No, I didn't mean to offend you personally. But there's more than "some" personal experience, and there've been many more than "some" Russian. Antisemitism was everywhere we turned, latent or overt. The name-calling at school, the feeling of shame that we had when our grandparents spoke Yiddish in public, the Jewish quotas at the institutions of higher learning -- for professors and students -- the fact that the study of Hebrew was outlawed in the USSR until 1989. Did you know that? The fact that Soviet Union is no more is irrelevant. Russian antisemitism predates communism and has outlived it. The Soviet-era antisemitism was sewn on the rich soil of the antisemitism of the Tsarist govt. and a large part of the Russian intelligentsia. If you are curious, read the memoirs of the heads of the White Movement -- they reek of antisemitism. You are right in that its expression has probably changed since the fall of the Soviet Union, but what's 15 years in the face of many centuries? Not even a generation, man... You are also right in that it is not universal. But it is pervasive, subtle, poisonous, and very much alive. It is more than a sentiment of an insignificant, but vocal, minority. The attitude of the current Russian government toward the current Middle East crisis is at least in part a reflection of its antisemitism. I am glad you don't share the prejudice, but please also don't close your eyes to it. Do me a favor -- talk to your Jewish friends, and ask them to be honest. You may be surprised. As for the English, def. #4 fits your usage better, since #3 refers to an abstract concept, which a stick is not. I still maintain that the word "ends" would have been more appropriate. And since we are into liguistics, would you explain to me the origin of the Russian word "pozhidit'sya"? It is still very much in use in Russia. Mike

Why is Jennifer from CA speaking such poor English? Shu ismak, habeebi?

THE RUSSIAN SNIPERS IN THE BATTLE OF LENINGRAD IN WORLD WAR II GAVE THE GERMANS HELL, AND WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR MANY KILLS OF THE FASCIST SOLIDERS. THE RUSSIAN ISRAELI SNIPERS WILL DO THE SAME TO THE HIZBULLAH, ISLAMOFACISTS. THE SNIPERS WILL STRIKE FEAR IN THE MUSLIMS AND MANY WILL BE FATALLY SHOT BY THE BRAVE RUSSIAN JEWISH SNIPERS. I'M HAPPY TO HEAR THEY ARE ON THE BATTLEFIELD FOR ISRAEL. WELCOME.

Mike, Once again, you're talking about a non-existent regime. You're even talking about antisemitism pre-dating Soviet Union... Do you really think that sons should be accountable for their parents' faults? Do you hate every single German because their grandfathers were a part of Holocaust? Give me a break man. I'm a part of the NEW Russian generation, and I am none of what you would expect me to be. I'm really sorry if it disappoints you, but we've actually changed. WE = the normal, educated Russians. Not the drunks, or the politicians, or the poor jealous masses. The expression of Russian government is NOT antisemitism, it's actually a form of market-based (supply/demand) economy and geopolitics at their very best. Since Americans sell weapons to Israel (i.e.: Israel won't buy Russian weapons) someone has to sell weapons to the other side. So it's pure cynical business. No personal feelings. And I don't support this, I am just explaining things. Putin is not an antisemit, he's just a heartless KGB businessman. If you didn't know, for example, Zhirinovsky (LDPR) is actually Jewish, and he's one of the biggest Arab supporters in Russia. So go figure.... Point being, people like you are the ones that fuel people like Pavel. While you treat all Russians the same way, sadly, there will be people like him. When you will treat every human being for what he is and stop resorting to generalizations to make your point we won't have anymore racism, because people will be brothers to each other like they're supposed to be. Then words like "pozhiditsya" wouldn't be in use. P.S. I still stick to #3 as the proper sense, since I indeed use a "stick" as an abstract concept. Unless you and Pavel really have the same stick attached to you in some really weird way.

