Whatever the truth of the backward and forward between Judge Richard Goldstone and the Sandton Shul is, the heated words that have made it into the press speak of a major blowup behind the scenes. True to form, the community, in the guise of the Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein, has made a belated attempt to brush it all over and play the nice guys. But the truth is obvious to anyone reading between the lines, and even more so if you have (as I have) grown up inside the South African Jewish community. The South African Jews are once again rallying to the support of one of the world’s remaining apartheid states, now implicated in committing war crimes by the United Nations.
This tunnel-visioned and mindless support of Israel regardless of its behaviour is indicative of a dangerous fanaticism at the heart of this community. This peculiar dualism is a common characteristic of many religious observers in modern times, caught as they are between their imperilled, outdated traditions and the tidal waves of science and reason that have battered all but their most quaint religious notions to dust. However there is something particular to the tone of the Jewish voice that sets it apart from the rest. These kinds of scandals help us to understand why.
To take a step back, the furore centres on a UN report which Goldstone delivered in his role as the head of a UN inquiry into the Israeli operations in Gaza in late 2008/early 2009. The conclusion the judge came to in January this year was that both sides, Israelis and Palestinians, committed war crimes and that the Israelis, specifically, had intentionally targeted civilians during these operations.
Fast forward to this month when, so the story went, the Sandton Shul sought to bar Goldstone from attending his grandson’s bar mitzvah as a expression of their distaste for his conclusions on Israel. Chief Rabbi Goldstein was quick to point out that this was false, and that Goldstone was welcome to attend on the basis that, as a matter of principle, synagogues are open to all (Jews, one presumes).
However, this is not where the story ends. In the subtext of the public statements from both the shul and other representatives is the idea that Goldstone’s presence will draw a large crowd of Zionist protestors, and that this will mar the occasion. This is the equivalent of saying “well dear, of course you can have that extra hamantaschen! But don’t come crying to me when you get fat”.
The problem here is not that the officials are running around trying to look like the most open and tolerant faith since Rabbi Jesus tried to bless the meek, but that this should draw a crowd of hecklers in the first place. What, pray tell, are the “Zionists” protesting?
And here is the rub: the bulk of South African Jews seem unable to accept any criticism of Israel, in whatever form, from anyone. The sting, one imagines, is all that more intense in that it’s flowing from the pen of a South African Jew. In a much, much tinier way I have experienced the same kind of reaction to an earlier blog post of mine about Judaism in South Africa. The feedback I received more than any other was unrelated to my content but merely that criticism of Jews should not be made publically by a Jew.
My position on religion of all kinds is well-known — and I have no part in my birth religion, or any other for that matter. But even if I were an ardent participant in this religion, why would I be so attached to the lily-white reputation that Israel and its supporters around the world seek to further? Even Americans, the world’s greatest patriots, engage in passionate criticism of their government when appropriate. In general, wrongdoing by the US military is condemned and doesn’t result in judges being harangued by a mob simply for daring to doubt the goodness of Uncle Sam.
But this is precisely what Jews in South Africa — and elsewhere — do the moment Israel comes under fire for anything. This kind of loyalty is not only misplaced but is simply a reflex. When Jews hear Israel they hear Jews, and when they hear Jews being criticised there is an almost primal fire that ignites and the post-rationalisations start. The presumption of innocence is not “until proven guilty” but absolute.
And unlike in Israel itself, it seems to make no difference if the current government is right- or left-leaning. The idea of Israel is merged with all its actions and granted wholesale amnesty in the minds of this community. They can do no wrong.
In fact, what an eminent judge — and, for that matter, an eminent Jew — is saying in no uncertain terms is there is something here to be ashamed of. The Israeli army, endorsed by the government of Israel, committed the kinds of atrocities Jews are quick to attach phrases like “never again” to when it comes to their own wellbeing. The brutality in the way the Palestinian civilians were treated during the Gaza operations, and, let’s face it, are treated on an ongoing basis, is something supporters of Israel should be most horrified by. If they love this little nation in the desert they should hate those who behave as criminals in its name.
