A lot of people have asked me why I feel so passionately on the subjects of Israel and antisemitism to build a blog around them. As I’m not Jewish this is a very understandable question. I’ve never properly answered it before for several reasons. A lot of my motivation is instinctive and therefore unexplainable, some of it is personal and anyway there always seem more pressing issues to write about. But given the interest there is in the question, I’ll do my best in this post. I apologise in advance if what I write doesn’t satisfy everyone’s curiosity. As I say, a lot of it is instinctive.
I grew up in south west London in an area with few Jewish people. I had a couple of Jewish friends at school and some of my parents friends are Jewish, but I can’t say I was particularly exposed to Jewish people or to Israel as a topic. That said my grandmother visited Israel a number of times and my father did too, in the early days of the state. I only learned about these visits relatively recently though.
As I grew into an adult I did start to become quite interested in Jewish culture, history and even the cuisine. I’ve always instinctively liked symbols like the Magen David and the menorah, too. But these were really just background interests of mine. As far as the Middle East conflict goes I suppose I had a typically default feeling of ill-informed pity for the Palestinians and therefore a vague hostility to Israel. Then 9/11 happened and everything changed.
In the wake of those atrocities I became very interested in the Middle East conflict. I was working at a predominantly Jewish company at the time and I recall taking fascinating lunches with one member of staff during which he patiently and fairly answered my questions about Israel. I then began voraciously reading about the conflict, pouring through books that covered the issue from both sides of the argument from Edward Said to Alan Dershowitz and more. Many, many books and much thinking later I fell in firmly on Israel’s side.
In September 2006 I finally visited Israel and had a fascinating time. Everything I had hoped for about the people and the place came true. I had high, high hopes and they were exceeded by what I found. It was at that point that I became so passionate about trying to support Israel, a country that gets such an unfair hearing in the world. I’ve been back to Israel twice since and now have many dear friends there.
As well as wanting to support Israel I’m also disgusted by antisemitism in general, as I am by all bigotry from sexism to homophobia and Islamophobia. However, of all the bigotries that exist antisemitism seems the most universally held: from the numbskull skinhead to the sophisticated leftie to the aristocratic Brit and nearly everyone in between. I don’t mean to be flippant when I ask surely the bigger mystery is not why I oppose antisemitism but why more other people don’t? My hope is that this blog can help in some small way to work against anti-Israel bigotry and antisemitism in general, and perhaps bring some moments of comfort to those who suffer as a result of them.
So there we have it. I have no secret Jewish relatives and my support is not particularly based on religious feelings, though I am very interested in all aspects of Judaism, particularly the stories of the Baal Shem Tov and other parts of the Hasidic and Jewish mystical traditions. I have many other passions and interests including: the life and career of cancer-survivor cyclist Lance Armstrong; the fight to find a cure for Progeria; books; long-distance running; reality television and Arsenal Football Club.
It just so happens this is the topic I choose to blog about. I hope the above helps explain why.
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Great post. I am in the same situation and I find the “instinctive,” answer a personal revelation. As a goy, it just seems right and moral to oppose all anti-semitism. I think it began in elementary school when we were taught about the Holocaust and saw all the terrible images.
Keep up the good work.
Great post, indeed. As a religious Jew, I have my theories about the existence of anti-Semitism and it’s universality, but I don’t for one minute excuse those who perpetrate this, or any other, kind of bigotry and hatred.
Even if it is part of so many cultures, traditions and religions to be predisposed against Jews, it is greatly encouraging that there are those out there who cannot bear such a thing and will not sit by idly. You, Chas Newkey-Burden, give me hope.
I personally think it is very revealing–and far from reasonable–that people ask you to explain why you’re passionate enough about Israel and anti-semitism to write a blog about them. Would they ask you this if you set up a blog about Jamaican or African culture and against racism? The question assumes that this is an abnormal and strange thing to do, and that it requires to be explained because it’s not a thing a reasonable person would do.
It’s also telling that you feel you have to explain that you have no Jewish relatives–as if this too could be assumed to be the real reason why you might want to set up a philosemitic blog. In other words, only someone with some sort of personal-interest link would be likely to write a philosemitic blog. A weird inversion of “some of my best friends are Jews” where you feel the need to justify yourself by saying that even though you don’t have Jewish relatives, you still like Jews.
More evidence that the default mainstream seen-as-acceptable non-Jewish attitude to Jews ranges from indifference via “I’m against anti-semitism but I want to state that I oppose the government of Israel when I don’t say this of other govts” to virulent elminationist anti-zionism.
Maybe it is more of a question of an unusual thing to do, rather than an unreasonable one?
That’s a fair way of putting it
Judy. Chas has said that he is passionate about Israel. I feel that it is reasonable to ask why if he is not Jewish. All his reasons are very much tied up in the ‘British’ fairness and the bad deal that Israel gets from various media in the UK.
Ruth says: Chas, Thank you for caring, Thank you for being a friend, Thank you for standing up for justice instead of waiting for others to do it first, Thank you for sharing this inspiring and personal reasoning.
I thank you too.
“Judy. Chas has said that he is passionate about Israel. I feel that it is reasonable to ask why if he is not Jewish.”
Would you ask the same question of a white person who has a passionate interest in Africa and black emancipation?
I think that one would ask a white person why they support african causes. The reason is that human beings, in general, are self-centred beings, and when someone does something that does not benefit his/her self, family, community or nation, people are surprised and are bound to question where such motivation comes from. Kol ha Kavod to Chas for standing up for a community and a nation that are not his, for going beyond what people would expect and advocating so passionately about a subject which he ‘should’ inherently have little interest in.
Judy, while I respect your comments, I’m not sure that I understand them. I’m assuming you’re Jewish, as I am, but nevertheless I still feel qualified to remark that many of my fellow Jews have a chip on their shoulder regarding non-Jews’ positive comments about Israel and Judaism in general; is it not possible to simply accept that not all non-Jews are anti-semitic, in the same way that not all Jews refer to Christians as Yoks and.or schikzas, two terms that I abhore and never use because I don’t go along with double standards? He does say at the end of his blog that he is passionate about other things too, so can we not admire this man rather than doubt his motives?
Thanks Chas, for the fascinating insight. As a Christian, I do see things through a religious filter. I love and support Israel because God does and because He tells me to. Through the same filter, I see antisemitism as essentially a religious matter, even if the perpetrators don’t see it that way. (If I accept God, then I also accept that there is an enemy, who hates the Jews because he hates God.) So, it is a fascinating insight for me into someone who sees things very much like I do, but from a different place and for different reasons.
The more I have contact with you, the more respect I have for you.
Thank you very much. Likewise.
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Thanks for your work. Not being Jewish myself, I feel exactly as you do. We need to recruit more to the side of truth and decency. It’s our fight too – and we had better realize it.
One of the issues at the heart of this is the conflation of anti-semitism with anti-Israelism. I don’t make any claims to have an in-depth knowledge of this but like many many people what I see and hear and read about is a powerful state behaving in an apalling way to a weak neighbour. I am not claiming that Palestine as a ‘state’ is innoocent in this and I deplore terrorism of any form – but it is the innocent amongst the Palestinians who seem to suffer. The Israeli response often seems to be disproportionate. The wall/fence is unforgivable, the restrictions of the free movement of people on their own lands is shocking – I could go on but I think you get the piccture and have heard the arguments before. This is not anti-semitism, I wouldn’t care a fig about the ethnicity/religion of who is doing it, it is wrong. It is as wrong as Mugabe’s regieme in Zimbabwe. Now you can shoot me down in flames but I know many many people who feel this way but are afraid to speak out because they will be accused of anti-semitism. I do not need to state my pro-Jewish credentials though I could but I my conscience demands I speak my mind. I cannot condone much of the Israeli response to their neighbours. It does not feel like a measured response to what is admittedly at times wicked behaviour by a minority and at times feels more like an anti-arab stance.
“I don’t make any claims to have an in-depth knowledge of this but like many many people what I see and hear and read…”
Scrivener, My diagnosis is that your less than “in depth knowledge” has been culled from reading and watching many of the uninformed or out-and-out anti-Israel sources around. The BBC, perhaps? The Guardian? Not every criticism of Israel is antisemitism certainly, but it’s a matter of degree, tone and disproportionate focus. As a famous jurist once said about pornography, “Maybe I can’t define it, but I know it when I see it.”
