Opinion
Open your eyes to reality
Yoel Meltzer
Published: 28.12.10, 00:24
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1. The trivialization of antisemitism
Thomas ,   Dixieland USA   (12.28.10)
The dogs of antisemitism were unleashed when Leftist Jews acquired prominent roles in both the Western and Israeli societies. Not a day earlier. There is a morbid tribal solidarity which prevents otherwise astute people to face off this pernicious reality and fight against it. Haaretzniks, Jstreet Jews, Soros club, ObamaJews .... these are the catalysts, supporters and moral enablers of modern antisemitism. Ignoring harsh reality and tilting at windmills á la Don Quijote will trivialize hate to the satisfaction of whiners and those who wallowing in insane victim-hood.
2. A Call to Action is Preferred
Solomon ,   Bklyn   (12.28.10)
Israel cannot be isolated from the rest of the world. The analogy is to the Jews being isolated, both in past and present, within the countries of the diaspora. Better to conclude the article with a call to action in countries outside of Israel. Stop the anti-Israeli tide where it exists; don't run away.
3. Israelis shouldn’t ignore anti-semitism...(read below...)
Michael ,   Sao Paulo   (12.28.10)
Israelis shouldn’t ignore anti-Semitism sentiments fuelled by Israel´s actions
4. RE;Open your eyes to reality
Zeyad ,   kuwait, kuwait   (12.28.10)
im sorry, but i dont believe that european went to exile just as this article claims. also they were NOT subject to anti- semetic since europians are not se,etic people, but rather used the anti semetic logo to achieve their objectives :P salam
5. Undermining Israel is not about hatered
Ali ,   Scotland   (12.28.10)
or being against jews. I don't hate jews.I boycott Israel because of its criminal activity ,of the thousands of pro palestine activists, I know none that hate jews.We have to do something,we can,t just tolerate injustice and occupation.Until Israel stops targeted killing and oppression we wont stop our campaign ,we will go out of our way to high-light settler products and anything else that may be used to fund bullets to kill palestinians including products made in Israel proper.I have had to boycott Lucid hydra based motherboards even though I really want the product also intel chipsets and products,I'd love to use these products but my conscience won't allow it
6. Who benefits from Anti-Semitism
Sam ,   NYC   (12.28.10)
1. Obviously the leftist useful idiots in Europe and elsewhere - many young people are joining anti-Israel rallies and boycotts just to be part of the cool crowd. Brown people (i.e. Palestinians) vs. white oppressors (i.e. Israel) dichotomy is among the largest motivating factors for this crowd, despite being totally Obviously the Arabs and Muslims opposed to Jews being alive, as a matter of principle. Israel, a successful one yet, is a constant source of salt upon their wounded honor. This Arab honor thing would be pretty comical, if it weren't so insanely strong a motivator for them.
7. Who benefits from Anti- Semitism, cont.
Sam ,   NYC   (12.28.10)
despite being totally false. 3. Israel itself. The classic KGB analysis always ask first "who benefits?" then "follow the money". When an Arab youth in France throws a Molotov cocktail at a synagogue, he was more often than not paid by someone. Are we sure he was not paid by Mossad? After all, minor destruction of Jewish property for its simply being Jewish earns a lot of sympathy for Jews in general, sows fear among Jews in the host country, and leads to a certain increase in the aliyah decisions. Is this not plausible?
8. Open Your Mouth!
Liz Wagner ,   Sleepy Hollow, NY   (12.28.10)
There' nothing complex about anti-semitism disguised as anti-Zionism. The world that sat on its hands from 1939-1945 shuffled to its feet to open the gates of Hitler's camps, and then sat right back down again. It lounges today waiting to see what will happen next to the Jews if they sit around doing nothing again. So, Israel? Are you just waiting, too?