You are skirting the issues and do not address my arguments. To quote myself, "Antisemitism predates Communism and has outlived it". It lives on among the normal educated Russians. The word "pozhdit'sya" is still in use. By saying that "you have actually changed" you have indirectly admittied the truth behind my words. Thank you for that. However, in blaming me for the existence of people like Pavel, you are actually claiming that antisemitism is the fault of Jews themselves. The "bad" Jews, the ones like me, who refuse to forget. Were I a "good" Jew who'd play nice despite all the history (and, I maintain, the present!), things would be different. (A common antisemitic claim, btw) No, my friend! Prove to me you are different first, and then I may change. Zhirinovsky (not sure why you brought him up) is the biggest proof of Russian antisemitism with his "Russian" mother and "lawyer" father. He is so ashamed of his Jewish roots that he has to disavow them at all costs. I don't hate Russians; I just prefer to stay away from most of them. Although you are using the word "stick" to illustrate an abstract idea, a stick itself is not an abstract concept. Conscience is. So you are basically saying that we are "dve 'krainosti' odnoi palki". Doesn't quite sound right in Russian, does it? Same in English. But I am nitpicking... How Jewish of me...

How could they fight in Chechnya if they imigrated in the begining of 90s?

even if iran and syria and doing this, its better that israel and USA, i say to hazballah do to theme like we in iraq have done to the f@@king americans

Hey Mikey, your 3 week plan is turninig into a 3 month one, and time will tell how much longer your soldiers will picked from the battle feild like sitting ducks. Whatever happened to the undefeatable IDF 4th Army in the world? They can't even hold a town 200 meters from the border. Your ass is still getting kicked around like a football in Maroon El Rass. Yes, the south is destroyed but the southerners dignity and steadfast will never be harmed. Your souldiers are running to take shelters behind their dead IDF soldiers and screaming like a little girl. Those southerners die for their freedom and dignity and your solders pick on a family having a picnic on the beach, is this the democracy you are selling?

>I just came back from Russia and it >is full of anti American and anti >Israel propoganda. And you are surprised???

I agree we keep repeating the same mistake over and over. Selling arms and technology to Iran and Syria, the people only to happy to resell it to our enemies. This however is not a sign of Russia’s official anti-Semitism (there is that too, but it is squashed at every opportunity on the “official” level). This is simply a gesture to play the Americans. A little payback for Ukraine and for supporting Chechens in their early years, for preventing Russia’s entrance to WTO etc. Israel is just collateral. Plus the arms lobby is very strong in Russia and since Israel will not buy from Russia, it is willing to sell to whoever does. Enter the Arabs. This is however a stupid strategy, as stated earlier we are aligning ourselves with the wrong people. Can’t say I am a fan of the States, but I will pick them any day over their enemies. No matter what my regard for States and Israel, this is eventually a clash of civilizations and Muslims are the new Huns. Right new we seem to be supporting the very wrong team. As for the why did so many Jews leave after 1991, well... Imagine that the war in Lebanon brought Syria in, and almost entire IDF was destroyed, after a brief incursion into Israel the States stepped in and pushed Syria back. Now at the same time Russia has a Russian resettlement program resettlement program, where anyone half Russian qualifies, but Israel is in shambles. What do you think will happen? Hate to disappoint you, but MOST of “new” Israelis will leave. Most people with families, many youngsters too. Not because they are rats, fleeing a sinking ship, but because to fight a war with you home safe is one thing, but if the country is in shambles your livelihood is destroyed, your family is under threat, yes you will fight, but not if you have a way out. Now you get the picture of what the situation was like in Russia at the beginning of the “democratic” era. A number of these people did not want to leave, but you are right Israel treated them much better than Russia. Heck as far as I know we don’t have a drop of Jewish blood, yet my father still tried to immigrate to Israel (as well as New Zealand and successfully Canada), when he found himself looking at a very grim future in 1991. However you Israelis just love to bring up how you had it so tough, but does that justify your own xenophobia? I know a number of families had to leave Israel, simply because the Russian member of it was constantly harassed. And this permeates all sectors of Israeli society. The fact that this newspaper refuses to name what countries these people come from is a fact that speaks for itself? Do you know the countries that fought in Afghanistan and Chechnya? Were they New Zealand and Papua New Ginny? Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka? So yes there was discrimination against you in the Soviet Union, but it’s the same in Israel.