The nagging obsession with Israel one sees in the MSM, the disproportionate focus, the willful blindness to facts, the simplification of a complex story to a cartoon narrative of brutal, swaggering Israelis (“a powerful state behaving in an appalling way to a weak neighbor” as you put it) versus helpless Palestinians just reeks of antisemitism to me.
If you study the rhetoric and the new media narrative about Israel you will see that the old rhetoric about the old demonized Jew — at once weak and grasping but somehow sinisterly, near supernaturally all-powerful– has simply been transposed on Israel. You would not understand this fully until you do a study of the history and of the reality on the ground, but then you will be amazed at the transmutation. It is not acceptable to hate the Jews (we’ve been told that since we were babies, right?), but it **is** acceptable to tell wild tales, to believe the worst without question, about Israel. In other words, the new demonization of Israel seems to fill the same human need as the demonization of the Jews once did. The themes of the anti Israel rhetoric are amazingly consistent with the old Der Sturmer-esque “case” against the Jews. For yes, it is demonization to insist that Israel should be charictarized by “inhumane treatment of Palestinians.” That is simply not the case. No group of people at war with group has made as many concessions as Israel.
You seem like you are interested in truth, Scrivener, so I suggest you go on a quest. Fill in your “less than in depth knowledge”. First, if you can’t actually visit the area right now, do a lot of reading: “O Jerusalem” by Lapierre and Collins, Jerusalem by Martin Gilbert. The Six Day War by Churchill (Winston’s grandson.) The history of the Yom Kippur War by the reporting staff of the Times of London. Then read this blog, Khaled Abu Toameh’s postings at the Hudson Institute blog, Solomonia blog, and Bret Stephen’s columns at the Wall Street Journal. Lastly, for a who, what, where, when and why of media bias vis a vis Israel read my book (available on Amazon) “Israelis, Palestinians and the Struggle for Media Supremacy” (By Stephanie Gutmann)
God speed to you!
I just spent many minutes composing a reply which was entirely erased when I clicked Add so I am being more cautious this time. If this works I will carry on. But my first point is that, as predicted and despite Chas’s reassurances I have already beeen accused of anti-semitism. Why must many of the supporters of Israel always hide behind this rhetoric instead of putting forward reasoned arguments as to why the accusations are unfounded, untrue, unjust etc. I am not denying that you have also put forward arguments and made suggestions as well as accuse me of anti-semitism but it is such a heinous and insulting and rude thing to do that it overshadows and to an extent obscures anything else you have to say. I cannot help it – as a caring human being – not perfect – but somrone who tries hard to fight prejudice and injustice internally and externally whenever I see it – it hurts and makes me angry that this low trick is always used to supress comment and dissent.
“I have already beeen accused of anti-semitism”
Where?
“It hurts and makes me angry that this low trick is always used to supress comment and dissent….”
The fact you claim it is “always” used puts a question mark against your credibility.
As I said already, your argument is a red herring that is regularly employed by Israel’s critics. It is also a trick sometimes used by antisemites to try and deny Jewish people the right to point out antisemitism where it does exist.
Scrivner. Fine, absolutely. I would love to put “forward reasoned arguments as to why the accusations are unfounded, untrue, unjust etc.” People of my persuasion sometimes shy away from this because people like yourself have a habit of dumping so many unfounded, untrue, unjust accusations into one paragraph that’s it’s hard to know where to start. But, perfect, let’s proceed accusation by accusation. Why don’t we start with your idea that Israel behaves in an “appalling way to a weak neighbor.” Why don’t you describe the “appalling” things Israel has done and we’ll discuss them. Then we’ll get on to the “weakness” of the (Iranian armed and EU/US financed) neighbor
Scrivener, I would also suggest that you tone down your rhetoric. If you start by using bad faith terms like “hide behind”and “trick” in your descriptions of our arguments we will be inclined to think you came here to accuse and hate and not to discuss and clarify.
Creepy isn’t he? (assuming he.)
Thanks for your helpful contribution Koncheskny …..
Quote:’(See my responses to Srivener and Kornstadt on this thread for more on that.) After all, for there to be so much misinformation, there must be a willfullness, a motivation to reject conflicting information…and what is driving that?’ Let she who casts the first stone…..I had hoped to get some enlightenment and a reasoned discussion here but the unpleasantness and accusations started immediately. I will read the books you recommend as I want to understand what drives the conflict and for the record I am no fan of the Guardian though I do read it along with the Times, the Telegraph, the New York Times and many other online publications and blogs – anything but the Daily Mail really. However I don’t think there is any point in continuing the discussion here as the unpleasantness makes me feel quite unwell. I certainly did not come here to accuse and hate – was careful not to do that – I have no reason to but I have been called creepy, Chas says my arguments are too ridiculous to even bother answering and you imply I am an anti-semite. Not a great start. I stress my criticisms are of the actions of the Israeli government not towards all persons of a particular race or ethnicity. I am almost certainly of Jewish extraction and am married to a Jewish woman whose grandmother perished en route to Auschwitz. I said I wouldn’t do that and I hate myself for doing it – I shouldn’t have to display any credentials to hold an opposing view but there I have done it. I wonder if that will attract adverse comment too.
If I have been taken in by the propaganda of the mass media most of whom you seem to assert are anit-semitic then it may make me a fool – it does not make me guilty of ‘DEMONIZATION, distortion, willful blindness, and moral double standards.’ I have always been torn between a deep mistrust of the press and a great admiration for journalists who put their lives on the line in order to tell the truth. If I believed that organisations like the BBC and the Guardian really were shot through with anti-semites then I – well I don’t know what I would do – the thought is too depressing to contemplate. Best wishes
You ask a qurstion about facts BUT you didn’t read Stephanie Guttmans rely to you,or you only saw what you wanted to Because she gave you ALL the info you needed to get the FACT about the way in which the British press,in particular ,as well as many others mis report the conflicts and never report what has happened to the Israelis,as they wait for a bus on their way to work every day.SO do the recomended research and then make a judgment,in an informed manner.
To Scrivener: We all lack modesty in terms of our beliefs, which are almost always irrational and irrationally acquired. I do not know how you will integrate this insight into your understanding of yourself, but it is imperative that we all do so.
The brain is stupid. Unfortunately, it reacts most strongly to loud stimuli. It is far easier to hear and understand a loud message than a whispered one. Marketers know this. Politicians know this. Preachers know this. Singers know this. Dancers know this. The louder the stimulus (auditory, visual, gustatory, haptic), the truer the message. Right? Well, we know that “loud” does not make “right,” but our brains do not. Our songs are nihilist in content and are song loudly by our children. Thus, our children are nihilistic in outlook.
How to overcome this tendency to believe the “loud!” By comparing. Put conflicting arguments up against one another; then make your choice without reference to “loud.” Read conflicting books. With regard to the topic at hand, visit Israel! Walk the streets in Jewish and Arab neighborhoods. Then make your judgments again. Always remember that strength of belief is no proof at all of its correctness.
Scrivener, why do yourefer to the wall/fence as unforgivable? It was erected to reduce substantially the number of suicide bombings. Is that not a laudable aim? What, if anything, would you have done instead?
I would like to answer just one of the charges you made. That is that “The wall/fence is unforgivable,” This leads me to assume that you have put no research into the matter but have accepted instead the complaints of those who have no understanding of the history of the conflict.
This barrier was built to prevent the incursion of suicide bombers into Israeli territory and it was over 90% successful. If you recall that suicide bombers targeted the innocent and the weakest members of society, children on their way to school in buses, families in restaurants, in pizza places, school children at a discotecque then you will perhaps understand the horror of the suicide bombers and the need to prevent them doing their vicious worst.
If you knew all this and still said ‘The wall/fence is unforgivable’, then there is no hope for you.
Scrivener, thanks for contributing.
You attach a lot of “seems” to some of your claims, so let’s concentrate on the more direct points you made:
1) Regarding what you call the “unforgivable” wall/fence. Since it went up suicide bombings have reduced by over 90 per cent. I assume you do not want a return of the old days when suicide bombers regularly blew up schoolbuses, pizza restaurants and nightclubs in Israel. So how, in the absence of the wall you oppose, would you stop that happening?
2) Can you tell us more about “the restrictions of the free movement of people on their own lands”, including precisely how you understand that this takes place and why?
3) Please tell your friends who are “afraid to speak out because they will be accused of anti-semitism” that they need not worry. I have never seen a mere critic of Israel accused of antisemitism. I have, however, seen plenty of Israel critics claim they will be. It’s a red herring.
Chas
I read your blog often and enjoy it. Sometimes it makes me angry because I disagree with you..but I always come back to read more.
