So, it was gauche of Bibi to remind everyone why Israel was created in the first place? How inconvenient for those ostriches who think history has no chance to repeat itself. While not a fan of his policies, I can't turn a blind eye to the fact that Israel is a haven for Jews everywhere. I'm sorry M. Hollande thinks that the way to stem the Jewish exile is to erase the exit, rather than to keep them - particularly as the canary in the coal mine - free from harassment, murder, rape, robbery, etc., etc. I hope he and the French government come up with a solution before the wave electing Marine Le Pen sinks that country for good.
2
How many Jews feel the utter shock, hurt and confusion at the prejudice that exists, loud and clear, everywhere. Except maybe in Israel. As an absolutely secular Jew living in New York, I am surprised by the disgusting comments I hear daily. One commenter here recently said why should Israel get "first dibs" on "highly educated" European Jews. Why shouldn't we in the US get a chance so "we" (non-Jews)can enjoy the benefits, even if "we" hate them? Are we a trade commodity? Who should weigh in on where the Jews should go? Are all you protectors of the Jews going to safeguard us against any future attempts to vanquish us, despite our skills? Why shouldn't Netanyahu REMIND Jews Israel is the only safe haven in the world?. Anne Frank's father and many assimilated secular Jews couldn't believe they weren't real Europeans. And yet...well, most of us know the rest of the story. The Jews make up less than 1% of the population in France. Why is everyone so concerned about the effect on France if even half of the Jews in France leave? We are a crumb!Our decision to take up Neanyahu's offer to live in a less than tolerant or fair society beats the
Ghettos so quickly erected for Jews with unbelievable speed. And as for what they might find in Israel? A better "ghetto" for sure. A group of great concert artists took the leap from their European world to a strange climate with sand everywhere and no green parks and concert halls. Depressing, but safe and alive. Can't happen again: right.
Ghettos so quickly erected for Jews with unbelievable speed. And as for what they might find in Israel? A better "ghetto" for sure. A group of great concert artists took the leap from their European world to a strange climate with sand everywhere and no green parks and concert halls. Depressing, but safe and alive. Can't happen again: right.
3
Israel, as the national home of the Jewish people, encourages Jews to live in Israel. France, England, Sweden, Holland, Norway, Ireland and other European countries have the right to return this favor by encouraging Jews to leave Israel and migrate to their countries.
I don't see any of them rushing to do so.
I don't see any of them rushing to do so.
4
How differently people can view events. Rather than causing division, I thought it a positive sign that both Netanyahu and Abbas were at the Paris march, both showing solidarity against radical terrorism. Israel has problems, but so do other countries. There is dissatisfaction in America with our government. Years ago when I was in Poland, I heard from many about the dissatisfaction with their government. French Jews have a right to decide where they want to live,France or Israel. Netanyahu has not done anything terrible by letting these people know they would be welcome in Israe. And if they do choose Israel, maybe they will be part of the change in Israel that the author is looking for.
3
Jews have contributed out of all proportion to their numbers to European culture, and they did so frequently not as deracinated, thoroughly assimilated Jews, but rather as people capable of transforming and melding Jewish with general European culture. Marx, Freud, Einstein, and Proust may not have attended synagogue, but they were every bit as representative of Jewish culture as the head rabbis of Israel. European culture is also Jewish culture. Contemporary European literature without its Jewish contributors is, frankly, unthinkable. This is clearer than ever in contemporary France, where Jews have played, and continue to play a vital role in public and cultural life.
As a Jew, I feel at home in France not only because of "tolerance," but also because so much of my Jewish culture has become part of French culture. I have as much a claim to French culture as any French Christian or Muslim. I deeply resent the idea that as a Jew I can be at home only in Israel. This position does not negate my support of a home for the Jewish people in Israel, but I cannot accept the idea that one is less realized as a Jew if he chooses to live in and be a part of a diaspora society.
As a Jew, I feel at home in France not only because of "tolerance," but also because so much of my Jewish culture has become part of French culture. I have as much a claim to French culture as any French Christian or Muslim. I deeply resent the idea that as a Jew I can be at home only in Israel. This position does not negate my support of a home for the Jewish people in Israel, but I cannot accept the idea that one is less realized as a Jew if he chooses to live in and be a part of a diaspora society.
3
Why would you want to move from a true democracy to a fascist state? I would wait to see if Israel can clean-up it's act after the March elections before jumping in.
2
Is Benjamin Netanyahu as Prime Minister of Israel also the Prime Minister of the Jews?
Is Israel the primary/secondary/ bi-dual nation state of the Jews?
Who is Benjamin Netanyahu if you are not Israeli nor Jewish?
What is Israel if you are not Jewish?
What is Gaza, West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights aka Palestiune if you are not Muslim?
What rights and places are there for Christians in the two-state solution?
Is Israel the primary/secondary/ bi-dual nation state of the Jews?
Who is Benjamin Netanyahu if you are not Israeli nor Jewish?
What is Israel if you are not Jewish?
What is Gaza, West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights aka Palestiune if you are not Muslim?
What rights and places are there for Christians in the two-state solution?
1
Fine, maybe French Jews should immigrate to Israel, though I find the arguments of friedmann on this thread why they shouldn't, more convincing than Netanyahu's. But for the Likud to intone how they are helping to save western civilization by being on the "front line" of the fight against the Islamic hordes is far more public relations than reality. Chiefly, what the Likud is fighting for is the survival of Israel - full marks for that - but also grabbing the West Bank, contrary to the wishes of most of what presently constitutes "western civilization".
Yeah, battling to save western civilization - like the British Museum is battling to return the Elgin Marbles to Greece.
Yeah, battling to save western civilization - like the British Museum is battling to return the Elgin Marbles to Greece.
Are we talking about anti semitism or anti Zionist? Israel must take the blame for the rise in anti-semitism/anti Zionism not only in Europe but throughout the world. With each war, every act of aggression towards the Palestinians, Netanyahu and those before him have inflamed the tensions we see today. Until there is a fair and just solution to this decades old saga nothing will change with the exception of the Israeli political classes becoming further entrenched with their right wing views. It's time to turn off the funding for all parties and see whether banging heads together can work.
2
Netanyahu's call raised many a brow in Israel too, because he oviously doesn't know right from wrong in international relations. Luckily for the country, having been crirticized for that in the middle of an elections campaign, he took a step back to say that Israel is an open home to all Jews who wish it. But that's rather trivial---no one here needs to hear it said.
In the end, a theocracy cannot be a democracy. The definitions of both words are mutually exclusive and it is an issue that is becoming more of an issue for Isreal. I understand why Isreal wants to be a country for Jews, but it is a bigger problem for Isreal than any outside influence is. Wthin the land of Jews are Jews from all over the world who do not agree about everything, some religious some not, just like the rest of us, human after all.
1
Any French Jew seriously considering emigrating to Israel might consider the fact that there is compulsory conscription into the IDF if you're within the age limits. The IDF has an appalling human rights record particularly after Gaza July Aug 2014 where they murdered 2260 civilians inc 630 children. They injured 3084 children and left 1800 children orphaned. They bombed 10 hospitals destroying 5 completely. They bombed and totally destroyed 16 ambulances and killed 23 health professionals. 44 Primary health clinics were totally destroyed. Also to be aware of is the upcoming ICC where Israel will be in the spotlight for their war crimes. If I were a Jew considering moving to Israel I would seriously think twice
2
Israel has many problems to solve (those stated in this piece plus a notable lack of physical security). None the less, Zionism is still the national liberation movement of the Jewish People and since 1948 Israel is the homeland of the Jeish People. French Jews, as well as all other Jews living in the Diasporea, are welcome to join those who already live here or not. It's up to them!
3
BERNARD AVISHAI writes: "An end to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories? Mr. Netanyahu dismisses the idea as implausible. He asks, smugly, if Islamists would stop hating the West if there were no occupation. He assumes we would say no without reservation."
"Fortress Israel" is chiefly responsible for the rise of radical Islamic militarism. The numerous provocative injustices inflicted upon the Palestinian people by the governments and people of Israel for decades, with the "mumbled" approvals of United States governments and the "irrelevant sidelines" disapprovals of European governments, has led directly to this disease outbreak of militant Islamic radicalism in France. World political indifference has led to the slaughter of the cartoonist-journalists at Charlie Hebdo, the murder of two French police men and one police woman protecting the population and the Charlie Hebdo personnel in particular, and the execution of four random Jewish citizens of France.
"Fortress Israel" is impregnable. But terrorist targets within Europe have proven to be vulnerable. And, even ten thousand French police and military personnel on guard cannot protect French citizens, Jewish or not, in an open and democratic society.
It is time for France and the rest of the nations of the world to declare a diplomatic war on "Fortress Israel" for its intransigence to accept reasonable terms to accomplish a two-state solution to the Palestinian issue.
AVISHAI:"An end to Israel’s occupation?"
"Fortress Israel" is chiefly responsible for the rise of radical Islamic militarism. The numerous provocative injustices inflicted upon the Palestinian people by the governments and people of Israel for decades, with the "mumbled" approvals of United States governments and the "irrelevant sidelines" disapprovals of European governments, has led directly to this disease outbreak of militant Islamic radicalism in France. World political indifference has led to the slaughter of the cartoonist-journalists at Charlie Hebdo, the murder of two French police men and one police woman protecting the population and the Charlie Hebdo personnel in particular, and the execution of four random Jewish citizens of France.
"Fortress Israel" is impregnable. But terrorist targets within Europe have proven to be vulnerable. And, even ten thousand French police and military personnel on guard cannot protect French citizens, Jewish or not, in an open and democratic society.
It is time for France and the rest of the nations of the world to declare a diplomatic war on "Fortress Israel" for its intransigence to accept reasonable terms to accomplish a two-state solution to the Palestinian issue.
AVISHAI:"An end to Israel’s occupation?"
1
I think this way of thinking works two ways. Some of France's Jews will take it as an invitation to 'get out' while others will accept the challenge and remain stubborn (as always). In my life, I've always found that 'having a way out' is good for my psychology AND my determination to stay the course and find new and better options.
Knowing the history of my people, I'd say that the majority won't go anywhere.
Jews are tough. Over 5,000 years of surviving worse than the latest challenges and we're still here!
Knowing the history of my people, I'd say that the majority won't go anywhere.
Jews are tough. Over 5,000 years of surviving worse than the latest challenges and we're still here!
2
Björn Söder, a representative of the Nazi-rooted SD party here in Sweden, told his fellow Swedes (those meeting his need for pure "svenskhet"-Swedishness) that you could not be a Jew and also be a Swede.
The roots of that kind of belief are a belief in some kind of purity. Is that what Netanyahu also believes in, that if you are a pure Jew, you must live in a pure country, Netanyahus dream Israel.
Anti-semitism is rising and it has a very long history in Europe and in Sweden, specifically. Anti-semitism in common with all other forms of racism will never disappear but the solution to dealing with this fact is not to create pure nations.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Recommended: Richard Lewontin "Is There A Jewish Gene" in NYRB.
Footnote: Lewontin along with Tomoko Ohta has just been awarded the Crafoord Prize in Biosciences by the Royal Swedish Academy.
The roots of that kind of belief are a belief in some kind of purity. Is that what Netanyahu also believes in, that if you are a pure Jew, you must live in a pure country, Netanyahus dream Israel.
Anti-semitism is rising and it has a very long history in Europe and in Sweden, specifically. Anti-semitism in common with all other forms of racism will never disappear but the solution to dealing with this fact is not to create pure nations.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Recommended: Richard Lewontin "Is There A Jewish Gene" in NYRB.
Footnote: Lewontin along with Tomoko Ohta has just been awarded the Crafoord Prize in Biosciences by the Royal Swedish Academy.
The French Model is either so overwhelmingly superior to the Israeli model that French Jews will choose to remain regardless of what Netanyahu says or it is, perhaps, not that great and many will leave. But it seems that the protests at Netanyahus encouragement for Jews to immigrate indicate the weakness, rather than the strength of the republican model. If this model cannot withstand criticism and competition then what is it worth?
Clearly, it is upsetting to many commentators here that French Jews go to Israel if they feel unsafe in France. The reasons vary but the most prominent seem to be that Israel is not a good place to live being dangerous and a quasi theocracy. (Those people don't understand what a theocracy is and have clearly never been to Israel but whatever) and that it will change the demographics and expand the settlements which is where, because of space considerations, the French Jews will have to settle.
So I believe then America should take them or the other nations of Europe. You know, the way they have been taking in the Iraqi Christians, Syrians etc in such overwhelming numbers.
In other words, thank G-d for Jews, there is an Israel.
So I believe then America should take them or the other nations of Europe. You know, the way they have been taking in the Iraqi Christians, Syrians etc in such overwhelming numbers.
In other words, thank G-d for Jews, there is an Israel.
3
France, Britain, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, Italy and Ireland are among the European countries that have recently recognized or are actively considering recognition of a Fatah -- Hamas Palestinian state, the Fatah-part of which will almost certainly fade out of existence in a few short-years, if not long before then.
And European Jews are signing up for Israeli passports just to get away from countries like these?
What could they be thinking about?
And European Jews are signing up for Israeli passports just to get away from countries like these?
What could they be thinking about?
4
The attachment of the French to Israel is or at least was strong and sincere. I remember some forty years ago the reactions of an ordinary French family to the news of the events at Entebbe where Netanyahu's brother was killed. They rejoiced that the hostages had been saved and said openly that Israel must be safe, not much different than most Americans at the time. Whether they still believe this, after all the latent contradictions articulated in this oped have come into the open, I do not know.
When I lived in Paris in the mid-'70s, I was aware of anti-semitism, as I was aware of anti-semitism in the US. Fortunately, in neither country was it a violent anti-semitism, at least, not that I was aware of. I did feel threatened by young Arab men, as a woman, not as a Jew. They seemed to make a habit of sexually harassing women walking in the street alone. And they did it in groups of 3 & 4. And I rarely saw any Arab women on the streets. I was barely aware of their existence in Paris until I was hospitalized for 10 days. There were many Arab women on the ward. In other words, their culture was worlds apart from French culture. I wouldn't want to live in a homogeneous society, though I do wish that all cultures would treat men and women with equal respect. In addition, there does have to be some agreement on basic values for people of different cultures to live peacefully together. In a liberal democracy those values include tolerance of those whose opinions and life styles differ from yours and freedom of expression, including expression that is provocative or obnoxious. Apparently - and unfortunately, many within the Muslim communities in France have not assimilated those values.
3
Mr Avishai calls out the failings of Israel as if it is some small European state. Despite it's hard earned economic and military strength it remains beleaguered by neighbors who would gleefully destroy it, if only they could. It's easy to criticize Israel's actions they always must be seen in this context. They are playing for keeps.
3
How strangely ironic that Mr. Avishai brings up cultural Zionism and Chaim Weizmann as the new model for Israel in the aftermath of the Paris terrorist attacks. It was Chaim Weizmann who collaborated with the British during the 1930s in establishing quotas on Jewish immigration to Palestine while it was the Revisionists, the direct ancestors of Likud, led by Zev Jabotinsky, who fought desperately for maximal Jewish emigration from Poland and Eastern Europe. The Jews who failed to emigrate perished at the hands of the Nazis.
Clearly, the French Government is generally well intentioned in its desire to protect its Jewish citizens. But facts must be faced. As the conduct of ISIS and Al Qaeda in Syria and the content of the rhetoric of radical Islam have shown, as well as the events at the Hyper Cacher in Paris, that there is no limit to the brutality of the proponents of the new Caliphate and that Jews are their victims of choice.
Clearly, the French Government is generally well intentioned in its desire to protect its Jewish citizens. But facts must be faced. As the conduct of ISIS and Al Qaeda in Syria and the content of the rhetoric of radical Islam have shown, as well as the events at the Hyper Cacher in Paris, that there is no limit to the brutality of the proponents of the new Caliphate and that Jews are their victims of choice.