Start this debate with a Zionist — and for Zionist you can read a large part of the South African mainstream Jewish community — and you will be told that the Palestinians started it, and that Israel is just trying to defend itself. This is the same tired defence that’s trotted out again and again. In this instance — and one can only presume the voraciousness of the response is a reflection of this — this is a story that can’t fly. The criticism is not being made by Hamas or Syria. And it’s not an argument about whether Israel has a right to defend itself. It is being made by a South African Jew in the name of the United Nations, and the charge is one of using excessive and illegal force against unarmed innocents.
Quite apart from whether any religion has a place in the modern world, and whether it is a good enough reason to place ourselves apart from others, detest inter-marriage and go to war, this kind of event provides the opportunity for people who declare themselves a group based on religion to show us what that religion is made of. If it can be used in any way to excuse abuses, and the ranks close in front of those who deserve no defence, then these people and these communities must be treated with the contempt they deserve.
I am quite certain that Richard Goldstone would not concur with many of the views I have expressed here, that he would take a more reasonable line and — for all I know — may be a practising Jew himself. All the worse for the Zionist bigots if he is. So I am not writing here in his defence, but rather focusing attention on the real issue: that there is a community of people in our country, in this time, as we grapple with the ghosts of our own racist, separatist past, who thoughtlessly defend a nation whose human rights record lies in shreds, the extent of that shredding highlighted and documented by one of their own. They are out of step with even the least noble sentiments of our post-apartheid leadership.
I say again: something to be ashamed of.
@Lyndall
So the Palestinians are “bussed in”? As opposed to the current population of Isreal which come from most every part of the globe and have no ancestral claim to Israel (unless you credit the religious claim but that is a very slippery slope) Regardless if the reasons and the arguments for the legitimacy of Israel the fact remains that before the declaration Zionist groups used terrorism to try and achieve their political aims. That is terrorism in the western sense, you could also say that the Israeli government’s excessive use of force against Palestinians in Gaza is also a type of terrorism. Do you agree that Zionists/Jews are capable of terrorism or is this a term your reserve for Muslims?
Am curious Lyndall, would you support the majority of white South Africans driven from this country? After all whites have so many countries in the world and whites and their descendants have only been here 350 years (less in some cases). Recent history of the region shows that Arabs are not all one homogeneous group just as whites aren’t one homogeneous group. Kicking out the Palestinians because “Arabs” have so much land in the Middle East is the same faulty logic as kicking white South Africans out.
Hi judeye
Let us not lose sight of one fact. We arrive on mother earth with minds that are blank canvasses. We depart it having collected all the prejudices of those we shared the journey with.
Let us take heed of “Everyone is kneaded out of the same dough but not baked in the same oven” a very old Yiddish proverb which in reality defines all of us that claim affiliation to the human race.
The words “next year in Jerusalem” were coined a long, long time ago. Can it be that these words debunks all your theories?
Does it really matter whether one is descendant from the Sephadic or Khazarian side. Labeling your fellow man makes you the arch racist in my humble opinion.
Steve you are mistaken about saying that jews, muslims, and christians all lived peacefully 3500 years ago in israel. For your information The cristian and muslim religions hadnt even existed at this time. Im afraid they only came into existance 2000 years later. 1-0
Another mistake u have made is that Jews muslims and christians dont live peacefully in Israel. Last time i checked they all seem to be living very peacefully. All can practise their faith in peace. Unlike the rst of the Arab world…2-0
Another mistake is you say the Palestinians want to live in peace with Israelis then how can u justify the disgusting indoctrination of children wherby they dress the kids up in sucide bombewr vests and teach them hate from day 1. ja veyr peaceful they are…3-0
next mistake u made is the chirp about Eastern europeans coming to Israel, for your info Jews can be traced from the excile by the romans 2000 years ago to europe, most family ties have traced their roots to early Israel. 4-0
And Mr Eligos sir the book that Shlomo sands wrote is laughable and is the modern parallel to the Elders of Zion written 100 years back. Zionism was created in the 19th century but the ties the Jews have with the land of Israel gp back 3500 years to the day G-D gave the jewsish people the torah. The land of Israel and the jewish people are intwined.