I have to say that I hear “mere critics” of Israel accused of antisemitism often. I for one, am a proud Jew who is critical of Israel’s stance and have been accused of “internal antisemitism” by fellow Jews.
Yes, Great post Chas, I too believe G-d placed Israel and her people in our hearts and have been to Israel many times, have business partners there, an apartment in Jerusalem, and all of my closest and most loyal friends are Jews!
And with regards the “Wall” that anti-semitic media such as the BBC and so many others like to harp on about – it is 5% Wall, the rest is a fence, albeit a very secure fence (seiemic detectors, infra red and many other advanced technologies.
I also like to quote – 5 Nobel prizes across 1.6 Billion Islamic people (which includes the Terrorist Arafat), and 186 across 12 Million Jewish people. Companies like Cisco, Intel, Microsoft, Motorola have their most advanced R&D centres in Israel – now just why might that be?
Anyway, blessings to all the Pro-Israel supporters here from Sunny Western Australia (and I too was born and grew up in Windsor!!).
“5 Nobel prizes across 1.6 Billion Islamic people (which includes the Terrorist Arafat), and 186 across 12 Million Jewish people”
Well there’s only 22 from the whole of Central and Southern America. Must be an incredibly stupid continent, yes?
“now just why might that be?”
I would think that the discrepancies between advanced developed countries and technologically inferior developing ones would be pretty self-explanatory.
Yes the Nobel prize is an objective measure and is in no way subject to political and economic influences. *rolls eyes*
Science prizes have objective criteria, and most Nobel prizes going to them have been that kind. (otoh Yassir Arafat and Barack Obama were both given peace prizes.)
1) Just because an action results in an improvement it does not necessarily justify its use. Of course I do not want the carnage to return but it is a hollow victory if misery is the end result. I do not carry a torch for either side – I deplore the loss of life on both sides. The wall is not a permanent solution, the lesssons of history are being ignored. The only true way to solve the problem is through dialogue and understanding, compassion and negotiation and fair treatment for the peoples of both sides.
2) I am talking about the farmers who can no longer reach their crops because the wall runs through the the middle of their farms and who would have to spend hours getting through Israeli checkpoints to even reach them. And then there are the Israeli settlements built beyond what was agreed to be the boundaries of the country. Or is allthis propaganda by the Guardian and the BBC. The BBC antisemitic? I really struggle with that one as I have always thought the pro-Israeli bias of the BBC very apparent.
3) Check Stephanie Guttman and others …..
1) Were not the suicide bombings “misery”?
And again: how, in the absence of the wall you oppose, would you stop that happening?
(Your responses to 2) and 3) are too ridiculous to waste time on.)
This is a late reply, as I just read this post now. Let me clear up some issues, first of all, you are not anti-semitic, just mis-informed… as someone who actually lives in Israel, and have leaved here all my life, I have a perspective which you do not have.
As for the “fence/wall” issue you raised, please note that the Israeli courts have dealt with the issue of the fence’s positioning from time to time, which is why the fence hasn’t been established in its entirety, in actuality, the fence has been moved from time to time based on rulings of the Israeli supreme court. It is sad that sometimes this hurts people, BUT, and here’s an example not a lot of people know about. There is a village on the border with Lebanon, called Ragar (which historically belonged to Syria), in 1967, the people of the village approached the Israeli army, and asked to be included within the territory of Israel, in 2000, when Israel withdrew from Lebanon, the UN itself forced Israel to pass a fence in the MIDDLE of the village… effectively splitting it in half, where the north half belongs to Lebanon… I see no one attacking the UN about this… also, a little bit before the war started in 2006, Hizbolla used the fact that the village is divided to try and capture soldiers.
Another fact which is usually not mentioned is that the fence closely follows the 1967 lines (what is called “The green line”) with corrections for land-marks (mountains and such), and as stated, it is being closely watched by human rights groups which have no problems taking the army/government to court…
I am open and ready to fully discuss history, politics and everything related to this conflict, my family has paid in blood for this country, I have lost friends throughout the years so I know firsthand how ugly and terrible war is, however, it is also a well known fact that if the other side stops fighting there will be peace, but if Israel lays down its arms, there will be no Israel.
I look forward to your comments, if those are still relevant.
I realize that it’s an obsolete, deserted thread, and unlike my compatriot above I have no inkling for long political blog post exchange, I usually don’t even know where to start.
I do suggest an alternative. Just Journalism (http://www.justjournalism.com) attempts to focus on media coverage of Israel and the Middle east, while trying to highlight the lapses from objective reporting.
Scrivener,
Can you really draw a parallel between the death and destruction wrought by Palestinian terrorists on innocent Isrealis and the inconvenience caused to innocent Palestinian farmers by the wall? Should there ever be peace, Palestinian farmers will see their olive trees again; Israeli parents will never see their dead children again.
Chas.
Thank you for caring.
Thank you for being a friend
Thank you for standing up for justice instead of waiting for others to do it first.
Thank you for sharing this inspiring and personal reasoning.
Lovely line in the bible “I will bless those who bless thee and curse those who curse thee
Ruth
Ruth.
That’s very very kind of you. Love the quote. Thanks.
thank you.
<3
Thank you for being a voice of reason, Chas. As a Jew (and now a dual citizen of both Israel and America), I can’t claim I’m unbiased and wouldn’t try to. But I do genuinely read and follow what goes on in Israel. I don’t read only one side, nor do I blindly believe what I’m told. I’m independent and vote for no particular political party consistently.
I am just so damn tired of people assuming Israel is always (or even mostly) wrong, assuming I’m ignorant or blind for being supportive of Israel, assuming that what they read and watch in the media is the gospel. It’s sad, it’s unfair, and it’s frankly exhausting. Very few people will even listen when I try to have a calm, reasonable, informed discussion. Thanks for being a mentsch and an encouragement to keep believing that there are some fair and sensible thinkers out there (non-Jewish and Jewish).
Thank you very much
Well said and beautifully put Chas, and it’s very interesting for me to read your explanation.
Carry on the good work! Thank you for providing a platform for Israeli-lovers of all backgrounds. The diverse community here gives me great cheer.
I’ll keep doing my best – thanks!
Thanks, Chas. In many ways your story is similar to that of my friend – particularly the ‘default’ position you describe. She now realises that she knew very little about the conflict yet had a reflexive, but relatively mild, ‘anti’ attitude. However, she also has the type of nature that values fairness, is open to other views and is ready to learn from them. This is a pretty critical factor. It’s sometimes the case that people form an opinion, internalise it and then it becomes a part of who they are; like being a life-long Labour/Tory supporter simply because your father was and his father before him-type of thing!
Anyway, we met at a seminar, got talking and, as a result she began to investigate the history of Israel and the conflict with the Palestinians, taking her interested young teenage son along on the journey, too. She has been quite shocked by all she discovered, not merely because it has opened her eyes, but because she also realised how little most people know.
As a result of all this, she is making her first visit to Israel with me in a few weeks time and has become quite a supporter.
Great work Penny!
Surely Israel has more convincing defenders than proven liar and nauseating bully Dershowitz? Maybe not.
Ummm, yes it certainly does. Michael Oren, Tom Gross, Bret Stephens, Dore Gold, Martin Gilbert, Dominque LaPierre, James Delingpole, Michael Medved, Dennis Prager, Hugh Hewitt, George Gilder…I could go on all day.
Tom Gross? Tom Gross?!?
LOLMFAOPIMP!
That guy is a major league fucktard.But at least I know you are not worth taking seriously,thanks.
xxx
Any particular reason why you don’t approve of Tom Gross?
Because he is the mirror image of anti-Semitic conspiralunatics.
sample from the “anti-semitic data-entry scandal” levelled at
The Guardian
“The Guardian posted on their website what they claimed was “every peace prize winner ever,” stating that the information came from the website Nobelprize.org. But guess whose names The Guardian took off the list, KGB-style, hoping no-one would notice? All three Israelis who have won the peace prize: Menachem Begin, Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres.
Read more: http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/10/10/tom-gross-britain-s-guardian-newspaper-tries-to-airbrush-israelis-out-of-the-nobel-prize-map.aspx#ixzz0nTiLvpky
Face it Chas-the guy is suffering from paranoid psychosis,poor chap.
Yes, Mr. blahblah, and that is exactly what happened. The Guardian did leave these important names off. So what’s your problem? Your problem is that you’re uncomfortable with Gross’s arguments.
Chas.
