Date: Wed, 1 Dec 2004 16:24:26 -0800 (PST)
From: Patrick Crosby <pfcrosby-AT-yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [BOU:] End of anti-Semitic list


Your comments made me realize a problem of having a "Jewish State" that I'd never though of before. Such a state tends to take on the facade or appearance of speaking for Jews in general (which of course, it really doesn't. There are many Jews in both Israel and in the US --- e.g. Amy Goodman of Democracy Now--- who staunchly oppose the Sharon government). Since states in general are rarely if ever terribly likable entities, having a state so closely identified with a religion or a people can be like proverbially asking for proverbial trouble at the outset.
    The problem would obviously be the same if one were to have a "Christian State" (the sort of which GW Bush would like to turn the US into). Such a state would be apt to give Christianity a bit of a bad rap (to put it mildly). Witness what "Islamic Republics" (e.g., Kohemeni's Iran)have done for the general Image of Islam in the West, the US especially. Well educated people are generally capable of differentiating the specific republic with the more general qualifier. Less educated people are generally not. A big problem here in the US, I submit, both for ordinary US citizens of that faith, and for those of us who are trying to move toward a more tolerant society.

Bryan Atinsky <bryan-AT-alt-info.org> wrote:
Jessica Salzberg wrote:
>
> The Bourdieu list has been very anti-Semitic.
>
> Thanks God it is meeting its end, a bit late in the day, though.
>
>
>
> JS
>

Well...it would be nice if there were some examples, instead of what 
amounts to an argumentum ad hominem sans the argumentum...

As a longtime, mostly passive member of this list, I really haven't the 
foggiest what she is talking about...

And, on this issue and as an Israeli, I would have to concur with Ozgur 
that anti-Zionism should not be equated with anti-Semitism.

If someone were to equate every policy decision and action of the 
Israeli government/military as an act of the 'Jewish people,' my guess 
is you would probably consider that anti-Semitic (and be correct)...are 
you not yourself (and the Israeli gov. hasbarah) doing the same thing by 
organically connecting every critical statement against Israeli policy 
or against Zionist ideology as an attack against Jews in general?

And moreover, Zionism is contested by many Jews around the world, 
including many Israelis.

Bryan


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