved no antidote. It provided but a temporary respite. Anti-Semitism is back. Alas, a new generation must learn to confront it.

How? How to answer the thugs, physical and intellectual, who single out Jews for attack? The best way, the most dignified way, is to do like Dershowitz, Weinberg or Kissin.

Express your solidarity. Sign the open letter or write your own. Don the yellow star and wear it proudly.

Charles Krauthammer is a columnist for the Washington Post.

http://www.postbulletin.com/opinion/charles-krauthammer-confront-combat-and-defeat-anti-semitism-in-every/article_32c6b529-2b86-578d-ba20-a6fc6e84f5b7.html

mickeyrat

No thank you. I prefer to stand with those who vehemently disagree with a govermental policy that is similar to apartheid. You wish to call that anti semitic? well I support an americans right to free speech.

I cannot condone the actions by the israeli government.

gimmesometruth27

mickeyrat said:

No thank you. I prefer to stand with those who vehemently disagree with a govermental policy that is similar to apartheid. You wish to call that anti semitic? well I support an americans right to free speech.

I cannot condone the actions by the israeli government.

completely agreed.

those who stood by aparteid south africa have been judged harshly by history.

same will be said about those who stand by this criminal israeli government.

and guess what, america was on the wrong side of both of these issues.

is must be easy to have the trump card of calling everyone critical of the israeli government's policies an anti-semite.

Bentleyspop

*

Bentleyspop

Bentleyspop said:

Time for an opposing view....

Posted: Monday, January 13, 2014 10:35 am

For decades, the American Studies Association has labored in well-deserved obscurity. No longer. It's now made a name for itself by voting to boycott Israeli universities, accusing them of denying academic and human rights to Palestinians.

Given that Israel has a profoundly democratic political system, the freest press in the Middle East, a fiercely independent judiciary and astonishing religious and racial diversity within its universities, including affirmative action for Arab students, the charge is rather strange.

Made more so when you consider the state of human rights in Israel's neighborhood. As we speak, Syria's government is dropping "barrel bombs" filled with nails, shrapnel and other instruments of terror on its own cities. Where is the ASA boycott of Syria?

And of Iran, which hangs political, religious and even sexual dissidents and has no academic freedom at all? Or Egypt, where Christians are being openly persecuted? Or Turkey, Saudi Arabia or, for that matter, massively repressive China and Russia?

Which makes obvious that the ASA boycott has nothing to do with human rights. It's an exercise in radical chic, giving marginalized academics a frisson of pretend anti-colonialism, seasoned with a dose of edgy anti-Semitism.

Don't tell me this is merely about Zionism. The ruse is transparent. Israel is the world's only Jewish state. To apply to the state of the Jews a double standard that you apply to none other, to judge one people in a way you judge no other, to single out that one people for condemnation and isolation — is to engage in a gross act of discrimination.

And discrimination against Jews has a name. It's called anti-Semitism.

Former Harvard President Larry Summers called the ASA actions "anti-Semitic in their effect if not necessarily in their intent." I choose to be less polite. The intent is clear: to incite hatred for the largest — and only sovereign — Jewish community on earth.

What to do? Facing a similar (British) academic boycott of Israelis seven years ago, Alan Dershowitz and Nobel Prize-winning physicist Steven Weinberg wrote an open letter declaring that, for the purposes of any anti-Israel boycott, they are to be considered Israelis.

Meaning: You discriminate against Israelis? Fine. Include us out. We will have nothing to do with you.

Thousands of other academics added their signatures to the Dershowitz/Weinberg letter. It was the perfect in-kind response. Boycott the boycotters, with contempt.

But academia isn't the only home for such prejudice. Throughout the cultural world, the Israel boycott movement is growing. It's become fashionable for musicians, actors, writers and performers of all kinds to ostentatiously cleanse themselves of Israel and Israelis.

The example of the tuxedoed set has spread to the more coarse and unkempt anti-Semites, such as the thugs who a few years ago disrupted London performances of the Jerusalem Quartet and the Israeli Philharmonic.

In this sea of easy and open bigotry, an unusual man has made an unusual statement. Russian by birth, European by residence, Evgeny Kissin is arguably the world's greatest piano virtuoso. He is also a Jew of conviction. Deeply distressed by Israel's treatment in the cultural world around him, Kissin went beyond the Dershowitz/Weinberg stance of asking to be considered an Israeli. On Dec. 7, he became one, defiantly.

Upon taking the oath of Israeli citizenship in Jerusalem, he declared: "I am a Jew, Israel is a Jewish state. ... Israel's case is my case, Israel's enemies are my enemies, and I do not want to be spared the troubles which Israeli musicians encounter when they represent the Jewish state beyond its borders."

