Opinion
It’s not about Israel, stupid
David Hirsh
Published: 09.10.07, 14:04
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24 Talkbacks for this article
1. WRONG - it was produced by "Liberal Culture"
andrew ,   miami,fl   (10.09.07)
2. Good name for UKJEW selfhaters -"JEWS FOR JIZYAS"
Alan ,   SA   (10.09.07)
3. No fool like an educated fool
yehuda ,   Holit, Israel   (10.09.07)
Advocation for our destruction under the shroud of self-rightous intelectual outrage. A flowered sheith for a traitors sword.
4. 1 you are 100% correct
AJB ,   UK   (10.09.07)
Mr Hirsch, I wouldn't like you to be my lecturer, you have absolutely no clue at all, Liberalism is the antithesis of Judaism and is at the root of the boycott, please get some insight.
5. Why Give A Damn What The British Think?
Jonathan Knight ,   Chicago, IL, USA   (10.09.07)
They're country will have been taken over by Pakistanis by then -- and the Brits will view it as a victory for multiculturalism. Idiots. Israel needs to increase ties with India, Japan, Australia, Christian African nations -- as well as your old friend America.
6. The Jews were emancipated in the UK less than 150 years ago
Roger ,   USA   (10.09.07)
What do you expect from the nation, culture and mentality of the people who have the hatred of Jews ingrained in their DNA?
7. The yellow stars used by the German Nazis on the Jews
Frank ,   USA   (10.09.07)
originated on the English soil. The first pogrom happened in England as far back as 1189. The current British hatred of Jews supported by the Islamic groups is not a big surprise.
8. Left-wing fascists
Phil ,   US   (10.09.07)
Every nation has its traitors. Some commit treason for money or sexual favors while others engage in this kind of behavior because of a narcissistic and cowardly personality. Jewish advocates of the boycott against Israel, besides the normal reasons for treachery, also have many other reasons for their behavior. Some are selfish and amoral--like the Kapos of the Holocaust. Others are self-hating because they want to be accepted by the larger society and want to appear like the majority culture. Others, like Pappe are liars and perhaps deranged. However, no matter what the reason for their hatred of Israel, they all share one thing in common. They are all fascists who brook no dissent, refuse to discuss facts, and care little about hurting innocent people. All of them, like true fascists everywhere refuse to consider the results of their behavior and go ahead no matter what the consequences. People like Ram, Pappe, The Rose duo, etc are conscience-less and need to be fought.
9. Beautiful Article, also to #5
Korem ,   New York, USA   (10.09.07)
I'm so glad someone finally expressed the message I've been trying to express with words I could never arrange correctly. People who argue that Israel does not censor free speech, are accused of being enemies of free speech. It's ludicrous. #5 I've been to England, the people are friendly, in fact, I met some African-Brits who were quite fond of Jews and knew some Hebrew, and someone else during a play who talked with me and told me she was interested in the religion. This isn't about Britain, this is about twisted, insane British academia & unions. These people are some of the most stuck-up garbage out there. So it's not "who gives a damn what 'the Brits' think" but what the British "fine academia" (bleuuugh) thinks. Anyway I agree about the rest. Israel is already increasing ties with India (all sorts of banks and deals and things) and of course the USA. Japan doesn't really have a relationship with Israel other than some dairy product exports or what not, I don't know about Australia. I know Israel is on friendly terms with many sub-Saharan African nations though, offering assistance for disasters, and trading, and through spiritual programs (pilgrims etc).
10. It is not Israel but Londonistan, stupid!
Danny ,   USA   (10.09.07)
Take a look at the type of blood that is running through the British arteries these days and the anti-Israel (anti-Semitic) campaign will become clear.
11. Brits, boycotts, and airlines
charicleia ,   usa   (10.09.07)
If you have to take off your shoes when passing through security, it's because of the Brits, one of whom (a convert) carried explosive in his shoes. If you can't carry on liquids more than 3 ml and in transparent bottles, it's because of British terrorists, whose plot to blow up airlines was foiled. Was in London in late June when just by chance another bomb plot was foiled in Piccadilly, but it meant that our theater the next night was cancelled. Left one day before the next bomb stuff in Heathrow. so Brits, thanks for all that. time to cultivate your own garden.