Thanks for sharing your personal story with us. You are a true inspiration and a shining light in a dark world.
Hawkeye
Thanks – keep it up Hawkeye!
Chas, you’re the best. Loved this article.
By the way, there is a re-count going on in Hampstead and Kilburn, with Glenda in the lead by just 17 votes at the first count, according to the BBC.
Chas thinks Duvid is very cool!
After the re-count it seems Glenda’s won it by 42 votes. Sigh.
Chas, an excellent article.
Please keep on writing! You are another breath of fresh air.
Thanks Mitnaged!
“I don’t mean to be flippant when I ask surely the bigger mystery is not why I oppose antisemitism but why more other people don’t?”
You are not being flippant, you are talking just like a Jew, answering a question with a question!
Thanks for being you Chas and thanks for thinking through things and caring.
Shabbat Shalom friend!
Thanks Avi. We will meet one day!
I was wondering….
Great article Chas, I’m having a debate with a Canadian leftie on my own blog who is rather anti-Israel. That said she has a kind heart and is just wrong on a few issues (although other commentators on her blog are anti-Semitic). I’ve also pointed here in this blog’s direction and this article in particular thanks. Now lets convert her to a fan of Israel the only democracy in the Middle East! The debate is here:
http://amodernlibertarian.blogspot.com/2010/05/democracy-declining-israeli-deputy.html
Thank you Charles! I never questioned why you blog about Israel but am thankful for your passion. What you share does have impact on those who know notta about Israel and Jewish people. They may hear you when they will not hear me.
Thanks!
Thanks v much. Hope so!
Hi Chas,
I’m a British Muslim and am very interested in developing my thinking around what is happening in the Middle East – I’m really glad I came across your blog.
That said, I was always curious why you seemed so passionate about Israel – this post clarifies it – Keep up the good work
Ahmed – it’s so good to know you want to be open-minded and seek to understand both sides. I would suggest one book to read is Robin Shepherd’s ‘State Beyond the Pale’:-))
Hi Ahmed,
I’m so pleased to read of your background and interest in Chas’s blog. Can you / would you feel comfortable telling us more about your interests and perspective?
Hi Jonathon,
I’m a British Born Muslim – I’m keen to see the other side of the story when it comes to the Middle East.
Everywhere I go and most people I speak to seem to harbour this enmity towards Israel for whats happening in the Middle East – but I believe there’s 2 sides to the story and I’m interested in trying to understand things from a Pro-Isreali perspective.
If theres any good sites you can recommend I’d be grateful
Hi Ahmed, I really recommend CAMERA.org. CAMERA stands for Committee for Accuracy in Reporting of the Middle East in America and despite that unwieldy name it’s a really informative site.
Also just try Reading the Jerusalem Post online, in English. It will give an idea of the ‘other side’.
I just came back from Israel( last night) and as you might understood from my few posts I am an Israeli living in Italy. I never questioned your Why’s Chas as I have lots of non Jewish friends in UK too who stand up for Israel as they are well read and documented and speak reason as you you do.Still you are a breath of fresh air and love reading your blog
There is a saying “The best way to show that a stick is crooked is
not to argue about it or to spend time denouncing it,
but to lay a straight stick alongside it.”
Thats what you do Chas , you lay straight sticks, thank you.
What a lovely saying, I hope I can live up to it. Grazie mille!
Perhaps the whole thing can be explained by your interest in Jewish cuisine. You are obviously insane.
More seriously, I have come to think that The Jews were set up to be scapegoats and also that they are (in the larger sense), harmless. This derives from the “Chosen People” ethos of the religion that causes it to not seek converts as well as attracting animosity.
Societies that give in to hatred will hate Jews among others. As Jews are a universal target, antisemitism serves as a sign of societal sickness. Projected hatred is the best way to avoid self-examination.
It’s just a hypothesis, but every time I think of examples it seems to be valid.
Haha. My next Jewish News column is about shawarma!
Thanks so much for all the comments. I’m going to reply properly tomorrow. Am wiped out by election excitement!
Chas I thought it was you – I was one of the early contributors to the Gooner fanzine, back in the early 90s, and I’m sure I remember your (distinctive) name from those days. Have an inkling you might have written for the other one (1-0 down)?? Anyway, sterling work on here my friend….
Thanks Dano! Yes, I wrote a column for 1-0 Down, 2-1 Up. 15 years ago – wow! Good to hear from you. Thank goodness we got third! I write official club books now!
Chas, – you are a definitely a mensch & not a mouse
Thank u for your common sense & funny blog & your support .
Haha. Thanks! Glad you enjoy it. Means a lot.
“I don’t make any claims to have an in-depth knowledge of this but like many many people what I see and hear and read…”
Scrivener, My diagnosis is that your less than “in depth knowledge” has been culled from reading and watching many of the uninformed or out-and-out anti-Israel sources around. The BBC, perhaps? The Guardian? Not every criticism of Israel is antisemitism certainly, but the nagging obsession with Israel one sees in the mainstream media (the British and European media are the worst in this regard), the simplification of a complex story to a cartoon narrative of brutal, swaggering Israelis (“a powerful state behaving in an appalling way to a weak neighbor” as you put it) versus helpless Palestinians certainly is. Why do I say that? Because it simply smells like it. If you study the rhetoric and the new narrative you will see that the old rhetoric about the old demonized Jew, at once weak and grasping but somehow sinisterly, near supernaturally all-powerful has simply been transposed on Israel. You would not understand this fully until you do a study of the history and of the reality on the ground, but then you will be amazed at the transmutation. It is not acceptable to hate the Jews, but it is acceptable to tell wild tales, to believe the worst without question, about Israel. The demonization of Israel seems to fill the same human need as the demonization of the Jews once did and the themes are the same.
You seem like you are interested in truth, Scrivener, so I suggest you go on a quest. Fill in your “less than in depth knowledge”. First, if you can’t actually visit the area right now, do a lot of reading: “O Jerusalem” by Lapierre and Collins, Jerusalem by Martin Gilbert. The Six Day War by Churchill (Winston’s grandson.) The history of the Yom Kippur War by the reporting staff of the Times of London. Then read this blog, Khaled Abu Toameh’s postings at the Hudson Institute blog, Solomonia blog, and Bret Stephen’s columns at the Wall Street Journal. Lastly, for a who, what, where, when and why of media bias vis a vis Israel read my book (available on Amazon) “Israelis, Palestinians and the Struggle for Media Supremacy” (By Stephanie Gutmann)
God speed to you!
Interesting, although it’s a bit odd how you can jump from an interest in Jewish culture and history (which I share) to strong and uncritical support for Zionism (which I don’t). I also object to the suggestion – which is often trotted out by Zionists – that anyone who dares to criticise the inhuman treatment of Palestinians by Israel must be anti-semitic or a supporter of terrorism.
Thanks.
But what’s ‘a bit odd’ about me having one thing in common with you, but not another? We can’t all be the same as you.
And just to be clear, I have never said that Israel’s critics must be antisemitic or supporters of terrorism.
Kronstadt, you appear to be lacking in knowledge of the “Palestinian Problem”!! There is NO Palestinian People!! Never has been!! This is all a lie of Islam and the Arabs! I have Arab friends who live near Jerusalem – but they know how well off they are in Israel (look at Abu Ghosh as a fine example), and I have many Christian Palestinian friends, as well as some Arab Palestinian friends – but these friends despise Fatah and Hamas – sadly they are in the minority!
And I have had rocks thrown at my car in Hebron, because my car has Israeli number plates!! Bethlehem is much safer (at this point in time) – Ramallah is deadly for us Christian Zionists!!
Israel is my second home. The Israeli people have their nuances, but they are the #1 Peace-loving people on this Earth! Problem is very few Palestinians want “Peace” and it suits the Saudi’s and the rest of the Arab world to always portray Israel (the greatest welfare supporter of the “Palestinians”) in the worst possible light!
When a tragedy occurs, Israel is always there, Europe and the USA are there! The Arab nations and Islam in general – give Nothing!! Saudi, with it’s UK and USA discovered, developed, built and operated Oil Wealth, gives NOTHING, Not Ever, to any World disaster, but more so, never to those suffering in Islamic countries. Good at financing Mosque’s though!!
Again Chas, thanks for the opportunity to share with you all here.
Blessings from Australia,
Alastair.
Alistair: “There is NO Palestinian People!”
While you deny their identity in order to legitimase Israel’s, there is never hope of any peace. What a great pity.