Full disclosure: I have a personal connection with Kissin. For the last two years, I've worked to bring him to Washington to perform for Pro Musica Hebraica, a nonprofit organization (founded by my wife and me) dedicated to reviving lost and forgotten Jewish classical music. We succeeded. On Feb. 24, Kissin will be performing at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall masterpieces of Eastern European Jewish music, his first U.S. appearance as an Israeli.

The persistence of anti-Semitism, that most ancient of poisons, is one of history's great mysteries. Even the shame of the Holocaust proved no antidote. It provided but a temporary respite. Anti-Semitism is back. Alas, a new generation must learn to confront it.

How? How to answer the thugs, physical and intellectual, who single out Jews for attack? The best way, the most dignified way, is to do like Dershowitz, Weinberg or Kissin.

Express your solidarity. Sign the open letter or write your own. Don the yellow star and wear it proudly.

Charles Krauthammer is a columnist for the Washington Post.

http://www.postbulletin.com/opinion/charles-krauthammer-confront-combat-and-defeat-anti-semitism-in-every/article_32c6b529-2b86-578d-ba20-a6fc6e84f5b7.html

gimmesometruth27

funny how krauthammer takes this postion on israel, yet he is not so fast to defend other minoritiy groups in his own country.

i am sure if he calls me an antisemite for my criticism of the israeli government and it's policies, i can call him a racist because of his support for cutting programs that assist the poor and minorities.

Thirty Bills Unpaid

The title of the thread has been changed.

I agree with the thread title.

I also agree that anti-semitism should not be thrown at people when they question ruthless Israeli policies that leave much to be desired.

Bentleyspop

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

The title of the thread has been changed.

I agree with the thread title.

I also agree that anti-semitism should not be thrown at people when they question ruthless Israeli policies that leave much to be desired.

Why would the title of the thread been changed?

I can tell you that as the original poster that the title of the thread has not been changed.
I copied and pasted the title of the article as it was posted in the postbulletin.
Check the link I posted if you think the title was changed.

Thirty Bills Unpaid

Bentleyspop said:

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

The title of the thread has been changed.

I agree with the thread title.

I also agree that anti-semitism should not be thrown at people when they question ruthless Israeli policies that leave much to be desired.

Why would the title of the thread been changed?

I can tell you that as the original poster that the title of the thread has not been changed.
I copied and pasted the title of the article as it was posted in the postbulletin.
Check the link I posted if you think the title was changed.

Sorry. You are right.

The first line in the first post was so strong that subconsciously I thought of this thread as 'that' thread.

Again... apologies for my confusion.

Byrnzie

"To apply to the state of the Jews a double standard that you apply to none other, to judge one people in a way you judge no other, to single out that one people for condemnation and isolation — is to engage in a gross act of discrimination."

Interesting piece of gibberish from this Jewish neo-Conservative.
What double standard is being applied? Have Iran or Syria been engaged in a 60 year campaign of ethnic cleansing and Apartheid?

VivaPalestina

Byrnzie said:

"To apply to the state of the Jews a double standard that you apply to none other, to judge one people in a way you judge no other, to single out that one people for condemnation and isolation — is to engage in a gross act of discrimination."

Interesting piece of gibberish from this Jewish neo-Conservative.
What double standard is being applied? Have Iran or Syria been engaged in a 60 year campaign of ethnic cleansing and Apartheid?

If he replaced Palestinians with Jews in that quote, then that would be more accurate. One of the tenets of Zionism has to be hypocrisy.

mattsl1983

I find it fascinating the shift of support that was once for Israel and now for Palestenians.

Byrnzie

mattsl1983 said:

I find it fascinating the shift of support that was once for Israel and now for Palestenians.

The World has wized up a lot. Just need the mainstream media, and American politicians, to catch up.

mattsl1983

Byrnzie said:

mattsl1983 said:

I find it fascinating the shift of support that was once for Israel and now for Palestenians.

The World has wized up a lot. Just need the mainstream media, and American politicians, to catch up.

Can I ask how it has wized up? I am also informed so I'd like to hear your view on it.

Idris

mattsl1983 said:

Byrnzie said:

mattsl1983 said:

I find it fascinating the shift of support that was once for Israel and now for Palestenians.

The World has wized up a lot. Just need the mainstream media, and American politicians, to catch up.

