Three ways to hate (Anti-Semetism and Anti-Americanism)

Several weeks ago, the American Jewish Committee published a study entitled "Anti-Americanism and Anti-Semitism: A New Front of Zealotry," written by Prof. Alvin Rosenfeld. As the title indicates, says Prof. Rosenfeld, "there is a certain structural similarity between anti-Semitism and anti-Americanism - they are closely connected, so much so that sometimes it seems that the growing hatred of America is none other than a new form of Judeophobia and vice-versa as well."

While the examples in the chapter on Germany are not the most convincing (in contrast to Rosenfeld's view, in Germany, the taboo on open anti-Semitism that emerged after the Holocaust is still in effect), with regard to France, he shows that in essence, anti-Americanism today fills

At the same time, the theory that is now taking hold in Jewish intellectual circles is that the unfathomable hatred of the State of Israel is, in essence, the modern version of anti-Semitism, which, in this form, even the "enlightened" left can identify with. However, the sweeping determination that the attacks against Israel stem from classical anti-Semitism is incorrect and also dangerous. Such a description imbues hatred of Israel with a kind of inevitability rooted in the history of the Jews. It not only encourages overlooking the differences, but also makes it easier to come to accept the hatred of Israel.

The truth of the matter is that anti-Semitism has changed from one era to the next. Jew hatred during the time of the Roman Empire differed from the Christian anti-Semitism of almost 2,000 years, and that differed from the Nazis' racial hatred.

While it may use images taken from religious and racial anti-Semitism, the anti-Israel anti-Semitism of the Arab countries and their supporters is also actually political in its reasons and motivating factors.

Contrary to what many Jewish activists and organizations have said until now, there is no "flood of anti-Semitism" anywhere in the world today (with the exception of a large part of the Muslim countries). There has been an increase in the number of anti-Semitic incidents in a considerable number of countries, but this bears no resemblance to the anti-Semitism that preceded the Holocaust. The incidents are still few in number and less serious; and primarily, there is no official state or government policy of anti-Semitism.

Any self-respecting person today, even if he does not like Jews, will be quick to declare he is not an anti-Semite. Even if this sometimes entails hypocrisy, one cannot belittle the importance of the social norm behind the denial of any anti-Semitic identification.

The former Soviet Union, which was anti-Semitic in an almost official capacity, has ceased to exist. Moscow today is currently persecuting a bunch of Jewish millionaires with political ambitions. That too is anti-Semitism. But 10 years ago, who would have believed that Russia's wealthiest capitalists would be the Berezovskys, the Gusinskys and the Abramoviches?

As far as Christian religious anti-Semitism is concerned, it may be exaggerated to talk of a total revolution in Christianity's attitude toward Judaism. In the Catholic Church, there has been a drastic change in the Vatican's approach toward Judaism. The Vatican II conference absolved the Jews of blame for deicide and declared them "older brothers" of Christianity.

Perhaps not everyone will also be excited by the theological motivations behind Protestant fundamentalist enthusiasm for Zionism and Israel's return to its land, but undoubtedly these views contributed significantly to American right-wing support (including the White House) for the State of Israel and its government.

And most important of all perhaps: Despite anti-Semitic incidents and phenomena, the United States - the only remaining superpower in the world - is the only country (aside from Israel, of course) in which Jews enjoy not only full legal, economic and political equality, but also social and cultural equality. Some people still remember a time when there were industries (steel, for example), social clubs and even law firms that did not accept Jews. Today, there is no residential area, place of work or cultural milieu that is closed to Jews. It is not a result of anti-discrimination legislation, but due to the unique nature of American society.

The Muslim world is today the only place where there is strong growth in dangerous anti-Semitism, both toward Jews around the world and the Jewish state. And remember, to a large extent, the latter stems from the former.

Islam has acquired almost all of the indicators of early anti-Semitic phenomena, but the venomous and fatal element of this anti-Semitism is "territoriality" - a refusal to recognize and accept the existence of the State of Israel, which, in the eyes of devout Muslims, and not only fundamentalists, contradicts Jewish inferiority to Islam.

Two conclusions emerge from this - one, that the current Muslim anti-Semitism is still political in its essence; and two, that militant Islam cannot now make do with dividing up the land of Israel between the Jews and the Palestinians.

This is also one of the reasons why Zionism is only a partial response to anti-Semitism. It is a solution for threatened Jewish communities that can and want to leave and immigrate to Israel. However, it is not a solution for the current focus of hatred of Jews - opposition to the very existence of the State of Israel. Zionism is a partial solution also because Israel - especially in light of the Arab hostility around it - cannot live safely without the support of the United States, support that stems to a large extent from the influential presence of nearly six million Jews in America.

