Zapatero (Spain's PM) accused over 'anti-Semitic' row with Israel

[Julius Civitatus]

Oy!!! Seems like Zapatero is picking sides.

Zapatero accused over 'anti-Semitic' row with Israel

20 July 2006

MADRID — A diplomatic row blew up on Thursday after Jose Luis Rodríguez Zapatero criticised Israel then was photographed wearing a Palestinian headscarf.

Israel's ambassador to Spain, Victor Harel, said relations between both countries "were not at their best moment" owing to the prime minister's "tough and unjust" attack on his country.

Zapatero said condemned the use of "abusive force" in Lebanon, making an implicit attack on Israel.

And, in an illusion to the United States, Zapatero criticised Washington's tacit approval of Israel's war against Lebanon, saying "the silences of today could become the regrets of tomorrow".

He made the comments at a student socialist meeting in Alicante on

....

http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=81&story_id=31706&name=Zapatero+accused+over+'anti-Semitic'+row+with+Israel

I personally think it's not appropriate for the leader of any industrialized nation to do something like this during this crisis, especially after he's made some controversial comments that have been interpreted as anti-semitic.

Not wise, diplomatically.

[marmar]

1. What were the comments that were considered anti-Semitic?

Was it "abusive force"?

[Julius Civitatus]

9. It comes from a few months back

I read this in a European newspaper. During a reception in which he invited to the presidential palace several celebrities (including the Benarroch family, fancy fashion designers of Sephardic Jewish origin), the conversation turned to the Israel/Palestine conflict. The debate got really heated, and Zapatero was quoted as saying:

"...es que se entiende que haya quien justifique el Holocausto".

It's now understandable that some may justify the Holocaust.

Zapatero allegedly said that in reference to some comments made by islamic leaders, according to the report (only covered by some newspapers).

Major faux-pas, if true. Note, this has been denied by the PM's spokesperson.

Nevertheless, the Benarroch family stopped all relations with Zapatero after that spat. Since then, there have been more official events and speeches in which Zapatero has condemned Israel's actions, without mentioning the terrorist acts of Hizbolla. Isreaeli embassador protested the apparent partiality of Zapatero.

Snowball effect, now aggravated by Zapatero wearing the Palestinian scarf at a socialist meeting.

[marmar]

13. It could be one of those phrases that didn't translate well...

Not to make excuses for Zapatero - I don't know a great deal about him (except that I'm glad he beat the neocon Partido Popular) - but I know that after having taken 5 college semesters of Spanish, there are so many phrases where the word-by-word translation isn't what actually is meant. Just one possibility.

[Julius Civitatus]

19. No translation was required: they were all Spaniards

and he said that phrase in Spanish. And it sounds as awful in Spanish as it does in English.

The Benarroch family are Sephardic Jews, that is, Spanish Jews.

[marmar]

22. Claro que si.

Entiendo.

[Charlie Brown]

2. donning the scarf was politically very unwise

I can't complain about his criticism of Israel and Washington, though.

[IndianaGreen]

11. Zapatero is a socialist and as such he will be aligned with the oppressed

and in the Middle East there is no one more oppressed than the Palestinians.

[Charlie Brown]

15. in fairness, does that give Jews in Spain any reason to support Zapatero?

If he wears an emblem for a government that's currently run by Hamas, what possible reason is there for anyone of Jewish descent to support Zapatero? It seems to me he invited this criticism on himself, particularly in a country with a very negative history of anti-semitism. "Socialists" are supposed to unite, not take sides.

When is he going to wear scarves for all the other "oppressed" peoples of the world?

[IndianaGreen]

20. If Hamas were not in control of PA, you will still be hearing the complain

because it mostly comes from people that want to deny Palestinian statehood, and that in the more extreme cases, they even deny Palestinians their humanity.

[Charlie Brown]

24. why should Zapatero wear a scarf representing a foriegn gov't?