As a born Jew, baptised and confirmed Anglican, and now as a rationalist card carrying, born again atheist, I concur fully that Jewish south africans are becoming insular and frankly ridiculous! Of course the same can be said of christians, especially Muslims, and all believers!
Religion is very dangerous.
Derek James
Jarred I fail to understand why a man who professes no connection to his cultural heritage has such a strong opinion about a people and country that you have essentially declared you care not a whit about?
The argument that a community may choose to request who they do and don’t daven with is the perogative of that particular shul.. all shuls like any private space have the right to reserve entry.
Your diatribe against the SA Jewish community’s support of Israel is again not really any of your business – you have laughed off your heritage… the SA Jewish community chooses to celebrate theirs. Israel was established on the premise of “Never Again”; Jews would be able to have a homeland that insured against a tragedy of the Shoah ever occuring again.
That you don’t like the particular political stance of some actions of the democratically elected Knesset – fine, neither do a whole bunch of Israelies either – which is why they have a democratic process and elect their leadership! That SA’s Jews support the nation state of Israel is offensive to you? Why should you – who chose to exit the community now decide where its stands on difficult issues facing Israel, they have a right to decide, they retained their roots and their heritage, you bowed out of the debate.
Israel like all states has itss faults. SA Jews support the state’s right to exist and as supporters retain the right to critique, not you.
@judeye
“The problem with the Joels and nissims of this blog is that they illustrate perfectly what the OP sets out to do; demonstrating the “Mindless South African Jewish sheep mentality strikes again” concept perfectly.”
No, my friend, sheep get led to slaughter. What “zionists” like us are doing is making sure we never get slaughtered again. Besides the recent holocaust, Jews have suffered systematic slaughter, exile, oppression and alienation for the last 2000 years. That’s what happens when you have no country, army or police force of your own.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe that Goldstone should have lied to protect Israel – he should have simply gone to Sderot and other Israeli towns that came under almost daily rocket bombardment and spoken to the Israelis involved.
Tell me, if Hamas is prepared to torture, maim and erase (Palestinian) Fatah supporters in Gaza for political ends, how can the Israelis see them as serious partners for peace?
Personally I think the writer is the sheep in this case – just going along with the politically correct anti-Israel lobby without considering that there might just be another side to this debate – as there always is.
Before reading his pathetic self-loathing drivel, I should have been alerted his OP byline: “Opinions that cause trouble”
He obviously gets a kick from “causing trouble” and trying to sell himself off as some kind of “enfant terrible” for whom no cows, shuls or countries are holy.
@ judeye
“deliberate choice to stand behind the truth” – what is “the truth”? Because we witness daily the slanted media portrayals of Israeli gunships, phospherous bombs, and roadblock checks; while we are fed very little of the rockets that rain down on Israel on a daily basis, and the shreded israeli flesh which litters suicide bomber sites – is this really “the truth”?
As much as it is reported that it is a palestinian freedom battle (or “struggle” in politically-correct terms), where is the reporting about Iran’s wish (yes, the same Iran sponsoring Palestinian insurgents!) to exterminate Israel in totality? – where can i access such reporting? This is not a propagandist rhetorical question, it stems from Amadinejad’s direct utterances. Has Goldstone ever investigated the link which insurgents have to the aforementioned extermination wishes?
Many Jews learnt a very dear lesson during the holocaust: There so-called “liberation” from the death camps had little to do with such liberation or compassion for a people being exterminated, but rather with the allies and russians carefully dividing the spoils of war in the form of accessing knowledgeable german scientists, geographical areas of value etc – the “jewish issue” merely legitimised the self-serving post-war plundering which ultimately led to the cold war (with its berlin wall etc).
