David Irving: Jews should ask themselves why they are hated

Haaretz ^ | December 23, 2006 | Amiram Barkat

[West Coast Conservative]

Holocaust denier David Irving on Friday said Jews should ask themselves why they have been hated throughout history.

"They [Jews] should ask themselves the question, 'Why have they been so hated for 3000 years that there has been pogrom after pogrom in country after country?', said Irving, speaking at a press conference he convened in England on Friday, a day after he was released from an Austrian prison.

Irving, who was sentenced to three years in prison for denying the Holocaust, was released last week after his appeal was granted.

Asked if he sees himself as anti-Semitic, Irving said, "No, I like to think I am not."

But immediately following his answer, Irving expressed his support for Mel Gibson's comments that "The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world."

Irving also took pride in the success of his books and claimed that he the fortune he made from sales of his biography on World War II German General Erwin Rommel enabled him to walk into a car showroom with a paper bag stuffed with cash to buy a "Nigger brown Rolls-Royce."

Irving's comments aroused great anger within Britain's Jewish community.

Lord Janner, president of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said Irving's release was "unwarranted" and that Irving's "latest comments were totally to be expected and should be totally ignored."

[vikk]

Jeez, can you say, "sociopath"? I knew you could...

[MadLibDisease]

"Why should this one group be the subject of so much hostility?"

Jealousy, ignorance and generations of fools passing antisemitism on to their kids

[F.J. Mitchell]

That seems to totally contradict the rumors (Media spin?) that most Jews vote Democrat. I am impressed.

[John Semmens]

Carter Attempts to Reassure Jews

Stunned by a firestorm of controversy over his new book--Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid—former President Carter wrote a letter to American Jews explaining his use of the term "apartheid. Carter said Christians, not Jews, are responsible for Israel’s murderous oppression of Palestinians.

“We know Jews are with us,” Carter said. “Ninety percent of them vote Democrat. It’s the Republicans and the rightwing Christian fanatics who support them that have given the Israelis the ‘green light’ for the genocidal extermination of the innocents who stand in the way of their quest for world domination.”

Carter's book follows the peace negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians during his presidency in 1977-1980. He is critical of all players in not reaching a better accord, but he is especially critical of the Israelis. “It’s true that everyone ignored what I was trying to say,” Carter admitted. “The Palestinians are hotheads. But I expected the Jews to be reasonable. I mean, in America we’re implementing their agenda—you know, expansive government programs, high taxes, abortion, gay rights—why do they need another ‘homeland’ in the Middle East. It makes no sense.”

The book, funded in part by the Pakistani Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI), has been called "moronic" (Slate), "anti-historical" (The Washington Post), "laughable" (San Francisco Chronicle). Carter dismissed these critical reviews of his book and blamed a “rightwing dominated media” for casting a negative pall over both his book and his presidency.. “When the media is controlled by right-wingers and Jews, as it is in this country, it’s hard for a free thinker like me to get a fair hearing,” Carter complained. “They’re too eager to curry favor with Bush and the GOP now. In 1980, they carried the torch for Reagan, undermining one of the truly great presidencies this country has ever seen. Why, I kissed Arafat. Who else has done that?”

Carter refused a challenge from Harvard Professor Alan Dershowitz to debate his book. “Yes, I said my book was intended to stimulate debate.” Carter agreed. “But Dershowitz is a Jew. He is biased against my book’s thesis that Jews are the main obstacle to peace in the Middle East. There is no point in me debating him. I am willing to debate someone who is more open-minded on the subject.”

In related news, Rabbi Ahron Cohen who spoke at the “Holocaust denial” conference in Iran now says the millions who died in Nazi gas chambers may have deserved it. “The Nazis never would have succeeded if their victims did not deserve it,” Cohen said. “Perhaps Jews are a pestilential infestation as some of the learned gentlemen of the conference allege. Maybe we deserve to be wiped off the face of the Earth. After all, Israel is the underlying cause of strife and bloodshed in the Middle East. If all the Jews had been killed by Hitler, the cream of Muslim youth would not now have to sacrifice itself in suicide attacks to try to finish the job. So, it’s an open question. We shouldn’t be too quick or harsh in our judgment of men like Hitler or Ahmadinejad. We must respect their point of view.”

[SampleMan]

Quick answer: Being the children of God draws fire. Don't believe it? Try being a good practicing Christian in any country.

[republican4ever]

I have a very simplistic answer to this: Jews are the chosen people... like a favorite child in a big family (as in Joseph's case) he will be envied by the rest. Just remember what Joseph's brothers did to him...

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

If the statement about his purchase of a Rolls-Royce is accurate, his racism goes beyond anti-Semetism.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

what's the translation?

