Some thoughts

[kjones]

So, I've never posted here. Read a lot in the group, well, at least
until it makes me depressed for the world and I have to quite and
do something that doesn't suck.

Disclosure. I fall pretty cleanly on the side "what can we do to
help Palestinians?" Not because I "hate" Israelis or something, but
because (A) I think Palestinians are clearly the ones getting the
short end of the stick, and (B) because Israel doesn't need my
support. It quite obviously has more than enough support. (Don't
let this confuse you into think I don't care when terrible things
happen to Israelis. I do. I want everyone in the world to have
a chance at happiness and all that is required to attain it.)

Introduction out of the way.
I think it would be clear to anyone who even simply passes through
this group, that there seems to be an (essentially) uncalled for
knee jerk reaction to any label any criticism (here on DU) of Israel
as being "anti-Semitic." I have no doubt (as in "I am 100% sure&quot
there are real anti-semites out there. However, I'm also pretty sure
that the number of them on DU is quite insignificant.

Do I think a rational explanation of that is going to stop people
from calling others on DU anti-semites needlessly? Probably not.

So, perhaps one thing we can do (anyone who also finds the
above unsettling I suppose) is to start pointing out Islamophobia
where we see it (and I mean real Islamophobia). I'm sure some people
already do.
So for instance, when I see posts that claim or imply all Muslims are
this or that (dangerous terrorists, radicals, or militants being the bit one)
I'm really unable to integrate the lack of "calling it out" with the
reverse, that of Israeli supporters claims of anti-semitism in response to
any number of statements that Israel might be doing some things wrong,
or that perhaps it is time for other countries to take action in response.

[bravenak]

1. Good post!nt

[Jefferson23]

2. Hello, kjones.

I see you joined in 2009 but you may not know that in this I/P group, posting
an OP like yours..which is essentially your opinion and not based on a news
article etc. It will not be allowed to remain up..it will be locked, soon.

There is a rules list at the top of the group description.

Nevertheless, welcome to the I/P group.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

4. "There is a rules list at the top of the group description."

When is it ever followed?

[kjones]

5. Ah, if that's true, sorry to whatever host comes by and locks it.

Guess each group has it's own rules.

[Loudly]

3. What you can do for Palestinians can't be more than what they are willing to do for themselves.

And that starts with giving up institutionalized hate in their schools and media.

Time must be allowed to heal the wounds as new generations replace the old.

[kjones]

6. I think there is a lot of institutionalized hate and bigotry in all places around the world.

My point was that it should be fought wherever it is.

I still remember being in social studies the day we
started bombing Iraq. The teacher put on the TV
with all those images of explosions in Bagdad, and
instead of reacting with "wow, our country is at
(another) war today" he laughed. "Oh ho ho! Get
'em," you know, that kind of thing. Of course, then
a few students, and more, and then suddenly, I'm
about the only one who isn't enjoying the fact that
we are watching people being blown up.
"Get those terrorists!"
As far as they were concerned, that made sense.

Yeah...a social studies/history teacher.

[shira]

7. If criticism of Israel were antisemitic then every single media outlet in Israel....

...would be antisemitic. Criticism permeates Israeli (and Jewish) society. Criticism is a good thing.

The problem is malicious, slanderous, and defamatory hyper- criticism. All the deliberate lies intended to stoke hatred and delegitimize the Jewish state. THAT's what's bad.

Hope that's helpful.