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December 21, 2006
Modern Anti-Semitism and Carter's Book
Anti Semitism has a new face today. With the holocaust of 6 million jews just 60 years ago, you will not likely hear politicians or religious leaders saying that the jews are at fault for the death of Christ (unless you are watching a Gibson movie) as well as all of the poverty in the world. Well- maybe you'd see that on an Arabic Channel, but not so much over here.
Today's anti-semites aren't using the word "jew" at all. Today's anti-semites use a blanket term, "the state of Israel" as a way of renouncing the Jewish people. So when they want to discuss how evil they think Jews are, they use Israel as an ersatz for the word "Jew" as they heap their bigoted scorn on the country.
Jimmy Carter's new book, Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid, is a prime example of this. Without using old anti-Jewish cliches, Carter, a famously conservative Christian, manages to reveal his true anti-semetic ways. He actually asserts that the entire responsibility for bringing about peace in the middle east lies on Israel's shoulders. He claims that Israel is at fault for everything, and the only reason there is no peace in the middle east is because Israel has blocked peace. In the course of his writing it's obvious that he sees all Israeli politicians - from Sharon to Golda Meir- and their American supporters as evil, while all Islamic fascists from Arafat to Hamas are good.
As a Democrat, I am concerned that any element of my party would associate itself with Carter's views. (I should note that the only reason I choose the flawed democratic party is for a lack of better options.) Why anybody has respect for this self-styled saint is beyond me. I was pleased to discover that the incoming speaker of house, Nancy Pelosi, rejected Carter's notions about Israel. I am just worried that the dems may grow more anti-semetic under Carter's influence. I hope that in the new year we do not see more democrats or people as a whole turn against Israel, the only democracy in the middle east. I hope that my concern is unwarranted, and that there is at least one political party that at least vaguely stands with me on the issues that compose my core political concerns.
I hope for the peace of Israel and a world that will some day be more tolerant of the Jewish people.
And one final thought to everyone- Happy Holidays.
Love,
Michael
Posted by Michael at December 21, 2006 11:00 AM