To follow up on the discussion re: anti-semitism in the anti-war movement. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/30/international/worldspecial/30FRAN.html Now this isn't New York or Chicago, but it isn't the West Bank or Syria either. And this is not just a few marginal nuts, but enough of a presence so that problems have arisen, including threats and beatings of Jews.
I followed a bit of what was going on in the other thread, but it became a one-on-one discussion with a few Dolemite comments thrown in for good measure. So let's try again. The anti-war movement has anti-semitic elements that they'd like to ignore, because to most people on the left, the anti-semites are like the crazy aunt in the attic. (Most left-wing people I know are sympathetic to the development of a Palestinian state, but not in exchange for the destruction of Israel.) Regardless, the left shouldn't try to sweep these people under the rug. But to insinuate that the anti-war movement is inherently anti-semitic rings hollow, despite the right's desire to paint it as such. Let's face it: anti-semitism never really left Europe after WWII. But it is most apparent among Arab immigrants who don't have any particular party affiliation. And in the US, the right has a deeper history of anti-semitism than the left -- for example, in the 1950s the McCarthyites' biggest targets were invariably Jews. I think among the biggest reasons why the right wing has become so pro-Israel over the last few years are the election of serious right-wingers like Netanhayu and Sharon, and the desire among Christian fundamentalists to see prophecy fulfilled by the resurgence of the Israeli state. But all other things being equal, most fundamentalist Christians still believe that the Jews' failure to accept Jesus as Lord & Savior condemns them to hell. Does anti-semitism exist? Yes. But not just among the anti-war people.
I don't think that was the question that was posed. More the irony of racism being interjected into "peace" rallies. Rather ironic, no?
Agreed, and I said that the left has been ignoring this issue and shouldn't do so any more. But at the same time, the fact that groups like ANSWER are involved in the peace movement is used by pro-war people as proof that there's something inherently anti-semitic about being anti-war. That's just ludicrous.
I just got back from the latest anti-war rally where I took this picture and it's just like JPHurst says. Sorry I only had black and white film.
Not all Anti-War people with anti-semitic leanings are from the left, either: http://www.amconmag.com/03_24_03/cover.html
The one fellating Ian? That's your mom, dude! Although I can see how you might not recognize her just from seeing the back of her head.
I'll go out on a limb. The Yeshiva University fencing team is less anti-Semitic than the anti-war movement.
Good for an 8 year old maybe. You take that crap to Rivalries and you'll be the Iraqi child to the Rivalries regulars' errant US cruise missile. Bring something worth making an effort for next time, OK?
I don't know the precise percentage of those who could be considered anti-Semitic in the anti-war movement compared to the population at large. What I do think is pretty clear, however, is that the display of such anti-semitism has been prevalent in the anti-war movement, and that it often is excused as merely being "criticism of Israel's policies" and the like. And in many cases, such opinions and groups are actively courted by organizers.