2
Thanks. A wonderfully argued, brilliant piece - better for its absence of personal rancour. Sometimes it isn't necessary to define bad taste. And think of something else. It's so fashionable to run down French republicanism. Can't one just say how much it's needed by all of us, Jews included? Can't we just say that a democratic, tolerant France is a good idea, jin the same way as a democratic, tolerant Israel? Jews can go and live in Tel Aviv if they wish. They don't need to be told by politicians seeking reelection how good for them it would be if they did just that. Yes, I know there are antisemites in France - and not just in the Muslim community. But many in France have fought against antisemitism. It's would be considered crude to suggest that Germany was still an antisemitic country. Why suggest that France is? And,by the way, Vichy France was not democratically elected. Petain came to power after military defeat when the 3rd Republic dissolved itself. In the interwar years France was the largest recipient of Jewish exiles. We cannot conclude that most French citizens were happy to see Jews shipped to the camps. Some indeed may have been, many were appalled.
1
French Jews were apparently not the target at Charlie, but they were at the grocery store, and they are are the ones for whom French clocks are ticking most loudly these days, while additional clocks are ticking for them in Holland, Sweden and elsewhere in Europe.. What does it matter to Jewish families that most European Muslims are not terrorists, if some of them are and are capable of carrying out attacks like these. European history is already way too full of Jewish families who died
believing that nothing bad could happen to them in civilized Europe.
believing that nothing bad could happen to them in civilized Europe.
5
The author is living in a bubble. Muslims did not move to European countries and the USA seeking freedoms of speech and religion, separation of church & state. Terrorists who are Muslims find freedom repugnant. Jews, and citizens of all European countries, feel like their cultures are threatened. Jews were expelled from mideast countries; Those who call themselves Palestinians were not expelled from Israel, but chose to leave, then participate attempts to destroy Israel. Jews treasure the freedoms they enjoy in France & other European countries. Many Jews do treaure the existence of Israel as a safe haven for whenever they feel threatened. This is a diatribe against Israel, Netanyahu, avoiding the horrid murder of so many innocent people by those whe hate freedom.
2
Remember that Muslims died in each of these incidents protecting those who were attacked. So there are some really good people out there ready to lay down their lives to keep the innocents safe.
Netanyahu wants to sell real estate and boost his stature as an empire builder. So he and his cronies are using this event get people to move to Israel.. I feel like Netanyahu would be a better leader if he helped destroy these radical groups wherever they are, and not use the catastrophe to sell houses in Israel.
Netanyahu wants to sell real estate and boost his stature as an empire builder. So he and his cronies are using this event get people to move to Israel.. I feel like Netanyahu would be a better leader if he helped destroy these radical groups wherever they are, and not use the catastrophe to sell houses in Israel.
1
Recall that Dryfuss was also a citizen of a French Republic that claimed the same commitments. I doubt it made the stay on Devils Island more comfortable.
3
Good God, isn't the question, after thousand of years of the same
result, why Jews are reviled wherever they go? For example,
anti Semitism increasing in both America and Europe? Now?
If any change or self examination is out of the question, then accepting the status quo instead of blind denial of the fact is necessary to move on, happily or not. Safely and without further constant ado.
HOw many thousands years need we continue with this?
at least safely.
result, why Jews are reviled wherever they go? For example,
anti Semitism increasing in both America and Europe? Now?
If any change or self examination is out of the question, then accepting the status quo instead of blind denial of the fact is necessary to move on, happily or not. Safely and without further constant ado.
HOw many thousands years need we continue with this?
at least safely.
1
The EU is another huge bureaucratic mess behind whose skirts the Deep State will continue through massive centralization to seize economic control of European countries whose Great Unwashed used to have somewhat more control over their destinies.
It is astonishing that so much verbiage is being used to deny the handwriting on the wall: Europe still doesn't view its Jews as full citizens. Hungary, Sweden, Norway, Britain, France . . . all experiencing huge rises in anti-Semitism with the excuse of "Zionism". The truth is, Mr. Avishai, the only time it really might be "different" this time IS the existence of the Jewish state. Odd, no one minds the Wahhabist Islam state of Saudi Arabia. Before 1948 it was 1,000 years of other excuses; now the excuse is the sins of Israel. The real point here is that anti-Semitism has never, ever gone away in Europe. With the population numbers increasingly against them, European Jews should learn the lessons of the past and leave. For Israel or America, or perhaps Denmark, one of the few countries holding the line against "multiculturalism" - for now.
It is astonishing that so much verbiage is being used to deny the handwriting on the wall: Europe still doesn't view its Jews as full citizens. Hungary, Sweden, Norway, Britain, France . . . all experiencing huge rises in anti-Semitism with the excuse of "Zionism". The truth is, Mr. Avishai, the only time it really might be "different" this time IS the existence of the Jewish state. Odd, no one minds the Wahhabist Islam state of Saudi Arabia. Before 1948 it was 1,000 years of other excuses; now the excuse is the sins of Israel. The real point here is that anti-Semitism has never, ever gone away in Europe. With the population numbers increasingly against them, European Jews should learn the lessons of the past and leave. For Israel or America, or perhaps Denmark, one of the few countries holding the line against "multiculturalism" - for now.
6
Further divisions in this world on the basis of religions and beliefs would be a disaster. Religion has spawned more conflict and war than economic greediness. Too often it is propagated by religious leaders who want to increase their influence and power. When Netanyahu urges French Jews to move to segregated Israel, he advocates the wost that religion has to offer. If the two Abrahamic cultures in the middle east had spent their efforts and treasure on development rather than war, they would all have flourished more.
Religion most frequently urges peace to all men, but misuses it too frequently to inspire hate of those who believe differently. The world would be a better place if blind faith in one and the same God would not be disrupted by too many false prophet, men who think they know better and interpret the bible and Quoran, all written by men, to their own ends. Are all the deaths really worth it? NO.
Religion most frequently urges peace to all men, but misuses it too frequently to inspire hate of those who believe differently. The world would be a better place if blind faith in one and the same God would not be disrupted by too many false prophet, men who think they know better and interpret the bible and Quoran, all written by men, to their own ends. Are all the deaths really worth it? NO.
3
Sorry to disappoint you, Bernie. If it hadn't been for the murders committed at the Charlie Hebdo office, the four Jews murdered at Hypercacher would have been an afterthought, as much of a temporary concern meriting a speech or two and back to the same 'ol same 'ol as followed the Jews murdered in Brussels and Toulouse, and the ongoing harassment and fear they face on the streets of Europe these days. You managed to give the NY Times another piece for in its ongoing bash-Netanyahu/Israel op-ed series, but I'll remind you of what was once said after WWII regarding the choices Jews made then:
The pessimists went to New York (or British Mandate Palestine if they managed to slip through the British embargo keeping Jews from escaping death in Europe); the optimists went to Auschwitz.
The pessimists went to New York (or British Mandate Palestine if they managed to slip through the British embargo keeping Jews from escaping death in Europe); the optimists went to Auschwitz.
4
A common theme among zionist posters is 'Occupation is not the source of the problem, do you really think jihadists would embrace the west if Israel stopped the occupation?' Basically, they are asking us to buy the zionist narrative as opposed to what the jihadists themselves told us about what's bugging them a long time ago.
1996 Fatwa:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/military-july-dec96-fatwa_1996/
1998 Fatwa:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/military-jan-june98-fatwa_1998/
1996 Fatwa:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/military-july-dec96-fatwa_1996/
1998 Fatwa:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/military-jan-june98-fatwa_1998/
1
I'm no great fan of the polititics of Israeli P.M. Netanyhu however Netanyahu, whom the French did not particularly wish to see at last Sunday’s Paris commemoration, put things in perspective when he spoke after at the funerals for the Jewish dead in Jerusalem: “Their lives were severed in an attack of hate and vile murder, but we will not amass words on the despicable murderer nor on the other murderers who killed other innocent people in France. “I have said for years, and will say again today — these are not just the enemies of the Jewish people, but the enemy of humanity as a whole. The time has come for all civilised people to unite and uproot these enemies from our midst.”
Netanyahu, who visited the Hyper Cacher during his Paris stop, later wrote: “A straight line runs between extremist Islam’s attacks around the world and the attack that took place here. I expect all leaders, after we marched together through the streets of Paris, to fight all forms of terror, even when it is directed at Israel and at Jews. As far as I’m concerned, I will always make sure that Israel marches in the frontline … when it comes to its security and future.”
These are the words of a statesman & it's time some European and other Western leaders joined the dots and spoke out as well against Islamic antisemitism.
Netanyahu, who visited the Hyper Cacher during his Paris stop, later wrote: “A straight line runs between extremist Islam’s attacks around the world and the attack that took place here. I expect all leaders, after we marched together through the streets of Paris, to fight all forms of terror, even when it is directed at Israel and at Jews. As far as I’m concerned, I will always make sure that Israel marches in the frontline … when it comes to its security and future.”
These are the words of a statesman & it's time some European and other Western leaders joined the dots and spoke out as well against Islamic antisemitism.
14
Bibi Netanyahu is an embarrassment whose small-minded, bigoted efforts damages Israel, and harms Jews worldwide.
Netanyahu‘s very efforts to centralize all Jews in Israel is potentially very destructive towards Judaism. The very reason that Jews have survived thousands of years of pogroms and genocide, is the decentralized Diaspora.
If all Jews, or even most Jews lived in Israel, or in any other single nation, it would make it so much easier to destroy all of us. Even in the time of the Roman Republic, when there was a Kingdom of Judea, most Jews lived outside of Judea. During the times that many Jews lived in the Roman Republic and Empire, many Jews happily lived in the Persian (Achaemenid, Parthian, Sasanian) Empire where the Talmud was written, in Africa and in non-Roman regions of Europe. Hitler’s genocide murdered many Jews, but most Jews lived beyond the Nazi’s reach in the USA, USSR and many other nations.
It would be so much easier to destroy us, if most Jews lived compacted in the tiny nation of Israel, surrounded by hostile neighbors. Israel would be far more isolated and incapable of survival, if most Jews did not live in other nations, offering support to Israel.
French Jews should try to remain in France, but if they feel compelled to move, it would be wise to move to the USA or Canada instead of to Israel.
Hopefully, Israeli’s will have the sense to reject Netanyahu’s reelection, and to replace him with a decent, insightful, unbigoted person.
Netanyahu‘s very efforts to centralize all Jews in Israel is potentially very destructive towards Judaism. The very reason that Jews have survived thousands of years of pogroms and genocide, is the decentralized Diaspora.
If all Jews, or even most Jews lived in Israel, or in any other single nation, it would make it so much easier to destroy all of us. Even in the time of the Roman Republic, when there was a Kingdom of Judea, most Jews lived outside of Judea. During the times that many Jews lived in the Roman Republic and Empire, many Jews happily lived in the Persian (Achaemenid, Parthian, Sasanian) Empire where the Talmud was written, in Africa and in non-Roman regions of Europe. Hitler’s genocide murdered many Jews, but most Jews lived beyond the Nazi’s reach in the USA, USSR and many other nations.
It would be so much easier to destroy us, if most Jews lived compacted in the tiny nation of Israel, surrounded by hostile neighbors. Israel would be far more isolated and incapable of survival, if most Jews did not live in other nations, offering support to Israel.
French Jews should try to remain in France, but if they feel compelled to move, it would be wise to move to the USA or Canada instead of to Israel.
Hopefully, Israeli’s will have the sense to reject Netanyahu’s reelection, and to replace him with a decent, insightful, unbigoted person.
8
Of course the Israeli regime wants more Jewish immigrants from France and elsewhere. Given the discrepancy in fertility rates, Muslims will outnumber Jews in Israel within a few generations — and the whole idea of Israel, the historical dream of the diaspora, is for there to be a Jewish-majority state.
This is why a Jewish person from any nation in the world can get free fertility treatment in Israel if they are having trouble conceiving — Israel need more Jews to be born. Their global numbers are tiny: more than one billion Muslims, one billion Christians, but only 15 million Jews on our planet. An unfathomable discrepancy.
The fear of extinction is a strain that runs through the Jewish identity in a way that many people cannot understand, having mercifully escaped the level and scope of persecution that Jews have been subjected to.
This is why a Jewish person from any nation in the world can get free fertility treatment in Israel if they are having trouble conceiving — Israel need more Jews to be born. Their global numbers are tiny: more than one billion Muslims, one billion Christians, but only 15 million Jews on our planet. An unfathomable discrepancy.
The fear of extinction is a strain that runs through the Jewish identity in a way that many people cannot understand, having mercifully escaped the level and scope of persecution that Jews have been subjected to.
2
Bebe is the Jewish version of a terribly misguided thug and bully. He certainly does sell French Jews short. I can't believe anyone thinks it's a good idea to flee France in order to go to Israel.
2
Simple response- The main synagogue in Paris closed for Sabbath services last week due to Muslim violence and threats for the first time since World WarII . How many Mosques got closed down due to Israeli actions last week? Al Aqasa Mosque is a shining example of Israeli tolerance on ground that every Jew believes is a Jewish holy site but yet they cannot pray there. Natanyahu was not invited to march with world leaders but Abbas apparently was. Both showed up. Which one is a terrorist enabler and is closely affilliated with Hamas? What does that tell you about French attitudes about Jews and Israel? How many more Jews need to die in France before it becomes Judenfree?
4
It is indeed the hallmark of values gone awry that this author distinguishes the killings at Charlie Hebdo as “targeted for blasphemy” and those of the Jews at Hyper Cacher as “more properly called terrorism”. If one cared for such distinctions, it could easily be turned around, with the Jews dying for blasphemy and the journalists being victims of terror. Since the Islamists are killing in the name of Allah, the author’s distinction is indeed one without a difference and for all the author’s devotion to religious “emancipationist skepticism”, his drawn distinction actually is in agreement with the Pope -- likely not what he desired. Secular Jews in Israel have a healthy amount skepticism regarding religious observance, so French secular Jews moving there would not be battling against some repressive religious entity as the author posits. Instead, when French Jews are repeatedly being targeted within a country who has not taken terrorism, for blasphemy’s account or otherwise, seriously enough to counter the threat, and therefore their collective heads are to be emancipated from their necks by the Islamists, Israel offers a place for them to survive. The French Republic needs to promptly see this as symptomatic of its own potential fate, without distinction.
1
Netanyahu sells everyone short. Netanyahu is the worst thing that happened to the Jewish State, in that now the whole world is against him.
3
The best of Jewish culture has always lain in its cosmopolitan embrace of ambiguity. Jews pride themselves on great men like Einstein and Freud, who opposed the effort to build a Jewish state, and thinkers like Marx and Proust, who did not embrace their Jewish identity.
There will always be insecure people, who do not fit into the societies into which they have been born, who will latch onto this or another identity as a means of bolstering their own fragile sense of self. We see this sort of thing in all nationalisms and fundamentalism. So, there is a market for the cramped identity Netanyahu is trying to sell Jews.
In this sense, Netanyahu is at the forefront of a movement to cramp Jewish identity into a little unjust and fascist state, while the rest of us live with the consequences - increasing anti-Semitism from those who cannot distinguish between Jews and the Jewish state.
It is comical to see Israel's efforts to create a self-fulfilling prophecy around French Jews returning to Israel, as if they would be safer in a state that sometimes seems bent on its own self-destruction. But if Israeli leaders, like Netanyahu, polarize the issue enough, it just might come true.
There will always be insecure people, who do not fit into the societies into which they have been born, who will latch onto this or another identity as a means of bolstering their own fragile sense of self. We see this sort of thing in all nationalisms and fundamentalism. So, there is a market for the cramped identity Netanyahu is trying to sell Jews.
In this sense, Netanyahu is at the forefront of a movement to cramp Jewish identity into a little unjust and fascist state, while the rest of us live with the consequences - increasing anti-Semitism from those who cannot distinguish between Jews and the Jewish state.
It is comical to see Israel's efforts to create a self-fulfilling prophecy around French Jews returning to Israel, as if they would be safer in a state that sometimes seems bent on its own self-destruction. But if Israeli leaders, like Netanyahu, polarize the issue enough, it just might come true.
