"And many Jews are no different. God forbid that you criticize Israel. You would quickly be denounced as an “anti-Semite” and “Jew-hater.” Oh you mean in the same way you accused Jackie Mason of being "anti-Palestinian" because he didn't hire you for a gig?

Ray,At least you could have the common courtesy to answer some of the legitimate questions and criticisms put to you by us. Frankly, you end up sounding like a typical loony leftie and that won't win you points in this forum.I'd respect you a whole lot more if you were to write a commentary with a fair and balanced slant, umm,let's say in the Arab News for example.That rag is known for typical anti-Jew cartoons/propaganda which is a heck of a lot worse than some silly cartoon inciting the mindless muslim masses.BTW,when I say'commentary 'I mean without the typical 'blame the Jew or the west'trademark©..You showing some spine would go a long way to mending the bridges between our different cultures. Regards Cliff from Montreal

If Muslims seem to take their religion more seriously why are they not living in peace like they say the Quran teach? And jews get angry too, but we do not kill and put the whole world upside down because of it. We go to a judge!

You write that Muslims "take their religion more seriously" - this is wrong. To begin, I am not a Christian nor am I defending Christianity. I am saying that you are "wrong" to suggest that a complete lack of humility about your religion means you are more "serious" - it instead means you fully accept some inane dogma and have suspended your ability to think for yourself. Buddhists talk about the importance of bringing a "light touch" to spirituality, even a sense of humor about oneself - this is the right approach and results in personal and societal peace. The so-called "seriousness" you describe is merely zealotry which is devoid of balance and/or centeredness. As a "professional" writer.., I guess I assumed you would choose your words and construct thoughts more carefully and not be so careless. The error you made in choosing to characterize Muslims as "more serious" is plain and simply.., a grievous miscommunication and suggests that rabid assassins killing for their God is a badge of honor - because it is more "serious". True spirituality is premised on loving, forgiving, accepting, allowing, giving, humility.., etc..., not killing and rioting over cartoons. While it may seem counterintuitive.., a person who can love in the face of aggression or hatred has the more serious, more profound spirituality. Take care...

Actually ... I was booked at the Chicago Comedy Club in August 2002 (3 months in advance) ... Jackie Mason was ADDED six weeks before the show. Management asked if I had a problem with performing with a Jewish comedian and I said absolutely not. They had him headline the first 3 of my 9 shows (Tues, Wed and Thurs) and asked me to open for him. The night of the show, Mason and his wife/manager objected to me being on the show bill "because I am Palestinian." Read the quote from his manager. She says it very clearly and at least she didn't lie and pretend it had to do with anything else. I just thought I would clear that mistake on your part up. As for #62. If you have a question Cliff, I will answer it. But no one is asking questions. They're just hammering, which is fine I guess, but not unlike the Muslims who protested, complained and boycotted the Danish Newspaper. So much for free speech, right? I am the middle of the road and criticize both sides equally. If more people did that we might have had peace long ago. But I'm not sure everyone wants peace. Right? Thanks Ray Hanania www.hanania.com

...and you did NOT answer.

these riots have been going on for far too long - I understood the initial furor and protests and had compassion for their position - but unfortunately, the current, escalating, violent behaviour has produced the exact opposite reaction from me - I now think these 'protestors' are basically all terrorists looking for any excuse to kill people, and I have NO tolerance for that!

I agree that publishing those cartoons was intentionally harming and insulting, but going around burning buildings and beheading people does nothing but prove the cartoons, dont you agree? if someone told me I was rude and i'd reply in "F*** you ***** **** **** I'm not rude" wouldnt this show that I'm rude?

I totally agree with you. The protests are absolutely justified. But the violence, the threats and the killings are immoral. By the way, I am always amused by those who say I am hateful, etc., and then call me every name in the book, some phrases and words I had never even thought off :) Look in your hearts, people. You can't throw mud and claim you are not standing in it. Ray Hanania www.hanania.com

Dear sir, Many Christians are serious about our faith. We remember the part about "turning the other cheek" and cannot find the New Testement passage that allows us to murder because some offends us. Jesus said we would be in danger of the fires of hell if we call someone a fool. Many of us risk hell when wew point out fools but we will not send fool ahead of us to hell. One can only be so hypocritical with a good conscience.

THIS AUTHOR RAY IS A PRETTY ANTI SEMITE THE SATAN DRESSES IN FINERIES ANS SCENTS OF JASMINE...... THEN ADAM ATE THE APPLE.... WHY ARE YOU TAKING A BITE FROM THE APPLE?

Imam Ali once said ; "i have argued with many and never lost a single arguement in my life except to one person: that person who is undeducated." YOU WIN...