While the extermination of 6 million jews was merely viewed as a “tragedy”, do you really think Israel’s strong-handed responses to those wanting a second holocaust are coincidental?
i am 81 years old.as a jew i joined habonim in 1942.what jarred is saying is exactly what the communist,non religious jews were saying at the jewish workers club in doornfontein in 1942.the situation maybe different but the sentiment is the same.they hated being born jewish & have become ANTI SEMITES.They would rather see the JEWS annialated,assimilated .If Judaism fails then all religions will fail & that is what they want a world free of reliigion.In 1942 we were slaughtered no one came to our rescue.In 1947 no one came to our rescue when the arab nations attacked us.Peace could have been achieved long ago if the arab states would have not harboured the hope that one day turncoats like kasrils jarred,davis,goldstone & other like them would see the destruction of their own people because they wanted to dsetroy the jews self defence..Just think what happens to the poor defenceless africans of other tribes who are attacked by their neighbours .They are massacred.If my neighbour attacks me i do not want to end up another one of 6million,nor a villager in Ruanda.War is War See how the USA ,China,Russia,Afghans fight their wars,
then come & tell me how to fight my war.I want peace,but do the arabs???
Where is Israel and why should I care about it.
Jarred, you and Richard Goldstone are to be applauded. Your balanced and reasonaed positions stand out strakly against the hsyteria of the narrow-minded zionists who are villifying you. Have a look at another such reasoning mind: “Regrettably, the two-state solution is now a fantasy. Instead, those territories will be incorporated into a Greater Israel, which will be an apartheid state bearing a marked resemblance to white-ruled South Africa. Nevertheless, a Jewish apartheid state is not politically viable over the long term. In the end, it will become a democratic bi-national state, whose politics will be dominated by its Palestinian citizens. In other words, it will cease being a Jewish state, which will mean the end of the Zionist dream.”
http://www.thejerusalemfund.org/ht/redisplay/1/printerfriendly/1
@ south african
Care because you never know when you will want care!
3 May 2010
MEETING BETWEEN THE SOUTH AFRICAN ZIONIST FEDERATION AND JUDGE RICHARD GOLDSTONE
A delegation comprising senior Jewish communal leaders, headed by the South African Zionist Federation (SAZF), met today with Mr. Justice Richard Goldstone. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss Judge Goldstone’s participation in the 2009 UN Fact-Finding Mission into the recently concluded conflict in Gaza and the contents of the Report that the Mission subsequently released.
Attached are the opening statements of SAZF Chairman Avrom Krengel and Judge Goldstone, which formed the basis of the discussion that followed. The discussion was frank and open, covering the role and motivation of Judge Goldstone re his involvement with the Commission and the hurt and concerns of the South African Jewish community regarding the findings and impact of the Report
It was agreed by both parties that the opening statements reflected the nature of the discussion and that no interviews relating to the content of the meeting would be given by any of the participants.
Here are the links to both statements:
http://www.4shared.com/document/GQxUx–H/GOLDSTONE_REPORT-Goldstone_Ope.html
http://www.4shared.com/document/1AX1Z0Wi/GOLDSTONE_REPORT-Avrom_Opening.html
Great article. Very brave.
Hi Jarred. Brilliant article. The only difference between you and I on this is that I practice the Jewish religion (I am not a Zionist…South Africa is my homeland). It is high time that people realsie the difference between the ideology of Zionism and the religion of Judaism. Thery are mutually exclusive…the one has nothing to do with the other. The Z&%$ist enterprise has co-opted the religion of Judaism, my religion, to support its occupation of another people.
The myth is perpetrated that, “Arabs hate the Jews and want to drive us into the sea”. I have met many Arab people (intellectuals and otherwise) and I am welcomed as a fellow Semite whose religion and cultural practices shares links with the religion of Islam. Check out these 2 links by ProfMOhamed Elmasry to see that the Arab World does indeed distinguish between Judasim and Zionism http://www.thecanadiancharger.com/page.php?id=5&a=445 and http://www.thecanadiancharger.com/page.php?id=5&a=147
the only reason that I speak out against Israeli atrocities more than I speak out about the atrocities of the Mugabe regime is that Israel commits its atrocities in the name of the religion that I enjoy.
