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CounterPunch
December
28, 2002
Words Hurt,
But Tanks Kill
Putting Accusations
of Anti-Semitism in Context
by LINDA BELANGER
Canada is in the midst of yet another debate on
anti-Semitism. This time, the uproar was spurred by statements
made by David Ahenakew a native leader and recipient of the Order
of Canada. Mr. Ahenakew's statement that Hitler was right "to
fry 6 million of those guys because they were taking over"
is disgusting and his membership in the Order of Canada should
be withdrawn immediately. However, I can no longer contain my
resentment over the endless superficial and pointless discussions,
interviews and opinions on "growing anti-Semitism".
One particular dialogue on CBC radio
left me steaming for days. Upon sitting down and analysing the
reason for my anger I concluded that it is not so much what was
said as what was not said that disturbed me. The idea put forward
by one of the participants that since most Jews are Zionists,
one cannot claim to be anti-Zionist without being anti-Semitic.
Neither the host nor the other two participants in the discussion
saw fit to challenge this opinion. This idea must be challenged
in the strongest terms each and every time it is put forth. IT
IS NOT RACIST TO OPPOSE A RACIST IDEOLOGY. If it is true that
most Jews are Zionists they must be re-educated to abandon this
ideology. It is not up to the rest of the country to accept it.
As usual in this type of discussion one
is made to feel that Jews are more victimized than other groups
or that anti-Semitism is somehow more abhorrent than other forms
of racism. Although reference was made to bomb threats against
Synagogues and Jewish Schools, there was not one reference to
threats made to Mosques and the current hate literature being
published on Muslims and Arabs by the Zionist controlled media.
Typically, only one participant touched
upon what he referred to as "the situation in the Middle
East in regards to Palestinians". I suppose this vague statement
was intended to raise the issue of a possible link between rising
anti-Semitism and the Israeli policies in the West Bank and Gaza.
Policies that include 24 hour curfews for months, home demolitions,
destruction of ancient olive groves, roadblocks that prevent
access to education, jobs and healthcare and total disregard
for over 65 United Nations Resolutions. The rank hypocrisy of
talking about offensive WORDS, no-matter how stupid, racist and
ignorant, in regards to Jews and the Holocaust while ignoring
what is actually HAPPENING to Palestinians right NOW must surely
be offensive to any intelligent listener.
The Zionists supporters will argue that
Israel is held to higher standards that other nations. But Israel
proclaims itself to be a bastion of freedom, democracy and justice.
Nations like Israel, Canada, the United States and Britain, should
be held to higher standards than developing countries with undemocratic
governments and large uneducated populations.
There can be no discussion regarding
growing anti-Semitism without consideration of the Israeli apartheid
system imposed on Palestinians. Although I am not of Arab background,
my anger at this injustice in intense. Fortunately it is tempered
by age and experience. My parents often repeated to me that there
are good and bad in every race: time has proven them right. I
have also had the good fortune of becoming acquainted with Jews
who see the injustices being perpetrated on Palestinians. Since
a young age I have turned to writing when I am sad or angry.
What of the children of people of Arab
descent? Both Canada and the U.S. have a substantial Arab and
Muslim populations whose sympathies clearly lie with Palestinians.
How is the testosterone charged teenager of Arab descent going
to react to news that 8 year old children of a group he identifies
with, are being shot for throwing rocks at tanks or sometimes
just shot in the back? What is this kid going to do when he hears
lengthy discussions about anti-Semitism on radio and television
and nothing about the crimes committed against his own kind?
I can bet it will not be to write. Talk of anti-Semitism without
looking at the context may be a way to fill air time without
generating the ire of B'nai B'rith but in no way contributes
to reducing anti-Semitism. Real solutions come as a result of
discussion by an informed public. There is no winning through
suppression of information and discussion. You can only keep
the lid on the pressure cooker for so long before it blows up.
Since my early teens I have heard in
reference to the Holocaust that "It must not happen again".
This is a wise statement that has become part of our moral fibre.
But "It" is happening again - to Palestinians. Sympathy
for Jews and revulsion for Hitler and the Holocaust must not
be carried beyond the bonds of logic. It must end when the victim
becomes the oppressor, otherwise we have learned nothing.
The pro-Israeli camp is quick to point
out that Arabs are not sufficiently critical of Palestinian suicide
attacks on Israeli's but how often does one hear Jews condemning
the Israeli policies of aggression on the entire Palestinian
population. I blame the media for this as much as Jews because
I know that there are Jews who passionately condemn and actively
oppose Israeli apartheid. By giving air time to the whining Zionists
with their preposterous precepts and not the to "left-wing"
Jews who oppose the policies of the war criminal Ariel Sharon
and his ilk , the media is contributing to anti-Semitism AND
condoning the racist Zionist policies which are completely irreconcilable
with our values of freedom and equality.
Linda Belanger can be reached at: Belalin54@hotmail.com
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