John – I agree with you as a matter of logic. In practice, however, we see these critics of Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians focus with laser-like precision on the actions and abuses (some real, many exagerated or fraudulent) of the world’s only Jewish state, while ignoring far worse abuses in about 60 or so other states. These critics fail to note that Israel is the ONLY state in the middle east in which Arabs have a vote, that homosexual Palestinians from the territories often seek (and are granted) asylum in Israel, etc., etc.
Can someone offer a rational explanation why these anti-Zionists are so focused on Israel? It can’t possibly be about human rights per se, since most of them don’t give a rip about Sudan, Rawanda, Chechnya, Ziwbabwe, Tibet . .
I suppose that for some it may be an anti-colonialist argument (which of course requires you to believe that Israel is in fact a colony – of the US one presumes – something that is demonstrably false) and for others it could be a pure race-based argument (Pale people must not hurt darker people. Darker people may hurt paler people or other dark people with impunity), which is not really anti-Semitic, but still pretty warped. It also founders on the Falashas.
So, I guess excessive criticism of Israel (in the guise of anti-Zionism) comes down down to (1) anti-Semiticism, (2) mush-minded anti-colonialism, or (3) inverted racism.
Im sure that 2 and 3 are the motivations for a lot of folks on the contemporary left, but the problem is that their opposition leads them to get into bed with a lot of folks who are pure anti-Semites. It also brings them close to the position of Pat Buchanan – I hope that causes them to lose sleep. International ANSWER and their ilk stage joint rallies with radical Islamic groups who’s anti-Jew agenda is less than hidden – and our oh-so-sensitive lefties don’t seem to mind too much. They choose to lie down with dogs, and are supprised that I think they have fleas.
Dave – voting for Kerry does not make one a self-hating Jew, but joining the ISM sure does.