Steve presumably your comment speaking out against Israel’s atrocities rather than Mugabe’s devastation of his country is designed to keep this thread alive rather than any solid conviction in what you wrote. You also dont appear to have the courage of your conviction to give your full name.
The origin of your religion that you profess to enjoy comes from where? Whether or not you like it you are part of Zion (Bnei Yisrael) You quote the Canadian Charger and Prof Mohamed Elmasry as some form of objective reference source. Presumably you have read the interesting quote of Elmasry’s indicating his impartiality and reasoned arguments “anyone over the age of 18 was a justifiable target of Palestinian attacks” There are other equally outrageous members of the CC editorial board with a real nutter Michael Keefer “who appears to be sympathetic to the 9/11 truther movement. These are the nutbars who think the Twin towers came down as a result of controlled demolitions(among other conspiracy theories)”.
http://backseatblogger.com/?p=889
Maybe you should read the Christian Bible John 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
To be a Jew means first and foremost to belong to a group, the Jewish people, the religious beliefs are secondary, to this coroprate allegiance. Your enjoyable religion is therefore but one of many fascinating ingredients of Judiasm. Judiasm N de Lange 1986 ISBN 0-19-219198-5
No country has lost as much as Israel in this last week. What Israel gave up is the holocaust and Munich, the cultural myths the storytellers used to twist a generation to accept Fascism in place of democracy and hate in place of decent lives. When millions in Saudi “blood money” flows into the extremist religious schools called madrassas or Glen Beck and Rush Limbaugh or the vicious phony Christian thug John Hagee spew their poison, it is no different. In Vietnam, 566 women and children died because poorly trained draftees were told they could kill “gooks” because gooks weren’t human.
Israel, the “flavor of the day” failed state assumed the mantle of international psychopathic criminal state out of hubris and paranoia. Were people “out to get” Israel? Maybe, but generally in retaliation. What an interesting word. It assumes that someone did something wrong. What it never can explain is who and when. With 6000 years to play with and religious texts that depict a super-being so flawed, so ignorant and so utterly inhuman as to justify what any sane person has to know is total insanity, the books so many accept, not only Jews but Muslims and Christians, tens of centuries of brutality are little but roadmaps for mayhem.
Many people are not aware of the growing number of Israeli who protest against the occupation. Here is a video clip of one such protest. It is in Hebrew with English subtitles. http://www.facebook.com/#!/video/video.php?v=1454953543067 It speaks for itself.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/video/video.php?v=1454953543067
Loius, I do not agree with the logic of your argument as it is tainted by yuor tribalism.
Answer this: why do you think it is that Elmasry, as you claim, puts the age of legitimate Israeli targets at over 18 years? And by contrast, why is it that Israeli soldiers and IDF policy do not have an age discrimination as is evidenced by the very large number of children killed or had limbs blown off by flesshette and DIME ordinance in the assualt on Gaza. Perhaps you will resort to the argument that these children were, “human shields”?
I have not read of Elmasry’s statement that, “anyone over the age of 18 was a justifiable target of Palestinian attacks” so I look forward to your citing this reference with a link to the source.
JARRED, please in the future can you rather replace the word, “Jewish” with the word, “Zionist” or “Zionist Jews” when refering to behaviour such as dscribed in this article. As a non-Zionist Jew, I don’t think it fair that I should be lumped together with South African Zionist Jews.
Steve hope this is posted as thread is probably long in the tooth. Two references regarding Elmasry
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohamed_Elmasry#Appearance_on_the_Michael_Coren_Show
http://www.montrealmuslimnews.net/fulltranscript.htm. Unfortunately an idiot, Adam Aptowitzer from Bnai Brith on the same programme gave a cretinous definition of terrorism which dissipated the L-T impact of Elmasry’s comment.