12. Why give a damn, I give a damn
Simon ,   London   (10.09.07)
I give a damn, because I am one the 275,000 Jews that live in the UK. You may not realise this but the US is not that happy about me taking in normal British (as apose to rich) Jews. You just confirm everything I have always found with Amrericans you are all pretty myopic.
13. Well-reasoned posting, Mr. Hirsh
Cameron ,   USA   (10.09.07)
God save us all from the antics of academics & the bend-over Left.
14. POSTERS FULL OF IGNORANT GARBAGE
David ,   Los Angeles   (10.09.07)
15. #12- So be it, Simon
Cameron ,   USA   (10.10.07)
We Americans find you British Jews to be an increasingly pandering and cowardly lot. Let not your unease and fear cause you to toss your good judgement and backbone aside.
16. The Brits can't figure it out that that
Fred ,   USA   (10.10.07)
when they touch Israel they also touch America. It is too bad the dumb people cannot grasp that In the 21 century anti-Semitism does not pay. It also does not pay to follow a few self-hateful Jews either. When the haters justify their hatred via a few anti-Semitic Jews it always backfires.
17. #14, can't all post as insightful TBs as you
Danny   (10.10.07)
18. what a lot of blah blah
Jill ,   central Isreal   (10.10.07)
What in heck is this all about??????
19. It's not about Israel etc.
Lazerbenabba ,   London   (10.10.07)
Some of the comments from US contributors are valid in referring to the prevelance of anti Semitism in the UK, but I suggest that they look to their own house. It would appear in many instances that they are still fighting the war of independence all over by proxy defamation of the UK and London in particular. The Anti Defamation League, head quartered in London is constantly and very successful in combating anti Semitism as are many of our national newspapers, with the exception of The Guardian and The Independent, both of which are extremely left of centre. All nations are guilty of on going anti Semitism but the UK makes constant efforts to overcome this cancer of intolerance.
20. No. 9 Korem
NYC Girl   (10.10.07)
While I don't have information regarding the degree to which Israel and Australia may be trading partners, I can tell you that with the administration of Prime Minister John Howard, both Israel and America have one of their most steadfast allies.
21. I don't give a darn what the Brits think #9 #12
FHT ,   USA   (10.11.07)
I lived in the UK and they are some of the biggest bigots you'll find towards white Americans. They don't pick on ethnic Americans. That would be racist. Brits are the first to bring nationality into a conversation (just like you, #12) and insult you for it and they are some of the worst encouragers of hatred for Americans outside the ME. So I give it right back. I don't give a damn what the Brits think either.
22. #19
. ,   USA   (10.11.07)
You forgot the BBC. They've admitted their bias and indoctrinated an entire country.
23. Marxist Legacy
Lior ,   London   (10.14.07)
It has taken some time for me to put my finger on why it should be that Britain has descended into nest-bed of virulent anti-Semitism, masequerading under the guise of a "liberal" debate about Israel. Tony Blair's decade of "liberal interventionism" was nothing more than a pastische and parody of neo-colonialism - echoing the truly progressively minded British imperialism that did once obtain - but at one and the same time as standing firm in his rhetoric in favour of Israel - to the disgust of his party - what he let happen by default finds us where we are today. Much can be argued in favour of the "leftwing fascist" argument... but it goes deeper than that. Britain was, for a century, a country riven with a Marxist inspired class hatred - the "politics of envy" - that touched every quarter and facet of British life. It broke out into near full civil war in the General Strike in 1926 and again, under Thatcher during the miners' strike in the early 1980s. It was a war of hatred... under the guise of injustice. Blair came to power saying that the left had been elected as "New" Labour, promising - albeit tacitly - to govern without that hatred. Now, prosperous beyond all their imaginings and educated, the leftwing consensus, still imbued with a traditional hatred for what it opposes, has nowhere else but toward Israel for its hatred to escape. It was never so true that the Jews are the whipping boys for all the ills of the world... Israel, and by extension, British Jewry, are paying yet again the price for a hatred that was never earned... They have become the last victims of Marxist, working class hate in Britain, which has nowhere else to go.
24. Incorrect explanation
Roberta E. Dzubow ,   Philadelphia, USA   (10.14.07)
I disagree that Israel pushes "exclusive nationalism." There is no Arab country that is as open and free for citizens of all religious persuasions as is Israel. Every religion is permitted and protected in Israel. In the Arab countries Jews and Christians are second class, dhimmi status, or forced out- many killed over the years. Your "illusion of knowledge" concerning Israel is flat out wrong.
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