Toby – rather than me giving a 100 references to this Fact (there is NO Palestinian People), I suggest you Google “the myth of the palestinian people” and do some research before blindly following the disgraceful bias of an antisemitic media, none more so than the BBC!
But you are correct in “There will NEVER be Peace”! There never will be Peace until the return of the Messiah, Jesus Christ! But no doubt you debunk Our Creator and Saviour as the fantasy of the uneducated and narrow minded! But the Bible is very clear about Israel and especially Jerusalem, His Land, with His City, for His People!
Thank you for your google suggestion.
I suggest you google “science”
I find it ironic that you accuse me of “blindly” following and then rant about Jesus and the Bible!
Thank you also for confirming my earlier post; that criticism of Israel (or even a suggestion of support for the Palestinians) is often met with an accusation of antisemitism.
Have a good day.
If people do not understand the nature of jihad, they will never understand anything about Arabs or their hatred for Jews and Christians, Israel and the West.
Two points about the “Palestinians”.
1)They are Arabs. Full stop.
2) For a bunch of people commonly supposed to be trapped in the “jail” of Gaza etc, it’s odd how so many of them have emigrated via work/scholarships/education to America, Australia, Europe, IK, Ireland etc. they have worked and studied in the Gulf and made a forthune there.
Odd isn’t it, how no one seems to care that they are oppressed/jailed in refugee camps in Lebanon, have had their Jordanian citizenship revoked by Jordan, were expelled from Kuwait in the early 90′s, were massacred in their thousands in the 70′s by Jordan.
Gee, one would think the Arabs were running a campaign against Israel…gosh, could it be possible…?
Toby – you suggested I Google “Science”…
What you suggest is that I am another Bible bashing imbecile with an IQ one could count on one hand!!
Yes Toby, I live my life for G-d – not Allah – there is but One G-d – He of the Jews and the Christians!!
But you appear to b an Atheist, so you need not worry about G-d until you find yourself standing before Him and having to account for your rejection of Him and your sinful life!!
Then to use a “Red Dwarf”-ism, it will be “Brown Trouser Time”.
Yes, mock us Christian and Jewish simpleton’s that “need that crutch” of G-d!!
I AM going to pray for you!! Someone prayed for me after I, as a young ratbag, used to yell out obscenities about Jesus as I drove past a Church here in Australia!
But God has a sense of humour, and that’s a fact, because it was in that VERY SAME Church, where I yelled obscene comments about Jesus, that He, the King of Kings, turned my Life around, redeemed me, forgave me of my Sins, and Set Me Free!!
And now I Proclaim Jesus Christ is LORD”
Amen!Blessings to all here, especially those who know him Now but even more especially those that were “Once Lost. but NOW FOUND”!! Hallelujah!!
Sorry for such a lengthy post!!
Alastair in Oz!
Toby, as a matter of fact, there is no such people as a “palestinian” people. The word “Palestine” was a name given to Judea by the Romans after their destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD (I assume no one argues with the fact that there was a Jewish temple then…) they did so in order to erase the existence of the Jews, by renaming the land to Palestine named after the Philistines which were an ancient people (archeologists assume that they came from the aegean sea) but also an “arch-enemy” of the Jews (the whole David and Goliath thing)
It is also a historically documented fact that until 1967 there was no such thing as a Palestinian people, there was also no occupation, since in 1967 Israel got Gaza from Egypt and the west-bank from Jordan… the PLO was established in 1964, when there was no occupation of anything… so, again… you see where I’m going with this.
In recent years, there was an interview of a former Knesset member Azmi Bshara, who publicly claimed that the whole “palestinian” issue was a made up thing, and that they see themselves as part of Syria (I’m sorry, I don’t remember where I read this, I assume you can google this easily enough). Also, Arabs who lived here circa-1948 claimed to be part of Syria themselves… In addition, the people who fled (most) or have been deported (some) were not natives to the area, as they came on the heels of the Jewish people who were coming back to Israel and developed the area. You can easily see this based on their family names… which denote where they came from.
All that being said, they decided that they are a people, fine, acceptable, it happens all the time, BUT, they cannot claim that they have existed here for thousands of years and all that nonsense (some even claim that there was no Jewish temple in Jerusalem etc – I invite them all to Rome to view the Titus gate and see the menorah there… or the map of Jerusalem with the temple in the colosseum)
Kornstadt: re “I also object to the suggestion – which is often trotted out by Zionists – that anyone who dares to criticise the inhuman treatment of Palestinians by Israel must be anti-semitic or a supporter of terrorism.”
I’m going to deconstruct this sentence. It’s full of straw men and I think you need to look at your thought process. Why do you need to erect straw men? What is this need to seethe about Israel all about? Anyway, first let’s take the word “dare.” As Chas points out, what is the penalty for criticizing Israel? The world is full of denunciation of Israel. The UN spends most of its time denouncing Israel. Much of academia spends its time devising boycotts and hosting “Apartheid Weeks.” The Guardian and BBC spill the most poisonous distortions and I don’t see them going out of business.
But no, Zionists do not object to fair, reasoned, informed criticism of Israel. If we did we’d have to chuck out the entire Israeli newspaper industry. Like any vital democracy, Israel has an extremely frisky free press with more criticism of the state than the entire American and European MSM working overtime could ever generate.
What Zionists object to (this Zionist, anyway) is DEMONIZATION, distortion, willful blindness, and moral double standards. And yes, your bit about “Israel’s inhumane treatment of Palestinians” falls into this category.
First of all, it is ignorant to talk of a monolithic group called the “Palestinians.” It is an extremely fragmented and diverse society. Palestinians, by the way, kill more Palestinians than Israel has ever managed to do because it’s that kind of fragmented, tribal region.
But are you talking about Hamas? Al Fatah? The Al Aksa Martyrs brigade? Those Palestinians? Well then yes, the treatment at times has been “inhumane.” Then again, Israel is at war with Hamas and etc. Hamas and co. have done things like stop a Jewish woman driving through the Gaza strip and kill her and her four children (all under the age of ten.) The two-year-old girl had been shot once through the head while still strapped into her car seat.
So what Palestinians are you talking about? Are you talking about the millionaires who live in the hills around Nablus, or the middle-class drones who live in Ramallah or the poor who live in Gaza? But in general if you are talking about ordinary working people, then, no. I don’t think any country in history has worked as hard to protect the lives and livlihoods of an enemy population.
Chas
BTW why has the your piece about Galloway gives me error? when I click on it?
Has he done his usual and threatened you by one of his lackey’s?
I think I am at that point you were at a few years ago. This is why I read your blog actually, and it was the arguments in your Not in my Name book which led me here.
It also stems from my father, an Israeli Jew, although I was not brought up Jewish nor did I have much contact with my father’s side of the family.
I would be interested if you provided a list of good books to read. I see a few mentioned, but I would want them to be as open as possible on the current situation.
Firstly, Dan, thanks for reading Not In My Name. If that book led you here I’m very pleased.
My recommended books:
By Sir Martin Gilbert: Israel – A History.
By Robin Shepherd: A State Beyond The Pale
By Daniel Gordis: Saving Israel, Coming Together, Coming Apart and Home To Stay.
Alan Dershowitz: The Case For Israel, The Case For Peace and The Case Against Israel’s Enemies. Also try and get his DVD also called The Case For Israel.
By Rich Cohen: Israel Is Real
By Anton La Guardia: Holy Land, Unholy Way (older but more balanced).
I also enjoy biogs of the various Israeli PMs from down the years.
Hope these help as a starting point.
Hey Chas,
I did not waste any time in purchasing some of these books, and I already made my way throught A State Beyond the Pale. This book really took the issue in hand and helped to clarify the uneasy feelings I had in relation to the conflicts.
When I first read Not in my Name, your section on Israel went some way in explaining how I felt. It was good to see that I had a reason to be concerned. Nick Cohen’s What’s Left also helped me, particularly in examining why so many who put themselves in this political spectrum have such a distaste towards Israel. To know that I am not alone in this thinking within this political spectrum is wonderful and liberating. I always had a sense of unease when discussing Israel with my Lefty friends, all of whom we “anti-Israel”. It was almost a given that you HAD to be if you wanted to still remain part of this grouping. I want to examine this some more too, but at least I have some answers to give when there is discussion amongst my friends.
The problem is so many people seem to love being blind to the obvious. They see it as some sort of betrayal of their values to even consider looking at the whole picture. They are happy in their ignorance. I know that if I were to pass some of these books to them, they would refuse to read them because they just see them as Israeli propaganda, yet refusing to acknowledge that they have been swayed by propaganda their whole political lives.