The people elected his party to serve the interests of Spaniards and people in Spain, not Palestinians or Israelis or Americans or Russians or anyone else. It's not Spain's business to take sides in Mid-East affairs any more than it is America's business, as I'm sure most Socialists would agree.

He's giving his opponents a weapon and antagonizing who knows how many Spaniards.

[omenapoint]

33. My ass.

He's just anti-Jew and an idiot. Can't Spain do better?

Why defend a guy like that?

[IndianaGreen]

36. Zapatero is not an anti-Jew. The anti-Semitic libel is getting overused

The biggest anti-Semites are found among Israel's friends. They are the Christian wackos whose support for Israel is solely predicated on the need to have Jews in Israel so that their Christ can return. In their apocalyptic theology, Jesus returns, Jews are converted, and those that won't convert are slain. Judaism ceases to exist in the Christian Apocalypse!

These are the same "friends of Israel" that accused Sharon of being a Hitler for pulling out of Gaza!

If I want to find anti-Semitism, I need to look no further than the Southern Baptist Convention or Focus on the Family. There are more anti-Semites there than we got them on the Left, and we do have our share of them.

[Julius Civitatus]

12. That's my point. It's unwise and silly for a head of state to do that

in the middle of this awful crisis. In my opinion (and I follow the European news), I think Zapatero has been a bit juvenile and impulsive, leading to situations like this one.

[Mass]

3. Why is this antisemitic? He is criticizing Israel's policies.

All other European countries with the exception of England have been doing the same.

[ShockediSay]

10. And AIPAC would call that anti-Semitic ... n/t

[shance]

4. Why in the world is it okay for people to "recognize" Israel and

it is NOT OKAY for people to show support and "recognize" Palestine?

What could possibly be more prejudiced and biased?

[Charlie Brown]

7. it's pretty careless for a head of state to wear another country's emblem

and it will give his opponents a ton of fodder to use against him. It was unwise for Zapatero to put on the scarf.

[IndianaGreen]

18. Palestinians don't have a country of their own... yet!

Zapatero's opponents are the Spanish Catholic Church, which gave birth to Opus Dei and is to the right of conservative American Catholics (more Papalist than the Pope), and a GOP type rightwing.

[Charlie Brown]

23. He certainly gave them a lot of ammo by wearing that scarf

now they can claim that the Socialists are puppets of Hamas, and want to destroy Israel.

It was a dumb thing for him to do.

[IndianaGreen]

25. Socialists don't give a shit about what the rightwing thinks or says

and solidarity with movements of national independence has been a Socialist core value since the days of Marx and Engels.

[Charlie Brown]

26. Socialists had better care about staying in power

or there will be plenty of Aznars happy to take their place. Antagonizing voters does not win elections.

Solidarity with all ethnicities has been a core value, and that kind of posturing does not send a uniting image to Jews or anyone of Jewish descent in Spain.

[IndianaGreen]

28. We are not a monolithic lot

Had he worn a suicide belt, his critics would have had a case for it represents not liberation, but the killing of innocents.

[ProudDad]

37. GET REAL

It's just a fucking scarf!!!

It's not a flag, it's not a symbol of any govt. It's a damn scarf...

And I'm getting tired of Semites dissing us Socialists. That's Anti-Social....

[wellst0nev0ter]

41. Golda Meir Didn't Recognize Palestinians

and she's a national hero.

Go figure.

[Mass]

5. OK, it is a criticism from the RW in Spain. Using such a crisis for

political gain is shocking, but not surprising coming from a party that used a bombing in his own country to try to win the elections by hiding the truth.

The picture, carried on the front page of some newspapers on Thursday, was attacked by the opposition conservative Popular Party as "anti-Semitic".

[marmar]

8. "to try to win the elections by hiding the truth"

Then had it blow up in their faces.

