Tag: Being Jewish

Israel

Zionism: the End of an Illusion

A pillar of Democracy is the Separation of Powers that between The Church and State

Each day that the slaughter in Gaza continues makes it clearer that Zionism can never again command the loyalty of Jews dedicated to peace and justice or anyone else committed to the development of a human community.  It is long past time for American Jews to get rid of the Israeli flags that so often stand on the bimas of their synagogues and temples.  But the American flags standing there should also be eliminated.  Realizing the vision of a human community – the vision of prophets from Isaiah to Marx – means transcending all forms of ethno-nationalism that stand in the way of human development.  The point is not to deny one’s ethnic and cultural heritage but to overcome the fixation on national (and in America’s case, imperial) identities and to move ahead, out of the flames of the present holocaust, toward species-consciousness.

Zionism: the End of an Illusion

Israel

Being Jewish In a Time of Mass Hysteria – ScheerPost

Small wonder at the psychological crisis this history has created for American Jewry. The “never again” faction loudly worries that Palestinian liberation is incompatible with Israeli survival and sees growing American antisemitism behind every picket sign. But support for Netanyahu and his government contradicts everything valuable in Jewish tradition and divides Jews from their historic allies in this country and worldwide. People who have spent decades supporting the civil rights movement and efforts for peace and justice throughout the world are now alienated from their traditional values and beliefs.

Does anyone wonder where Einstein and Freud would stand in this debate?

 

Source: Being Jewish In a Time of Mass Hysteria – ScheerPost

Israel

Understanding the Difference Between Anti-Semitism and Pro-Palestinian Activism | The Smirking Chimp

Last week I published an essay arguing that “To Censure Rashida Tlaib Would Be to Censure Democracy Itself.” And the next day, quite predictably, I was called an “anti-Semite” who supports Hamas, promotes terrorism, and endangers my own Jewish students.

Source: Understanding the Difference Between Anti-Semitism and Pro-Palestinian Activism | The Smirking Chimp

Bernie Sanders

Sen. Bernie Sanders, “Embarrassed” by “racist” Israeli Government, Threatens to Withhold Aid

Sanders, who is Jewish, has several beefs with the current government in Israel, not least that he is “embarrassed” by it. Israel should not reflect on Jewish Americans, who are only responsible for their own individual actions and speech. The world is unfair that way, though, and for some people the fascist takeover in Israel will raise questions about what sort of person would not only support it but also try to silence anyone who speaks out against it. Sanders clearly feels that it is an albatross about his neck.

Source: Sen. Bernie Sanders, “Embarrassed” by “racist” Israeli Government, Threatens to Withhold Aid

Israel

Redefining Antisemitism to Protect Israel From Scrutiny Won’t Make Jews Safer

Israel’s supporters have sought to redefine antisemitism so that the term primarily refers to criticism of the Israeli state. This effort has been a great boon for Israel’s diplomatic propaganda — but a disaster for anti-racist struggles in Europe and the US.

Source: Redefining Antisemitism to Protect Israel From Scrutiny Won’t Make Jews Safer

Australia's Shame

China’s Foreign Minister hits back at criticism of aid in Pacific during Papua New Guinea trip – Politics – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

In the meantime alt-Right  Politics and Media like News Corp who have a fundamental disbelief in human rights and equal opportunity rail against Aid. Their stance is anti -Semetic in that didn’t the Jews simply bring to mind the notion of a fair go something alt-Conservatives Fox Sky and Murdoch’s Companies deny? (ODT)

“China is committed to friendship and common interests and we put the greater good before our own interests,” he said.

“To some people, I would say this: rather than pointing fingers at other’s contributions it is better to take the efforts to do more things that will benefit the Pacific island states.”

Mr Wang said all countries, including China and PNG, had a right to development and to “seize the opportunities” that come with it.

“If that is realised, it will make this world more harmonious and more peaceful.

“So China’s development poses no threat to anyone.”

He went on to say that “any attempts to block the development of developing countries” such as China and PNG would “represent a most severe injustice” and would leave a “disgraceful chapter in history”.

Key points:

China is investing billions of dollars of infrastructure into Papua New Guinea
China’s Foreign Minister insists the funding comes with no strings attached
He says the two countries are committed to taking bilateral relations “to a new height”

China’s Foreign Minister hits back at criticism of aid in Pacific during Papua New Guinea trip – Politics – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)