First let me say that I agree with most of what you say in the article, but not all. Now comes the question: I read your articles every week. But there is one underlying theme that seems do run through all of them and that is simply this: You dodge responsibility for your sides actions and distance yourself from them completely. Now, Im not saying that our side are a bunch of saints. We've done some pretty wacky stuff over the years, and also some good stuff - just like your side - good and bad. No ones perfect. We have some extremists on our side just like your side. Im Israeli. I dont always agree with my government, and feel free to constructively criticize the bad and praise and encourage the good, and thats my right as a citizen. But I feel responsible for what they do - both good and bad. Im an Israeli citizen. I understand that you view yourself as American and Palestinian - theres nothing wrong with that. Why is it that you, as a Palestinian, totally distance yourself from the actions of your government, and feel somehow entitled to take the neutral ground by condemning both sides for the bad and praising both sides for the good? You seem to avoid taking responsibility simply because you are Christian not Muslim. I have to say that your columns come across as highly patronizing - although the same seems true of a lot of American and British columnists as well - as if somehow they know better than us. Why is it you feel free to not take responsibility merely because you are Christian?

the article makes it seem that it's a flaw in Christians and Jews that they don''t act like Muslims, and a virtue to riot. the obligatory statement, that you think it's wrong, means nothing and I don't believe it's a true expression of your thoughts and feelings. we all have an animal nature to contend with. our higher selves do not permit us to act like animals (thank G-d) we don't obey the animal nature because we are at a high enough spiritual level. to be able to reason and to know the difference between right and wrong,, sane and insane. the real question is not why the musllims get so angry, angry is not so bad when justified, the question is why muslims act the way they do (and how they could miss the opportunity to prove the cartoon wrong). The answer is that they are on a very low level spiritually. they are not sufficiently evolved and are unable to rise above the animal nature. The higher self, and a spiritual awareness, is not evident in their behavior. not to say it's lacking entirely, or that the potential is not there...but it is not evident and might NOT be there. so, of course they would hate all those who do exhibit a higher self. .

Ray, WTF? As if Muslims are the only people who take religion seriously...THAT is an insult, let me get the rest of the Jews in my area and boycott and riot and kill and call for your death, threathen your family, neighbourhood, we will get Israel to condemn these comments, we will have the UN put sanctions... get the point? its not taking the religion more seriously. We don't simply spend all our time buying junk while the muslims of the world work on becoming model citizens. Its that the West has a sense of decency and proportionality. Mr. Hanania, find some other comedy routine

This analysis, if it can be called that, is based on, well, nothing.....some things are inexplicable - like Muslim rage, so lets make up reasons for it. What garbage.

Muslims have a right to protest smears against their prophet. Other religions have a right to protest the blowing up of Buddhas, the burning of Joseph's tomb or the destruction of 2nd Temple period ruins under al-aqsa (which are FAR worse, by the way). Or neo-nazi calls to forget history. As for rioting, is rioting happening everywhere? Are ALL Muslims rioting? No. Small "hot" riots are happening where extremist Muslims are strong & where the Syria-Iran axis are actively fomenting deep hatred of the West: Iran, Syria, Lebanon (Syrians instigated that riot), and the PA. Moderate Muslims are, by and large, protesting peacefully, if usually without understanding how the western press works.

"I (God) will bless those who bless you (Israel) and will curse those who curse you" (Gen 12:3) A true believing Christian (a follower of the Messiah) can never question Israel's right to Her land. One can never be a true believing Christian without a love for the children of Israel and the Land of Israel ... for they brought forth the Messiah who would be 'a light unto the Gentiles.' Jesus-Yeshua warned He would one day judge the nations and people on how they treated 'His brethren' the Jews. We are told that once 'the fullness of the Gentiles' is complete, God will once again bless His people of Israel ... we are told we gentiles are the 'wild vine' which has been grafted onto the 'true vine' Israel and we should be thankful. God will fulfill all of His covenants with the people and the land of Israel. How can you call yourself a 'Palestinian' (Philistine) when it is in the land God gave to the tribe of Judah (see Judges 1:18-20 and Joshua 14:13 - 15:13 - and pull out a map). This is the land which was given to the tribe which brought forth our Lord Jesus-Yeshua, who is also called 'The Lion of the Tribe of Judah' (study the book of Revelation). In other words, you and your neighbors are 'guests' in the Land of Israel. According to the Bible, if you are a believing Christian, you are the servant of the Messiah, King, and Lord of Israel ... not Philistine (Palestine). Jesus-Yeshua warns, 'You are either with me or against me' ... there is no in between ... and you cannot be 'with' the Messiah of Israel, if you are against Israel ... and if you are 'with' the enemies of Israel, you are 'against' the Messiah of Israel who will one day sit on the throne of David. If you don't believe this, study your Bible, and if you still don't believe this, please do not call yourself a 'Christian.' Jesus warns many who call themselves Christian will not enter into His Kingdom of Heaven ... "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven ... Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied [taught] in your Name, cast out demons in Your Name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then (at the judgment), I will declare to them 'I never knew you ... depart from Me (departing from Heaven, into Hell) you who practice lawlessness" (Including those who 'willingly' do, approve, or say those things that contradict the Bible, such as denying Israel's right to defend Her people and Her land ... read the Bible ... it's theirs!!.) (Matt 7:21-23) "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;" (Isa 5:20) [Note: "Woe" is a terrible curse or torment ...] Many evil and wicked things have been done to the children of Israel by those who call themselves Christian ... God help us all ... for a believing Christian should only bless Israel and be willing to lay down his life for the children of Israel, the brethren of our Lord. Grace and Shalom, www.alphanewsdaily.com www.theprophecies.com