I guess it is just frustration on my part that I can never seem to have an open discourse with people, that it always has to sink down to the typical reactions I get when I defend Israel, particularly because of my family origins.
Anyhow, once again, thank you for these recommendations. They are most useful in my exploration on this issue. I feel ten times more confident already and feel that I am on the right path.
What a great post, Dan F. There’s hope for humanity…Re your friends: You might ask them if they think it’s possible they could have been subjected to barrages of Palestinian Authority propaganda at some point in the evolution of their views.
I’ve found the stock (and terribly ignorant) response to this parry is something like, “The Palestinians don’t have the resources to generate propaganda.” There is this condescending, racist idea that the Palestinians are sort of noble savages, that they all live in little shacks and have to beg for alms, while the reality is that the West Bank is very diverse, a place of elegant villas, universities, upscale shops and even a stock exchange.
As far as PR, they are rich with the stuff. The West Bank is chock-a-block with Western NGOs donating their PR services. Also the Palestinian Authority government diverts much of its EU and US-taxpayer financed-budget into propaganda or “outreach” or education or whatever you want to call it, which is directed in two directions, at their own population (this material is much more extreme and pornographically violent) and toward the west.
Just one example: In Ramallah, among the many buildings that make up the sprawling Palestinian Authority government compound, there is a modern, well-appointed PR center, full of smooth, multi-lingual PR professionals and fax machines spewing out press releases, just like you’d see in any western government. (These days — I was last there in 2002 — they probably have somebody busy with Twitter and Facebook posts.)
The bottom line: Remind your friends it’s not just the Israelis doing “hasbara.” Everyone does it and with Saudi, EU and US funds you can do quite a lot of it — for the benefit of useful idiots like your friends.
Thank you for this Stephanie. This is exactly the type of things I am looking for when in discussion with my friends.
You are correct in the assumption about the pov that most people have of Palestinians, i.e “noble savages.” That is absolutely spot on! People are so set in this view, that they cannot see past their irrational thoughts or even take stock of the fact that it is not like that out there.
But again, it is so hard to get past that view when the media does so much in propogating it, especially media which is supposed to be impartial. All the images you tend to see of the territories is dilapidated buildings and dusty market places. The left media is so good at getting across this image.
It is frustrating, but I live in hope. What is worse is the ignorance of it all, the lack of actual interest from people to find out things for themselves. When it comes to dissing Israel they are quite prepared to accept what the media says as gospel, but are distrustful of anything which puts Israel in a positive light.
Oh God! I know. It is so frustrating. I used to ask people I met, people who hadn’t been there, to tell me what they believe the West Bank looks like. The answer was always the same. They’d say, “I see dust, I see rubble, I see ragged, shuffling people behind barbed wire.” This is absolutely absurd. There are parts of the West Bank that look like Beverly freaking Hills! Recall that in 2002, according to the International Monetary Fund Mideast director Nigel Roberts, the Palestinian Authority was the recipient of “the highest per capita aid transfers to a developing country in the history of foreign aid.”
I don’t think there is any other issue in which the gap between reality and media portrayal is so large…which is why, inevitably, people who follow this issue come around to the notion that most of the fervent anti-Zionism is really just the old anti-semitism repackaged. (See my responses to Srivener and Kornstadt on this thread for more on that.) After all, for there to be so much misinformation, there must be a willfullness, a motivation to reject conflicting information…and what is driving that? It’s like watching people covering their ears and chanting “nyah, nyah, nyah…I don’t hear you!…I’m not listening.”
I didn’t want to come on this blog to plug my book, that wasn’t my starting point at all, but it seems to be inevitable because my 2005 book was an exploration of the media coverage, of the reality/perception gap and the possible reasons for it. And it’s not just down to anti-semitism (it would have been a very boring book if I’d just banged on about that.) Much has to do with the need, a commercial need, for a instant good/bad/up/down/black/white story that’s easy and cheap for media organizations to get. There are as many news bureaus in Jerusalem as in London or Moscow. There’s a reason for that. It is easy, safe, and cheap to go out and get “good television” that can be packaged in a dramatic, heart-tugging (and of course vastly over-simplified) narrative. Your reporters don’t complain like they would if you try to station them in the Sudan. Hell! They don’t get kidnapped and killed. They get a nice, democratic, modern government (Israel) that for the most part tries to help foreign reporters even when they come to the region on a sort of journalistic jihad.
Anyway, bottom line: add “Israelis, Palestinians and the Struggle for Media Supremacy” (Encounter Books, find it on Amazon) to your reading list
“After all, for there to be so much misinformation, there must be a willfullness, a motivation to reject conflicting information…and what is driving that”
Hi Stephanie,
what is driving this “Palestinianism” as Bat YeOr calls it, is the Euro Arab Dioalogue, a series of conferences and strategies that have defined the relationship of Europe to the Arab countries. If you ahve a look at http://www.dhimmitude.org, there’s a document called “The Euro Arab Dialogue and the Birth of Eurabia”.
This is a brief version of the book which I am now reading: Eurabia:The EuroArab Axis by Bat YeOr.
It is most illuminating and reveals that all this antiIsrael stuff is actually policy as defined and PAID FOR (via cheap oil to EEC, now EU) by the Arabs. It is no concidence that Israel has been demonised wholesale and simultaneously in textbooks, culture, politics, universities, media, economics via boycott movements etc, plus of course all the Muslim-based violence against Jews in Europe. None of this is an accident.
Excuse the haste with which I write this. Anyhow, check out the document and the book – it’s horrifying that Europe once again chose to aid in destroying the Jews but at least once one knows the true story one can take action.
The book has been added and it is most welcome. Thank you so much!
“Palestine and the Arab-Israeli conflict” by Charles D Smith is a useful reference if a bit dry. Goes a long way back and takes a neutral perspective.
Thanks for this, Chas! We appreciate it, and also hope it spreads.
Now… what is progeria, and how do we work towards a cure?
Oh yes, Chas, I too wish to know – what on earth is Progeria?
Is it fun?
Progeria is no fun. You can read about it (with relevant links) here http://www.oyvagoy.com/2010/04/24/marathon-weekend/
And thanks for all the lovely comments here. It will take me time to respond to all the different points but I will do so. Thanks again, it means a lot to have so many responses to such a personal post.
Great post Chas, pretty much sums up my views too. I wouldn’t vote Tory in a million years though, you could do with rethinking that one. How about if we get rid of Broon?
Get Blair back and I’ll walk over hot coals to vote Labour again!
The Palestinian people, strictly speaking, didn’t always exist. And certainly, when Jordan and Egypt held sway in the now-Palestinian areas from ’48 – ’67, there was no apparent call for self-determination by such a group. This, plus the following quote, is quite telling:
“Yes, the existence of a separate Palestinian
identity serves only tactical purposes. The founding of a Palestinian state is a new tool in the continuing battle against Israel”
– Zuheir Muhsin, late Military Department head
of the PLO and member of its Executive
Council, Dutch daily Trouw, March 1977
However, we are where we are and have a group of people who define themselves as Palestinian. They have to find a way forward with their lives and so this issue would probably be best viewed dispassionately.
In my view, some insight into the motivation of Hamas must be addressed if the conflict is to be seen realistically. It is pointless to keep demanding land concessions from Israel if Hamas is motivated by something other than land.
That Hamas is in this for the long-haul seems apparent to me by their Charter and by their indoctrination of people from cradle to grave. If your goal is peace you don’t fill the minds of children with hatred, the glory of dying shahid and the fear of dying in other circumstances due to the little-known doctrine of ‘adhab al-qabr’ (torments of the grave). Whilst Gazan society is geared towards hatred and conspiracy to the extent that it is (which is pretty much all-consuming), no piece of paper with the signature of a few world statesmen will achieve a humane and lasting outcome for all those involved.
Israel has proved that it can and will exchange land for peace, and in Gaza, the people had a chance to make a go of things but instead their leaders chose to demolish million-dollar, economy-boosting greenhouses and other perfectly good structures left by the Israelis, and commence rocket attacks instead. This clearly isn’t about land, peace or creating a self-determined society as many people in the West understand it.
My view is that the on-going aid pumped into the region needs to be reviewed. This isn’t as horrible as it may seem – I just find it unbearably sad that the aid is propping up a system which indoctrinates small children and wrecks lives. This aid seems to me to be keeping the Palestinian people rooted in the mire and unable to form a coherent, productive and happy society of their own.
