Why Does the Left Hate Israel?

www.chronwatch.com ^ | 2/21/03 | Cinnamon Stillwell

[SeenTheLight]

I’ve asked myself on many occasions: “When there are so many other countries in the world that do injustice both to their own people and to others, why does the Left focus so exclusively on Israel?”

What about China’s occupation of Tibet or Syria’s occupation of Lebanon? What about the repression and tyranny of the Arab nations surrounding democratic Israel, including the Palestinians who, let’s not forget, practice honor killings, lynch “collaborators,” suppress the media, and whose leaders funnel funds meant for the people to terrorists?

The real reason the left hates Israel is two-fold. First of all, they have been hijacked by Palestinian Nationalism and secondly, they don’t like uppity Jews. And to mollify those who will immediately claim that anti-Israel sentiments do not amount to anti-Semitism, let me just say that I don’t buy it.

I’m not sure when Palestinian Nationalism began to seep into the Left’s dogma, but it appears to have been in the last 15 years or so. I first noticed this trend during a protest of the Gulf War, where I saw pro-Palestinian propaganda with a distinctly anti-Semitic edge to it. It was around this time that the term “Zionists” began to be used as a fill-in for all Jews who simply supported the continuing existence of the state of Israel and as such, were deserving of contempt. In short, “Zionist” became the politically correct term for “Hebe.” The years since have only solidified this pattern and these days, the anti-war protesters are more hateful than ever.

I’ve had the unique experience, while taking part recently in counter-protests, of witnessing the wrath of the Palestinian Nationalists up close and personal. The graying hippies wearing Intifada T-shirts and spitting in my face, women in burkas unfurling Palestinian flags in front of my signs, Arab-American teenagers telling me they want to “kill all the Jews,” and being called a “Zionist Pig,” are just a few of the precious moments I’ve taken home from “peace” rallies. This is the ugly side of the anti-war movement, among others, and they don’t want it publicized.

Indeed, the formerly celebrated Jewish liberal Michael Lerner, has recently been excommunicated for daring to criticize A.N.S.W.E.R., the main organizer of the anti-war protests. This is apparently a no-no among a movement that doesn’t tolerate dissent. Lerner also committed the crime of refusing to consign Israel to the dustbin of history. He didn’t go along with the program and for that, he became persona non grata.

The Left only likes Jews as long as they’re victims, passively marching to the Nazi death camps, or in this case, to the Mediterranean Sea. They can deny that they’re anti-Semitic by pointing to their loyal Jewish comrades, who fail to recognize their enemies. These Jews are acceptable because they either want the destruction of Israel too or at the very least, won’t stand in the way. But give a Jew a gun or God forbid, a tank, and suddenly they become the enemy. The Left, it seems, prefers suicidal Jews to tough ones.

The Left demands nothing of the Palestinians and everything of the Israelis. What, besides anti-Semitism, accounts for this double-standard? The anti-war crowd can continue to try and claim the moral high ground when it comes to questions of war and peace, but none of it will ring true, so long as their blatant hatred for Jews festers in the background.

[SteveH]

Gee, maybe the Israelis should behave like some of the democratic Islamic Republics and just kill anyone who isn't the "right" religion....

All people should enjoy fundamental civil and property rights. Start from there.

[Porterville]

Oh, I see, your well informed and everyone who disagrees with your point of view is sadly misinformed....I get it. So when the leadership of any group(Palestinians) funnels money earmarked for their people, who by and large support attacking the other group (Israel); and then uses that money to funnel in weapons, recruit killers, plan mass killings of children, women, and innocent men; that's okay. When I think about it, your morality is malformed; you make me puke. I don’t care where you been, I’ve seen hell too and give a damn about people trying trump me on experience.(Oh, you met a Palestinian and an Israeli once. Ever see the backside of an RPG flying over your head??)

[SteveH]

Simpleton. Israel happens to be at war. This is what you do when you have a population of Jihadists trying to kill you.

All people should enjoy fundamental civil and property rights. Take Israel's foreign aid away and they'll have a little more incentive to provide such rights to all their citizens. No excuses.

[LibKill]

I expect that the left hates Israel because most Israelis are Jews.

[freebilly]

All people should enjoy fundamental civil and property rights. Start from there.

All people? I assume you also are including Israelis in being able to enjoy fundamental civil and property rights.

[freebilly]

Take Israel's foreign aid away and they'll have a little more incentive to provide such rights to all their citizens. No excuses.

And if we give a 100-fold increase in aid to the Palestinians they would still live in squalor and poverty because their bastard leadership is corrupt, murderous, and exists only to line its (Arafat's) pockets....

[dennisw]

All people should enjoy fundamental civil and property rights. Take Israel's foreign aid away and they'll have a little more incentive to provide such rights to all their citizens. No excuses.

Bllsht. I'll plunk you down where the Muslims are, where the Jihadists are, and you'll do one tenth as well. You're just full of liberal anti Israelism. I'll put you in your "no excuses" situation and you'll flunk with flaming colors

[dennisw]

And you have not explained still why Israel denies non-Europeans and non-Jews fundamental civil and property rights.

Because they don't. On the other hand what happens to a Jew in Iraq, Egypt or Syria? Do you have any idea Mr. Self Righteous? Mr. Big Noise? Do you even care? Naaaahhhhhhhhh.... You just want to get your rocks off spouting leftist slogans. What you don't know or care about is that there's no way to make the Muslims/Arabs/Palestinians happy. Every Jew could be off the West Bank and Gaza tomorrow and they would demand much more. This is the nature of Jihad and exploding Islamic demographics. But what do you care.

