Rattling the Cage: Provoking anti-Semitism

[ProgressiveMuslim]

Feb. 26, 2009
Larry Derfner , THE JERUSALEM POST
First we left the Gaza Strip in bloodied ruins. Then we raised up a politician who, with his appeal to racism, militarism, fear of alien "subversives" and the yearning for a strong leader, fits the classic, textbook definition of a fascist.

And now, what is the talking point for our hasbara (spin) campaign? The surge in global anti-Semitism.

It's hard to avoid the impression that for the champions of Israel Right or Wrong, the surge in global anti-Semitism - which is real enough - came as a godsend. Finally, Israel and its lobbyists could get off the defensive about civilian casualties, white phosphorous and Avigdor Lieberman, and go on the offensive against synagogue firebombings, chanting mobs and boycotts.

I'm not saying Israel and its cheerleaders are happy that Jews are coming under increasing attack in Europe and elsewhere. Environmentalists aren't happy about oil spills - but oil spills are a godsend for their cause. I'm saying that the chorus of condemnations of anti-Semitism from Israelis and pro-Israel nationalists has a dual purpose - to fight anti-Semitism, which is good, and to neutralize criticism of Operation Cast Lead and the spread of Israeli fascism, which is cynical and morally deadening.

THE CLAIM we hear is that anti-Semitism today is worse than it's been since the 1930s. That may be true, but it overlooks one little thing that's different about the Jews of today compared to those of the 1930s: power. The Jews back then had none, or at least none that could protect them, while Israel, the focus of today's rise in anti-Semitism, has awesome power. Incomparably more power than its enemies have, including the anti-Semites, who are legion.

In the 1930s, Jews didn't do anything to provoke anti-Semitism. They were weak while their persecutors were strong. But today? Today's surge in anti-Semitism began with a war in which the Jewish state killed its enemies at a ratio of 100-to-1, then made a political giant out of a former bouncer whose campaign slogan was "Only Lieberman understands Arabic."

To compare Israel's predicament today with that of the Jews of the 1930s is disingenuous in the extreme. Today's rise in anti-Semitism was provoked not by Israel's weakness, but by its abuses of power, first against the Gazans, then against Israeli Arabs. The difference is night and day.


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[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[cali]

2. yes, those sneaky, awful Jews

do you realize how your comment comes off? perhaps you should take a clue from the article posted, and stop with the broadbrush smearing. It's quite disgusting. Had someone written "Muslims are very good at playing the victim- or whatever- I'd find it equally disturbing.

[liberal N proud]

5. Yes it was broad brush and shouldn't have been

I don't know how to call out only those that are quick to the call of anti-semitism.
It not much different than the Christans crying war on Christmas or that they are persecuted except the Jews that are using anti semitism have a lot of history to back up their calls and in many cases it is true.

But I think that some overuse the term and thus diminish the use of anti-semitism.

I really bothers me that when criticisms are raised and any group plays the victim if they truly are not.

[cali]

6. there are just as many pre-emptive claims of "I'll be called an anti-semite if..."

as false claims of anti-semitism. Newsflash: People play stupid rhetorical games. And it's hardly relegated to the Jews or the Muslims or the Christians or any other group. And yeah, considering the history of anti-semitism in the world and its repercussions it's quite different from cries of the war on christmas.

[cali]

3. The author makes some very good points.

I don't think it can be argued that many Israeli politicians and defenders of Israel outside that country, are indeed using the uptick of anti-semitism to sidetrack criticism of Israel's actions against the Palestinians. He also takes care to note that most of the anti-semitism in the world is not caused by Israel's actions. To this I'd add that for many anti-semites, Israel's actions are simply a convenient structure to hide behind and to indulge in their hate of choice.

[oberliner]

4. Wow - you are posting on Op Ed from JPost?

Considering your comments (complaints?) about JPost being frequently linked to on this forum, that seems pretty surprising.

Perhaps the site isn't as RW as you thought?

Or do you post this opinion piece to point out how wrongheaded it is?

[ProgressiveMuslim]

7. When have I complained about Jpost? You have never heard me use the words "RW" to complain

about anything.

Unlike LB, I think "RW" and "LW" are completely devoid of meaning when it comes to this conflict. The LW is full of people who are progressive except for Palestine.

Israel's "LW" has built more settlements and imprisoned more Palestinians than the so-called RW.

I think you confuse me with another poster.

The only source that makes me blow my lid is anything related to racist hate-monger Daniel Pipes.

[oberliner]

8. That's why I put in paranthesis and with a question mark

I wasn't sure if you were complaining when you pointed out that "Jpost is linked daily" - thanks for clarifying that it was not a complaint but rather an observation.

I would note that Daniel Pipes is a regular contributor to JPost.