9. Wrong characterization
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (12.28.10)
It isn't anti-Israel sentiment "fueled by anti-Semitism." It is nothing more than the same old anti-Semitism, given a new and different (additional?) focus with the establishment of the modern State of Israel. How often have we heard "Oh, I'm not anti-Semitic, I'm just anti-Zionist." What's the difference? There isn't any. The fact of the matter is that Israel worries far too much about what it perceives to be "anti-Israel sentiment." Well, it is hardly that. It is nothing more than good old-fashioned Jew hatred, concretized and given new focus with a nation-state as the target. I don't worry about anti-Israel sentiment. Unfortunate? Yes. Something new? No. Nothing more than a centralized target. The fact of the matter is that non-Jews like their Jews to be meek and helpless. Imagine how it distresses everyone to gaze at the State of Israel -- a modern state that has achieved more than any other nation in the history of the world in a comparable time span -- a mere sixty-two years. Achievements made, I remind you, while enduring six wars, absorption of three million immigrants and non-stop terrorism. No wonder they are jealous -- and yes, it is jealousy. It's one thing to have to deal with the reality of the extremely smart Jew; it is quite another thing to deal with a country full of extremely smart Jews that also happens to be a military power. A NUCLEAR power. So, do I care about how Israel is perceived in the world? No. It is no different from how Jews have always been perceived; why would anyone expect that the Jewish state should be perceived differently by crass idiots? Boiled down to its simplest common denominator, it amounts to hatred of Jews. Anti-Semitism. Nothing we haven't seen before; nothing we haven't conquered. If it pains people that Jews are intelligent and remarkably successful, we must be doing something right. If it pains people that the State of Israel is an economic, military and technologically-advanced powerhouse, well, then we must be doing something right. It has nothing to do with us; it has everything to do with them. I can live with that.
10. Yes, it's anti-Semitism; yes we need to come home
Steve   (12.28.10)
Anti-Semites, when they criticize Israel for defending herself, charge that the first things Jews do is cry "Anti-Semitism." Having observed this for many years, of course denying Israel's right to defend herself and her right to exist is anti-Semitism. Will American Jews and other Diaspora Jews return to Israel before it is too late? I fear not. I hope I am able to return to Israel before it is too late.
11. Why risk it?
Tel Avivoid ,   Tel Aviv, Israel   (12.28.10)
Why risk moving to Israel for hypotheticals? Especially when there already exist real risks to moving here. Rampant nepotism and racism, difficulty in finding work and assimilation, and the possibility that this supposed crypro-anti-semitism of which the author aludes could cause real economic, social, and security problems for Israel. If someone wants to make aliyah, Kol HaKavod. However, they should ignore fear mongering like this article when making that assessment.
12. Anti-Zionist sentiment fueled by commitment to human rights
Naftali Lavie   (12.28.10)
It is easy to dismiss enlightened criticism as "antisemitism". The fact is that Israel's actions against the Palestinians de-legitimize Israel in the eyes of enlightened public opinion. The massacre committed by Israel in Gaza 2 years ago was a milestone. People took notice. The murderous attack on the Mavi Marmara was another milestone. People are learning about Israel and Zionism. They are learning that Zionist Israel was created in 1947-49 by ethnically cleansing 750,000 Palestinians, 1/3 of whom were expelled BEFORE the entrance of the Arab armies on May 15, 1948. Israel's record of settler colonialism and racist discrimination is inconsistent with modern standards of respect for human rights. That is what motivates anti-Israel sentiment. The hysterical screaming about antisemitism reminds me of the Hebrew saying: "On the thief's head his hat is burning".
13. "...the American empire..."
Cameron ,   USA   (12.28.10)
14. Wow! I suppose the writer has never read the word given
to Israel by God ,   Hang on to your   (12.28.10)
Butts cause it's only going to get worse, before it ever gets better. But it will, but only for His namesake will he act. To defend His name profaned by the world, and even you Israel. But you will be redeemed, but through fire.
15. #12 "We're Learning"?
Liz Wagner ,   Sleepy Hollow, Ny   (12.28.10)
Did you pay a lot of money to "learn" all that half-baked propaganda, or did you just "learn" it by reading daily propaganda sheets, like the NYT or The Guardian?
