The new anti-semitism - same as the old anti-semitism

There's a new anti-semitism according to Denis MacShane in the Washington Post who says, "Hatred of Jews has reached new heights in Europe and many points south and east of the old continent." I agree with that. Here's the situation:

Our report showed a pattern of fear among a small number of British citizens -- there are around 300,000 Jews in Britain, of whom about a third are observant -- that is not acceptable in a modern democracy. Synagogues attacked. Jewish schoolboys jostled on public transportation. Rabbis punched and knifed. British Jews feeling compelled to raise millions to provide private security for their weddings and community events. On campuses, militant anti-Jewish students fueled by Islamist or far-left hate seeking to prevent Jewish students from expressing their opinions.

More worrisome was what we described as anti-Jewish discourse, a mood and tone whenever Jews are discussed, whether in the media, at universities, among the liberal media elite or at dinner parties of modish London. To express any support for Israel or any feeling for the right of a Jewish state to exist produces denunciation, even contempt.

Nothing about that really sounds new or different. Jews have always been persecuted, hated, and yes, murdered. But here is the difference as Mr. MacShane sees it:

The old anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism have morphed into something more dangerous. Anti-Semitism today is officially sanctioned state ideology and is being turned into a mobilizing and organizing force to recruit thousands in a new crusade -- the word is chosen deliberately -- to eradicate Jewishness from the region whence it came and to weaken and undermine all the humanist values of rule of law, tolerance and respect for core rights such as free expression that Jews have fought for over time. (read it all here)

Is that really new? Is it? I'm asking, because I personally don't see it as something new and different. People are simply bolder, more outspoken about their racism and hatred these days. With internet, mass media, and other forms of communication -- news travels quickly. For example, Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad can say Israel should be wiped off the map, and within seconds anyone in the world with a television or internet connection hears his comments. Hatred of Israel is simply out of the closet and in the high speed world we live in. Just my opinion, I welcome yours.

Related: Jay Tea at Wizbang says, "I'd like to see the next prominent politician who says we ought to establish relations with Hamas nominated to be the US ambassador to them." Touche'!

See "Reformed Jewish Leaders?..Shame on YoU" at Woman Honor Thyself.

From Martin at Blogbat, WAC Promoting Moral Equivalency on 9/11?

On September 11, the World Affairs Council will be screening a film some might consider sympathetic to terrorists.

The HBO-produced documentary about the Arab-Israeli conflict titled, “To Die in Jerusalem” essentially seems to be another propaganda flick for the cause of moral equivalency; the ostensibly non-partisan World Affairs Council seemingly ready make that cause relevant to Americans by promoting it on the sixth anniversary of 9/11. (Go read it all)

Other reading:
Petraeus To Recommend Troop Reduction, Stop the ACLU
Is Nigger OK in Certain Parts, Whoopi?, Big Dog's Weblog
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Comments

[Rebeccah]

That link "Loree" provides at the bottom of her comment is to one of those white supremacist groups. How can she do that with a straight face?

I believe that anti-semitism is definitely on the rise. The myths of Hitler's day about the Jews are making their rounds and being repeated.

I guess I'm going to have to jump into that forum. Reading some of the other comments, it seems to be that half of the people there agree with the sentiments of the Loree person.

Thank you for your response.

Becca

[Debbie]

I'm afraid I don't have much advice for you. Interesting link you provided. It's very frustrating. Each individual must stand up for what is right and speak out loudly. We all do our small part.

[Rebeccah Goldman]

What can we do to combat the sneaky insinuations of witches like this?

http://fray.slate.com/discuss/forums/post/278097.aspx

Scroll down, and you'll read that she's using circular reasoning, while claiming that our forefathers hated Jews.

I see where another woman tried to speak out against her but no one there seems to care.

http://fray.slate.com/discuss/forums/post/320852.aspx

In fact, it looks as though the Jew-Haters been engaging in some character assassination whenever someone has disagreed with them.

Before I jump into that mess, I would love some advice.

[Faultline USA]

Excellent article and questions. It’s been less than 65 years since the Holocaust and now we see the resurgence of world-wide anti-Semitism. It appears to be the marriage of moral degeneracy and instant communication, but that’s just another of many explanations. Let no one try to tell me about how much we humans have evolved! Evil is Evil!

[Debbie]

Kip Watson: No, I don't think you are an anti-semite or Nazi. I agree with some of your comments and disagree with others. You say Jews are some of the biggest bigots. You could be right.

There are bigots in all races, religions, cultural groups, whatever.

But this particular article was about a NEW kind of anti-semitism. My comment was that I don't see it. I don't see any kind of new anti-semitism. In another article we could discuss the other forms of bigotry.

Thanks for the comment and come back again.

[Kip Watson]

First of all, it isn't anti-semitic to be prejudiced against Jews. Anti-semitism describes a fiendish policy to persecute and eliminate Jews, not simple bigotry. Many cultures dislike each other. Frankly, people are entitled to their bigotries.

Assaulting Jews could be described a form of anti-semitism (only just). Criticising them is not.

Because, in truth, the Jews are some of the worst bigots of all. Over many generations, many Jews have developed an unexamined contempt for the cultures and values of their hosts. This lies behind everything from the ACLU's attempts to suppress Christianity, to the Hollywood disregard for traditional morality, even the classic stereotypical Jewish avarice (which is not universal, of course, but it is common), fueled as it is by the belief that members of the host society are owed no charity.

It's not a racial characteristic, it's not a conspiracy, it's just Jewish bigotry. Different from the bigotry of Anglo-Saxon society only in that Anglo-Saxons have spent recent generations examining this flaw in our natures and generally speaking the Jews have not. For that matter, not have any of the other cultures of the world, many equally bigoted.

Of course, for even uttering such things, you will no doubt say that I am an anti-semite (a Nazi even?). Actually, I'm not, I even support Israel 100% (not that you will believe that). But think about this: in a world where whites, blacks, Frenchmen, Chinamen, Arabs, Muslims, Christians and others all tolerate (begrudgingly in some cases) criticism and condemnation of their creeds and cultures, why are similar remarks about Jews evidence of deep racial hatred?

[Stormwarning]

Anti-semitism. Same problem, different times...re-packaged? Same result.