I really cant believe that these snipers have Chechnya experience if the arrived in Israel in the early 90's! They are obviously Russian, and we know their morals and Military history. with the discrimination they face in Israel, i wont be surprised if you find a few on the other side of the hill! lol. Makes you wonder why this amazin technicolour fighting machine now starts grabbing everything it has in its arsenal to take on a few guys in a village. Great armament guys, cant say as much about the ground forces. would love to see 10 000 IDF's against half the number of Hizbullah fighters!!!!

The article says: "They were active in the past in operational activity in the Gaza division, but at a certain point finished their service in the division once the impression was created that they were "trigger happy." " OHHH I see, TRIGGER HAPPY (wink, wink) I guess that's just a discreet way of saying they shoot unarmed civilians. Well, judging by all the women and children killed by the IDF so far in Lebanon (and elsewhere) they should blend in well with the rest of the organization.

I am sure that political considerations play a role in whom Russian sells its weapons, but I challenge you to find a single instance of Russia taking a pro-Israeli stance after the SU voted for the creation of the Jewish state in 1947. Moreover, even if one assumes that official, state-level antsemitism is squashed at every level in Russia (a dubious assumption, but still...), what do you think the continuous anti-Israeli hysteria by most of the mass media does to the psyche of an average Russian? C'mon, we all know who lives in Israel... As for the mass emigration of the early 1990s, it actually started in the late 1980s, when things were relatively good (from the law and order standpoint), and it was preceeded by smaller waves of emigration in the early 1970s and then late 1970s, when there were no banditism and food shortages. Even in the early 1990s there was not war in Russia, so while things were tough, your analogy is faulty. Yes, economic reasons played a big role in their decision to leave, but so did concerns for personal safety specifically due to being Jewish. Would most new Israelis leave Israel if it were destroyed? Many would, most probably would not. Those leaving would probably opt for the States of Canada over Russia, despite the hypothetical resettlement program with benefits. Last, but not least, about "Israeli xenophobia". I have spent most of the 1990s in Israel and have made a number of Russian (not Jewish) friends there. When I discussed with them whether they felt at home in Israel among the Jews, most said "not really". Curiously, no one mentioned harrassment or discrimination. Rather people brought up that they did not feel that the Israelis trusted them, and that hurt. Is this behavior justified? Nope, and it's unfortunate that they have to go through it, as these people have stuck with us through thick and thin. The fact that the Aliya batalion, most of which are ethnic Russians in their early fourties, is doing what it's doing is proof of that. Along with that, is this distrust explainable? Well, given that the Russian language has contribueted the word "pogrom" to both English and Hebrew and the word "zhid" to Hebrew, and given the other facts which I have already listed, perhaps it is explainable. Remember, about 40% of the Israeli population hail from the USSR in one way or another and hence have lived through a lot of antisemitism. Many of us just can't forget or forgive. Tragically, as more and more of the Russian-sounding last names appear in the IDF obituaries, this attitude is changing. The attitude toward Russians in Israel, while often unjust , is nowhere near that toward Jews in Russia! There's no "Russian quota" anywhere, one does not have to list his ethnicity and the ethnicity of his parents and grandparents while applying for a job (though I submit that that can be easily surmised from how their name, appearance and accent), and the study of the Russian language is not outlawed like the study of Hebrew was. There is no anti-Russian propaganda (there's actually easy access to Russian TV and press). The Hebrew word "Rusi" carries no negative connotation (the Russian word "Evrei" often does), and it applies (to my dismay) both to the "Russian Jews" as well as to the "Russian Russians". As far as the article not naming where the these soldiers are from, I found that a bit odd as well. A few years back, there was a series of articles about these guys in the Israeli press, most in the Yediot Aharonot, the parent of Ynet. These articles clearly stated that the soldiers are ex-Red Army officers and that most of them are ethnic Russians. There were also interviews with them on Israeli TV, where those points were specifically made. I think it may attest to the poor penmanship of the authors more than anything else.

Israel's actions in the Palestinian Territories have long reminded me of Russia in Chechnya. Now I know why. Even the very same "soldiers" are involved.