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)

Monday 18 August 2014

"We Don’t ... Have The Time To Fight All The Other Vital Battles Too ... We're Busy Boycotting Israel"

The above statement starkly illustrates the rampant double standards, the sheer hypocrisy, and, many would say, the antisemitism, that drives the BDS movement.

The statement's contained in an article in the leftist Aussie magazine New Matilda by pro-BDS Sydney academic Dr Nick Riemer regarding what he sees as the imperative of boycotting and demonstrating against the Israeli Film Festival in Sydney, which takes place this week.

It will be the 11th annual such festival, held under the auspices of the Australia Israel Cultural Exchange (AICE), and in the words of the Israeli ambassador to Australia, Shmuel Ben-Shmuel:
"The importance of cultural exchange in the development of strong bilateral ties is demonstrated clearly in the relationship between the State of Israel and Australia. The Australia Israel Cultural Exchange plays a vital role in promoting our respective cultures and therefore deepening the friendship between our two countries....
Israeli films present a unique perspective of our nation, and provide a unique insight into our vibrant national character and dynamic culture...."
Rallying in Tel Aviv against Isis's crimes
Nick Riemer maintains that 
"Critics ... try to discredit the boycott on the grounds of its selectivity, claiming that it is incumbent on cultural boycotters not to limit their activism to Israel, but to protest against human rights abuses by, for example, China, Russia or Syria as well.
If these critics are genuine, let them organise boycotts or other protests against these states: we will gladly support them... But don’t criticize us for not simultaneously organizing demonstrations against everything.
It doesn’t invalidate the pro-Palestine movement that we don’t also have the time to fight all the other vital battles too ....
When Palestinians get justice, then we will turn our attention to other issues. For now, while we unreservedly condemn human rights abuses, genocide and colonial dispossession wherever they occur, we’re busy boycotting Israel." [Emphasis added]
Regarding BDS, Melbourne academic Associate Professor Philip Mendes (who inclines to the Left, and whose excellent, comprehensive, and admirably objective book The Jews and the Left has just been published) told it well when, here, and with the Aussie BDS movement partly in mind, he observed earlier this year:
"The international BDS movement has always targeted, not just the Jewish population of the state of Israel, but also Jews worldwide who support the continued existence of Israel (whatever their political views on conflict resolution) as the political enemy....
 [E]ven if most BDS advocates identify as opponents of racism, the fact remains that the core agenda of the BDS movement is anti-Semitic. The movement does not seek Israeli/Palestinian peace and reconciliation and/or the enhancement of Palestinian national and human rights by means of a two-state solution. Rather, it seeks to eliminate the existing Jewish State of Israel, and replace it with a new national state dominated by an Arab majority which I have called elsewhere a "Greater Palestine."....'
 As for the Israeli Film Festival, a commenter on Riemer's piece has a rather apt observation:
"At the very least films made in Israel are not the sort of Death porn so beloved of Hamas and  those with a totalitarian heart like the usual suspects who will undoubtedly be delighted by another opportunity to dust off their usual barely disguised  anti-Semitic memes." 

4 comments:

  1. HRW and AI admitted as much openly, years ago - that they devoted so much of their time money and effort to Israeli-Hate that they literally had nothing left over for the rest of the world's woes. In fact they lamented that it was actually harming their own fund-raising efforts since there are millions of people in the world who have other more pressing interests.

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  2. The Palestine Action Group Sydney, is in Court, as we speak.
    They were denied a permit to demonstrate outside of the theatre.
    We were/are holding a counter demonstration.
    The hearing yesterday was postponed to allow the Police more time to prepare their case.
    I guess the last 5 or so weeks their rallies for Gaza have cost tax payers great deal of money for Police involvement .
    After the riots last year the Police are taking no chances.
    Regular Police.
    Dog Squad.
    Mounted Police.
    Special security services.
    Riot Squad
    Also the inconvenience of closing off the entire City weekend after weekend, is enough for them.
    I spoke with a few retailers who complained bitterly it had ruined their businesses.

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  3. What an ignorant bigoted shmuck. His must be ignoramus quote of the week.

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  4. Arch-BDSer Stuart Rees:
    http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2014/08/moderate-zealot-israel-no-real-2014811114134269194.html

    ReplyDelete

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