Anybody who's spent much time reading what I have to say about the Middle East knows that I'm no Israel-basher. I've always been a pretty strong supporter of Israel, if not exclusively or blindly so; I think they could sometimes do better by the Palestinians and have frequently said as much. But Israel is the only liberal democracy in the Middle East, and for generations they have faced hateful foes who simply want to destroy most of the Jews living there. In the end, Israel deserves our moral support. Besides which, Yasser Arafat is clearly a terrorist and a thug.
One thing I've often heard said over the years is that Zionism is racism. I've always thought that was hysterical malarky. But the other day, I was shaken a bit. For the first time, I began to wonder seriously if there wasn't a kernal of truth to the accusation, for at least some of America's Zionists...
As the New York Times and others have reported, Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz (who happens to be Jewish) spoke at a Pro-Israel rally the other day. At that rally, he said what sane person should see as reasonable, morally upright words. Even in the face of withering criticism by domestic Arab groups and by our European allies, Wolfowitz spoke strongly in defense of Israel. Yet he also spoke, appropriately and movingly, of the plight of "innocent Palestinians" caught in the crossfire, and of the future of Palestine's children--and was loudly booed in response. His speech was even interrupted by angry chants.
I was disgusted. If any nation on Earth has been more supportive of Israel than America, or more welcoming of Jews within its borders, I want to know where it is. The Bush administration, in particular, has even been criticized of late by some because it is "torn" between "divided" factions: Dick Cheney and Don Rumsfeld, who pretty much seem to want to lay waste to Arafat, and to "moderates" like Colin Powell and Condoleeza Rice who strongly support Israel but urge temperance toward the situation in Palestine. Gee whiz: an administration "torn" between 95% support of Israel and 100% support of Israel? What exactly do these people have to complain about? How many dead women, children and old men in Palestine do we have to see before they decide that, "Gee, maybe that should be upsetting to us, even if we think it's unavoidable?"
It's infuriating to see American Zionists attacking the administration for caring about the plight of innocents just because the innocents live in Palestinian. It's even more infuriating to hear them accuse the administration of "not supporting" Israel when the wishy-washiest of the Bushies are still a thousand times more supportive than just about anyone in Europe--or the rest of the world, for that matter.
We should never forget that, even in a just and necessary war, those who have done no wrong deserve our compassion. War is hell, and innocents get killed, and we cannot change that. Nor should we apologize for it. But we should not forget that it's still a tragedy, or shout people down who point it out. Americans are a compassionate people; one thing that makes us great is our long history of mercy and restraint, especially toward our foes. And if anyone should know how important it is to care about innocent, helpless people, it should damn well be the Jews.
I'm not just disgusted with the Zionists who booed Wolfowitz. I'm ashamed of Americans of any stripe who don't see why this type of behavior is boorish and cruel--or, even worse, who would actually apologize for such cretins.
Is Zionism racism? I can't think of a better way to show it than to say, "Who gives a shit how many Palestinian kids have to die?"
Who was it that said "Who gives a shit how many Palestinian kids have to die"?
Sounds like Arafat to me or perhaps his wife.
Is Zionism racism? Can't say it is or isn't. Do Zionists believe they are superior to Palestinians or are they just sick and tired of being homocide bombed by men, women and children.
I don't know and neither do you. Mostly I feel that it's frustration. You said, "It's infuriating to see American Zionists attacking the administration for caring about the plight of innocents just because the innocents live in Palestinian", I'm sure it's infuriating to AZ's that nobody can distinguish an innocent from a bomb-packing martyr. Now, Israel is being accused of war crimes for a yet to be proven civilian massacre - I wish that with the same breath people would remind themselves that the Israelis are fighting THE CIVILIANS!!!!!!
Its hard to tell the innocent from the guilty over there - until they actually explode.
My darling, lovely wife once again corrects my foolishness. :-)
However, I thought I made it clear that my unhappiness is with people who would boo those who suggest that there may be some innocent people in Palestine who want peace.
I suspect most people would flip their wigs of a member of the administration gave a speech before an Arab group, and got booed for saying "Israelis want peace, we must condemn the killing of Jewish civilians."
No, Zionism isn't racism, but I do wonder if some Zionists haven't, in their understandable anger, gone over the edge.
Dean
You said:
"I suspect most people would flip their wigs of a member of the administration gave a speech before an Arab group, and got booed for saying 'Israelis want peace, we must condemn the killing of Jewish civilians.' "
I can't believe that you haven't heard the following story by now (especially because it is reported in MSNBC.com in the SAME article that reported the booing of Wolfowitz):
http://www.msnbc.com/news/739411.asp?0si=-
"The crowd’s reaction to Wolfowitz was also no more harsh than the reaction elicited by U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain Ronald Neumann, when he asked at a recent gathering in that Arab nation for a moment of silence for slain Israelis after one was offered for slain Palestinians. Neumann said “common humanity” dictated equal respect for the dead on both sides.