By the way the Hebrew language does not have a word for religion, it has been foreign to Judiasm until recent, the word “dat’ has been used to translate religion but is more associated with the realm of law rather than belief. ‘Emunah” has been used which is trust or belief “in” rather than belief “that”. Judiasm does not have a creed and relates more to identity that religion. Jews are very much about a tribe, as dispersed as what it is, and unlike Christians are not solely identified by their beliefs. There are many loyal Jews who deny having any religion. The sociological approach of worship, observances, dress and rituals and a way of life are acknowledged as more pertinent to Judiasm than religious beliefs. Unfortunately I am not erudite enough to comprehensively debate your viewpoint in these columns but in fact would encourage you to explore the issue of adhering to a religion and seeing that as an adequate commentary of yourself as a Jew. In a biblical sense you are part of Israel and Judah and a part of Zion whatever you say. Shalom
Thanks, I had in the meantime looked up what he said: http://vladtepesblog.com/?p=5556
The trouble with what you say, “In a biblical sense you are part of Israel and Judah and a part of Zion whatever you say” is that this definition is based on the Bible which is not a credible historical book. I am Jewish because my mother was Jewish. And on a more recent historical note than the bible, Jews have lived for centuries all over the world.
Louis, your view of Zion and your insistance on Jews belonging to it “no matter what we say” smacks of the exactly same right wing Islamic fundamentalism that you no doubt reject, but for different reasons that I reject. People with views like yours contribute in part to terrorist activity on both sides of these fascist and tribalist divides.
My point about being part of Zion in the biblical sense (historical scriptures) relates to the origin of the Jews, believed to be in the Middle East, Jerusalem/Judah/Israel??? It is scientifically acknowledged that Jews are not a race however research reported in Nature shows that Diaspora Jews, tightly bound by social, cultural and religious traditions, have generally maintained a strong genetic continuity, although there has also been an induction of DNA to a greater or lesser degree from the host population, through marriages and conversions.
The study, as expected, confirmed the Middle Eastern, or Levantine, origins of Jews as documented in ancient Hebrew scriptures. This lineage is clearly visible in communities today, ages after the Jews were expelled from Israel. So the likelihood of having some part of Israel Zion through your ancestors is very probable. Its in you- tough
Until recently I have been an unobservant, irreligious and non compliant Jew who only really becomes strongly Jewish when confronted by antisemitism and unfair criticism With the increasingly skewed onslaught of antisemitism and threats to Israel I have become far more nationalistic and prouder of being a Jew. Whatever the provocation I wont condone terrosism but I dont believe in passivity either. Hopefully the occasion never arises where you act like the white person being attacked during the 1976 riots screaming on TV “but i am English”. You are a target – a bullet or bomb wont stop to ask if you are a Jew or a Zionist Jew
Nicely put Steve… it’s the terrorism against the truth that affects the worlds psyche and allows morality to be lowered with impunity. Allows goodness to be viewed supiciously and allows repugnant values to be fostered regardless.
Killing Christ is realised symbolically as an assault on goodness, a crime against kindness and innocence. The cold blooded slaughter of peace activists in international waters has a very similar effect. It is an assault on compassion, righteousness and humanism. It is an attack on everything Christianity and Islam happen to value. As much as Israelis, Zionists and Neocons are insisting on spreading the deceptive myth of a Judeo-Christian alliance, it is this last Israeli crime that made it clear that the Jewish State shares nothing with humanism, Christianity or Islam. Israel in fact stands against any recognised Western value.
iN 2 PARTS –
ISRAEL’S PECULIAR POSITION
By Eric Hoffer (LA Times 5/26/68)
The Jews are a peculiar people: things permitted to other nations areforbidden to the Jews.
Other nations drive out thousands, even millions of people and there is norefugee problem. Russian did it, Poland and Czechoslovakia did it, Turkey threw out a million Greeks, and Algeria a million Frenchman. Indonesia threw out heaven knows how many Chinese-and no one says a word about refugees. But in the case of Israel the displaced Arabs have become eternal refugees.