one of your Islamic icons said something, it is wise and true, by virtue of him being a Muslim. Face it, in the world of intellectual discourse and ideas, Muslims haven't contributed much, if anything, despite your large numbers, your idol included. The only way you attempt to win arguments is by shouting down or insulting those with opposing viewpoint, by cutting your opponents throats or by a riot. No, you don’t win and we will never allow you to win. We’re not prepared to descend into the Dark Age, again. If I insulted your Muslim sensibilities-- tough.

press... NEVER! Please save "he is neutral" or "good Arab" debate for the kindergarten. Ray is an enemy. The only difference he has learn the American PR tricks but when you poke a little deeper you will find an enemy.

Ray, I did not say anything hateful about you or to you. You said you are answering questions but none that I posited were answered. I said in too many words that I found your arguments seriously flawed and gave my reasons. I also pointed out that despite the constant accusations by Muslims of hostility and prejudice from western media, in fact, they are singled out and accorded special treatment that nobody else receives. I invited comment on this but seemed to have been lumped in with many who went beyond the parameters of your piece to engage in variety of harangues. I will add further that your attempt to equate Jewish reaction to what is happening today is without any merit, and frankly insulting. I think you well understood that and had to expect a lot of the angry reactions you are seeing. Respectfully, Josef Cohen PS Because of the time delay I was unaware until today that two of the very points I made were a centre piece of the Daily Show, Ed Helms playing 'the' western reporter too afraid only saing "...profound respect for a great religion." Then finishing the segment "Making fun of Jews only making fun of Jews!" Then Colbert Report with the former CIA director Woolsey saying the same thing I did about Saudi\Wahabi establishment inciting and funding extreme anti-western overseas Muslim institutions with billions US dollars a year.

You said: "By the way, I am always amused by those who say I am hateful, etc., and then call me every name in the book, some phrases and words I had never even thought off :) Look in your hearts, people. You can't throw mud and claim you are not standing in it. " You know, most of the people here are Jews, and Jews use words when they are angry, or the judge. They don't go and killing people in Europe and like the Taliban is doing now putting money for killing the cartoonist and 5 kilo gold for every dead Danish soldier, for me that is barbarian and not normal in 2006. We are no longer living 1500 BC. And about the mud! Muslims have been using mud against Jews for as long as I can remember in cartoons and even in there holy book, I did not find any line in the old testament or the new one against Muslims. Maybe food for thought? In Israel I see children singing songs of peace and we have a movement like 'shalom ahsjaf' I have not seen 1 movement in the Arab world who is calling for peace with Jews and living after saying it. I have not seen one Europe country calling for wiping out an Arab country, but I do see Arabs calling for dead and blood of the Christians and the Jews. I see 1 million Israeli Arabs walking in Tel Aviv and shopping and having no problems, but I cannot walk free in Arab countries and there village! More food for thought Mr Ray?

That is the only answer to their psychotic behavior.

muslims are angry because they were humiliated, and they won't take that. Well, they expressed that overly, I agree. Westerners have no right to look at it beyond these boundaries, and make it sound like muslims are the savages. Savagety, cruelty, and indifference to human life is a western craft. History screams from west's torture. You people live in illusions. Muslims will not give up, and you'll lose because justice is what muslims care about and strive for. The west is striving for materials, money, wealth, and greed satisfaction (unrealisable of course). Just watch!

I think the west need to e civilised a lot many folds than muslims do. The occupiers, oil thieves, colonial powers, nuclear and weapons of mass destruction makers, the assassins, the torturers, the liars need to be civilised. There is no better place to find these things than in Europe and USA. You people are jokes, silly ones though.

Arab muslims are made of something different than the people of the Western world, Jews and Christians. You will never see rioting, killing, destruction of property from the Jews of the world over a cartoon. Yes, some of us may brand you as 'Anti-Semite' , and may want to boycot you but that's the extent of it. The expression 'Anti-Semite' is unfortunate because it also includes Arabs as well as Jews, both semetic people.

There is more freedom in Western Europe these days than in America. Ray, I think we better start packing our bags.

David, you are way out of line. It is tthe right ,in our democracy, of every resident to express his/her opinion in the press or other public places. This is what makes Israel different fdorm it's Arab neighbors.