[elhombrelibre]

Another historic fact was that the Catholic Church outlawed the loaning of money. It was called usury. Since Jews were obviously not Christians, they performed valuable role of loaning money, which was and still is a much needed and much resented role in any economy. The other scapegoating of Jews, pogroms, and holding of Jews personally accountable for Christ's death (hence, the "Christ-killers" slander) all were a part of the ugly legacy of Jew hating. Having said all of that, Hitler and Nazism were unique and new forms of anti-Semitism, which did get support from traditional anti-Jewish fanatics, but had pseudo-scientific racists worldviews their outlook and motivations. I urge anyone who wants to read more on this subject to read The War Against the Jews by Lucy Dawidowicz.

People like Irving and Carter are ugly opportunist cashing in on anti-Jewish sentiment. It is easy for Jimmy since, betraying people is Carter's only consistent thought.

[republican4ever]

"...Those that protect Israel will be blessed by God. Makes me think that's the only reason why we're still here...

You got it... when the US turns its back on Israel... things are bound to get ugly...

Take a look at my tag.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

Jews definitely have been targets of prejudice.

However, there have been many peoples around the world who have been the targets of persecution and oppression, along with Jews. Dismissing their plight as less than that of the Jews is more than a little disrespectful.

[SmartAZ]

Everybody hates. Being jewish has nothing to do with it. When there are no jews around people hate each other, or any readily identifiable subgroup of themselves.

[republican4ever]

"...However, there have been many peoples around the world who have been the targets of persecution and oppression, along with Jews. Dismissing their plight as less than that of the Jews is more than a little disrespectful..."

I agree to a point. However, the issue here is the persistent, pervasive, openness, relentless, genelarized and merciless quality of the hate and persecution.

[KoRn]

I've always wondered why Jews are so hated by some people. What did they do to anyone? I've never met one that I know of, so I don't have an informed opinion, I just don't see what all the fuss is about.

[secretagent]

That's nice, but I would be happier if Irving, David Duke, and those verminous self-despising rabbis" were in a grave instead of breathing oxygen.

Understood, but murdering them would only strengthen the enemies of the Jews. It loses the debate by default. It says "I would lose to you in a debate so I must kill you to stop the truth".

By contrast, Alan Dershowitz has challenged Jimmy Carter to a debate over Carter's book on Israel/Palestine. Carter chickened out, and Dershowitz won and his side won. Dershowitz shows the way on this one.

[onedoug]

The Jews developed ethical monotheism and lived it. That's why they're hated.

[raygun]

Eh, what say you to this?

I say Merry Christmas y'all. We'll be catching you on the flip side of the holiday. Try not to eat too much.

I pray that ye are well, and of sound mind and body, and are lookin' forward to " groggin' the noggin' " in a few days. I don't know how the last year was for y'all, it wasn't so hot for me. We'll see what's up with that: it aint over 'till the fat lady sings; and I'll be sure to make certain no fat lady's be singing near me for quite some time.

Here's hoping that you have a very Merry Christmas, and a jolly and peaceable holiday season. Joy to the World - let heaven and Earth sing - peace unto Man!

[secretagent]

However, there have been many peoples around the world who have been the targets of persecution and oppression, along with Jews. Dismissing their plight as less than that of the Jews is more than a little disrespectful.

I didn't read CS as dismissive of other groups' plight. He just said the Jews had it the worst.

We have to say some group had it worst, unless we reject ranking (of crimes against humanity) altogether.

[Tax Government]

To all...

I have a bit of Jewish ancestry, which should spare me from any presumption of being anti-Jewish.

The Old Testament, from what I have seen in it, is bloodthirsty in many places and does little to recommend the God it contains. Kind of like the Koran in that way. Any books that celebrate -- is there another word? -- the genocide of surrounding peoples, as was done in the name of the Gods of Abraham and Mohammed, needs to be followed by a sequel with apology and atonement. Hey, maybe that's what the New Testament was for. Anyway...

European Jewish people are apparently the bearers of some very favorable genetic mutations that affect brain development. Some of these genes, in the wrong combinations, may also be the cause of Tay-Sachs. This could help explain why their/our IQ is statistically higher than much of the rest of the world. At least a little sour grapes for this reason alone could explain anti-Semitism of the anti-Jewish variety. The good news is that these genes are now being spread around the rest of the world. In the name of peace, I wish any anti-Semitic people would investigate medical and nutritional choices for improved brain health. Plenty exist, but I will spare myself and FR any liability by naming even one. PM me if you like. Shalom, Salaam and Merry Xmas.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

• Arabs can be Christian.
• And what are you typing about Asians not being great in the commercial world? Japan is the second largest economy, the PRC fourth. Furthermore, Asian countries are increasing their economic power. They are more of a threat than Europe.