Everyone insists that Israel must take back every single Arab. Arnold Toynbee calls the displacement of the Arabs an atrocity greater than any committed by the Nazis.
Other nations when victorious on the battlefield dictate peace terms. But when Israel is victorious it must sue for peace. Everyone expects the Jewsto be the only real Christians in this world.
Other nations when they are defeated survive and recover but should Israelbe defeated it would be destroyed. Had Nasser triumphed last June he would have wiped Israel off the map, and no one would have lifted a finger to save the Jews.
No commitment to the Jews by any government, including our own, is worth the paper it is written on. There is a cry of outrage all over the world when people die in Vietnam or when two Negroes are executed in Rhodesia. But when Hitler slaughtered Jews no one remonstrated with him.
PART 2
The Swedes, who are ready to break of diplomatic relations with America because of what we do in Vietnam, did not let out a peep when Hitler was slaughtering Jews. They sent Hitler choice iron ore, and ball bearings, and serviced his troop trains to Norway.
The Jews are alone in the world. If Israel survives, it will be solely because of Jewish efforts. And Jewish resources. Yet at this moment Israel is our only reliable and unconditional ally. We can rely more on Israel than Israel can rely on us. And one has only to imagine what would have happened last summer had the Arabs and their Russian backers won the war to realize how vital the survival of Israel is toAmerica and the West in general.
I have a premonition that will not leave me; as it goes with Israel so will it go with all of us. Should Israel perish the holocaust will be upon us.
Has any one made a point that tells it like it is? Clearly the division amongst ourselves will ultimately destroy us when the words dry up.
Judeye, thanks. But please can we rather call it the, “Zionist State”. The reason is that there are a growing number of non-Zionist Jews who simply do not support the apartheid state and distance themselves fromt eh atrocities committied against another semetic people namely the Palestinians. The Jews, Muslima and Christians shared the land peacefully for centuries before the European Zionists (who happened to be Jewish) invaded and colonised the land.
LOUIS, it is people with racist thoughts like yours who foster anti-semitism. I am certainly not a target just because I am Jewish. I have many Muslim friends and collegues as well as Jewish friends and collegues. I have visited Muslim countries and I can tell you first hand that they welcomed me as a Jew. The people I met know the difference between what it is to be a Zionist and a Jew. I think it was Hitler who decided to exterminate people based on the purity of the Aryan genes. So, now you clutch as DNA stands as well as Biblical straws to justify the unjustifyable. I am happy to have whatever these genes are…but I don’t use this as a justification for occupation.
Lyndall, I have heard of an Israeli suicide bomber…in 1948 a truck laden with explosives was detonated by Israeli Zionists outside an orphanage in Japha killing many children. This was part of the Zionist expulsion of Palestinian Arabs from Jaffa.
Steve I hope you read Chris Potgieter’s comments I believe this to be an outstanding example demonstating the hypocrisy and double standards being displayed towards Israel. Its far better than the communique sent out by the SAJBD. You implied/ accused me of being facist and racist.I will admit to being proudly tribalistic. I dont know if you are merely spouting for the sake of controversy or just naive but I did mention that Jews are not a race. There is some common DNA thread which I mentioned due to Jews, despite the Diaspora, following Halachic laws etc. Likewise Muslims are not a race as they allow conversions. So one cannot therefore be racist. I am not sure whether you have served in any army or been in a confrontation with a mob but my point is that when you are under attack nobody will give a stuff whether you are a Jew or a Zionsit . You are a Jew if you wear a kippot and pray at a shul. Hopefully when your friends are threatened by the rabid elements to fight for the cause, they will be able to protect you or will you expect a fellow Jew to do so. Such as the CSO volunteers who stand outside your shul. I will comment on your next reply but thereafter will refrain as I believe this discourse is like “farting agaist thunder” and we will have to “agree to disagree” . Where’s Jarred with his comments