Although we tend to see anti-Semitism as a single phenomenon, we must in fact deal with at least three types of anti-Semitism that differ from one another historically and geographically: There is European anti-Semitism, rooted in Christianity; and it, as aforesaid, is weakening, despite localized outbursts. Latin American anti-Semitism also fits into this type.

The most serious and problematic form at the moment is Muslim anti-Semitism, with its religious roots and largely political format.

In third place are the anti-Semitic cells in the U.S., the weakening of which is dependent on the continuing economic and spiritual flourishing of the Jewish sector and, on the other hand, on the rate of Jewish assimilation and the extent of America's entanglement in the Middle East.

One little-talked-of factor may be very influential - the demographic shifts in the U.S. population. The United States is changing from a white nation with biblical values and openness to white culture in which Jewish writers and scientists are influential figures to a mixed nation of black and brown-skinned people that see Judaism as a marginal factor. The relative importance of Jews in American society may decrease in the coming years.

The Israeli-Arab conflict and the Jewish-Muslim conflict may have an increasing influence on the dimensions of anti-Semitism in the world, but increased power does not necessarily lead to victory. Most conflicts in history do not end with a victory for one side and the end for the other. Many more, even if they are less impressive, end with acceptance and compromise among the hawks, when the original fervor wanes with the passage of time, and the battle fatigue of both sides increases. Such a process may go on for a generation or two when the hostility is relatively new; and it may last for many generations when the rift is deep and long-standing. And again, the duration of a conflict does not determine its results.

It is safe to assume that in our time, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will remain the primary cause of anti-Semitism in the world. American Jews have a role of the utmost importance in the fight against all anti-Semitic expressions, in the United States and elsewhere. However, no less important is the two-pronged Israeli response - security measures and political alertness to deflect potential power struggles, alongside an honest effort to reduce the local points of friction and conflict.

Perpetual cries of "Anti-Semitism," as in the case of the boy who cried, "Wolf," are not the most effective way of achieving these goals.

Key quotes:

...militant Islam cannot now make do with dividing up the land of Israel between the Jews and the Palestinians.

...the current focus of hatred of Jews - opposition to the very existence of the State of Israel.

I don't agree with everything in this article, but the author raises some interesting points worth discussing.

Most conflicts in history do not end with a victory for one side and the end for the other.

If they don't they are simply left to fester and reappear later. The following seems to suggest that we should just let all present conflicts play themselves out.

Many more, even if they are less impressive, end with acceptance and compromise among the hawks, when the original fervor wanes with the passage of time, and the battle fatigue of both sides increases. Such a process may go on for a generation or two when the hostility is relatively new; and it may last for many generations when the rift is deep and long-standing. And again, the duration of a conflict does not determine its results.

In my opinion, that is a recipe for disaster. These anti-whatever movements are usually designed to direct the populations attention outward to some imagined enemy rather than focus on the problems created by the leaders at home. That was true of Nazism, Communism, the PLO, and now of Wahabbism. It has nothing to do with a "natural" hatred but is, instead, one created, magnified, and exploited by the state. The purpose is to keep those in power in their positions of luxury despite their failed policies.

I think that the simple explanation would be that the left always roots for the perceived underdog in any situation. It wasn't too many years ago that Israel was a darling of many on the left when it appeared that their very existence was threatened by a stronger Arab military, but as the balance of power has shifted in the mideast, so has the sympathies of the liberals.

Moscow today is currently persecuting a bunch of Jewish millionaires with political ambitions. That too is anti-Semitism. But 10 years ago, who would have believed that Russia's wealthiest capitalists would be the Berezovskys, the Gusinskys and the Abramoviches? ===

Absolutely wrong. Those capitalists are simply a thieves. For that they are under fire. Unfortunately they very skilled in robbing but not in creation.

I wonder if all the article are same wrong in other points as in this one?

Those capitalists are simply a thieves. For that they are under fire.

That is absolutely correct: one cannot become wealthy in Russia without stealing and bribing officials.

I guess the author's point was why only those from Jewish families (these people -- Berezovsky, Gusinsky, Abramovich --- are themselves no longer Jewish) have been single out for prosecution.

Not exactly. The many are dirty.
But there are some who didn't steal like mentioned but builded thier business from scratch. Between them there are jews too. I respect those people without regard of nationality.
But I despise those who thieves like Gusnskii, Hodorkovskii who are jews. And Potanin or major of Moscow Luzhkov who are russians but same thieves like Gusinskii and Hodorkovskii..

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