16. n 5
aline silverman ,   israel   (12.28.10)
What are you talking about exactly????Who has been trying to annihilate whom? We haven't had a moment of respite because of Arab terrorism...which has spread all over the world. So put your conscience at rest you can use Israeli products. If you don't want it is too bad for you !!!
17. #5- Just Curious...
Liz Wagner ,   Sleepy Hollow,NY   (12.28.10)
U.N.  Secretary General Ban Ki-moon announced Friday that one of the United Nations’ top goals in 2011 will be bettering living conditions in the Gaza Strip and forcing Israel to end all “settlement” construction in Judea and Samaria and East Jerusalem.   You couldn’t make it up. Pressuring Israel is the U.N.’s top goal for 2011. Not the imminent threat of war on the Korean Peninsula or the North Korean nuclear threat. Not the Iranian nuclear threat. Not the very dangerous situation with the ongoing jihad in Pakistan. Not the huge new wave of refugees and With thousands being slaughtered in Darfur, hundreds murdered in Christmas day attacks by Islamists in Nigeria, Pakistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar funding Islamist terror operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, more terror plots uncovered in Great Britain, the banking crisis in the Western world, the financial collapse of some European Union countries, Iran and North Korea threatening war and use of nuclear bombs, why do you focus all your attention and concern on Israel? With all that's going on, why is Israel at the top of your list of priorities?
18. # 5 "Ali" from Scotland.
Joav ,   Germany   (12.28.10)
Do you ever ask you self why do you live in Scotland and not in Pakistan? Why most of you people who "praised" "al Lai" seeking asylum in western democratic countries or in U.S.? Israel criminal activity. Well wich one? The only thing that Israels "criminal activity" is,is his existens. About antisimitism, I know persanaly a lot of moslems and leftists who hate jews not Israel. Before Israel was reborn, there were a lot of pogrom in a moslems countries that again and again say us: "We do not hate jews, we hate Israel"! Ali you can lie facts. Learn some history, refresh you brain.
19. Who is committing the criminal activities?
Yishai   (12.28.10)
As a mantra, we hear over and over again about the Israeli crimes being committed against the Palestinians. What we don't hear is what that entails exactly. Facts are never quoted. Moreover everyone seems to be completely mute in front of calls for decades for the annihilation of Israel by many Palestinians, including their leaders. What Ahmedinajad is saying out loud, many are thinking it or acting on it by terrorist activities. Never do you hear protest against these criminal activities!!! May I invite anyone who can still think clearly without emotions, to have the courage to think through these issues. Often it is said that love is blind, but hate is actually blind....
20. The Far Left Fuels Anti-Semitism
Dan ,   USA   (12.28.10)
In the U.S. so much of the anti-Semitism is fueled by far left, eletist, self hating Jews teaching at colleges and universities. They are stuffing anti Israel, pro Palestinian thoughts into young open minds.
21. Martin Luther King.........
A.C.Guard ,   USA   (12.28.10)
said one can not be anti-Zionist without being anti- Jewish.
22. Part 2 - A suggestion
Marcella   (12.28.10)
While the idea of Aliyah is laudable, and indeed Israel needs a greater number of Jews, there should also be a call for the Diaspora to fight back. NEW independent Jewish organizations should develop pilot programs targeting Jewish youth and synagogues to educate them on the real facts concerning Arabs, the settlements, the consequences of another partition, and how to respond to criticism. They would also need to develop sophisticated PR campaigns to reach out to non-Jews. And it wouldn't hurt to raise money for a legal fund to sue universities and student associations that muzzle Jewish activism. Traditional Jewish organizations are too timid, too politically-correct, and too concerned with their image to be really effective in this new environment. Jews should be able to live openly, in dignity and without fear for their lives anywhere they want to. They should no longer be driven out of their countries. Anti-Semitism should be fought as a matter of principle. Never surrender.
23. #12 What world do you live in? Men love darkness because ...