"Predictably, his actions led to Arab demands for his recall by Washington, which only prompted the White House to offer support for Neumann’s attempt at evenhandedness. Arabs, it seems, also have no use for ineffectual American diplomatic efforts or compassion for the other side."
What does this prove? Probably nothing useful.
But let's make sure of one thing: that we don't hold Israel and her supporters to an impossibly high standard of ethical behavior.
Yeah the booing was a bit shocking. But you know what Dean? We both know that when the shoe was on the other foot, the OTHER crowd didn't just boo -- they were dancing in the streets when the Scuds came down in Tel Aviv and the 737's slammed into the World Trade Center.
Give me booing any day. And, hey, the last time I checked, they were booing an official of their OWN government.
When was the last time the Palestinians had the opportunity to do the same thing in their own territory?
Regardless, I still love ya baby, even when you lay an egg.
I hadn't read the MSNBC article/opinion piece you mention.
I'm quite certain that if there were an AMERICAN group of arabs who booed anyone who asked for sympathy for the dead in Israel, most of us (including my lovely wife) would be having apoplectic fits. Is there any doubt that most of the Jewish community would call it anti-Semitism if it did happen?
I do hold Americans of whatever stripe to higher standards than I do crowds in Bahrain. Bigoted of me, I know. Tough noogies.
I do find it interesting how American Jews are starting to overcome their prejudices and hostility toward conservative Republicans. That prejudice has always been a counterproductive force in American politics. The Democratic party, throughout its entire history, has always been a far more anti-semitic party than the Republican party, and it remains so to this day. Hell, it was even the Republicans who put the first man of Jewish descent on a national ticket, despite all the hooplah over Lieberman in 2000.
Identity Politics and rhetoric has so far counted for more than actual results with Jewish voters. Perhaps this latest crisis marks a turning point? We can only hope so. It would be a healthy thing for both the major parties and for American politics as a whole.
Dean
Dear Husband...your wife would have an apoplectic fit if you left dirty dishes on the couch because as we all know she has a low tolerence for dirt.
Americans of any flavor can express themselves as they wish - I may disagree (loudly) but I wouldn't waste a good muscle spasm on them.
It is incredible at the level of naivity of the people posting comments. The Palestian people are aiding, harboring, and giving support to terrorists. This is what happens---Israel tries to arrest a known terrorist, the terrorists resist and shoots back and Isreali troops have to respond. It is that simple. Peace is within the grasps of the Palestians, all they have to do is stop the terrorist activity. whatever death that comes to the palestinians , they have put upon themselves.
and lets make clear, Israeli soliders target terrorists, terrorists target civilians. so if anyone has disgust just for israel and not Palestianians than they have shown thier true colors and are jew haters.
The only "Jew-hater" is cal, the boy crying wolf above. The Israeli Occupation (thank you, Ariel Sharon for telling it like it is) is a high-tech, Neo-Nazi skinhead operation. The whole world knows it. The many Jews like Cal who still cling to hollow delusions they have as to the Israeli State's moral character need to get back on the medication. Israel is being led by fundamentalist racist wackos, and their cruelty knows no bounds. All people are morally obligated to support the Palestinians fight against Israel's illegal, immoral Occupation.
There are increasing numbers of Jews who are taking the principled stand in support of them.
Cal, however not only believes Palestinians don't deserve liberty, he thinks every good Palestinian is a dead Palestinian. And his loyalty to America is paper-thin. War or Peace, Justice or Tyranny, all Cal cares about is whether it's "good for the Jews."
Now, you tell me if that's the kind of American you think belongs here.
How hard is it to say that a state that grants the exclusive right to people of a certain ethniticy to immigrate, while keeping the former inhabitants out is a racist state? How hard is it to realise that a state that holds 3 million people as hostages because they do not belong to the right ethnicity is a racist state? How hard is it to understand that a state which treats it ethnical minority as second class citizens akin to the treatment of negros in South Africa is a racist state?
Why is a country allowed to occupy another country for decades? Why is a country allowed to unpunished drive out the former inhabitants of the territory? Why is a country allowed to day after day kill stonetrowing youths, to murder kids single-digits old?
How hard is it to say that a state that grants the exclusive right to people of a certain ethniticy to immigrate, while keeping the former inhabitants out is a racist state? How hard is it to realise that a state that holds 3 million people as hostages because they do not belong to the right ethnicity is a racist state? How hard is it to understand that a state which treats it ethnical minority as second class citizens akin to the treatment of negros in South Africa is a racist state?
Why is a country allowed to occupy another country for decades? Why is a country allowed to unpunished drive out the former inhabitants of the territory? Why is a country allowed to day after day kill stonetrowing youths, to murder kids single-digits old?
I have to do a project on zionism and I would appreciate any kind of information on the topic, thank you so much.
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Well thought out blog entry, though I'm not sure I entirely agree with the point being made! However saying that everyone has their own point of view and is entitled to it.