Is it "anti-Arab" to not be pro-Palestinian?

[JackNewtown]

There has been much talk about whether not supporting all or nearly all of Israel's actions is anti-Semitic. The flip side of this, that of anti-Arab racism, which believe it or not does exist, is very rarely mentioned. Is it a mere coincidence that the only pro-Israel country also happens to have a high level of anti-Arab racism?

Personally I don't think any nation is exempt from criticism. It is not anti-Arab to not reflexively back anything the Palestinians do and it is not anti-Semitic to not back everything Israel does.

[mike_c]

1. no no no-- you're confusing the issue with logic....

That argument is only supposed to work for Israel-- not for the other semites in the region....

[DemocratSinceBirth]

2. I Believe

I believe the Israelis and the Palestinians are both entitled to homelands where they can fulfill their nationalist aspirations.

[Ken Burch]

3. Well, if you don't support the establishment of a Palestinian state.

you don't really have the right to ask the other Arab countries to make peace with Israel.

[sistersofmercy]

4. Nope it does not and my criticism of Saudi doesn't make me

anti-arabic either. Just as my criticism of the Israeli government's actions doesn't make me an antisemite.
A question was posed on another thread about the lack of criticism of places like Saudi but my guess is if a poll was posted about the most brutally oppressive country that Saudi would win in a landslide.

[JackNewtown]

5. Saudi Arabia

The lack of criticism is primarily due to the lack of coverage of its crimes. Moreover, Saudi Arabia doesn't advertise itself as progressive. We also don't give Saudi Arabia $3-4 billion a year and exempt it from international penalities. I don't think Saudi Arabia is the right example. We also don't have much leverage against it. We have to focus our efforts where we can make the most difference. Egypt is a better example IMO, given the $2 billion we give it each year. Still, Egypt also gets little coverage and people expect it to commit its crimes. Israel invites additional scrutiny by advertising itself as progressive. If Israel stated publicly what the neocons say privaely, Israel would get less criticism in the West.

[JCMach1]

6. You should here Saudis talk about their home country

they are more scathing than I would ever be...