Oh what a pity ,   forever is forever   (12.28.10)
there deeds are evil. Israel is truly the light of the world. You rationalize trying to stamp out the light with lies. You boast of being moral? what a joke. Israel reveals God's revelation to the world and thus by it we are all condemned. Yet you claim that only their deeds are evil? Good luck with that. You may think your OK but siding with those who would stamp out the people of God you will lose Israel is justified not because they are any better or worse than the rest of us, just chosen. Human rights? what a joke, Israel will stand justified because of God's election and the whole world who comes to remove them from the land will be wiped out by the God who chose them to be that light, and he only support truth and right. Your missing His right to choose what is right and thus are wrong.
24. Why Do I Hate "Israel " ?!
Salma ,   Palestine   (12.28.10)
because taught me how to hate ! I do not hate any individuals, , but i hate the actions of "IDF" and the policies of "Israeli governments". Mr. Meltzer , before Open your Hearts to reality and to the world , open you Hearts to your neighbors, the Palestinian Proverb says : Look to your near neighbour rather than to your distant brother .
25. to "Ali" from "Scotland"
nadav ,   tlv israel   (12.28.10)
If your "conscience" doesn't allow you to buy products from Israel because of alleged injustices that it commits in the so-called "occupation" of what is clearly disputed land, then answer this: 1) Do you buy products from Morocco, China, Turkey, Russia, the US, the UK, India, Pakistan- all these countries are officially occupying the territories of other peoples with varying degrees of brutality. 2) Do you purchase goods from totalitarian and oppressive dictatorial regimes, such as Iran, Venezuela, China - and any Arab country? 3) The reason why we see anti-Israel/zionist activity as anitsemitic is the singling out of Israel above all other nations, despite the fact that Israel is indeed the only pluralistic democracy in the Middle East (with a civilian controlled army). 4) It begs the question why people like you go out of your way to boycott Israel and oppose zionism (which is nothing but Israel's internationally recognized right to self-determination on ancestral Jewish land). - Why do you not go out of your way to protest the brutality of Chinese, Turkish, Moroccan or Russian occupation?
26. Direct Question For Ali, #5
Jason, Ph.D. ,   Charlotte, USA   (12.28.10)
Ali, please explain to me why you do not boycott Chinese goods. China has brutally occupied Tibet for many years now and has done everything possible to erase Tibetan culture. Furthermore, Israel captured the West Bank in a war that Jordan started, as contrasted with China which captured Tibet in a war of unmitigated aggression that has nothing to do with Chinese security. Israel has made various offers to withdraw from the vast majority of the West Bank which were not accepted. China has never offered to withdraw from one inch of Tibet. In fact, Israel did withdraw from Gaza; the response being rockets from Gaza into Israel. Consequently, if your conscience forces you to boycott Israeli products, then by basic logic, you would be forced to boycott China even more so. Furthermore, China is just the tip of the iceburg. Turkey, for example, occupied the northern part of Cyprus. Do you boycott Turkish goods. So why, Ali, do you single out Israel to boycott? I and many others await your answer.
27. In the case of the USA
Marcella   (12.28.10)
In the US the problem is one of stridency and aggressiveness rather than numbers. A recent poll determined that "Judaism was on average ranked in first place by 3,000 respondents of all faiths representing a cross-section of the American population." The research was conducted by sociologist Robert Putnam and David E. Campbell and featured in their book American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us. The problem is that the State Department and White House follow a ME agenda at odds with Congress and with the vast majority of the American people. And universities are largely under the influence of anti-Israel or timid faculty that allow aggression against Jews. Just as political correctness made anti-Semitism unacceptable after WWII, the current campaign of delegitimization and even demonization of Israel makes Jew-bashing socially acceptable. This is very dangerous and could raise anti-Semitism to life-threatening levels.
28. Anti-Israel = Anti-Semitism
Jason   (12.28.10)
29. Let's develop strong space program& get the Hell outtahere!
tom ,   tel aviv   (12.28.10)
30. Anti-Zionism = Antisemitism
Tahl ,   Ashdod   (12.28.10)
Denying or questioning the legitimacy of the Jews' right to have their own homeland, amounts to nothing short of plain Jew-hatred, or antisemitism. It's really that simple.
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