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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsObama: Denying Israel’s Right To Exist as a Jewish Homeland Is Anti-Semitic
http://tabletmag.com/scroll/191196/obama-denying-israels-right-to-exist-as-a-jewish-homeland-is-anti-semiticIn the latter part of their conversation, Obama and Goldberg turned to the subject of Israel. The president began by making a spirited case against those in the pro-Israel community who equate his criticisms of Israeli policy with an anti-Israel or anti-Semitic outlook. I completely reject that, he said. On the contrary, the president argued, by standing up for the shared liberal values of the U.S. and Israeland pointing out when either falls shorthe is ensuring both countries will endure and thrive. I want Israel, in the same way that I want the United States, to embody the Judeo-Christian and, ultimately then, what I believe are human or universal values that have led to progress over a millennium, he said. I want Israel to embody these values because Israel is aligned with us in that fight for what I believe to be true....
Essentially, Obama defined anti-Zionismas distinct from sharp, public criticism of Israel and its policiesas anti-Semitism. In his construction, denying Israels right to exist (i.e. Zionism) is to deny the lessons of history and betray a deeply flawed moral outlook. In making this case, Obama joins other world leaders like British Prime Minister David Cameron and French Prime Minister Manuel Vallsboth, like him, critics of Israeli settlements and advocates for a two-state solutionwho have pointedly labeled anti-Zionism as anti-Semitism. Likewise, Obamas words accord with the U.S. State Departments official definition of anti-Semitism, which includes denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, and denying Israel the right to exist.
Obamas articulation of this position, however, is far more eloquent and rich than any of these antecedents. His explanation for why opposing Israels existence is bigoted is simultaneously moral, historical and structural. To consign the Jews to statelessness, in Obamas view, would undo the painful progress made by the world towards treating them as equals and protecting them from prejudice. It would turn back the clock to a much darker time, when Jews had no national home to stand up for their rights and offer them refuge. It would be an abdication of moral responsibility for the persecutions of the past and a willful ignorance as to their implications.
JI7
(89,281 posts)bravenak
(34,648 posts)I'm an atheist and when peope start talking about judeo christian values, I get sick to my stomach. Do these folks not read the bible? The bible is filled with evil ass judeo christian shit.
Slowly but surely Obama is losing me.
HassleCat
(6,409 posts)Depending on where you stand, and what argument you're trying to make, "Zionism" can be defined several different ways. It can relate to Israel's continued existence, building Jewish settlements on bulldozed Palestinian land, enforcing religious laws in certain neighborhoods, treatment of non-Jews, and a whole host of other stuff. So, many people view "Zionism" and "anti-Zionism" as more complicated than just affirming or denying Israel's existence.
Exilednight
(9,359 posts)hifiguy
(33,688 posts)And Netanyahoo is charging down the road of apartheid.
Scootaloo
(25,699 posts)Maedhros
(10,007 posts)I have a big problem with Israel's insistence that Palestine has no right to exist.