3
How does the murder of cartoonists and journalists in Paris all of a sudden become a "Jewish" problem?
Even with the deaths of hostages at the Kosher supermarket, it is still a holy war between Moslems and Jews, not antisemitism by the French.
“But I also find irksome the attempts to use the label “anti-Semitism” as a tool for silencing dissent.”
~ MICHAEL MARDER
(b. 1980)
Philosophy professor in the at the University of the Basque Country
THE NEW YORK TIMES: July 20, 2014
Even with the deaths of hostages at the Kosher supermarket, it is still a holy war between Moslems and Jews, not antisemitism by the French.
“But I also find irksome the attempts to use the label “anti-Semitism” as a tool for silencing dissent.”
~ MICHAEL MARDER
(b. 1980)
Philosophy professor in the at the University of the Basque Country
THE NEW YORK TIMES: July 20, 2014
3
I think that its wonderful that individual Jews, perhaps some whose own family may have been murdered by the Nazi's after complicity with France, know that they have a safe place to go if they no longer feel safe. Take the politics out and accept the offer of Mr. Netanyahu as the kindness to all Jewish people which is an integral part of the state of Israel. Why criticize a kind offer when there are so many truly vile things that deserve your criticism and which you seem to ignore?
4
No Mr Netanyahu, Europe certainly doesn't stand with the kind of israel you created.
9
As now, when I grew up in the 1960's, support for Israel was the centerpiece of synagogue life. And we were all proud to look to Israel as a shining example of a liberal democracy and a Jewish state in the Middle East. But now, culminating 40 years of a rightward drift, Israel is a Garrison state. Israel now has strong sedition laws. Israel now has a 48 year track record as an Occupation Force. Racism is becoming an ingrained trait.
Many become incensed at the comparison of Israel with the Apartheid South Africa. But as the two state solution becomes nothing more than a fantasy, the question arises as the Israeli government seems hell bent on expropriating the West Bank, one settlement at a time: What will happen to Israeli democracy as non-Jews inevitably outnumber Jews---will Israel lose it's Jewish identity--or will a Jewish minority impose its will over an non-Jewish majority--much like South Africa.
Maybe this is why Natanyahu and is ministers continue to encourage Jewish migration to Israel--with the intent on settling new arrivals in the territories.
Many become incensed at the comparison of Israel with the Apartheid South Africa. But as the two state solution becomes nothing more than a fantasy, the question arises as the Israeli government seems hell bent on expropriating the West Bank, one settlement at a time: What will happen to Israeli democracy as non-Jews inevitably outnumber Jews---will Israel lose it's Jewish identity--or will a Jewish minority impose its will over an non-Jewish majority--much like South Africa.
Maybe this is why Natanyahu and is ministers continue to encourage Jewish migration to Israel--with the intent on settling new arrivals in the territories.
5
Mr. Avishai is the author of a book called the "Tragedy of Zionism", which explains his views. "We" know who we are and that is not superfluous or the definition of some anti-semite. Like many others of "us", I lost much of my family in Europe during WWII. No state of Israel existed and the rest of the world was doing little or nothing to offer "us" refuge. Today, thank G-d, we have the state of Israel, a tiny area on the face of this world, with all its blemishes for everyone to see and criticize. When "we" are being gunned down in supermarkets in France, there is somewhere to go, somewhere to feel safe and cared for. There are no offers of refuge from the rest of the world, just like there were none 75 years earlier. French Jews are free people, but if they feel threatened, frightened, and insecure, Israel is ready, as it has been in the past for Russian Jews, Sephardic Jews, African Jews, American and European Jews, to offer a home and a new start. There is no where else for them to turn to. Jewish history helps to explain where we came from and who we are. Mr. Avishai was denied tenure at MIT for his views, yet apparently the NYT deems him an important enough spokespeson for the Jewish people to publish this op-ed.
4
The real tragedy is that Netanyahu may very well represent the death of Israel. There's an old adage that Israelis want 3 things: To be a Jewish state, to be a democracy, and to occupy all of Mandate Palestine. They can have any 2 of the 3 but not all 3. Netanyahu is going for all 3 and is destined too fail perhaps taking Israel with him.
3
Finally, a small acknowledgement from the New York Times, that Netanyahu is not Israel, and Israel right or wrong is not all Jews.
4
"In an interview with BFMTV during the standoff, [Super Cacher deli terrorist] Coulibaly stated that he targeted the Jews at the Kosher grocery to defend Muslims, notably Palestinians." (wikipedia, Porte_de_Vincennes_hostage_crisis)
French Jews were targeted for Israel's policies, that's a fact which was largely unreported by most of the press.
French Jews were targeted for Israel's policies, that's a fact which was largely unreported by most of the press.
1
Even as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assures world Jews that "Israel is your home," French Prime Minister Manuel Valls assures Jews that "France without Jews is not France." Although the Times editorial board chose the Valls quote to head an editorial yesterday, isn't it also true that a state only for Jews would not be France? A state only for Jews, in fact, would not be the United States. It wouldn't be the United Kingdom. It wouldn't even be South Africa. It wouldn't be any country that Americans define as a democracy based on equal rights for all citizens. But Israeli's leader declares that "Israel is your home" only to the Jews, while non-Jewish governments proclaim that their country is home also to Jews. Some of us accept that Jews should consider Israel as their home, if they are citizens there, but we feel that democracies must insist that Israel can never be a democracy if only Jews can call it home. .
3
"In the first instance, the killers assassinated specific people, targeted for blasphemy, while in the second — more properly called terrorism — the killers attacked random members of an ethnic and religious category of people."
Again half our media didn't get the facts right: "In an interview with BFMTV during the standoff, [Super Cacher deli terrorist] Coulibaly stated that he targeted the Jews at the Kosher grocery to defend Muslims, notably Palestinians" (wikipedia, Porte_de_Vincennes_hostage_crisis)
French Jews were targeted for their alleged support of Israel's policies regarding Palestinians as stated during this interview, nothing "random" here despite the selective and thus revisionist reporting of the actual FACTS...
Again half our media didn't get the facts right: "In an interview with BFMTV during the standoff, [Super Cacher deli terrorist] Coulibaly stated that he targeted the Jews at the Kosher grocery to defend Muslims, notably Palestinians" (wikipedia, Porte_de_Vincennes_hostage_crisis)
French Jews were targeted for their alleged support of Israel's policies regarding Palestinians as stated during this interview, nothing "random" here despite the selective and thus revisionist reporting of the actual FACTS...
1
Yes, the current incarnation of Israeli governing and society is far from perfect, but the fact that very, very few of those millions assembled in Paris last week were displaying "Je Suis Juif" signs pretty much says it all.
So yes, even with all of Israel's imperfections, "there's no place like home" still holds true for all of world Jewry.
So yes, even with all of Israel's imperfections, "there's no place like home" still holds true for all of world Jewry.
5
BERNARD AVISHAI writes: "An end to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories? Mr. Netanyahu dismisses the idea as implausible. He asks, smugly, if Islamists would stop hating the West if there were no occupation. He assumes we would say no without reservation."
"Fortress Israel" is chiefly responsible for the rise of radical Islamic militarism. The numerous provocative injustices inflicted upon the Palestinian people by the governments and people of Israel for decades, with the "mumbled" approvals of United States governments and the "irrelevant sidelines" disapprovals of European governments, has led directly to this disease outbreak of militant Islamic radicalism in France. World political indifference has led to the slaughter of the cartoonist-journalists at Charlie Hebdo, the murder of two French police men and one police woman protecting the population and the Charlie Hebdo personnel in particular, and the execution of four random Jewish citizens of France.
"Fortress Israel" is impregnable; Mr. Netanyahu has made certain of that. But terrorist targets within Europe have proven to be vulnerable. And, even ten thousand French police and military personnel on guard cannot protect French citizens, Jewish or not, in an open and democratic society.
It is time for France and the rest of the nations of the world to declare a diplomatic war on "Fortress Israel" for its intransigence to accept reasonable terms to accomplish a two-state solution to the Palestinian issue.
"Fortress Israel" is chiefly responsible for the rise of radical Islamic militarism. The numerous provocative injustices inflicted upon the Palestinian people by the governments and people of Israel for decades, with the "mumbled" approvals of United States governments and the "irrelevant sidelines" disapprovals of European governments, has led directly to this disease outbreak of militant Islamic radicalism in France. World political indifference has led to the slaughter of the cartoonist-journalists at Charlie Hebdo, the murder of two French police men and one police woman protecting the population and the Charlie Hebdo personnel in particular, and the execution of four random Jewish citizens of France.
"Fortress Israel" is impregnable; Mr. Netanyahu has made certain of that. But terrorist targets within Europe have proven to be vulnerable. And, even ten thousand French police and military personnel on guard cannot protect French citizens, Jewish or not, in an open and democratic society.
It is time for France and the rest of the nations of the world to declare a diplomatic war on "Fortress Israel" for its intransigence to accept reasonable terms to accomplish a two-state solution to the Palestinian issue.
4
Bibi is, at best, a controversial leader. That being said, he had absolutely no choice in this matter. Facing a Jewish community in Europe, whose members were recently murdered (in multiple episodes) because they were Jewish, Bibi was obliged by history and by his political stance, to hint at the awful past inflicted by Europe on Jews not long ago, at the new Jew-hate seen and felt in Europe (intentionally and nefariously masquerading as Israel-hate) and to reiterate in plain terms the fact that only in Israel can Jews be Jews without anyone questioning their commitment to the country they live in.
3
As the child of a Frenchman who survived the war and as the grandson of a Frenchman who was deported from France to Auschwitz where he was murdered, the insecurity felt by French Jews is perfectly understandable to me. What is harder to fathom is why the sensible solution to the problem of the French Jews today, to wit, potentially relocating if in fact there is another massive uptick in murderous anti-Semitism, seems so objectionable to some of the NYT readers/writers.
Israel, despite what you might sometimes read in the NYT, is a democracy in the spirit of all those in the West. Its "special sauce" is that it is a safe haven for a people who have been historically persecuted. Thus, if history repeats itself, as it seems to do inevitably, Netanyahu is defiantly pointing out the Jews now have a place to go. Remember, the Jews of the Holocaust only knew in hindsight that they should have left. Feels like this OpEd is just trying to kill the messenger but not really challenging the message.
Israel, despite what you might sometimes read in the NYT, is a democracy in the spirit of all those in the West. Its "special sauce" is that it is a safe haven for a people who have been historically persecuted. Thus, if history repeats itself, as it seems to do inevitably, Netanyahu is defiantly pointing out the Jews now have a place to go. Remember, the Jews of the Holocaust only knew in hindsight that they should have left. Feels like this OpEd is just trying to kill the messenger but not really challenging the message.
8
French Jews are rightly frightened; their history reinforces their fear. Therefore, there was nothing wrong with Netanyahu's offer of safe haven in Israel for French Jews.
Netanyahu was merely repeating the original offer from the Israeli state when it was formed in 1948: any Jew (originally it was only those born of a Jewish mother) at any time may find safe haven in Israel.
Netanyahu was merely repeating the original offer from the Israeli state when it was formed in 1948: any Jew (originally it was only those born of a Jewish mother) at any time may find safe haven in Israel.
15
Ya gotta love how Mr. Avishai asks his own bias-loaded questions then answers them: "An end to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories?"
Does he mean the ancestrally Jewish territories of Judea & Samaria? Who besides Israel's avowed enemies believe this should be Arab-only land? Oh that's right: Mr. Avishai, himself, who of course is not an adversary of Israel.
As for Chaim Mr. Weizmann having "lived to see the European Union, he would not have patronized its leaders. He would have wanted Israel to join": Mr. Avishai might be right about that except for the "Israel" part. For if the re-establishment of the Jewish homeland had been left to Mr. Weitzmann and his breed of Zionists, Israel would still be called The British Mandate.
Does he mean the ancestrally Jewish territories of Judea & Samaria? Who besides Israel's avowed enemies believe this should be Arab-only land? Oh that's right: Mr. Avishai, himself, who of course is not an adversary of Israel.
As for Chaim Mr. Weizmann having "lived to see the European Union, he would not have patronized its leaders. He would have wanted Israel to join": Mr. Avishai might be right about that except for the "Israel" part. For if the re-establishment of the Jewish homeland had been left to Mr. Weitzmann and his breed of Zionists, Israel would still be called The British Mandate.
1
Mr. jkemp below has said it beautifully and I can't add much to it. I would suggest only that it didn't start with Vichy but goes back to the Dreyfus Trial and much beyond. There simply isn't much basis for Jews to trust or rely on the French Government, and Mr. Netanyahu's remarks, if not especially kind, are factually on the mark.
3
Both Zionists and Islamists must completely assimilate into the countries that were so generous in accepting them - or be completely barred and deported back to the Middle East where they should fight it out to the death. No more cowardly bailing out "for the money" asylum seeking, lack of will to stay and fight to improve societies in nations of origin, using of claims of superiority to the "lazy" natives or mysterious disability sacred victim status to gain preferential treatment and deference to commit all manner of crimes, and reject the norms of liberal nation states should be allowed. The present cynical scam of fleecing the good natured, charitable but naïve populations of liberal democratic states must be stopped.
3
Avishai "accuses" Netanyahu of viewing the terror attack against the Newspaper as different from the attack against the Jewish Kosher market. The thing is, he's right. Netanyahu that is. Not nessecarily in the motives of the attackers but in the way the French goverment, public opinion and the street have reacted, or rather failed to react, to previous attacks on Jewish institutions and individuals in France.
After hundreds of torched synagoges and desecrated cemetaries, numerous assaults, the horrific torture murder of Halimi and several terror attacks It is reasonable to ask where the French outrage we had witnessed expressed following the attack on Charlie Habibo was until now.
It was simply absent. The most glaring absence was the darker side of the outrage. 60+ hate crimes were directed against French Muslims in the aftermath of the attack on the newspaper. Previous attacks on Jewish institutes sparked no such reprisal on the street level.
It is worth asking why, France, with it's vaunted "Civil equality" and only 10% Muslim citizens has produced a greater number of hate motivated attacks on Jews than Israel, with it's "nationalist" mentality and 18% Muslim citizenry produced far fewer attacks and antisemtic incidents by Muslim citizens on Jewish citizens.
Could it be, perhaps, that the French Republican model is simply ideals without sufficient substance? 7000 Jews came to that conclusion last year.
After hundreds of torched synagoges and desecrated cemetaries, numerous assaults, the horrific torture murder of Halimi and several terror attacks It is reasonable to ask where the French outrage we had witnessed expressed following the attack on Charlie Habibo was until now.
It was simply absent. The most glaring absence was the darker side of the outrage. 60+ hate crimes were directed against French Muslims in the aftermath of the attack on the newspaper. Previous attacks on Jewish institutes sparked no such reprisal on the street level.
It is worth asking why, France, with it's vaunted "Civil equality" and only 10% Muslim citizens has produced a greater number of hate motivated attacks on Jews than Israel, with it's "nationalist" mentality and 18% Muslim citizenry produced far fewer attacks and antisemtic incidents by Muslim citizens on Jewish citizens.
Could it be, perhaps, that the French Republican model is simply ideals without sufficient substance? 7000 Jews came to that conclusion last year.
27
May be because the hundreds of torched synagoges and desecrated cemeteries never existed. There are enough antisemitic acts in France, no need to invent any. A
When was the last time a French president joined a rally with hundreds of thousands of french citizens? When Carpentras Jewish cemetery was desecrated 25 years ago.
When was the last time all political parties rallied together? After Merah terrorist attack against a Jewish school.
In the meantime France faced many terrorist attacks, with hundred of casualties, none of these attacks which targeted French citizens regardless of their religion, leaded to such a National mourning.
And you can visit at anytime to the Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem, and pay a tribute to the 3654 French Righteous over the Nations, the third largest contingent.
When was the last time a French president joined a rally with hundreds of thousands of french citizens? When Carpentras Jewish cemetery was desecrated 25 years ago.
When was the last time all political parties rallied together? After Merah terrorist attack against a Jewish school.