[cookcounty]

"There are many Palestinian Christians. They suffer in relative stoic silence."

Indeed they do suffer. And mostly at the hands of the muslims. Which is why the Christians in Arab states and in Paliestine suffer much more than the Christian Arabs in Israel. (whose lives are threatened only by the jihadists.

[SteveH]

Sure, but not at someone else's expense. One could easily use your argument on behalf of Aryan Germans against European Jews.

[SteveH]

And if we give a 100-fold increase in aid to the Palestinians they would still live in squalor and poverty because their bastard leadership is corrupt, murderous, and exists only to line its (Arafat's) pockets....

Sorry, I didn't catch the logic of the part of your argument that two wrongs make a right.

[SteveH]

Bllsht.

You are the one arguing against unalienable rights. Not me.

Unalienable rights. For everyone. What a concept; who would have ever dreamed up such a notion? Look it up. And then write me concerning your "bllsht".

[SteveH]

Because they don't.

Ha. I've been there and I say they do. They bulldoze houses, kill innocent civilians with our Apaches using our missiles, our machine guns, etc. We subsidize their settlements on occupied territory. Do you honestly believe that Palestinian kids can grow up in such an environment, get a good education, and become productive members of society? The Israelis put them through checkpoints and curfews, cut off their electricity and supplies if they happen to be so unfortunate as to live anywhere *near* terrorists. Some Arab families' land was confiscated in the late 1940's and they are still without compensation. That is denial of property rights. Everyone should have rights. But rights should not be taken away from one person to be given to someone else, especially on the basis of religion.

[over3Owithabrain]

Why does the Left hate Israel?
Why does the Left hate America?
Why does the Left hate Christians?
Why does the Left hate conservatives?
Why does the Left hate Republicans?
Why does the Left hate capitalism?
Why does the Left hate competition?
Why does the Left hate gun owners?
Why does the Left hate private schools?
Why does the Left hate morality?
Why does the Left hate patriotism?

[SteveH]

Do you even care? Naaaahhhhhhhhh.... You just want to get your rocks off spouting leftist slogans.

I am answering the question "Why does the Left hate Israel". You know, the title of the thread? I'm on topic.

What you don't know or care about is that there's no way to make the Muslims/Arabs/Palestinians happy.

Well, now we're seeing who is full of jingoism and sweeping generalities concerning religious affiliation, aren't we. I guess that justifies denying them fundamental human rights, the moral equivalent of wiping them out. Right? They're not human. They will never compromise. So keep them in concentration camps. And their children, who were born innocent but soon learn that they are little better off than cattle in a pen.

[SteveH]

Indeed they do suffer. And mostly at the hands of the muslims.

I missed the part where Muslims were running checkpoints on Palestinian Christians, or bulldozing their houses, or killin them with Apache fired missiles. Forgive me for being just a bit skeptical.

Which is why the Christians in Arab states and in Paliestine suffer much more than the Christian Arabs in Israel. (whose lives are threatened only by the jihadists.

Historically, Christian Arabs lived with Jewish and Muslim Arabs for hundreds of years peacefully prior to 1947. What happened then? Can you take a wild fricking guess?

Whether they do suffer or not outside of Israel, it does nothing to justify treating Palestinians as second class citizens inside Israel or in territories within Israeli control.

People everywhere have an inherent, unalienable right to self determination, life, liberty, and property. Start from there. We should not fund any government involved in denying fundamental human rights. Start from there.

I find it ironic that all I am arguing for is unalienable rights and fiscal conservatism, and getting flamed for it with emotional rhetoric.

[dennisw]

Historically, Christian Arabs lived with Jewish and Muslim Arabs for hundreds of years peacefully prior to 1947. What happened then? Can you take a wild fricking guess?

Do tell! What happened to the Christians of Lebanon? Do tell how the Jews of Israel are responsible for the routing of the Lebanese Christian community. I always thought it was the Muslims fault.

[dennisw]

I missed the part where Muslims were running checkpoints on Palestinian Christians, or bulldozing their houses, or killin them with Apache fired missiles. Forgive me for being just a bit skeptical.

The Pallies have been trying to murder the Jews of Israel. Israel has fought back. You would rather there was no retaliation for suicide bombing massacres. So does Hamas and Arafat. You have a foolish sympathy for 3rd world barbarians who turn down peace plans and start intifada.

[dennisw]

Well, now we're seeing who is full of jingoism and sweeping generalities concerning religious affiliation, aren't we. 

Get a dictionary ...Look up the word jingoism

I guess that justifies denying them fundamental human rights, the moral equivalent of wiping them out. 

They've been killing Jews...not that you care. Your rights get restricted when you try to murder another ethnic group.

Right? They're not human. 

This is what you say about the Palestinians?

They will never compromise. So keep them in concentration camps. 

This is your plan for the Palestinians?

And their children, who were born innocent but soon learn that they are little better off than cattle in a pen.

Many young Israelis have been murdered. The Palestinian children suffer for the actions of their psycho parents

 

 

[SJackson]

I do not find religious discrimination, curfews, land confiscation, stop searches, checkpoints, and travel restrictions particularly American. What American would stand for that if it happened stateside?*amn right, terrorists murder our citizens, searches, checkpoints, those aren't American solutions.