As I’ve said before, my husband’s family were exiled from Egypt and Syria (their homes for centuries) in the ’50′s because they were Jews. They lost everything they had and were only allowed to take a couple of suitcases (clothes only) with them. Even their jewellery was taken from them at the port. They arrived in their host country penniless, fearful, unable to speak the language and faced with a culture they didn’t understand. Their refugee status was single-generational and as a result they had to make a go of things – and they did. They worked hard, their children went to university and all were productive members of society. None have ever felt the need to strap bombs to themselves and blow up innocent Egyptians and Syrians. Indeed, I haven’t heard such a thing occurring amongst the near-million who were exiled along with them from all over the Middle East.
There are other instances in the world – the partition of Cyprus and India/Pakistan for example, in which refugees have been single-generational, to their benefit.
Journalists such as Khaled abu Toameh have spoken loudly about the manner in which the aid has been used – Arafat’s private plane; his wifes legendary spending sprees; the casino he built instead of a much-needed hospital, his two-faced rhetoric, speaking ‘peace’ to the Western leaders whilst speaking ‘jihad’ to his own people. Khaled has toured American universities trying to outline the corruption of the Palestinian leaders – because he feels passionately about his people.
Until the world acts more honestly about the ideology, actions and corruption amongst the Palestinian leaders, it seems to me that a long-term and happy outcome for the ordinary people is almost non-existant.
Incidentally, the son of the man who formed Hamas, Mosab Hassan Yousef, has written a book about his decision to join the Israeli side. Broadly speaking, his reason for joining Shin Bet arose from having witnessed the movement that his father initiated transform into something he saw as destructive to his people.
Wow! Amazing post, Penny! Are you listening Srivener and Kornstadt? By the way, I’ve bought the Son of Hamas book and it’s next up on my reading list…
Thank you Stephanie:-)). Mosab’s book is in interesting insight into mindset and values. In describing how the ideology overtakes people he uses the image of a bird cornered by a cat. The cat moves from side to side in a way that that appears to be covering the same ground but is in fact a route that moves him ever closer to the bird, The bird is unable to detect the shrinking distance between him and the cat until its paw strikes him.
Incidentally, there are a couple of books written about the exiled Egyptian Jews: ‘Man in the White Sharkskin Suit’ by Lucette Lagnado and ‘Out of Egypt’ by Andre Aciman.
Thanks Penny. I have just ordered Man In the White Sharkskin Suit.
Incidentally, ‘Dan F’ in a comment above asked for general recommendations. I suggested several, I’m sure others will have their own to suggest.
Despite the subject matter, Lucette’s book is quite a gentle read, Chas. A story of the decline of her father from Egyptian businessman to a man trying to make a living selling ties to passers-by on American subways.
When I saw you were a gooner I just knew you were an all right bloke! Keep up the good work!
It’s time I, too, said ‘thank you’ to you, your guest posters and those well-informed and thoughtful commenters whose contributions also illuminate otherwise murky matters. I have been learning a great deal during the past year, so am delighted to have discovered your blog (directed here by blog-friend, ‘martininthemargins’).
BS”D
A lovely entry, Chas. It reminded me of something I read in a different blog today – it was in Israel Matzav about a non-Jewish, far left, NOT anti-Semitic (almost pro-Israel) journalist. And she said something like (not sure if this is verbatim)”it isn’t up to Jews to fight anti-Semitism, it is up to non-Jews to fight anti-Semitism”.
Thank you for making this world a better place. You are truly brave and decent, and your voice is so significant!!!
I read about your blog in an article posted by GIYUS.org about the “jury instruction” by Judge Bathurst-Norman which essentially aquitted defendants who destroyed an armaments factory because it was providing arms to Israel. Below is the email I wrote opposing that judge’s conduct.
Thank you for standing up against the anti-Israel / anti-Semitic madness that seems to have taken hold in Britain. It is probably not possible to change the minds of most of those who are anti-Israel but it is possible to get the voice of those who are pro-Israel to be heard above their rants and thus, long term, to move Britain back to more objectivity. Please keep up the good work.
Here is my email:
I am an attorney in California. If a Judge here ever acted so arrogantly and dismissive of the rule of law, he would be severely sanctioned, and perhaps even removed from the bench, by the State Judicial Council. It is incredible that Judge Bathurst-Norman would interject his own jury “instruction” rather than giving only the approved instructions. It is clear that, being born in Jaffa, he considers himself a Palestinian first, a Brit second, and a judge last. He should never have been allowed to hear this case with his clear and obvious conflict of interest and bias that he never could have, and never did, rise above. The judiciary in Britain is responsible for who they allow to be and remain on the bench. There could be no clearer call to action for the removal of this judge from the judiciary than his conduct in this case. Many in Britain seem to be going the way of pre-war Germany in their expressed vitriole for Israel which is, fundamentally, disdain for Jews. Their anti-Israel sentiment provides a thin veil for their anti-semitic values and is not only scary but threatens to undermine the rule of law in Britain. Either the government gets ahold of this problem immediately or it will reach the point of no return where, as the Muslims have demanded, Sharia law and anti-Jew and anti-Israel rants become the rule of the day. Shame on this judge; shame on the judicary who brought him out of retirement to hear this case; and shame on all the Brits who are being consumed by their hatred of Jews and on those who are unwilling, or too afraid, to speak up before it is too late. This is the crucible that created Hitler.
You seem to be a shining star in the dark! From the States, Alissa
An excellent, articulate and considered answer to the question so many people (me included) have asked you. Thank you for giving me the link Chas………Kol Tov, Chaver!
Chas,
Today was my first glimpse at your blog. I found it honest, interesting and refreshing.
Thank you for supporting my country, it means a great deal to us when people actually stop and think an then draw their own conclusions. Unfortunatly that doesn’t happen very often. Maybe with your blog it will happen more.
H’zak V’ematz (Hebrew for be strong and couragous)!
Ila
i was almost found myself losing hope in the support of other citizens around the world in Israel. i think that most of the Israelis got use to Propaganda that pointing against israel in one hand, and the complete silence of the world on the other hand. Im an Israeli citizen, my parents raised me to believe and act in peace and Tolerance with the Palestinian. Im not happy to say that it is not the case on the other side. I lived in a village close to an Palestinian village and I heard each and every single day the Preaching from the Mosque, “itbach el yahud” well that means murder the Jews. That is unfortunately their spirit ( not all of them off course) – when you are little child in Israel and you see the world reaction to this ( and they were none) you get the wrong message that the Physical and the Literal violence are acceptable, Same also for the Palestinian children. I am very happy to see that not all the people in the world (even if it’s not much ) are completely blind and giving them the power to continue with their Conception.
This is my first time visitinng your blog. How courageous you are! How wonderful to find sommeone in the UK who gets it! I did stumble on http://www.nolaughingmatter.tv in the UK. Funnny people who also favor Israel amidst the insanity of world opinion and world anti-semitism. One would think that the inmates have taken over the asylum to see how the world media reports falsely on Israel.
Favoring Israel does not necessarily suggest that we like their particular governmental stance on any particular day. Coming from the USA, I can say that I often despise the actions of my own government. Loving Israel means that we can respect them and offer our permission and encouragement for their right to exist and thrive. I am a Christian. God’s word tells me that I should have the same view of Israel that God does. He loves Israel. It is the apple of His eye and he will bless those who bless Israel. That should be enough for annyone who also loves God.
I pray that your BLOG continues to thrive and that you are blessed in every way…as God blesses those who bless Israel and curses those who curse her (Genesis 12:3).
Very happy to see Stand With Us has chosen such a fit individual for this fantastic blogger adventure.
Reading and following your every post and am proud to see that there are those who dare to challenge the herd’s hateful approach to Israel.
As a secular Israeli who grew up un the states I am amazed by the disproportionality of biased view against Israel by the western world (on the contrary and to be honest I am not that surprised that the rest of the world isn’t too crazy about us – lack of freedom of press and speech prospers in the wrong direction of hate and extremism), mainly because of their war-filled history and more importantly because we actually share so many of the important and exalted values that progress humanity.
Keep up the hope through your amazing work. You are more than welcome to visit my home in Tel Aviv.
“Good on ya” Chas..
That yearning you feel so intensely for Yerushalayim & all Israel is coming from HaShem (ie. G-d) Himself even though many do’nt recognise it as such..
Thanks for this blog. I can see that it’s born out of a genuine heartfelt passion. I know the feeling only too well &, unlike many, I understand why..