[Peace Patriot]

17. O-o-o-oh, it's the FASCISTS calling him "anti-semitic"!

Criminy! Who cares what they say? They are like the fascists here. They'll say anything. "Liberals are terrorists." You know the rap.

This doesn't do Israel's cause any good--calling every critic "anti-semitic," and having fascists like Anznar, Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld on your side. Who freed Europe from the Nazis, and saved and cared for the Holocaust survivors? FDR and his far left government. Who created progressive social policy in the United States, that banned discrimination against Jews and all minorities? The socialists, communists and leftists who led every social movement.

Israel is making a HUGE MISTAKE allying itself with fascists. The Bush junta couldn't care less about Israel, or anyone in the Middle East. They just want the OIL. And they will abandon Israel in a moment, if they see profit advantage. They are major shits! Israel! Israel! Stop allying yourself with Bush! Stop acting like Bush! Wake up!

[Julius Civitatus]

21. It's the embassador of Israel, among others

Just wanted to clarify. I think they are justified on calling Zapatero on some things he has said recently.

[cantstandbush]

6. It's standard procedure to by Israeli supporters to label as anti-Semitic

anyone who criticizes Israel, Israeli policies, Israeli leadership...no matter what. But that tactic is weraing very thin these days.

[daleo]

14. Politicians put on symbolic headgear all the time

I think more than a few have put on garments linked to the Jewish religion as well. It is easy enough to find photos of both Bush and Clinton wearing yarmulkes by googling (you get some weird sites, though).

Dukakis did look funny with the tank driver headgear, as did Harper with the cowboy hat (Canadian reference).

Not too much should be made of politicians and headgear.

[yardwork]

16. I don't think we're getting the full story

The right wing will do anything to try to make Zapatero look bad. Personally, I wish we had a leader who did 10% of what Zapatero has done for human rights.

[High Plains]

27. I'd wager more people are bent out of shape about this...

...on this board than in Spain.

On edit: Some posters forget that Israel's brutal policies are almost universally abhorred, especially in Europe, and not just by "terrorists and their supporters."

And crying "anti-semitism" is just plain feeble and pathetic.

[High Plains]

29. crying "anti-semitism" is just plain feeble and pathetic in this instance.

Sorry, can only edit once, I guess.

[Julius Civitatus]

31. Wrong. This is huge over there. Cover of all newspapers in Spain

Come on, it was a dumb thing to do for a politician.

[High Plains]

32. Hmm, just checked El Pais. Couldn't find a word about it.

[Julius Civitatus]

42. El Pais covered it too, as well as the TV channels

Here's some samples:

http://www.elpais.es/multimedia/player_video.html?xref=20060720elpepunac_2&type=Ves

http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2006/07/20/espana/1153387842.html

http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/143094/0/zapatero/israel/palestino

http://www.abc.es/20060720/nacional-nacional/moratinos-ante-embajador-israel_200607201647.html

It has also become a minor scandal in Israel:

http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/740965.html

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3278919,00.html

[MrPrax]

30. Here's a much more imflammatory

version of the same story:

In Spain, anti-Semitism is new leftist trend

Madrid: Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Prime Minister of Spain and Secretary General of the Socialist Party, arrived to power at a time nobody expected, not even inside the Party.

Keen on populist tirades against the United States "Dickhead Bush" and "Ketchup Queen Kerry", his whole campaign did not bring much attention until the moment Al-Qaeda decided to blow up Madrid trains, killing almost 200 people and bringing to an end Spain's membership of the West.

From that moment on, everybody knew nothing would be the same, and Spanish Jews knew there were hard times ahead. Prime Minister Zapatero has not disappointed them.

...

If the United States does not want to see the American embassy in Madrid full of Jews fleeing Spain, President Bush will do well in isolating Spain in the international arena while pressing, and asking European members to press, the new Socialist government of Spain. The American Rep's belonging to Moratino's Caucus of Friends of Spain should be reminded its elections time too.

