Eretz Israel is our unforgettable historic homeland...The Jews who will it shall achieve their State...And whatever we attempt there for our own benefit will redound mightily and beneficially to the good of all mankind. (Theodor Herzl, DerJudenstaat, 1896)

We offer peace and amity to all the neighbouring states and their peoples, and invite them to cooperate with the independent Jewish nation for the common good of all. The State of Israel is ready to contribute its full share to the peaceful progress and development of the Middle East.
(From Proclamation of the State of Israel, 5 Iyar 5708; 14 May 1948)

With a liberal democratic political system operating under the rule of law, a flourishing market economy producing technological innovation to the benefit of the wider world, and a population as educated and cultured as anywhere in Europe or North America, Israel is a normal Western country with a right to be treated as such in the community of nations.... For the global jihad, Israel may be the first objective. But it will not be the last. (Friends of Israel Initiative)

Sunday 23 February 2014

Antisemitism in its Broadest Sense, Vicar?

Pro-Israel Christians in London
In a letter to the Church of England Newspaper, headed "The real antisemitism of today", Jeremy Moodey, CEO of the Israel-bashing NGO Embrace the Middle East (formerly BibleLands), has noted, inter alia:
"Many Jewish people feel that criticism of the State of Israel is intrinsically antisemitic, especially when Israel is singled out as being the main obstacle to peace in the Middle East. Since such criticism has increased in recent years, particularly in the context of Israel’s continued occupation of the Palestinian territories, the humanitarian crisis caused by its blockade of Gaza, and the seemingly relentless expansion of settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, it may follow in the minds of some Jewish people that antisemitism is on the increase."
Pro-Israel non-Jews in Australia
The perception that Mr Moodey identifies (and with which he disagrees) is of course one that has been articulated in recent days by Binyamin Netanyahu, when he said:
"In the past anti-Semites boycotted Jewish businesses and today they call for the boycott of the Jewish state, and by the way, only the Jewish state.  I think that it is important that the boycotters be exposed for what they are, they are classical anti-Semites in modern garb."
 On Facebook Mr Moodey had expressed exasperation with the newspaper over the fact that his letter had appeared in the newspaper somewhat truncated, which prompted his friend the Reverend Stephen Sizer, in linking to Moodey's letter on the Embrace the Middle East website to write:
"I gave up on the CEN for news on the Middle East a long while ago - apart from Jeremy's articles and the occasional letter. Very sad."
Soon afterwards, on the same thread, Sizer added his ten cents' worth on the nature of antisemitism:
Many Jewish people feel that criticism of the State of Israel is intrinsically antisemitic, especially when Israel is singled out as being the main obstacle to peace in the Middle East. Since such criticism has increased in recent years, particularly in the context of Israel’s continued occupation of the Palestinian territories, the humanitarian crisis caused by its blockade of Gaza, and the seemingly relentless expansion of settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, it may follow in the minds of some Jewish people that antisemitism is on the increase. - See more at: http://www.embraceme.org/blog/real-antisemitism-today#sthash.en7hD7Nf.dpufMoodey is not best pleased, since the editor of the said newspaper truncated his letter. Reverend Stephen Sizer has treated his Facebook followers to a brief disquisition on antisemitism.
"Antisemitism in its broadest sense is real. It is latent in much political rhetoric and religious conviction and it is explicit in the agenda of groups like the BNP and EDL. But diluting the term to include BDS or legitimate criticism of Israeli policies toward the Palestinians will only lead to complacency. Racism is evil in what ever guise it manifests itself."
It's noteworthy that he makes no mention of Islamic antisemitism, which as we know is rife and deep-seated, and of ancient lineage.  Perhaps this omission is not surprising, given that the Reverend Sizer seems to have many Muslim allies in his crusade (as it were!) against Christian Zionism; indeed, I gather that he attended the "Islamophobia" Awards ceremony, an IHRC fund-raising event that took place at the Holiday Inn, Wembley, on Friday evening.


But let's come back to that thread:


Does the vicar condone the distasteful remarks of/links from some of his followers?  Does he regard  as "antisemitism in its broadest sense" comments such as these, all, coincidentally, by ladies (though examples by male followers also abound):

(Update: that's an example of one from a male made after this post was published)


2 comments:

  1. reading stephen sizer's comment about anti semitism I noticed that he tried to paint the EDL with the stain of anti semitism. As far as I can tell the EDL is totally innocent of that charge and I think the so called reverend knows it. What's your view on that Daphne? Sincerely Cry4dance

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree that it's a smear that seems without foundation, Cry4dance. I've heard that some EDL members are former BNP/National Front members but I don't know enough about the movement to be sure. It seems to me that most are working-class people exasperated with mass immigration into Britain, resulting from Blair's inexcusable and destructive Open Door policy, and are worried for the future of their children in what they perceive as an Islamic future about which none of the major parties seem to care. No doubt there are antisemites among them.

      Delete

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.