G-d bless & שלום
Keith (in Woking).. (:
…PS… Saw you & your blog advertised on IBA News..
Keith.. (:
Thanks for so many kind comments.
Hi Chas,
Thank you so much for this great blog! It really means a lot. I like the design of this blog, your writing style and what you have to say.
http://vimeo.com/16779150
Hello neighbour:)
I am Israeli living in Windsor, not Jewish though (wrong mum!). Used to be so passionate about Israel a while ago. Today after growing up a bit out my military shoes I do hear that there are two sides talking the truth, and that is a big change especially in interpersonal relationships (all my friends changed since I started to explain why we are not that good and where). I will just quote Shlomo Zand: “Even a child born as a result of rape, has a right to live…”
Please do contact me as we live very close and I will be glad to give you a hand in translation or whatever you question(BA for political sciences).
Chas, I was wondering what there was about you and your blog that drew my attention and devotion, these last several months. After today’s entry, I now know why. Yasher Koach!
Hi Chas, I’ve followed your blog for quite some time now, and your starting point is so similar to mine:
“As far as the Middle East conflict goes I suppose I had a typically default feeling of ill-informed pity for the Palestinians and therefore a vague hostility to Israel.”
I have learnt a lot from your blog and its contributors, and thanks for shining a light into an area I thought I knew something about. To me there is a myth of “Israel as oppressor” which allows the vague hostility you mention, but also opens the door for more dangerous ideas to get in.
Keep on keeping on – Israel needs friends like you.
Hello Chas. I found your blog heartwarming & am filled with gratitude that you, a non-Jew, would publicize your feelings this way. I am first generation American & the daughter of 2 Holocaust survivors. It has always pained me, probably more than most, when I would hear antisemetic comments, which of course are those of ignorant people, but still painful nonetheless. I’m so glad you went to Israel, which, since it is the birth of Christianity & Islam as well, is interesting to almost everyone. It is a miracle, isn’t it, that after all the persecution & attempts at our annihilation, the Jewish people have not only survived, but have perservered & succeeded at many great things? I guess SOMEONE is watching over us & it certainly doesn’t hurt to have friends like you. Julie Thum
Great stuff. Ya had me goin 100% uptil that unfortunate part bout bein a gunner luver.
Oh well, pobodys nerfect, keep up the fantastic work; perhaps your side can get a Defence and then maybe win a trophy or 2
Spurs champs of Eurabia 2011!!
My new article “ shows insolent ridicule or mockery, you may call it derision “
I am Palestine
Jean Vercors
My people were invented by the Arab countries in the 60’s with the goal to destroy Israel.
We came from, Syria, Egypt and Irak.
No Arab political entity was called by that name before that date.
I have no idea who before Arafat was a Palestinian Leader
I claim borders for an Arab country that never was.
I can speak Arabic that is my mother tongue, forget about the Palestinian Language
I claim Jerusalem as my capital though not mentioned once in the Quran but mentioned 700 times in the bible.
King David founded Jerusalem, Mohammed never set foot in it, so what ?
Jews pray facing Jerusalem, Muslims face Mecca.
If we Palestinians are between the two cities,
we pray facing Mecca, with our backs to Jerusalem.
Today There are 22 Arab countries, not counting Palestine.
But We Muslims constantly scream and whine about Israel occupying Muslim lands in Israel.
Israel is surrounded by hostile states 650 times their size in territory and sixty times their population.
who is occupying what?
BDS: Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions and all ignorant people have so much hate for the Jews that why they support us.
And we like that…
Don’t tell me ! The only true Apartheid states in the Middle East are Islamic states in which Jews are not allowed to live
and where Christians, Copts, Kabyles, Baha’is and other religious minorities are objects of discrimination and persecution.
Or that The entire Jewish population of Muslim countries had to flee as the result of violence and pogroms.
I don’t want to hear it, that’s is not my business !
I Want peace but I rejected the peace plan in 1948 and 2000.
Why ? simply because I teach Jihad and martyrdom to my children,
they are glorified as the means to liberating “Palestine” and children’s poems contain calls to war and bloodletting.
I admit that we Arabs were supporters of Hitler in the 1930, The father of Palestinian nationalism. Haj Amin Al-Husseini,
was a devoted Nazi who spent the war in Berlin and worked with members of the Third Reich
to plan extermination camps for the Jews of the Middle East.
BDS: Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions and I don’t like Israel’s Security fence
that is an apartheid wall because I cannot commit suicide bombings and rocket attacks on Israeli citizens.
We Arab refugees from Israel began calling ourselves “Palestinians” in 1967,
two decades after (modern) Israeli statehood.
no Arab country would take in us, the “Palestinians” who were invited into camps
and were kept there by the Arab regimes to stir up hatred against the Jews.
it suits Arab states very well to have the Palestinians endure permanent refugee status.
our special thanks to UNRWA, an agency exclusively serving the Palestinian.
a special UN agency that was created just for us and even better Some UNRWA personnel belong to Hamas.
I am a base of thousands of rocket attacks against schoolyards and townships in Israel.
I am a well known media manipulation expert and the anti Israel media bias love us,
Have you ever heard of Pallywood ?
I use Human shields : a military and political technique that is the deliberate placement of civilians
in or around combat targets to deter an enemy from attacking those targets.
Human shields are the weapon of our resistance.
the use of human shields constitutes “perfidy” under Article 147 of the Geneva Convention IV defining the laws of war
but we consider it a noble cause.
I am proud to be Palestinian because i receive the most humanitarian aid per head of population
( in 2008, receiving US$2.6 billion and US$799 million respectively ).
That’s right, Palestinian people receive the largest amount of donations worldwide.
According to serious studies, during 2009 and 2010 the PA’s reliance on donations increased –
with a 20% growth in donations, totaling some $3.96BN per year.
In fact, the Palestinian people receive the largest amount of donations worldwide. we mean business.
I preach and engage in violence and terror in order to destroy the state of Israel and replace it with an Islamic state.
My virulent hatred of Jews and Judaism is deeply rooted in
the anti-Semitic writings of Muslim Brotherhood theologians.
I wish to thank the US and EU taxpayer, the UN and the anti Israeli media for their continued efforts in our ignoble cause.
Jean Vercors
This deserves a post of its own!
This really should be printed in the National press BUT would they print it?
I have a recipe that will fix Pesach problem- ( think of it as a spring cleaning) First place equal parts : prunes, apricots, peaches, raisens (all dried) 2 green aples diced, into a pot, cover all ingredients barely with water, add some honey, lemon and cinamin to taste. Cover and cook low for one hour, or until competely stewed. Cool, refriegerate. Will last weeks, I like it with plain yogert and some bran flakes.
30 minutes ago · Like
Shalom / Salaam
Firstly apologies if my grammar and syntax are incorrect.
Posting here from Iran. I am also very interested in regional geopolitics. Having studied History, Politics & Religion in the West & East, I’m fortunate enough to have an unbiased prospective of issues. I suppose my interests began as my close childhood friend in Tehran was of the jewish faith and it made me question the persecution of his people, mirroring that suffered by shia’s over the last 1300 years.
I would love to go to Israel, having already travelling in the rest of the M.E. I have respect for the Jewish peoples self-determination after years of persecution in Europe and since the beginnings of pan-arab nationalism.
I’m also glad to know there are people question the held view of the anti-israel.
Check out http://www.danielpipes.org website, great reporting on middle east affairs.
Many may disagree with me here but please also checkout Norman Finklestein’s book, a very interesting read.
If you can get a hold of Mark Twain and Bertrand Russell books, will give you a foundation to build upon.
Thank you.
M
Good to hear something positive for once about Israel although i do wish there was a way of showing the majority the real facts about the situation, how we are the only democracy in the middle east, the history of the wars we have had to go through, what the 67 borders really are and why they are not a realistic request, the truth about the quality of life in Israel and the quality of people, doctors, start up companies..
Any way Chas when you do get to Tel Aviv next then i would love to meet up and buy you a drink!
Can you (or any reader) recommend a book or few books to thoroughly cover the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from a pro-Israel perspective? I’m pro-Israel and I find myself constantly in the situation of needing to refute anti-Israel views but not being sufficiently informed. Because I’m from a very liberal city the books in my library on the topic tend to be from the other side and unhelpful.
Chas, these are my sentiments also.
I thought this might be a helpful read/study on true Israel/Palestinian conflict history
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/myths3/foreignlanguage.html
Rivkah