The Sepharad story is clearly over, but nobody expected it would be by accident. If you are thinking about visiting Spain, think it twice. You may not leave easily.

Ynet

This is better because the whole left in Spain is smeared with Nazism.

[ProudDad]

38. The left in Spain smeared with NAZISM???

What the fuck are you smoking?

It was the left in Spain that FOUGHT the NAZI's while powerful forces in the U.S. were supporting the NAZI's.

Rediculous.

[MrPrax]

43. You don't read...

apparantly...the article purposes confused national socialism with socialism.

It wasn't me, but the mean spirited stupid incitement masquarding as a news story from one of Israel's fav propaganda services.

Yeah...I agree. I was quite taken aback at the REVISIONIST history presented by the story...apparantly it wasn't the Franco Catholic fascists supported by Hitler's war machine that are the problem, but the newly elected socialist government, where Jews 'might not be able to leave'.

The story serves the new 'meme' that it's the Left that is anti-semitic -- largely because criticism of Israel is coming from the Left because the Left is mostly likely to point out social justice issues. The Right of course (GOP, Likud) thinks social justice is some commie thing that stands in front of the tanks of corporate commerce and full spectrum dominance.

[Julius Civitatus]

44. That article is one hate-filled, nasty, and inaccurate neocon rant

It takes some facts, a lot of hearsay, and a ton of hate-filled neocon rhetoric, all mixed together. Most of the commenters in that Jewish board are rabid non-Jewish American neocons, freeper types, trashing France, Europe and wishing genocide on anyone they dislike.

A shame.

[MrPrax]

45. But...

I don't really see much difference between it and the one you posted? I mean wearing a kaffiyeh is hardly anti-semitic; it's pure Zionist hatred to suggest a thing.

But that 'meme' is prominent in the headline?

I assume that is probably why you posted it to begin with and hence your comment, "Oy!!! Seems like Zapatero is picking sides."

He's a politician at a political event with a bunch of Muslims? You seem to be more upset that politicians dare to show public support for the Palestinians? You seem to be shocked that there might be OTHER points of view.

Wasn't that your motives your posting this tripe? You want people to know that the NEW Spanish PM, a socialist and not a favourite of the current Bush administration, is someone to be warned about -- he is showing support for the OTHER side.

Like I originally posted...it was the same story (eariler dated BTW), but a much longer piece that does the same thing; smears the Spanish PM with the accusation of 'anti-semtism' for doing something no one but a fanatic would think was anti-semitic.

But we saw this same schtick both here and elsewhere in DU when during this brief smear campaign. Or this brief smear campaign.

BTW I got a red one ;-)

[ProudDad]

47. Thanks for the clarification...

[ProudDad]

39. From and ISRALI newspaper/web site

Yeah, they're unbiased... :sarcasm:

[leesa]

34. Yes, of course. It's antisemitic to criticize Israel. That's why they

have been allowed to be the aggressors for decades because no one is allowed to criticize their behavior.

[w4rma]

35. Semitic = Jews *and* Muslims in the middle east. They are ethnically the

same.

[ProudDad]

40. This is true

Unfortunately, the Israeli Government was created and continues to be primarily run by "white" European Jews. The indiginous Arab and Jewish population that was there through the 19th Century seems to have been rather marginalized during the Zionist years.

I just took a peek at some of the Knesset members, they could be the U.S. House of Representatives except there aren't enough brown/black faces...

http://www.knesset.gov.il/mk/eng/mkindex_current_eng.asp

[JackNewtown]

46. Cheerleading for a country=bigotry against its opponents

Using that thinking Bush and all but a handful of members of Congress must be "anti-Palestinian" bigots.

The frequent use of the anti-Semitism charge--just like the common use of the Islamophobe charge--cheapens the terms and makes real instances of bigotry seem less offensive than they normally would. Why cry wolf so often to stop any criticism when there is no shortage of real bigorty?