In the meantime France faced many terrorist attacks, with hundred of casualties, none of these attacks which targeted French citizens regardless of their religion, leaded to such a National mourning.
And you can visit at anytime to the Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem, and pay a tribute to the 3654 French Righteous over the Nations, the third largest contingent.
1
Tragically, Jews in France (and elsewhere) are viewed as responsible for the oppressive actions of the Israeli government, especially when the casualties and damage to the infrastructure in Palestinian areas is so one-sided and the Palestinians have little power to resist in any effective way. The attacks on synagogues and Jewish businesses in France increase every time Bibi "mows the grass." Bibi can then recruit more French Jews to expand his population and increase the number of settlements. It also seems to increase his poll numbers.
2
"After hundreds of torched synagoges and desecrated cemetaries, numerous assaults, the horrific torture murder of Halimi and several terror attacks It is reasonable to ask where the French outrage we had witnessed expressed following the attack on Charlie Habibo was until now. "
Well, after 48 years of occupation, murder and dispossession of Palestinians, including marches in Jerusalem (see youtube) where young Jews are chanting "Death to Arabs", numerous mosques torched, attacks on Churches and clergy, where are the outrage and rallies of peace loving Jews in Israel? You can't get more than 100 or so people to attend peace rallies in Israel.
Clean up your own act before you start making demands.
Well, after 48 years of occupation, murder and dispossession of Palestinians, including marches in Jerusalem (see youtube) where young Jews are chanting "Death to Arabs", numerous mosques torched, attacks on Churches and clergy, where are the outrage and rallies of peace loving Jews in Israel? You can't get more than 100 or so people to attend peace rallies in Israel.
Clean up your own act before you start making demands.
2
>
According to Netanyahu's rhetoric, Iran is going to obtain an atom bomb and drop it on Israel any day now. Just following that logic, Israel surely does not sound very safe, if he is to be believed. I'd stay in France.
He wants it both ways. At once, Israel is in danger of extinction and the safest place on earth for Jews. In philosophy, even postmodern philosophy, this is an indefensible contradiction. In other words nonsense.
According to Netanyahu's rhetoric, Iran is going to obtain an atom bomb and drop it on Israel any day now. Just following that logic, Israel surely does not sound very safe, if he is to be believed. I'd stay in France.
He wants it both ways. At once, Israel is in danger of extinction and the safest place on earth for Jews. In philosophy, even postmodern philosophy, this is an indefensible contradiction. In other words nonsense.
65
The point is that with every Jew who emigrates to Israel, Israel becomes stronger, making productive use of their intelligence, talents and energy. A strong Israel is beneficial for Jews the world over. When many throughout the world say they oppose Israeli policy vis a vis the Palestinians but they have nothing against Jews, this is false. Encouraging the Palestinians and the rest of the Arab world to dismantle and destroy Israel is promoting the demise of Jews everywhere.
Netanyahu's game is about turning the tables and painting Jews in Europe as victims, instead of Palestinians in Palestine. It's the clever zionist plot to put a stop to the progress Palestinian statehood was making in various european parliaments.
1
@ Prometheus
I made pretty much the same argument a few days ago (in a comment that was not published). Which is, Netanyahu has different narratives depending on what he is trying to sell: these days, Israel is a land of peace and brotherly love, where all Jews of the world can feel safe. A few months ago, the entire population was ducking Gaza rockets and wasn't safe anywhere, even at the airport. When some airlines stopped flying into TelAviv, he quickly put a stop to that by claiming that actually is was perfectly safe. On the other hand, Israel is in constant danger from the surrounding Arab states who want to wipe her off the map. Contradiction, or manipulation?
Pardon my cynicism, but I think this invitation to the French Jews (and Jews from other countries) to "come home" is primarily motivated by the need to increase the Jewish demographics in Israel to keep up with the Palestinians' birth rate and justify further take-over of their land.
I made pretty much the same argument a few days ago (in a comment that was not published). Which is, Netanyahu has different narratives depending on what he is trying to sell: these days, Israel is a land of peace and brotherly love, where all Jews of the world can feel safe. A few months ago, the entire population was ducking Gaza rockets and wasn't safe anywhere, even at the airport. When some airlines stopped flying into TelAviv, he quickly put a stop to that by claiming that actually is was perfectly safe. On the other hand, Israel is in constant danger from the surrounding Arab states who want to wipe her off the map. Contradiction, or manipulation?
Pardon my cynicism, but I think this invitation to the French Jews (and Jews from other countries) to "come home" is primarily motivated by the need to increase the Jewish demographics in Israel to keep up with the Palestinians' birth rate and justify further take-over of their land.
2
Netanyahu has done his job, what did you expect him to say?
"Sorry, I wish I could help, but I can't help you"? Play the Pilato's role?
I admire the fact that Israelis are still willing to help their fellow Jews, wherever they are, in spite of the cost, and the burden.
How many other countries would be willing to offer hospitality to 500,000 jews, not just to the rich and the well educated?
"Sorry, I wish I could help, but I can't help you"? Play the Pilato's role?
I admire the fact that Israelis are still willing to help their fellow Jews, wherever they are, in spite of the cost, and the burden.
How many other countries would be willing to offer hospitality to 500,000 jews, not just to the rich and the well educated?
24
Netanyahu welcomes French Jews to Israel using 3.5 billion of US money per year and continuously grabbing land from Palestine.
2
They're not going to go on welfare, you know. Young ones will surely be drafted in the IDF.
These comments are more telling about how differently various Jews view France and Israel than whether French Jews should move. As a "secular Jew" whose parents escaped from eastern Europe after World War I, Israel is not a choice. Rather than a nation dedicated to the protection of its citizens, it is a country in which ultra-conservative Jews would try to convert, if not despise me as a heretic; a nation that is the target of Palestinian hatred for reasons historical, justified, and not; and a nation willing to commit, at least occasionally, atrocities and human rights violations of the kind inflicted on many of its own people throughout history and particularly in Russia and Germany in the last 200 years. Jews remain targets of anti-Semitism in the US, in France, Germany, Russia and elsewhere. So, too, to biases, blatant and subtle, infect the thinking and actions of Jews, Muslims, African-Americans everywhere. Israel offers no safer or more protective environment than most other places in the world. Until tribalism is eradicated from the human brain -- if ever -- you, the reader, will think of some fellow humans as not them, but the "other" and others will think the same of you. Sadly, so sadly, that is the human condition. It is the rock of Sisyphus.
23
I would like to think I am an American first and my religion happens to be Jewish and the US Constitution guarantees me the rights to my beliefs and practices and the protection of the law in following them. The US does more to protect those rights and is quick to pass laws to insure them. Can you say the same anywhere else. This is only one of many incidents that have occurred throughout Europe in the last so many years. The fire bombing of synagogues, the murderous attack in Toulouse this year, the desecration of cemeteries in France, Germany and Poland this year, attacks on the streets of Paris, etc. but I know that here in the US (and especially in New York, Los Angeles, Cleveland, and Chicago) and in Israel are the only places where I am truly assimilated. Bibi is only saying don't despair, you can always find a safe haven here (in Israel).
21
a) In April three people were shot dead outside a Jewish center in Kansas City by an all-American anti-Semite who then sat in the patrol car shouting 'Heil Hitler'.
b) A worker at the Holocaust Museum in Washington was murdered by a similar heartland Jew-hater.
c) The ADL reports that in the US "Extreme, even anti-Semitic, messages have often marked the 300+ anti-Israel rallies in response to Israel's military operations against rockets from Gaza." For example, swastikas were painted on a synogogue in Florida and a Jewish family's car was daubed with the words “Jew” and “Hamas”; In Malibu, California, leaflets using phrases such as “Jews=Killers” were distributed at a Jewish summer camp; anti-Semitic leaflets, threatening violence if Israel does not pull out of Gaza, were left on cars in an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood of Chicago; dozens of protesters targeted the Florida Holocaust Museum with graphic images of dead Palestinians and slogans charging Israel with genocide; a synagogue in Las Vegas was painted with graffiti that read “Fre Palestine” [sic] and “Free Gaza”; In Massachusetts, a synagogue in Lowell had “God Bless Gaza” painted in red on its marble walls.
Fortunately there are plenty of places where no one has been murdered for being Jewish -- Australia, the UK, Italy, Canada, etc, etc -- but they certainly don't include the US or Israel.
b) A worker at the Holocaust Museum in Washington was murdered by a similar heartland Jew-hater.
c) The ADL reports that in the US "Extreme, even anti-Semitic, messages have often marked the 300+ anti-Israel rallies in response to Israel's military operations against rockets from Gaza." For example, swastikas were painted on a synogogue in Florida and a Jewish family's car was daubed with the words “Jew” and “Hamas”; In Malibu, California, leaflets using phrases such as “Jews=Killers” were distributed at a Jewish summer camp; anti-Semitic leaflets, threatening violence if Israel does not pull out of Gaza, were left on cars in an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood of Chicago; dozens of protesters targeted the Florida Holocaust Museum with graphic images of dead Palestinians and slogans charging Israel with genocide; a synagogue in Las Vegas was painted with graffiti that read “Fre Palestine” [sic] and “Free Gaza”; In Massachusetts, a synagogue in Lowell had “God Bless Gaza” painted in red on its marble walls.
Fortunately there are plenty of places where no one has been murdered for being Jewish -- Australia, the UK, Italy, Canada, etc, etc -- but they certainly don't include the US or Israel.
8
"When it comes to Europe, Mr. Netanyahu is a lion for Jewish rights, .."
Mr. Netanyahu should worry about minority rights in the country he runs. I'm pretty sure minorities will be willing to cut off their right arm to have the rights Jews in Europe enjoy today in France or any other western country.
Mr. Netanyahu should worry about minority rights in the country he runs. I'm pretty sure minorities will be willing to cut off their right arm to have the rights Jews in Europe enjoy today in France or any other western country.
18
Exactly which rights do you imagine Israeli Arabs being denied? Vote? Speech? Assembly? Israeli arabs have all of those. Further, an israeli Arab sits on the supreme court and has chaired the Knesset. Is there a French Arab who could say the same?
Arabs and Muslims that live in Israel have more rights and liberties than most Muslims and Arabs, not only in the Middle East, worldwide. If you get caught stealing or other "crimes" in many Arab/Muslim nations, your right arm maybe cut off. Criticism of the government is tolerated and just as much part of the Israeli culture in as in the United States and other Western democracies.
2
or in Israel, where Arabs are on the Supreme Court, heads of major universities, even Miss Israel.
2
Netanyahu engaged in opportunistic grandstanding by seeking to undermine France through a show of "solidarity."
13
Mr. Netanyahu sees things from the point of view of an Israeli politician. He wants Jews to move to Israel to offset the growing Israeli Arab population.
Judaism on the other hand needs to spread itself around the globe to insure its survival. Nothing would be more harmful to Judaism than to have every Jew living in the same geographic location. That's truly a recipe for disaster.
Jews fighting for their rights in countries around the world are the key to Judaism's survival.
Israeli's fighting for Israel are the key to Israel's survival.
Judaism and Zionism are not the same. Mr. Netanyahu does Judaism a disservice when he tries to conflate the two.
Judaism on the other hand needs to spread itself around the globe to insure its survival. Nothing would be more harmful to Judaism than to have every Jew living in the same geographic location. That's truly a recipe for disaster.
Jews fighting for their rights in countries around the world are the key to Judaism's survival.
Israeli's fighting for Israel are the key to Israel's survival.
Judaism and Zionism are not the same. Mr. Netanyahu does Judaism a disservice when he tries to conflate the two.
18
Netanyahu is being perfectly consistent in exploiting the Paris tragedy. This is the same individual who told his Israeli audience that the attacks of 9/11 were "good for Israel".
35
Sbr - that's a bogus claim.
1
Is that so?
I suggest you do this web search: Netanyahu 9/11 "good for Israel"
or start with this Haaretz, a major Israeli national newspaper: http://www.haaretz.com/news/report-netanyahu-says-9-11-terror-attacks-go...
I suggest you do this web search: Netanyahu 9/11 "good for Israel"
or start with this Haaretz, a major Israeli national newspaper: http://www.haaretz.com/news/report-netanyahu-says-9-11-terror-attacks-go...
2
As much as I dislike Netanyahu, I know of no evidence that he said this. Can you cite the reference?
2
Netanyahu politicized a tragedy when he came to France, for his own political gain. For that he should be roundly condemned.
On the convoluted question of Jews' security in France and Europe, I say look forward, not to the past. We now have a united Europe in which it's national leaders have all condemned antisemitism, and antimuslimism. Change will take time, but I believe it is coming
On the convoluted question of Jews' security in France and Europe, I say look forward, not to the past. We now have a united Europe in which it's national leaders have all condemned antisemitism, and antimuslimism. Change will take time, but I believe it is coming
30
Mr. Avishai, that cultural Zionism you praise, that desire to be the south eastern border of Europe, is dead. Israel is the modern Middle Eastern nation, its Jewish population half European and half Arab, forging what ironically seemed to be the model for the Arab Spring reformers, were they to admit it.
Let it go.
Let it go.
11
We really get to the author's motives towards the end, calling Zionism the excuse for Jewish exceptionalism. End of conversation; this professor obviously left Israel for many reasons he won't detail here. Making Jewish victims of anti-Semitic hatred feel guilty for feeling "exceptional" because they are picked on is insane. Like blaming the victim of child or domestic abuse who seeks help. Avishai has an ax to grind, but he is essentially giving yet another weapon for our enemies to use.
Dislike of Netanyahu's personality has nothing to do with the long stemming hatred of Jews by the Arab world, and by much of non-Arab Muslims, too. Especially when Jews can run a country successfully, and defend themselves; for this Muslim extremists irrationally lash out at non-Israeli Jews across the world, but especially so in France. And some western anti-Israel folks use the press to incite, intentionally or otherwise.
Understandably many French Jews would prefer staying. It remains to be seen how the govt. can change the toxic environment in which spiraling Jew hatred, and the resultant terror attacks, festers. Expecting French Jews to stay if new policies will fail is like asking the abused wife to "love" her husband even more. It's a no go.
Dislike of Netanyahu's personality has nothing to do with the long stemming hatred of Jews by the Arab world, and by much of non-Arab Muslims, too. Especially when Jews can run a country successfully, and defend themselves; for this Muslim extremists irrationally lash out at non-Israeli Jews across the world, but especially so in France. And some western anti-Israel folks use the press to incite, intentionally or otherwise.
Understandably many French Jews would prefer staying. It remains to be seen how the govt. can change the toxic environment in which spiraling Jew hatred, and the resultant terror attacks, festers. Expecting French Jews to stay if new policies will fail is like asking the abused wife to "love" her husband even more. It's a no go.
27
"Making Jewish victims of anti-Semitic hatred feel guilty for feeling 'exceptional' because they are picked on is insane." True -- up to a point. Nonetheless, those who've been traumatized must learn the difference between perseverence and perseveration.
Finally, a reasonable analysis of French Jews and Israel. It comes from Mr. Avishai. I have read yours books and I am not surprised by your comments. Netanyahu is an ill-mannered bully who comes to a foreign country , makes outrageous statements, which are aimed at his political supporters at home. Most French Jews love their country and endorse its political message of liberty, laicism and tolerance towards others. Netanyahu is a cynical man who believes only in one thing, prolong his political career. Israel is in trouble. Extreme right nationalists and religious parties have the potential of destroying a reasonable form of consensual democracy in the country. These people, if given enough political power, would not hesitate to expel Arabs from the occupied territories. Why would well integrated French Jews leave France to join a seriously divided society? In my view, they would be more at risk over there than here.
49
Thank you.
