Anti-Semitism hit high in '09

[mawilson 2,133]

Does the report make a distinction between Anti-Semitism and Anti-Israel acts? Or does it consider it to be the same thing?

Anti-Zionism (denying Israel's legitimacy) is a form of anti-Semitism.

[Dan J 277]

Anti-Zionism (denying Israel's legitimacy) is a form of anti-Semitism.

That's like saying anti-Americanism is anti-Christian. Some would probably like to draw that connection, but its not the same thing.

Criticism of Israel or its policies should never be considered anti-Semitic. Otherwise it gives Israel a free pass to play the region card any time someone wants to criticize its actions.

[Joseph & Ana 0]

What about all the Judaism converts.

[FortLaudy 10]

If your dad was a jew but not your mum, you are technically not a jew so you can't experience anti-semetism, just stigmatism.

If of course your mum is a jew, you're all set.

I know that, hehe, I'll never be Jewish, only part or half-breed, lol. That's ok, I'm proud to have been blessed with my mother's looks and my dad's brains

That's like saying anti-Americanism is anti-Christian. Some would probably like to draw that connection, but its not the same thing.

Criticism of Israel or its policies should never be considered anti-Semitic. Otherwise it gives Israel a free pass to play the region card any time someone wants to criticize its actions.

[alienlovechild 75]

Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky pledged to dispatch representatives from the semi-governmental organization to combat what he said was growing anti- Semitism at European universities.

At least the Europeans have well-educated bigots.

[Nikita2Charles 32]

It's really interesting

Whenever someone criticize the Israeli govt policy toward the palestinians you see the ONSLAUGHT media blitz as Anti semite.

When people was criticizing Bush policy on going to war in Iraq, those folks were being called ANTI AMERICAN

now those same folks who ran down the deficit, spent Billions of out TAX MONEY in IRAQ and specially back in 2008 when the Iraqi govt ended up with a 28 Billions $$$$$$$$ surplus while we are going deeper and deeper into our national deficit.

Now those same folks are complaining about the current govt trying to get health care for all as socialist, taking over health care,

So it's ok to spend Billions of our TAX MONEY toward a fictional Weapon of Mass destruction War, but it's NOT OK To spend $$$ to help your own people.

It's always on whose side are you looking at, like those 8 previous years of the past administration NEVER HAPPENED

It was just a dream, how easy can people be manipulated, people should start using their brain more, instead of listening to ####### Bits.

Edited January 25, 2010 by Nikita2Charles

[mawilson 2,133]

That's like saying anti-Americanism is anti-Christian.

No, it's not like that at all. Israel is the Jewish state and was created and recognized by the UN as such.

Is there another Jewish state somewhere? You seem to think Israel is just another place

where Jews happen to live. It's not.

[alienlovechild 75]

It's always on whose side are you looking at, like those 8 previous years of the past administration NEVER HAPPENED

That would be the Clinton Era that no one can remember about concerning Iraq. Nope, nope, no bombings, no UN sanctions or inspectors, no votes for regime change. . .

[FortLaudy 10]

It's really interesting

Whenever someone criticize the Israeli govt policy toward the palestinians you see the ONSLAUGHT media blitz as Anti semite.

When people was criticizing Bush policy on going to war in Iraq, those folks were being called ANTI AMERICAN

now those same folks who ran down the deficit, spent Billions of out TAX MONEY in IRAQ and specially back in 2008 when the Iraqi govt ended up with a 28 Billions $$$$$$$$ surplus while we are going deeper and deeper into our national deficit.

Now those same folks are complaining about the current govt trying to get health care for all as socialist, taking over health care,

So it's ok to spend Billions of our TAX MONEY toward a fictional Weapon of Mass destruction War, but it's NOT OK To spend $$$ to help your own people.

It's always on whose side are you looking at, like those 8 previous years of the past administration NEVER HAPPENED

It was just a dream, how easy can people be manipulated, people should start using their brain more, instead of listening to ####### Bits.

