Comments on: The Haman Archetype Lives On http://rabbimichaelsamuel.com/2010/02/the-haman-archetype-lives-on/ Unorthodox Jewish reflections on the issues of our day Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:27:30 +0000 hourly 1 By: admin http://rabbimichaelsamuel.com/2010/02/the-haman-archetype-lives-on/comment-page-1/#comment-194 admin Sun, 28 Feb 2010 13:57:05 +0000 http://rabbimichaelsamuel.com/?p=4245#comment-194 Of course! Israel is not beyond criticism--but that applies especially to the Palestinians. Israelis always engage in self-critiquing and introspective debates. The Palestinians seldom ever look at themselves with any kind introspective reflection--and the Western world completely enables this kind of cynical behavior, giving them a free-pass. Personally, I think the easing of checkpoints in the West Bank has contributed greatly to the Palestinian economic revival. The rhetoric that is still heard is as Nazi-esque as it has ever been, but things are improving. Hamastan? Oy ... Blame Iran their tragedy. Of course! Israel is not beyond criticism–but that applies especially to the Palestinians. Israelis always engage in self-critiquing and introspective debates. The Palestinians seldom ever look at themselves with any kind introspective reflection–and the Western world completely enables this kind of cynical behavior, giving them a free-pass.

Personally, I think the easing of checkpoints in the West Bank has contributed greatly to the Palestinian economic revival. The rhetoric that is still heard is as Nazi-esque as it has ever been, but things are improving.

Hamastan? Oy … Blame Iran their tragedy.

]]> By: Marika http://rabbimichaelsamuel.com/2010/02/the-haman-archetype-lives-on/comment-page-1/#comment-192 Marika Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:42:28 +0000 http://rabbimichaelsamuel.com/?p=4245#comment-192 But surely it's possible to criticise Israel without being anti-Semitic? Surely it's possible to argue for a Palestinian state without being anti-Semitic? When Israel was first founded, plenty of Orthodox Jews opposed the Zionist movement and the idea of a nation state for Israel - were they anti-Semitic? I agree that there's a real risk of smuggling in anti-Semitism under the guise of anti-Zionism, but isn't there also a risk of shutting down important political debates by accusing anyone who is critical of of Israel of anti-Semitism? But surely it’s possible to criticise Israel without being anti-Semitic? Surely it’s possible to argue for a Palestinian state without being anti-Semitic? When Israel was first founded, plenty of Orthodox Jews opposed the Zionist movement and the idea of a nation state for Israel – were they anti-Semitic? I agree that there’s a real risk of smuggling in anti-Semitism under the guise of anti-Zionism, but isn’t there also a risk of shutting down important political debates by accusing anyone who is critical of of Israel of anti-Semitism?

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