12
I visited Paris many times for academic collaborations. I have never seen antisemitic condemnation of Jews or Israel in French academic circles. The problem in France is mainly with radical Islamic terror, the government prefers to call it simply as 'terror', it is more 'politically correct'. Recently France collaborated with the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, who will always to be remembered as the famous Holocaust denier, in the presentation of a proposal to the security council, which unfortunately did not mention Israel's main security interests, and which set a catastrophic dead line time table for Israel to withdraw to pre 1967 indefensible dangerous borders. This was a surprise to all Israelis from the center, right and left. The members of the security council saw the danger the French proposal presented to Israel, and it failed. If I were a French Jew, living in France, I would see this as a shift in political opinion of France to start to adopt Islamic anti Israel views. No wonder French Jews are scared to walk the streets, to attend Jewish schools and synagogues, and to confront daily with unpredictable Islamic terror. They think of Israel as a safer country, and tens of thousands are leaving France and more are expected to leave. France should be concerned. It should stand firm against blasphemous antisemitic lies spouted on Israel by outsiders, and consider how its international politics scares the Jewish French citizens and may inflame Islamic terror.
1
Got to fill those illegal settlements any way you can right Bibi?
21
The writer is disingenuous on two points, both relating to the targeting of Jews, not random ethnic/religious categories. At the magazine, it is true that certain writers/cartoonists were the targets, all men, as the terrorists said they would not kill women - but for one exception, a female Jewish writer whom they picked for execution because she was Jewish. The victims at the kosher supermarket were ipso facto chosen for their Jewishness, names and nationalities, religious affiliation asked for and confirmed before the killings.
Finally world Jewry is not responsible for the actions of Israel any more than all Muslims are responsible for the terrorists who kill and behead those they target.
Finally world Jewry is not responsible for the actions of Israel any more than all Muslims are responsible for the terrorists who kill and behead those they target.
16
Many argue that moderate Muslims everywhere must publicly and loudly condemn the actions of radical Muslims who kill and terrorize others. Does that mean that Jews around the world should publicly and loudly condemn the oppressive policies of the Israeli government?
16
jas2200, Actually, Jews all over the world are not shy in their criticism of Netanyahu and his right wing government. The same goes for the free press of Israel. Can you say the same for the "free press" of Arab nations who may attempt to criticize their own governments?
2
"Finally world Jewry is not responsible for the actions of Israel any more than all Muslims are responsible for the terrorists who kill and behead those they target."
Very true. Except part of world Jewry proudly demonstrate in support of Israel's actions waving Israeli flags all over the western world during Israeli wars of aggression. I don't see muslims demonstrating or holding support rallies for terrorists or any Islamic country.
Very true. Except part of world Jewry proudly demonstrate in support of Israel's actions waving Israeli flags all over the western world during Israeli wars of aggression. I don't see muslims demonstrating or holding support rallies for terrorists or any Islamic country.
Elsewhere in today's Times Shmuel Rosner is (predictably) arguing that French Jews must go to Israel. This is nothing new. In the 1950's, shortly after Independence, Israel conducted several under-the-table intelligence operations to motivate Jews in Middle-Eastern countries to leave for Israel. At least one involved bombs set off to put local Jews in fear of their lives.
In a poll made of European Jews a year or two ago, 42% of the French respondents equated criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism, the most for any large European nation (only little Latvia edged France with 43 percent), so it's no surprise that there are some French Jews who have been thinking about moving to Israel-- and the recent supermarket killings may have been the decider.
Typically, Netanyahu wants it both ways-- "Israel stands with Europe," he mouths, while Europe "must stand with Israel"-- but French Jews must "stand with Europe" while living in Israel.
Still, Mr. Avishai is correct in pointing out that Israel is hardly paradise, and his catalog of her problems will in the end ensure that Netanyahu's hoped-for flood of European Jews immigrating from France to their "home" will amount to a trickle.
In a poll made of European Jews a year or two ago, 42% of the French respondents equated criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism, the most for any large European nation (only little Latvia edged France with 43 percent), so it's no surprise that there are some French Jews who have been thinking about moving to Israel-- and the recent supermarket killings may have been the decider.
Typically, Netanyahu wants it both ways-- "Israel stands with Europe," he mouths, while Europe "must stand with Israel"-- but French Jews must "stand with Europe" while living in Israel.
Still, Mr. Avishai is correct in pointing out that Israel is hardly paradise, and his catalog of her problems will in the end ensure that Netanyahu's hoped-for flood of European Jews immigrating from France to their "home" will amount to a trickle.
25
Immigration Of Jews from France is increasing every year. Sadly, your prediction is the opposite of reality.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/21/world/europe/number-of-french-jews-emi...
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/21/world/europe/number-of-french-jews-emi...
hop sing, The close to 1 million Jews who fled Middle-Eastern countries for Israel and western countries did not need help or persuasion from Israeli intelligence. They were robbed of everything they owned and fled for their lives. Do you really believe that so many people, whose families had lived in these Muslim-majority countries for many hundreds of years, would have left lightly?
3
So Middle Eastern countries had nothing to do with their Jewish population "leaving" after the 1948 War of Independence. And I am sure that 9/11, the killings in Toulouse and the massacre at Charlie Hebdo and on and on were all secret Mossad operations.
3
The author gives Netanyahu credit for thinking beyond his ken, Netanyahu simply wants to increase the Jewish population in Israel, he does not care why the Jews immigrate and he really does not care whether the rest of the world lives in just or unjust societies. Netanyahu is not one of the shining lights of human spirituality or intellectual enlightenment, he's just another person dominated by urges and desires rather than any vision of contributing to a better world.
18
Netanyahu was elected democratically by the majority of Jews in Israel. Never mind other folks living on the territory.
Since the Times respects this completely, it should not criticize him for his kind of rhetoric.
It seems to be true that Jews are safer, for now, in the State of Israel than, for instance, in France.
Nobody can do much about the emerging global radical Islam that is not likely to go away. Killing Ben Laden solved exactly nothing.
This is an opinion of a Czech American.
Since the Times respects this completely, it should not criticize him for his kind of rhetoric.
It seems to be true that Jews are safer, for now, in the State of Israel than, for instance, in France.
Nobody can do much about the emerging global radical Islam that is not likely to go away. Killing Ben Laden solved exactly nothing.
This is an opinion of a Czech American.
13
Ladislav, In the election of May 1996, the Labor part of Peres got more votes and seats than the Likud party of Netanyahu. And in the election for Prime Minister, Netanyahu was chosen over Peres by less than 1% of the total vote. Peres had been favored to win over Netanyahu but a spate of suicide bombings by Hamas turned many voters back to Netanyahu. Sadly, something similar may happen in the upcoming election due to the murderous behavior of many Muslims.
1
And meanwhile it's a shame Gaza democratically elected the Hamas Islamist terror group to lead them. The first -- and last free election of course -- in their case.
2
The author of the article quotes Amichai to defend a cultural Zionism that existed in the past. Amichai did not write the poetry you allude to today. He wrote it in an era where politics in Israel and multi-culturalism in France were different realities reflecting demographics of that time. Additionally, how can you compare the two in light of a completely different context in which global terrorist movements have necessarily become a game changer. How can you compare the two? History informs debate and you can't compare two such different moments as if they exist in a vacuum devoid of current sentiment and actual events unfolding not only in Paris but in France and Europe as a whole.
7
…because anybody knows if you want to survive against your enemies, tightly group yourself into a single, small area and label it as the land of X so that all enemies of X know where to find you and strike the most lethal blow...
10
Whew! After an enforced week off, all the Israel bashers who regularly ply their trade here can get back to business.
Turning to the article itself, I find the following portion quite revealing: "...the killers attacked random members of an ethnic and religious category of people." What was random about it? The killers murdered Jews, period. Not as antiseptic sounding as 'random members of an ethnic and religious category of people,' but the plain truth.
Turning to the article itself, I find the following portion quite revealing: "...the killers attacked random members of an ethnic and religious category of people." What was random about it? The killers murdered Jews, period. Not as antiseptic sounding as 'random members of an ethnic and religious category of people,' but the plain truth.
44
17 people were murdered last week in Paris not counting the terrorists.
6 (2 at Maurice Hebdo, 4 in the kosher shop) were Jews.
2 (1 at Hebdo, 1 police outside) were Muslims.
9 were presumably Christian or atheists.
But good Jews apparently can only count the Jews.
6 (2 at Maurice Hebdo, 4 in the kosher shop) were Jews.
2 (1 at Hebdo, 1 police outside) were Muslims.
9 were presumably Christian or atheists.
But good Jews apparently can only count the Jews.
2
I saw that, code for 'Well, not every Jew was killed'. If Mr. Netanyahu would meet with me personally, cave in to a list of my demands and pay for a steak dinner, I might start vacationing in Israel. He is a skilled leader and epitomizes the notion of cultural survival. I admire him and and look for some of his qualities when searching for the right American political candidates for whom I would cast my precious votes.
Jewish people have been seen as a separate community in every country in the world and it tends to lead to their treatment as outsiders even though they really are not really any different from anyone else in those countries. It's kind of nuts, actually. Many years ago, there was a satiric humorous publication which took old pictures and added comments of contemporary subjects. On one of those pages, a scene from a movie is displayed showing someone vociferously objecting to something, fist in the air, in a meeting of some kind. The blurb said, "What do you mean that Christ was a Jew?". It expressed both the seriousness and stupidity of anti-Semitic attitudes.
9
Maybe in most countries Jews are separated but not in most parts of the United States. Virtually every single Reform and Conservative Jew in and outside of my family wants to stay in the United States and live freely as Americans and don't feel in any way banned from any aspect of daily life. All of them would say that they feel safer in the US and would never consider immigrating to Israel (visit and support, yes. but not to move there).
1
Of course before Israel, the typical Jew-hater would demand the Jews leave and go back to where they came from. Now the trendy line among the haters including a reasonable percentage of the so-called progressive Left is to demand that Jews leave FROM where they came from.
1
I wish people would not confuse Israel, Jews and Netanyahu's personality. Israel's prime minister had his rightful place in Paris last Sunday. Israel is at the forefront of a war against Islamist terrorism that France just declared. Israel and Jews share a destiny where murderous antisemitism is a key factor. The problem here is Netanyahu's personal lack of subtlety and unabashed political opportunism. The historical distinction between 'cultural Zionism' vs the kind that asserts that Israel is the only home for Jews is important. The vast majority of Jews in Israel and elsewhere are Democrats and 'cultural Zionists' (what the French would call Republicans). Sadly, this is often forgotten by anti-Zionists of all stripes, who are consistently overrepresented in the NYT comments sections, and particularly among the NYT Picks, which subtly encourage 'likes".
17
It seems that the conflict between a secular society and religious dogma is an ongoing affair, with no chance of abating anytime soon. certainly not soon enough, as it prevents a real conversation of common purpose, open for dialogue and open for constructive criticism of society's ills, and how to begin solving our differences. Religion must stay private, as it is a belief in something and somebody according to a specific 'book', controversial to some, unacceptable to others, while those that profess it 'must' exercise their dogmatic stance, hence, intolerant to other views. The religious prerogative of each group must be allowed to 'roam free' of interference by outsiders, tolerance and peaceful coexistence with others a must. Likewise, a secular government for all, religious and non-religious, to preserve what is best in humanity, the fruits of science and technology to enhance our lives, the critical thinking and inclusive politics, is essential for our survival. How far we are from this lofty goal when our 'representatives' refuse to open their minds.
3
Speaking of France's republican tradition, I would recommend to Mr. Avishai the recently published "When Paris Went Dark," by Ronald Rosbottom. The book starkly details the joie de vivre many Frenchmen showed in rounding up their Jewish countrymen for Nazi death camps.
23
Although I am not Jewish, I would suggest that Jews would be quite insane to trust anyone in the world, but especially Europeans. Hatred of Jews is a perennial visitor in Europe. So, Mr. Netanyahu makes the case to Jews everywhere tor "fight for your life" in Israel instead of having to "beg for your life" outside of Israel. During the Holocaust, pleas to governments, friends and neighbors were ignored. I cannot imagine how a Jew would even contemplate staying in France or Europe or anywhere except Israel.
35
Thank you for understanding what eludes too many. Most Jews have family that were murdered in the Holocaust and did not grow up with aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents or great-grandparents. Most have heard anti-Semitic comments throughout their lives. It's pretty hard to ignore these realities and ignoring it has only cost the Jews dearly. French Jews have experienced many violent attacks in the last several years from Islamic radicals, including the shooting of 3 young children at a Jewish school and the torture of a jewish man for an entire month. Why would anyone question their emigration?
1
Indeed, it is difficult for many of us Jews in Israel to understand how Jews can live in Europe and refer to Europe as their homeland. Rather it would be more accurate to refer to Europe as the largest killing field and graveyard of the Jewish people from the Crusades to Adolf Hitler and his happy helpers across the continent. Israel offers more than 'security'. It offers the opportunity to live a full Jewish cultural life where observance of Jewish festivals and celebration of our historical culture is part and parcel of life here. Here we live a full Jewish life and that indeed is the Zionist dream fulfilled by a hard working and talented people.
1
Really? Move to Israel to avoid terror?
29
France and Paris are not Russia and Moscow, and the Jews from both countries have very different reasons for staying or leaving either country. The writer of this piece rightly states that "...Chaim Weizmann despized the growth of paid state clergy" when he became Israel's president, and today, Israel is leaning toward becoming a religious state wiht even more "paid state clergy" with even more influence on Israel's social and political affairs, I'd assume. Mr Natanuahu's statement that French Jews would feel most at home in Israel today is purely wishful thinking, I believe, because there is no other country in the world where the separation of state and religion is more prevalent then in France and, secular Jews have certainly come to appreciate this state of affairs in which religion, any religion, stays out of your business, your kitchen and your bedroom. As a consequence to Mr Netanyahu's speech, I don't think we'll see boats of Jews leaving France, a country in which they prospered and feel at home for many reasons of their own, and one of them is that France is not a religious state.
31
(Forgive this schizoid old Jew for yet another comment). Avishai writes of the ideals of my grandfather who also brought such an idealized vision of zionism from the Pale of Settlement. But then the Holocaust. This brilliant, poet, writer (my grandfather) died a depressed man at 60 with the sole injunction to my poet mother, "Be happy." In so many ways progressive Jews of my generation live this painful split in our Jewish identity. I grew up feeling that to be Jewish was to support the causes of human justice; I almost lost my life a number of times protecting or trying to correct those injustices - but never protecting injustices against Jews. Suddenly Israel changed the image of my ideals of Jewish identity. Every time there is military action in or by Israel I am torn in half - not knowing any longer what it really is to be a Jew (though that is also a much deeper question considered by Jews throughout our existence.) Would I "fit" in Israel? After the intensity emotional identity of place wore off, probably not. Do I fit in the US? Not really. I do not fit in Jewish communities and do not fit in secular communities and I certainly no longer fit in the progressive communities whose rhetoric has drifted to old anti-Semitic parlance. Still I am a Jew - no matter where I live - no more or less a Jew no matter where I live - no more or less a Jew in France or in Israel. The torment as a Jew in my mid-70's? I am not so sure of even that.
40
Israel after only 68 years existence is becoming more and more similar to its neighbors; erasing female politicians out of news photos is not something that a French person, Jewish or not, would feel comfortable with. Marine Le Pen is a moderate in comparison to some in the present Israeli government. I doubt that a French Jew would vote for Netanyahu...
75
I think you are mistakenly ascribing the distasteful practices of a private publication to the national character of the State. The israeli government did not erase women from the photos (i assume you are referring to the image of world leaders marching in paris); this was done by editors of a publication for a "right-wing" readership. I believe the vast majority of israelis would not feel comfortable with this choice either... but would, like many liberal French or Roman citizens I assume, defend the freedoms that allow for such choices. I am certain that one can find offensive, retrograde publications in Rome, Paris, certainly in the US... and recognize them not as expressions of State-sponsored views, but as a consequence of the press freedoms we purport to endorse.
22
The erasing of the women from the newspaper was not done by the Israeli government. It was done by an ultra-Orthodox extremist newspaper.
Israel has free speech, just as we and the French do. That means that their nut cases can spew any garbage they want, just as ours can.
Israel has free speech, just as we and the French do. That means that their nut cases can spew any garbage they want, just as ours can.