Can I ask how it has wized up? I am also informed so I'd like to hear your view on it.

you're also informed, then whats your view on it? (I'd like to hear your view on it, I don't come across many informed people)

mattsl1983

My ultimate view is there will never be a resolution until the people in the Middle East get over their religious hate towards each other. Which will never happen. I am however more interested in the change of support from Israel to Palestinians in our culture. It seems like it started a few years ago and now there are many sympathizers. I am just curious if it has been the way the news has portrayed it in recent years, or if it is because it's the in thing to say now, or if people have actually made informed decisions on their own.

gimmesometruth27

mattsl1983 said:

My ultimate view is there will never be a resolution until the people in the Middle East get over their religious hate towards each other. Which will never happen. I am however more interested in the change of support from Israel to Palestinians in our culture. It seems like it started a few years ago and now there are many sympathizers. I am just curious if it has been the way the news has portrayed it in recent years, or if it is because it's the in thing to say now, or if people have actually made informed decisions on their own.

it is not the way the media portrays it, because they absolutely do not cover it in the states because aipac is too comfortable wih people in high places. i learned about it because i had an australian girlfriend who was very knowledgable of the situation. she had me start reading newspapers from other countries, and from there i began to do my own research. i have learned a lot, on this very forum, from people in other countries on both sides of this issue. the way i see it, there will never, ever, be peace there until israel stops stealing land and building illegal settlements on that land. the embargo was very cruel to the palestinians. it is hard to be free when you have a boot on your throat. and there will never be peace there until a president of the united states will not be up the arse of the israeli prime minister. there will never be peace until an american administration will not use its automatic veto power to veto motions critical of israel at the UN. we have a chance with obama and bibi not seeing eye to eye, but obama is too conservative to make any real waves in that conflict. such a damn shame.

gimmesometruth27

and just to add to my prior post, that relationship with that aussie did not work out. but she did open my eyes to the situation over there. before i met her, i sided with israel, because i was ignorant, and like a good american patriot i thought the way they wanted me to. thanks to her for opening my eyes to this injustice. i learned a lot about life being involved with someone from a different country. i recommend everybody try it at least once.

brianlux

gimmesometruth27 said:

and just to add to my prior post, that relationship with that aussie did not work out. but she did open my eyes to the situation over there. before i met her, i sided with israel, because i was ignorant, and like a good american patriot i thought the way they wanted me to. thanks to her for opening my eyes to this injustice. i learned a lot about life being involved with someone from a different country. i recommend everybody try it at least once.

For sure, gimme, whether that involvement be a girl friend, boy friend or any good friend. Having friends from other countries has help me get a different perspective on my own country and a broader sense of the world we all share.

As for supporting Palestine or Israel- the first time I paid much attention to that situation was when Bob Dylan came out with his "Infidels" record. I figured a) it's Bob so it must be good, b) he is (or at least was?) very passionate about his feeling toward Israel and c) I didn't have much other information to go on. I also had a friend who was passionately pro- Israel so I figured that was the way to go. Over the years I've become more inclined to feel neutral about this conflict because there have been injustices on both sides. My basic feeling is that this is another form of endless war, that neither side will ever compromise (not that I necessarily support compromising). It's a terrible situation that has had little hope for peace. I hope I'm wrong about that..

gimmesometruth27

brianlux said:

gimmesometruth27 said:

and just to add to my prior post, that relationship with that aussie did not work out. but she did open my eyes to the situation over there. before i met her, i sided with israel, because i was ignorant, and like a good american patriot i thought the way they wanted me to. thanks to her for opening my eyes to this injustice. i learned a lot about life being involved with someone from a different country. i recommend everybody try it at least once.

For sure, gimme, whether that involvement be a girl friend, boy friend or any good friend. Having friends from other countries has help me get a different perspective on my own country and a broader sense of the world we all share.

As for supporting Palestine or Israel- the first time I paid much attention to that situation was when Bob Dylan came out with his "Infidels" record. I figured a) it's Bob so it must be good, b) he is (or at least was?) very passionate about his feeling toward Israel and c) I didn't have much other information to go on. I also had a friend who was passionately pro- Israel so I figured that was the way to go. Over the years I've become more inclined to feel neutral about this conflict because there have been injustices on both sides. My basic feeling is that this is another form of endless war, that neither side will ever compromise (not that I necessarily support compromising). It's a terrible situation that has had little hope for peace. I hope I'm wrong about that..

its a big world out there, but places like this and the internet make it feel much smaller. having friends from other countries and communicating with them on a regular basis keeps me honest. it keeps my eyes open so that i am not blinded to the plight of other people. it makes me be less americacentric, if that is even a word.... it is not all about me, it is all about us. this world we live in is a crazy place. maybe one day the saner angels will win the day and we can have peace for everybody.

you say there are injustices on both sides. the injustices committed by palestinian extremists or islamic militants are a direct result and a direct consequence of israel's stealing of land, displacing palestinians, killing of palestinians, destroying and burning palestinian olive groves, destroying the palestinian economy, the blockade, etc. all of the injiustices from "the other side" are a direct result of the israeli goverment's policies. one begets the other. israel has the power to make peace, but they do not want to. why would they give up the land that they have acquired? an economic boycott of israel and isolating them at the UN are the next steps, but unfortunately i do not think this will ever happen in my lifetime.

know1

I don't even understand anti-Semitism.