You are completely right on this one, my major problem with the Republican party were the senseless wars, and I'm not one for giving people free handouts, but hands down the money would have been put to better use (of any kind) if it had been kept in America and not wasted abroad on those damn wars.

[mawilson 2,133]

You are completely right on this one, my major problem with the Republican party were the senseless wars, and I'm not one for giving people free handouts, but hands down the money would have been put to better use (of any kind) if it had been kept in America and not wasted abroad on those damn wars.

You fail to see the big picture.

"Energy independence" is a lie, it will never happen - or at least not until we've run out of oil.

In the meantime, we need to make sure the largest remaining oil reserves on the planet

are accessible to us, and that means keeping a significant and permanent American military

presence in the region.

[FortLaudy 10]

You fail to see the big picture.

"Energy independence" is a lie, it will never happen - or at least not until we've run out of oil.

In the meantime, we need to make sure the largest remaining oil reserves on the planet

are accessible to us, and that means keeping a significant and permanent American military

presence in the region.

I've always believed that it was all about the oil and certain companies making big bucks, that's pretty obvious, it's just insane how much money and how many people had to die in the process. You'd think they would have gone about things a little more smartly.

I'm a little more optimistic about the energy independence.

[alienlovechild 75]

I've always believed that it was all about the oil and certain companies making big bucks, that's pretty obvious, it's just insane how much money and how many people had to die in the process. You'd think they would have gone about things a little more smartly.

I'm a little more optimistic about the energy independence.

Not much oil in Afghanistan.

Energy independence? It's worse now than during the first oil shock in 1973.

[FortLaudy 10]

Not much oil in Afghanistan.

Energy independence? It's worse now than during the first oil shock in 1973.

But the more millitary "bases" in the region the better, right? Not much oil in Bahrain either.

[mawilson 2,133]

But the more millitary "bases" in the region the better, right?

Right.

[scandal 951]

Criticism of Israel or its policies should never be considered anti-Semitic. Otherwise it gives Israel a free pass to play the region card any time someone wants to criticize its actions.

It all depends upon the context.

True friends of Israel, who support without wavering its right to existence as a Jewish homeland after 2,000 years of Diaspora, and understand its predicament as a civil democracy with sworn enemies bent on its destruction, may indeed fairly criticize specific policies of the Israeli government or individual politicians, if their aim is constructive criticism. This is not anti-semitism, and should be welcomed by Israelis and all people in the region interested in a free exchange of ideas amongst friends. Examples include: US government officials urging a return to peace talks and stopping settlement expansions in the West Bank.

On the other hand, there is is no shortage of those who attack Israel at every opportunity, and no matter the circumstance or provocation. Today, they attack Israel for its settlement policies beyond the Green Line. Pre-1967, when that same Green Line territory was controlled by Jordan who could easily have created a Palestinian state there had it chosen to, the anti-Israel attack was for the "affront" of having dared to have survived its own 1948 War of Independence unbowed. In some future two-state solution, rest assured that they will find continued provocation to attack Israel yet further. These critics will attack Israel no matter what the cause or circumstance for one reason only: that Israel dares to exist. As a free and independent Jewish nation. That is its only true affront, when the masks are torn away. Such people may be fairly labeled antisemites.

Here is a litmus question I like to use in such debates.

Do you fundamentally accept the right of Israel to exist in secure and internationally recognized borders, as a homeland for the Jewish people?

Yes or No?

It's an amazingly simple question, right?

Yet it makes for an excellent starting point to weed out those who are not inherently hostile to the idea of Israel but who are uncomfortable from this or that policy, from those who really can never accept the idea of any acceptable Israel at all. The latter will never be placated no matter how many overtures are made, settlements dismantled, land ceded, etc. With them no debate is possible because the only solution they can accept is one where Israel simply no longer exists. I will take time to patiently debate with the former, but will simply write off the latter as a lost cause for any meaningful discussion.