3
That paper you are referring to is from a fringe ultra-orthodox group in Israel that few Israelis follow. You know: the country that had Golda Meir as its prime minister. The same country that plasters bikini-clad photos of super model Bar Raphael throughout its media. But naturally the Left media like the NY Times and the BBC are beating this thing to death (the BBC has this report posted on its website for days now as if it was as momentous as an Islamic terror attack) because they need something like this to somehow equate Israel with Islamic fanaticism. It satisfies their need for multicultural equivalency and relativism.
2
How about a place like this?
"I pledge Allegiance to....and to the Republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all."
"I pledge Allegiance to....and to the Republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all."
2
Chaim Weizmann would not have wanted Israel to join the European Union. Citizens of the E.U. can live and work freely from country to country, and judging by the number of Poles in Britain and Ireland, they do. Israel's joining would open a sort of "law of return" to all E.U. citizens wanting to live in Israel. That inclusiveness is a non-starter.
12
This newspaper has so far selected, out of many excellent comments, three that say basically the same thing (and not always well): Netanyahu is right, because of the Holocaust. This is a tried and true but TIRED argument, that attempts to deflect any criticism of today's Israel. This is NOT the 30's and those who criticize Israel's policies, and Netanyahu's words and actions (and their motivations) in Paris, are NOT, by and large, denying the importance of Israel as a safe haven for Jews.
The notion that Jews SHOULD have a safe haven in Israel is NOT incompatible with condemnation Netanyahu for his role in the de-liberalization and de-democratization of the State of Israel and for the death of the two state solution as a viable outcome to the Palestinian issue. One might believe, as I do, that these two positions are entirely consistent--that a viable Israel in fact REQUIRES the two-state solution which Netanyahu has spent his political career undermining and destroying.
And shame on NYT (or whoever pretends to speak for the Newspaper by these selections) for highlighting one sophist argument at the expense of all others.
The notion that Jews SHOULD have a safe haven in Israel is NOT incompatible with condemnation Netanyahu for his role in the de-liberalization and de-democratization of the State of Israel and for the death of the two state solution as a viable outcome to the Palestinian issue. One might believe, as I do, that these two positions are entirely consistent--that a viable Israel in fact REQUIRES the two-state solution which Netanyahu has spent his political career undermining and destroying.
And shame on NYT (or whoever pretends to speak for the Newspaper by these selections) for highlighting one sophist argument at the expense of all others.
65
"de-liberalization and de-democratization of the State of Israel"? What planet do you live on? Israel has just started a new round of national elections in which at least 10 political parties with a whole range of ideologies and policy proposals are participating to form a new government. Netanyahu actually wanted to move up the elections so he could try to make his government less dependent upon fringe parties in his coalition. A free and fair election with ZERO violence. Please explain to the less enlightened of us how that constitutes "de-liberalization and de-democratization of the State of Israel". Do you actually know anything about Israel? When was the last time Hamas or Fatah did the same? When was the last time ANY Arab country tried the same - except Tunisia? And Israelis get a large choice of political parties to choose from. How many viable political parties can Americans choose from?
1
Jews will never forget 6 million of their own being murdered by a state. Nor should they. "this is not the 30s " is a very casual dismissal of the very real horror.
2
Mr. Netanyahu looks forward to the solution to the "Jewish problem": the day when all the Jews in the world have concentrated in Israel, where they (I mean "we") can be all killed at once. Concentration is the antithesis of survival. There are no guarantees anywhere, especially for Jews, but to settle in a warfare state would not be a step forward for French or other Jews.
18
Which would of course explain the plane-loads of French Jews arriving daily in Israel.
4
Joshua: I don't see how that's related. I'm talking about the survival of the Jewish people.
Yeah, they're on vacation.
And where will they live in Israel ? In a settlement ? In occupied territory
surrounded by armed men and the army ? That invitation is just
another provocation towards the palestinians.
surrounded by armed men and the army ? That invitation is just
another provocation towards the palestinians.
180
AGC, More likely they will concentrate in Tel Aviv, Netanya, and the coastal environs. The more religious might end up in Jerusalem. And yes, some might decide to live in Judea and Samaria, but not too many. For the life of me, I can't figure out how your comment got an Editor's Pick.
7
Most French Jews move to Ashdod, Netanya and Jerusalem. Is that OK with you?
Or are Jews in Ashdod a provacation to Palestinians?
Or are Jews in Ashdod a provacation to Palestinians?
37
The mere existence of Israel is a provocation to Palestinians.
Their ire should not be a considered a reason to avoid moving to Israel.
Their ire should not be a considered a reason to avoid moving to Israel.
15
The U.S. has been a great, if imperfect and inconsistent, advocate for the values of our constitution: representative democracy, individual rights enforceable against the state, free speech, due process, and equal protection of the laws. But we have never been effective advocates of one of our central constitutional values: separation of religion and government.
Only in a very few cases, like Iran under the ayatollahs, do we clearly reject religious government. In general, we overlook the entanglement of religions and governments around the world. At worst, we aggressively champion religious government in Israel, vigorously defending in Israel what we would never accept here at home.
I would argue that we adopted our First Amendment not just because we thought it was preferable for our own governance, but because we think it is preferable for all governance.
politicsbyeccehomo.wordpress.com
Only in a very few cases, like Iran under the ayatollahs, do we clearly reject religious government. In general, we overlook the entanglement of religions and governments around the world. At worst, we aggressively champion religious government in Israel, vigorously defending in Israel what we would never accept here at home.
I would argue that we adopted our First Amendment not just because we thought it was preferable for our own governance, but because we think it is preferable for all governance.
politicsbyeccehomo.wordpress.com
18
What a fantastic comment. Bravo.
The vast majority of American Jews trace their family histories to places east of France. To the extent that Jews are part of national traditions it is as targets of prejudice and hate. We view French Jews as having been abandoned by The Vichy government. And we view the history of Jews in Europe as essentially singular -- as a quilt that was ultimately burnt. If French Jews stormed the Bastille, were into fashion and gourmet food, and owned poodles, good for them. But, in the end, like the rest of us, it came down to leave or die.
11
The French people did not elect the Vichy government. It was a government forced upon them by German conquest and occupation.
24
Mark,
I'm a lot older than you. What you may have read in a history book and puppeted back is nice. But the truth is that the French could have fought or buckled under. They chose the latter. Many French cooperated and supported Vichy while the free French led by deGaulle suffered privations. Meanwhile tens of millions of Allied soldiers died fighting for freedom. Maybe there wasn't room for all that in your history book.
I'm a lot older than you. What you may have read in a history book and puppeted back is nice. But the truth is that the French could have fought or buckled under. They chose the latter. Many French cooperated and supported Vichy while the free French led by deGaulle suffered privations. Meanwhile tens of millions of Allied soldiers died fighting for freedom. Maybe there wasn't room for all that in your history book.
23
You need to read more than the Cliff Notes of French history, mon frère. "Fought or buckled under" is about as adolescent an historiography as it comes.
Mr. Netanyahu is the consummate politician. He sells everything short, except himself.
50
The living memory of Vichy overshadow France's "republican tradition." In addition to Islamism, French antisemitism also draws on Christian and Fascist antisemitism, as well as leftist anti-Israelism so rabid and singular as to divest it of any claim to principle. Why should Jews, who walked into a buzz saw in 1939, reenact that tragedy today?
Israel has plenty to be proud of as a modern, liberal democracy. Political and ethnic violence against minorities is rare. Does Avishai believe that Muslims fear to walk down the street in Tel Aviv for fear of a pogrom, as Jews do in France? Are Arab ballots endangered by hanging chads?
Avishai might qualify his tarring of Israel by noting that it has had a female head of state, unlike America; Arab Supreme Court Justices (while America awaits its first Asian); Communists and open enemies of the state in the Knesset (unthinkable in an American Congress). The disparities between Israel's Jews and Arabs pales in comparison with the gap between American whites and blacks. Israel no longer occupies Gaza and got only more hatred and terrorism for its withdrawal. Arab antipathy preceded 1967 and would persist even if Israel retreated to the '48 ceasefire line. Jordanians and Egyptians hate Israel decades after peace. Voluntary Israeli withdrawals from Gaza, Ramallah, Lebanon, and Sinai have had no impact on the general loathing for Israel in the Muslim world. Avishai, the ideologue, however,sticks to his rant, the facts be damned.
Israel has plenty to be proud of as a modern, liberal democracy. Political and ethnic violence against minorities is rare. Does Avishai believe that Muslims fear to walk down the street in Tel Aviv for fear of a pogrom, as Jews do in France? Are Arab ballots endangered by hanging chads?
Avishai might qualify his tarring of Israel by noting that it has had a female head of state, unlike America; Arab Supreme Court Justices (while America awaits its first Asian); Communists and open enemies of the state in the Knesset (unthinkable in an American Congress). The disparities between Israel's Jews and Arabs pales in comparison with the gap between American whites and blacks. Israel no longer occupies Gaza and got only more hatred and terrorism for its withdrawal. Arab antipathy preceded 1967 and would persist even if Israel retreated to the '48 ceasefire line. Jordanians and Egyptians hate Israel decades after peace. Voluntary Israeli withdrawals from Gaza, Ramallah, Lebanon, and Sinai have had no impact on the general loathing for Israel in the Muslim world. Avishai, the ideologue, however,sticks to his rant, the facts be damned.
34
As an American who's tax dollars are sucked uselessly into the cesspit of middeast politcs annually, I admit I find your two dimensional argument mildly thought provoking. Your points certainly deserve examination, especially by those who would cast stones at israel merely as a reflex.
But upon reflection, I'm afraid you are mis-informed on some issues; to compare a black American citizen - even the poorest (alas, the true face of deep poverty in America is white my friend) - to an Israeli Arab, or an Arab in Gaza for instance, betrays a complete ignorance of reality in both countries. And maybe you should visit Gaza for a week before you pat Israel on the back for it's kindness.
When the day arrives, no doubt far, far in some hazy future, where Israel can accpet the same criticisms other nations do and act with something approaching introspection - without whipping out the ever so convenient switchblade of anti-semetism - perhaps some of that loathing will subside.
But upon reflection, I'm afraid you are mis-informed on some issues; to compare a black American citizen - even the poorest (alas, the true face of deep poverty in America is white my friend) - to an Israeli Arab, or an Arab in Gaza for instance, betrays a complete ignorance of reality in both countries. And maybe you should visit Gaza for a week before you pat Israel on the back for it's kindness.
When the day arrives, no doubt far, far in some hazy future, where Israel can accpet the same criticisms other nations do and act with something approaching introspection - without whipping out the ever so convenient switchblade of anti-semetism - perhaps some of that loathing will subside.
10
I'm an American Jew who been to France many times and has been to Israel. I've never felt that Jews there fear a pogrom. Even last week's attacks, as bad as they were, were hardly a pogrom.
Maybe Muslims in Tel Aviv don't fear attacks, but I'm not so sure about those in and near Jerusalem. Nor do I feel that the "disparities between Israel's Jews and Arabs pales in comparison with the gap between American whites and blacks".
Your choice of facts is somewhat selective, wouldn't you say? Do you not know of attacks on Palestinians by Jewish "settlers" near Jerusalem? Or checkpoints that make it extremely difficult and time-consuming for Palestinians to get from place to place? Or the ultra-orthodox who want to expel all Arabs from the West Bank, by force if necessary? There is more than enough sin on both sides.
Maybe Muslims in Tel Aviv don't fear attacks, but I'm not so sure about those in and near Jerusalem. Nor do I feel that the "disparities between Israel's Jews and Arabs pales in comparison with the gap between American whites and blacks".
Your choice of facts is somewhat selective, wouldn't you say? Do you not know of attacks on Palestinians by Jewish "settlers" near Jerusalem? Or checkpoints that make it extremely difficult and time-consuming for Palestinians to get from place to place? Or the ultra-orthodox who want to expel all Arabs from the West Bank, by force if necessary? There is more than enough sin on both sides.
"If French Jews did migrate en masse, what would they find in Israel?" asks the author. They might not find the Promised Land, but they would find a state that is entirely dedicated to the protection of its people and that pursues policies to that effect, unpopular though they may be to those of a more "liberal" bent of mind.
The Jews who left Germany before the Holocaust were actually turned away in many places; France was notorious for its collaboration in their extermination. Can the author of this editorial not put two and two together? It is France, and not Israel that should be cleaning up its act; the cosmetic application of "fierce republicanism" can cover a multitude of sins. Israel was the last resort of a people nearly driven to extinction by the same impulse that lurks in Europe today, an impulse that showed its ugly head in Paris in the last week.
Sadly, many of the distortions in Israel's policies are formed by the necessity of a brutal response to the evil that drives anti-Semitic hatred and the desire to destroy Israel.
The Jews who left Germany before the Holocaust were actually turned away in many places; France was notorious for its collaboration in their extermination. Can the author of this editorial not put two and two together? It is France, and not Israel that should be cleaning up its act; the cosmetic application of "fierce republicanism" can cover a multitude of sins. Israel was the last resort of a people nearly driven to extinction by the same impulse that lurks in Europe today, an impulse that showed its ugly head in Paris in the last week.
Sadly, many of the distortions in Israel's policies are formed by the necessity of a brutal response to the evil that drives anti-Semitic hatred and the desire to destroy Israel.
93
The vast majority of French people are not anti-Semitic. Jews are very successful in this country. Many are politicians, doctors, lawyers, corporate leaders, scientists and university professors, small businessmen, etc.. In fact, France has had 4 Jewish prime ministers, the first one being Leon Blum in 1936, who is the father of the French welfare state. The current minister of foreign affairs who was the youngest PM in French history in the 1980's is also Jewish. I am annoyed to have to defend French Jews by reducing their identity to one thing, jewishness. Jews are like all of us many other things indeed. This form of personality reductionism is racist. Being a Jew is compatible with great success in the country. Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders have no problems about reducing French Jews’ identity to one thing, being a Jew. It is offensive. It is exactly what the terrorists wanted. We are back to Europe prior to 1933 with this reasoning. Today, they is no state anti-Semitism anywhere in Europe. On the other hand, there is some discrimination in Israel against citizens who are not Jewish.
15
"many of the distortions in Israel's policies are formed by the necessity of a brutal response to the evil" NO, Israel's policies toward Gaza and the West Bank are evil, far from needed by Israel for security. Israel is the fourth mightiest military in the world. The land grabs by Israel of Gaza and West Bank lands are motivated by selfish, immoral reasons rationalized by propaganda claiming the need for security. What was done to Jews does not justify what Israel is now doing to Palestinians.
1
"If French Jews did migrate en masse, what would they find in Israel?" asks the author. They might not find the Promised Land, but they would find a state that is entirely dedicated to the protection of its people..."
No, they would not. Israel is not dedicated to the protection of it's people. It razes it's people's homes all the time, and deprives many of them of their basic human rights.
No, they would not. Israel is not dedicated to the protection of it's people. It razes it's people's homes all the time, and deprives many of them of their basic human rights.
1
as a child I was hunted down as a Jewish child slated for murder. My parents perished at the hands of the Nazis. When I read these comments I wonder if people understand what it means to be a secular Jew. I feel, like many, that I want to live anywhere I want to. Jewish is not a nationality. It can mean religious or secular or for some assimilated and no reference to being Jewish at all.
But for some Jews who have nowhere to go Israel is an option where they are welcomed with open arms. prejudice is based on ignorance and stereotype.
I was a hidden child in the war and sometimes I am still hiding out of fear of what may happen to me. Is that just?
What happened in Paris is a vicious crime. Pencil pushers killed over a cartoon and Jews killed over pastrami sandwiches. Ironically Muslims are told that in a pinch go to a kosher store to buy meat. They share the same dietary laws. the Koran owes a lot to the Old Testament.
when one realizes the likeness in all of use, peace is possible. Israel is another matter. It is a country under siege surrounded by 32 Arab countries. A sliver of land on the map, barely visible. a tiny speck. It is a miracle it still exists.
Is it right for religious people to fight over their gods and prophets, while the rest of us are hunted down and even killed?
