I just find it funny that most debates on the issues in the region usually turn into claims of racism instead of addressing issues. I mean is authors like Norman Finkelstien are accused of being anti-semitic then what next?
2007-08-06 05:56:09 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
You're right, and this situation is blocking any real discussion on the Arab-Israeli crisis. This is the "Teflon Effect": People are able to deflect all criticism on an issue by claiming that anyone who deviates from their point of view is a racist (and it works both ways--any critique of Israel is anti-semitic to some, and any critique of Palestinians is anti-Arab/racist to others).
It is such a sad state of affairs, and is closing down true dialogue. The same happens in the U.S.--any critique of the "War on Terror" is labeled as "unpatriotic" in some circles, or cast as a lack of "support for the troops".
Until we have open discussion in which we are able to look honestly at our own biases, we will never solve these problems. The key is not to be cowed into silence by these narrow-minded people--speak the truth!
2007-08-06 06:04:31 · answer #1 · answered by epublius76 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Yes, absolutely it is.
Most Jews that I know are happy to debate what goes on in the Middle East. I've heard people really lay into Israel and no Jew I know has ever had a problem.
The only time when it's offensive, is when the person is denying historical fact and instead is ranting and raving about the evils of 'international zionism' etc.
As you can see from the answers to your question, people are coming out with the old garbage about 'the jews control the media'. That, then, is racism.
Discussing or critiquing Israel is NOT racism.
And by the way, to the idiot who said it: you are the very proof against your mad theory. If Jews control the media - how come I've read so many horrible remarks about Jews on this site, yours included?
2007-08-06 06:26:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
But hang on, it isn't the Jews who riot and march over a few satirical cartoons in a Danish newspaper, is it now?
And it isn't the Jews who burn the British flag just 'cause author Salman Rushdie gets knighted, is it now?
I'm fascinated by the Middle East and frankly, I discuss it with every Jewish person I know, and every new Jewish person I meet!
I've said negative things and I have NEVER, EVER been accused of 'racism'.
Many 'debates' about Israel on this site, though, do involve remarks that have nothing to do with Israel; they instead are wildly unfair generalisations about Jews.
Martin Luther King pointed out that many people who wished to say anti jewish things, found they could get away with it if they simply claimed they were merely being 'anti Israel' instead.
And why is it that while so many people accuse Israel of so many things, the same people ignore what's going on in numerous other countries; things that are far worse!
Women are being stoned to death in Iran on a regular basis - nobody seems to care about that though!
EDIT, B KEVORKIAN:
The Jews have not 'claimed' victim status.
Sadly, throughout history, they have truly been victims.
Big difference between the two.
2007-08-06 06:32:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
To be perfectly honest, I'm skeptical of your claim that any criticism in the US of Israeli actions or policies gets censured by being labeled as anti-semitic. Personally, as an American living in the US, I've seen/heard numerous people state they felt Israel didn't respond to Hesbollah during the most recent crisis in the most appropriate manner and I failed to hear one charge of anti-semitism in response (though obviously there were people who disagreed which is always going to be the case in a pluralistic society). Perhaps the problem you refer to occurs only in the circles in which you find yourself rather than in the entire US as a whole.
2016-05-19 22:11:59 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's possible to critique Israel without being anti-Semitic or criticizing America without being anti-American.
It's quite sad that you can't criticize anything in this country without being labeled anti-something. What is the point of having free speech if people won't let you talk?
2007-08-06 06:09:28 · answer #5 · answered by ? 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Yes, it is possible.
But it is not possible to hide your anti semitism behind anti Zionism and think that you can get away with it by whining "I'm not anti Semitic! I'm only criticizing Israel!"
2007-08-06 06:57:50 · answer #6 · answered by BMCR 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Even some Jews criticize the politics of Israel.
2007-08-06 06:00:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
Of course!
I am part Jewish, my fiance is Jewish.
I regularly argue against some policies of Isreal. A friend who just returned from the Isreali military disagreed, but definately saw my point.
The only ones who say you cant are the people who are incapable of disagreeing with respect
2007-08-06 06:15:26 · answer #8 · answered by Showtunes 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No.
Any criticism leveled at group that has claimed victim status will be met with such an accusation. Examples include, in addition to anti-semitism, racism, homophobia, sexism, Islamophobia, intollerance, insensitivity, and, of course, the all-encompasing big gun: 'hate.'
2007-08-06 06:00:28 · answer #9 · answered by B.Kevorkian 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It is true, you cannot offer too much criticism of Israel without being called racist.. but then again.. you cannot offer an opinion about anyone anywhere any more without someone calling you a name. i don't know what ever happened to free speech.
2007-08-06 06:07:21 · answer #10 · answered by Debra H 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