But for some Jews who have nowhere to go Israel is an option where they are welcomed with open arms. prejudice is based on ignorance and stereotype.
I was a hidden child in the war and sometimes I am still hiding out of fear of what may happen to me. Is that just?
What happened in Paris is a vicious crime. Pencil pushers killed over a cartoon and Jews killed over pastrami sandwiches. Ironically Muslims are told that in a pinch go to a kosher store to buy meat. They share the same dietary laws. the Koran owes a lot to the Old Testament.
when one realizes the likeness in all of use, peace is possible. Israel is another matter. It is a country under siege surrounded by 32 Arab countries. A sliver of land on the map, barely visible. a tiny speck. It is a miracle it still exists.
Is it right for religious people to fight over their gods and prophets, while the rest of us are hunted down and even killed?
111
The Arab League consists of 22 nations, one of which is not Arab, Somalia. The vast majority of these nations do not "surround" Israel but are a great distance away, e.g. North Africa and the Arabian peninsula.
Genetic evidence demonstrates that Judaism is an much an ethnicity as it is a religion.
Genetic evidence demonstrates that Judaism is an much an ethnicity as it is a religion.
4
Beautifully written.
2
The miracle of Israel's continued existence may not necessarily be for the positive, as most miracles presumably imply. If its continued presence and occupation of lands it and it alone determines are its right to occupy, confiscate and control, even in the face of international condemnation; what good has that garnered for all the Jews worldwide, if the end result of it is unrelenting vilification and threats of violence against any Jew living anywhere?
The only Jews helped by Israeli leaders' intransigent and dominating stance might possibly be only those who wish to keep themselves secluded away in their seaside enclave known as Israel, but hardly the majority who choose the call the whole world their home.
What may have been a convenient and quick fix following the Holocaust, doesn't necessarily make it a viable and practical recipe for permanent and eternal peace on this earth. Insisting that today there can be no compromise or variation from that fix, only this time justifying is as rather replication and preservation of the ancient historical past, totally backward looking and with no eye towards the future life ahead.
All things die, maybe some counterproductive delusions and reincarnations of supernatural sanctification need to as well. Extremists in this regard come in all colors and stripes, and not only the ones we vow to hate, but some that are also our own.
The only Jews helped by Israeli leaders' intransigent and dominating stance might possibly be only those who wish to keep themselves secluded away in their seaside enclave known as Israel, but hardly the majority who choose the call the whole world their home.
What may have been a convenient and quick fix following the Holocaust, doesn't necessarily make it a viable and practical recipe for permanent and eternal peace on this earth. Insisting that today there can be no compromise or variation from that fix, only this time justifying is as rather replication and preservation of the ancient historical past, totally backward looking and with no eye towards the future life ahead.
All things die, maybe some counterproductive delusions and reincarnations of supernatural sanctification need to as well. Extremists in this regard come in all colors and stripes, and not only the ones we vow to hate, but some that are also our own.
5
Netanyahu had the right as the head of the government of Israel to participate in the Paris demonstration along with other world leaders. That Hollande's fear about Netanyahu seizing the opportunity to persuade French Jews to emigrate to Israel and to win voters' sympathy ahead of the March election, was not unjustified. Netanyahu is an astute politician. While he visited the Jewish communities, Mahmoud Abbas kept a low profile.
Indeed it would have done no harm if Abbas condemned the attacks more loudly and openly.
Indeed it would have done no harm if Abbas condemned the attacks more loudly and openly.
15
So if Lil' Kim of North Korea decided to show up in Paris, then France had no right to deny him entry? On what planet? France has every right to control who crosses their borders. Netanyahu is a publicity hound and spews vitriol wherever he goes. I wish France would have actually edited him out of the demonstration for freedom of speech, instead of just his gray face.
4
No one has a right to enter a foreign country without the approval of that country's government. Mr. Hollande had a perfect right to ask Mr. Netanyahu or anyone else to stay away.
"Mr. Netanyahu . . . asks, smugly, if Islamists would stop hating the West if there were no occupation."
The fury of Islamists today is the result of what has happened over the last decades. It is the result of the occupation. It is the result of the US crashing about the Middle East attempting to remake it by military force.
Those Islamists would not now evaporate if suddenly we changed the decades of policies which created them. However, they will not go away until we stop doing the very things that created them.
Ending the occupation and the military adventures all over the region are necessary to ending our problems with Islamists, even if they are not sufficient to do that alone or instantly.
It was Netanyahu and Cheney who created the Middle East as it is today, including all the furious reaction. It won't stop until we stop doing that.
The fury of Islamists today is the result of what has happened over the last decades. It is the result of the occupation. It is the result of the US crashing about the Middle East attempting to remake it by military force.
Those Islamists would not now evaporate if suddenly we changed the decades of policies which created them. However, they will not go away until we stop doing the very things that created them.
Ending the occupation and the military adventures all over the region are necessary to ending our problems with Islamists, even if they are not sufficient to do that alone or instantly.
It was Netanyahu and Cheney who created the Middle East as it is today, including all the furious reaction. It won't stop until we stop doing that.
110
I agree with much of what you say. However, I have to wonder how Islamic extremists such as Boko Haram in West Africa slaughtering villagers and kidnapping girls or the pro Taliban of Pakistan slaughtering 150 boys at a school fit neatly into this explanation. ISIS is killing nonbelievers in Syria and Iraq. There is more to this phenomena now than just Western oppression.
4
I don't have a detailed understanding of Islamist terrorism prior to 1967, but my understanding is that the Munich Olympics attack in 1972 marked the modern era of such terrorism, and that it stemmed from the occupation that began in 1967.
It would thus seem that the occupation IS the cause of the extremism and its manifestation as terrorism since the 1960s. What other country has taken in warfare, and held indefinitely thereafter, territory beyond its borders in the United Nations era, and gotten away with it thanks to the reflexive support of the one world superpower?
It would thus seem that the occupation IS the cause of the extremism and its manifestation as terrorism since the 1960s. What other country has taken in warfare, and held indefinitely thereafter, territory beyond its borders in the United Nations era, and gotten away with it thanks to the reflexive support of the one world superpower?
5
Muslims have been slaughtering each other and others for centuries, well before the establishment of the State of Israel' Ending the so-called occupation will not put an end to that.
12
In my youth, Judaism was distinguished by two traits, its cosmopolitanism and sympathy for social justice, often as radicalism. That did not preclude degrees of observance, from secular to ultra-orthodox, a religion of variegated beliefs and experiences, different social classes, etc. To be Jewish was to recognize the sacredness of the human soul under God, whether as racial equality or respect for the dignity of the poor.
That has changed over the last six decades; even the alternative strands of Zionism have become one, with little opposition. Israel is now the Warrior State demanding the allegiance to and support of world Jewry. No thanks; my Jewish pride is reserved for the past. It does not identify with militarism, ethnocentrism, xenophobia, all of which are embodied in present-day Israel and the basis for Netanyahu's urging of French Jews to emigrate to Israel.
If that happens, it means further reinforcement for more Gaza slaughters, more occupation, more totalitarianism that my generation of Jews fought against, suffered under, and triumphed over.
Israel becomes the magnet for the transmogrification of Judaism into the opposite of its cosmopolitan and radical roots--narrowly parochial and reactionary. Until and only if Israel changes, learns compassion, reconciles its policies with the Torah injunction to welcome the stranger and regard justice as holy, does it have a right to begin speaking for Jewry, and even then, respecting different paths to life.
That has changed over the last six decades; even the alternative strands of Zionism have become one, with little opposition. Israel is now the Warrior State demanding the allegiance to and support of world Jewry. No thanks; my Jewish pride is reserved for the past. It does not identify with militarism, ethnocentrism, xenophobia, all of which are embodied in present-day Israel and the basis for Netanyahu's urging of French Jews to emigrate to Israel.
If that happens, it means further reinforcement for more Gaza slaughters, more occupation, more totalitarianism that my generation of Jews fought against, suffered under, and triumphed over.
Israel becomes the magnet for the transmogrification of Judaism into the opposite of its cosmopolitan and radical roots--narrowly parochial and reactionary. Until and only if Israel changes, learns compassion, reconciles its policies with the Torah injunction to welcome the stranger and regard justice as holy, does it have a right to begin speaking for Jewry, and even then, respecting different paths to life.
314
Thank you. As an ex-Catholic, I have always admired both faiths adherence to social justice. Catholics are maybe finding their way back led by Pope Francis, after having chased off many of us as the "leaders" became purity police. Hopefully, the rabbis of the Jewish people will break away from warmongering Likud and lead Jews back towards their greater selves, before anyone has to even witness another massacre like happened in Gaza this summer, which hardened me against Israel until it has a regime change.
2
Has it ever occurred to you and others in these comments that if a substantial number of French Jews, British Jews, and yes, North American Jews were to emigrate to Israel, that phenomenon could provide an important counter-weight to the power wielded by religious parties and the right-leaning majority of Russian/Former Soviet Union immigrants? Introducing a more liberal, democratic and republican view into Israeli culture and politics that more closely resembles those of the founders of the State of Israel could have a salutary effect on resolving the Palestinian Arab/Israeli Conflict as well (at least from the Israel side).
"To be Jewish was to recognize the sacredness of the human soul under God, whether as racial equality or respect for the dignity of the poor."
This is charming, and anyone who holds these values is a mentsch, but other than the part about the dignity of the poor, there is nothing specifically Jewish in this take on "Judaism".
This is charming, and anyone who holds these values is a mentsch, but other than the part about the dignity of the poor, there is nothing specifically Jewish in this take on "Judaism".
5
Much as I dislike saying it, on many occasions, Netanyahu does not miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. His winner-take-all politics leaves the nation of Israel the loser. So, I think that he was not in France to show solidarity with the French so much as to gain political advantage at home and abroad. As he wrecks coalitions, he makes things worse for Jews world-wide.
146
A Jewish voice I fully support. Of course, if French Jews decide to emigrate to Israel, they should at least understand what they would have to struggle with once there. It is crystal clear that France needs to finally address its "Muslim Problem" with an honest and well-funded campaign. France needs to recognize that being French is not a matter of nativism, but of integration.
4
Since when are Jews (or any other people for that matter) a market commodity?
I for one take a long position on them, as I do on all good and decent people.
I for one take a long position on them, as I do on all good and decent people.
2
"[Mr. Netanyahu] asks, smugly, if Islamists would stop hating the West if there were no occupation. He assumes we would say no without reservation."
Precisely. What lies behind this tough rhetoric of the Israelis is a deep-seated insecurity, vulnerability, and irrational *paranoia* about "existential threats," borne from the Holocaust. It's time for Netanyahu to understand that withdrawal from the Occupied Territories would pose no such threat to Israel.
Secondly, what I find truly baffling about Netanyahu and co. is the fact that they ignore the obvious benefits to *ISRAEL* from ending the Occupation. Getting world opinion to be more favorable to Israel would surely be the first consequence, as, if Hamas rocket attacks continued, Israel could more justifiably be seen as a victim, rather than aggressor.
However, with the status quo, with the Occupation in full force, and only expanding, I'm sorry to say that Israel's "self-defense" rationalizations simply don't work when it goes on its "lawn-mowing" excursions in Gaza. I, for one, will continue to condemn the acts of the Israeli state.
Precisely. What lies behind this tough rhetoric of the Israelis is a deep-seated insecurity, vulnerability, and irrational *paranoia* about "existential threats," borne from the Holocaust. It's time for Netanyahu to understand that withdrawal from the Occupied Territories would pose no such threat to Israel.
Secondly, what I find truly baffling about Netanyahu and co. is the fact that they ignore the obvious benefits to *ISRAEL* from ending the Occupation. Getting world opinion to be more favorable to Israel would surely be the first consequence, as, if Hamas rocket attacks continued, Israel could more justifiably be seen as a victim, rather than aggressor.
However, with the status quo, with the Occupation in full force, and only expanding, I'm sorry to say that Israel's "self-defense" rationalizations simply don't work when it goes on its "lawn-mowing" excursions in Gaza. I, for one, will continue to condemn the acts of the Israeli state.
77
When Israel ended their "occupation" of the gaza strip, did they win any hearts and minds in the all important World Opinion? Not a one, including yours. Instead, they got rockets, fired by Hamas from amongst their women and children. And people like you blame israel for defending themselves against such aggression. Why you claim the result would be better in the West Bank, much closer to large population centers in Israel, is beyond me. I, for one, will continue to call out double standards like yours. The only way Israel can win over your precious world opinion is by the prompt cessation of its existence.
25
Isarael's occupation of Gaza strip continues under any reasonable reading of the law, not withstanding the Security Cabinet's self-serving declaration to the contrary.
3
@Tzvi Cohen
Perhaps, because even after Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip, it was still occupying the West Bank?!
The Palestinians will not rest, rightly so, until Israel has withdrawn from ALL of Palestine, which includes Gaza AND the West Bank.
Moreover, I don't like what you are implying here- are you saying that Israel should re-occupy Gaza, and continue to occupy the West Bank, ad infinitum? Get real.
Perhaps, because even after Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip, it was still occupying the West Bank?!
The Palestinians will not rest, rightly so, until Israel has withdrawn from ALL of Palestine, which includes Gaza AND the West Bank.
Moreover, I don't like what you are implying here- are you saying that Israel should re-occupy Gaza, and continue to occupy the West Bank, ad infinitum? Get real.
This debate is pointless. If Israel were the land of milk and honey, Jews from all over the world would be living there for decades.
Even a French rabbi would not leave Paris to live in a settlement built in Palestinian land, surrounded by security walls and in danger of being killed by angry Palestinians every single day.
Even a French rabbi would not leave Paris to live in a settlement built in Palestinian land, surrounded by security walls and in danger of being killed by angry Palestinians every single day.
65
Last I noticed Jews from all over the world are living there.
14
Jews from all over the world have been living in Israel for a century.
17
I remember visiting Hebron a few years back and encountering a settler family with his children living in tatters. Amidst the rubble and the military guards, I asked why? He said he'd rather be there than in Rochester, NY, from where he emigrated. Only fanatics would live under those conditions. Only fanatics on both sides prevent the rest of the world from securing peace.
6
Mr. Alishai has written a very thought provoking piece. It should be required reading for anyone concerned with world affairs.
10
Cultural Zionsim will not save Jewish lives, whether eclipsed or or shining.
French Jews have a right to expect to live in peace and in safety in France and France has an obligation to protect them. Israeli leaders should recognize this and not patronize European leaders or European Jewish leaders or citizens.
However, facts are facts and today Jewish institutions in France need the army to protect them. That protection will stop and the attacks will resume. And it is not just France. It was publicized yesterday that 1 in 2 British Jews thinks there is no future for the Jewish community in the UK.
Mr. Netanyahu, Mr. Lapid and other political leaders and even leaders of Israeli culture such as A.B. Yehoshua have made their point. Onward to Zion.
They are correct as is Mr. Rosner who also has an op-ed piece today and for some reason that article is not open to comments, at least as of yet.
French Jews have a right to expect to live in peace and in safety in France and France has an obligation to protect them. Israeli leaders should recognize this and not patronize European leaders or European Jewish leaders or citizens.
However, facts are facts and today Jewish institutions in France need the army to protect them. That protection will stop and the attacks will resume. And it is not just France. It was publicized yesterday that 1 in 2 British Jews thinks there is no future for the Jewish community in the UK.
Mr. Netanyahu, Mr. Lapid and other political leaders and even leaders of Israeli culture such as A.B. Yehoshua have made their point. Onward to Zion.
They are correct as is Mr. Rosner who also has an op-ed piece today and for some reason that article is not open to comments, at least as of yet.
15
"It was publicized yesterday that 1 in 2 British Jews thinks there is no future for the Jewish community in the UK."
That likely has more to do with assimilation rather than discrimination.
That likely has more to do with assimilation rather than discrimination.
6
Why need read the article instead of conjecture. They fear for their safety.
6
" 1 in 2 British Jews thinks there is no future for the Jewish community in the UK."
Please link to this article (in a reputable publication). My recollection is that the article said half of British Jews have thought about emigrating -- something that's probably true of Gentiles as well: the British are big on emigration.
Please link to this article (in a reputable publication). My recollection is that the article said half of British Jews have thought about emigrating -- something that's probably true of Gentiles as well: the British are big on emigration.
Answer the question honestly: Would the virulent strain of radical Islam dissolve, or even moderate if there were no occupation, indeed, if there were no Israel at all? Would they stop hating the West? I, for one, can answer "no" without reservation. ISIS doesn't slaughter women and children because of west bank settlements. The World Trade center was not destroyed because of the dispute over Jerusalem. The intellectualism the media's anti-semitism hides behind is a thin disguise. Mr Netanyahu is completely correct.
48
You are probably right, but the occupation gives them a legitimate grievance. That, and America's 100 percent backing at the UN in defiance of law and international opinion.
9
I agree and I think the author had an obligation to explain terms like "smug" and "without reservation", else his umbrage lacks substance. Also, I've read his penultimate paragraph five times and can't understand what he is talking about.
The whole piece has the typical convoluted tone and vagueness of so many pieces in NYT on Middle East. In contrast, Joshua Schwartz' comment below (say) has an exemplary logic and clarity.
The whole piece has the typical convoluted tone and vagueness of so many pieces in NYT on Middle East. In contrast, Joshua Schwartz' comment below (say) has an exemplary logic and clarity.
6
Islamic terrorist groups only garner support and personnel by constantly presenting Muslims as victims of the West. If they didn't have this narrative to rely on, it would be far harder for organizations such as al-Qaeda to exist. It is far easier to recruit susceptible youths to the Jihadist cause if one presents itself as victim, rather than aggressor.
A large part of the "victim" narrative stems from Israel's conduct in the Middle East, and American carte-blanche support of it.
It really is not that difficult to understand.
A large part of the "victim" narrative stems from Israel's conduct in the Middle East, and American carte-blanche support of it.
It really is not that difficult to understand.
20
Mr. Avishai has ignored history. The democratically elected French government during World War II did more to assemble Jews, strip them of their property, and deport them to Auschwitz than any non-German nationality in Europe. Having been French for generations, speaking French, serving in the French army was meaningless to the French government and most of its citizens. Why should the Jews of France trust their government or fellow citizens again? These marches are nice, but they'll fade. The Jews of France will be targets again. For this reason Natanyahu is right. For all of Israel's problems, the government and army protect its citizens. I'm not sure what else matters.
117
In other words: "Trust NO ONE!!! Come to Israel, oh Jews of the world, for it's only there that you can be truly SAFE. Everywhere else you may be murdered!" And-- by the way--always give carte blanche to the occupation that has made a two-state solution to the Palestinian issue all but impossible, and to the growing repression of Israel's Arab citizens and any Jews who dare show themselves as "Arab lovers." (And, YES, this is a "thing" in Israel of today: an epithet thrown at any individual or politician, including President Rivlin, who dares speak openly for equality and tolerance).
Israel has strayed irreversibly from the path of democracy and liberal values. Netanyahu has no interest in either. Scaring Europe's Jews is his only interest.
Israel has strayed irreversibly from the path of democracy and liberal values. Netanyahu has no interest in either. Scaring Europe's Jews is his only interest.
20
Your whole argument begins with a falsehood. France's Vichy government during WWII was not "democratically elected". It was installed by the Nazis.
15
The Vichy government which ruled France under German occupation from June 1940 to August 1944 was not democratically elected. Moreover, more than seventy percent of Jews in France at that time survived German occupation. That is a better survival rate than in any other European country under German occupation except for Denmark and Italy.
The policies of the Vichy government and their implementation were shameful enough as they stood and need no embellishment.
The policies of the Vichy government and their implementation were shameful enough as they stood and need no embellishment.
79
“Israel stands with Europe; Europe must stand with Israel!”
Israel does not stand with Europe. It undermines Europe, and yet tries to get Europe to fight Israel's enemies by conflating those abused by Israeli with all Muslims, and all Muslims as enemies of Europe.
Any peace Europe can work out with the Islamic world must include reining in the excesses of the Israeli state.
Israel does not stand with Europe. It undermines Europe, and yet tries to get Europe to fight Israel's enemies by conflating those abused by Israeli with all Muslims, and all Muslims as enemies of Europe.
Any peace Europe can work out with the Islamic world must include reining in the excesses of the Israeli state.
158
If the West and Islamic states are at odds with eachother, shifting the blame to Israel won't solve the problem, and it ignores the overall imperialist history of Western Europe over the Arab and Islamic world.
France's biggest problem isn't that Israel makes France look bad. France makes France Look bad! It's obvious enough when you look at how France treats its former colonies and the peoples of those colonies.
France's biggest problem isn't that Israel makes France look bad. France makes France Look bad! It's obvious enough when you look at how France treats its former colonies and the peoples of those colonies.
9
"shifting the blame to Israel won't solve the problem, and it ignores the overall imperialist history of Western Europe over the Arab and Islamic world."
Israel and its behavior toward the Arabs in and around it are very much part of the overall imperialist history of Western Europe in the Arab world. It is the flashpoint of that, and has been for decades. Nothing can be resolved without including a resolution of that. It is unimaginable that anyone could quiet the Middle East issues while continuing a permanent status quo in and around Israel.
Israel and its behavior toward the Arabs in and around it are very much part of the overall imperialist history of Western Europe in the Arab world. It is the flashpoint of that, and has been for decades. Nothing can be resolved without including a resolution of that. It is unimaginable that anyone could quiet the Middle East issues while continuing a permanent status quo in and around Israel.
3
I thought the Israeli leaders comments were repulsive to Jews. He basically implied Jews are all Israeli first and should live their. He is implying no loyalty to their respective countries.
Also, if the Jews all would move to Israel, they would have created a "high class" ghetto behind tall walls protected by nuclear weapons. This is ridiculous. Jews belong to anywhere they want in the World. It is the World's responsibility to ensure they are safe.
Also, if the Jews all would move to Israel, they would have created a "high class" ghetto behind tall walls protected by nuclear weapons. This is ridiculous. Jews belong to anywhere they want in the World. It is the World's responsibility to ensure they are safe.
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Netanyahu wants to make Israel as central and indispensable to Jewish identity as possible, in order to bolster his Greater Israel policies. The less secure Jews feel outside of Israel the more they will immigrate to Greater Israel and bolster Jews' flagging demography. So what if they must give up any pretense of living in a liberal and democratic society in the process? This is a bit reminiscent of NRA policies intended to make people fearful of other people with guns and of the government impounding their guns--so as to sell more guns.
65
"Jews belong to anywhere they want in the World. It is the World's responsibility to ensure they are safe."
Are you familiar with the events of the 1930's and 40's? If not, read up on WWII and the Holocaust and then help me understand why any Jew would put stock in the "World" protecting them.
Are you familiar with the events of the 1930's and 40's? If not, read up on WWII and the Holocaust and then help me understand why any Jew would put stock in the "World" protecting them.
2
Netanyahu is interested in protecting Europe's Jews. Israel also took in Russian and Ethiopian Jews decades ago to protect them. Unfortunately, any history book will show that the world has not protected the Jews.
2
I doubt that Chaim Weizmann would have wanted Israel to join the EU. And we'll never know what he might have wanted as he has been gone since days of yore. Would Yitzhak Rabin and Ariel Sharon and Moshe Dayan and Menachem Begin and Golda Meir and Anwar Sadat (all of blessed memory) have wanted Israel to join the EU, too? Again, a hae me doots. The EU is a fairly crumbling structure these days - what with the zealotry of Jihadi terrorists applying their nous and violent will to execute "blasphemers" and umbelievers in the Takbir. I don't believe that Bibi Netanyahu is selling French Jews short. If I were a French Jew I'd beat feet and make haste to leave La Belle France as the German Jews tried to leave Germany in the 1930s. "Judenrein" is a hateful word, and Bernard Avishai can't count on France's "fierce Republicanism" to defeat the New Caliphate and its terrible ethos and aims. Political Zionism can't be taken into any account in any country (save Eretz Yisroel) where there are Diaspora Jews.
10
I think France remains a racist country and I cant blame its Jews for feeling insecure. At the moment France is targeting the Muslims and the Muslims take it out on the Jews, but it is conceivable that the French could make a deal where they joined the Muslims in jointly persecuting the Jews. But for the French Jews to go to Israel makes no sense at all, either morally or from the standpoint of security.
The Jews in the US are perfectly secure. Our only danger was that Americans would turn against us when they learned the truth about Zionism, but due to the explosive growth of Jewish anti-Zionist movements here that danger is certainly receding. The French Jews should come to the US, or Australia.
The Jews in the US are perfectly secure. Our only danger was that Americans would turn against us when they learned the truth about Zionism, but due to the explosive growth of Jewish anti-Zionist movements here that danger is certainly receding. The French Jews should come to the US, or Australia.
2
I think Netanyahu underestimates the quality of life Jews will have in the future in France and elsewhere, and overestimates the future quality of life in Israel.
Anti-semitism has always been partly fueled by religious intolerance, but both French Jews and non-Jews are rapidly becoming more secular. Also, anti-semitism around the world has been rising because of the manner in which Israeli Jews treat Muslim fellow citizens and stateless Muslims. Politicians have said that the situation in Israel and the lands it occupies are "not sustainable"--let's hope they are right. Progress on the Israel/Palestine problem would reduce antisemitism, now that religious differences are becoming less important.
A French Jew considering emigrating to Israel should consider the rising proportion of the population there that the haredim represent, plus the likelihood of EU boycotts and the prospect of spending much of Israel's GDP on the military for decades to come.
Anti-semitism has always been partly fueled by religious intolerance, but both French Jews and non-Jews are rapidly becoming more secular. Also, anti-semitism around the world has been rising because of the manner in which Israeli Jews treat Muslim fellow citizens and stateless Muslims. Politicians have said that the situation in Israel and the lands it occupies are "not sustainable"--let's hope they are right. Progress on the Israel/Palestine problem would reduce antisemitism, now that religious differences are becoming less important.
A French Jew considering emigrating to Israel should consider the rising proportion of the population there that the haredim represent, plus the likelihood of EU boycotts and the prospect of spending much of Israel's GDP on the military for decades to come.
43
And why are young israelis queuing to emigrate to Berlin ?
12
They are not. Totally overplayed in the never ending new antisemitism called antizionism. Even the person who started the facebook page has moved back to Israel.
But Israel is expensive, especially housing prices. Economic is why a lot of people move.
Only in the case of Israel is a normal phenomenon front page news and subject to whatever interpretation can be found to "prove" a negative about it.
But Israel is expensive, especially housing prices. Economic is why a lot of people move.
Only in the case of Israel is a normal phenomenon front page news and subject to whatever interpretation can be found to "prove" a negative about it.
1
Thank you for a fair and great article
11
It is funny how Netanyahu spins the Charles Hebdo tragedy to make it all about Israel. Israel is not fighting terrorism, It is using it's military power to maintain it's brutal occupation and dominations over the Palestinians.
Europe and the rest of the enlightened world should take a stand against Israel's state sponsored terrorism and demand freedom and justice for the Palestinians.
Europe and the rest of the enlightened world should take a stand against Israel's state sponsored terrorism and demand freedom and justice for the Palestinians.
145
Really? I suggest you read the Hamas Charter. Here is a summary.
The Hamas Covenant also known as Hamas Charter, refers to the Charter of the Hamas, issued on 18 August 1988, outlining the movement founding identity, stand, and aims.
The Charter identified Hamas as the Muslim Brotherhood in Palestine and declares its members to be Muslims who "fear God and raise the banner of Jihad in the face of the oppressors." The charter states that "our struggle against the Jews is very great and very serious" and calls for the eventual creation of an Islamic state in Palestine, in place of Israel and the Palestinian Territories, and the obliteration or dissolution of Israel.It emphasizes the importance of jihad stating in article 13, "There is no solution for the Palestinian question except through Jihad. Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are all a waste of time and vain endeavors."The charter also states that Hamas is humanistic, and tolerant of other religions as long as they "stop disputing the sovereignty of Islam in this region". The Charter adds that "renouncing any part of Palestine means renouncing part of the religion" of Islam.
The Hamas Covenant also known as Hamas Charter, refers to the Charter of the Hamas, issued on 18 August 1988, outlining the movement founding identity, stand, and aims.
The Charter identified Hamas as the Muslim Brotherhood in Palestine and declares its members to be Muslims who "fear God and raise the banner of Jihad in the face of the oppressors." The charter states that "our struggle against the Jews is very great and very serious" and calls for the eventual creation of an Islamic state in Palestine, in place of Israel and the Palestinian Territories, and the obliteration or dissolution of Israel.It emphasizes the importance of jihad stating in article 13, "There is no solution for the Palestinian question except through Jihad. Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are all a waste of time and vain endeavors."The charter also states that Hamas is humanistic, and tolerant of other religions as long as they "stop disputing the sovereignty of Islam in this region". The Charter adds that "renouncing any part of Palestine means renouncing part of the religion" of Islam.
1
"What of French Jews who justly feel themselves a part of French civil society? Would they not be lost .. under its Orthodox religious hierarchy?"
What of the German Jews who justly felt themselves a part of the German civil society in the 1930's? Had the "imperfect" State of Israel you describe existed at the time, do you think the Jews who ultimately were unable to emigrate would have chosen Dachau, Buchenwald, Majdanek and Auscwitzz-Birkenau over "imperfection?"
What of the German Jews who justly felt themselves a part of the German civil society in the 1930's? Had the "imperfect" State of Israel you describe existed at the time, do you think the Jews who ultimately were unable to emigrate would have chosen Dachau, Buchenwald, Majdanek and Auscwitzz-Birkenau over "imperfection?"
24
A little bit hyperbolic, perhaps. But I suppose hyperbole in the service of Greater Israel is no vice.
9
What a laughable comparison to 1930s Germany.
The French leadership has condemned over, and over, and over, all forms of anti-semitism and anti-semitic violence. There is no institutional racism against Jews on a political and cultural level.
The anti-semitism seen in France is mostly harbored by Islamic terrorists, who would also like to see the extermination of Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Atheists, and moderate Muslims. Their enemies are *everyone* except ultra-radical Muslims.
Your hyperbole results in the same consequence as Netanyahu's: eye-rolls from the rest of the world, and a total loss of credibility.
The French leadership has condemned over, and over, and over, all forms of anti-semitism and anti-semitic violence. There is no institutional racism against Jews on a political and cultural level.
The anti-semitism seen in France is mostly harbored by Islamic terrorists, who would also like to see the extermination of Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Atheists, and moderate Muslims. Their enemies are *everyone* except ultra-radical Muslims.
Your hyperbole results in the same consequence as Netanyahu's: eye-rolls from the rest of the world, and a total loss of credibility.
56
Let's remember that the British kept the gates of Palestine closed to Jewish refugees from Europe, except for a very few and the US was not much better.
No, my late father-in-law would not have spent 6 years in German concentration camps if he could have left Germany for an existing State of Israel.
Ironically he later did get both to the US and Israel, too bad it took the Holocaust to enable that.
No, my late father-in-law would not have spent 6 years in German concentration camps if he could have left Germany for an existing State of Israel.
Ironically he later did get both to the US and Israel, too bad it took the Holocaust to enable that.
24
Islamic hatred was not born in 1967.
23
Luckily Mr. Google has told me this article is just more of the same from Mr. Avishai who has written extensively about the failure or evil of Israel, "settlers" and "the occupation" and of course the "expulsion." His main idea seems to be that the emigration of French Jews (if they choose to flee being Islamist targets) is bad because...more Jews in Israel is bad, or something. I do wonder if any of the French Jews who " justly feel themselves a part of French civil society" were killed in the kosher market; or in Toulouse; or were in that synagogue when attacked by a vicious mob last summer; or were shot at in restaurants; or spit upon in the streets (a daily occurrence), or were attacked and tortured for days like Mr. Halimi was in 2013 just for being Jewish. Probably not.
22