The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #67315   Message #1124155
Posted By: Wolfgang
26-Feb-04 - 04:32 AM
Thread Name: BS: Anti-Semitism & The Left
Subject: RE: BS: Anti-Semitism & The Left
That's an interesting article though there are some arguments or formulations I do not agree with. Two examples:

(1) A formulation: The choice of the word 'migration' (from the right to the left) is very unfortunate. Something that migrates leaves the old place. 'Spreading' is a much better word. The left in several countries adopts anti-semitism but the right doesn't give it up.

(2) The argument anti-semitism = anti-zionism is put in such a blunt way that the author of the article cab be read as meaning that any criticism of Israel's politics could be seen as anti-semitism. I do not believe the author means that but he comes dangerously close to this type of argumentation.

The examples in the article are cleverly selected to bolster the intended impression.

However, the main argument sadly is true: Anti-semitism, disguised, unintentional, or even open, has become acceptable in the more extreme parts of the (European) left. I restrict myself to this continent, for I do not know enough about others.

We had at least two other threads about that theme, one for instance starting from an article by Pilar Rahola (easy to find in a search if you care).

In several European countries with sizable Arab minorities (France, in particular) physical attacks on Jews by Arabs are increasing. The Arabs in these countries are, let there be no doubt about it, on the lowest steps of the social ladder, exploited by the white majority, with little chance to get a job with a decent wage or a job at all, with little acceptance of their different culture. The left as usual, good on them, stand by the underpriviledged people with a different culture. The underpriviledge take their rage and fury, the origions of which are understandable, towards another small minority, though mostly not underpriviledged, and try to win a war in the host country which they consider they lose in their countries of origin. The left, apprehensive of the origins of the rage, go too far in endorsing the ways in which very few Arabs living in Europe find an outlet for their feelings.

Being on the side of the underpriviledged and against the oppressors it seems now natural to support the fight against Israel. Some easily forget that a small minority in a large region (Jews) once has been supported by the left in their fight for separation and independence.

In Germany, open anti-semitism is still restricted to the right (for bad historical reasons). When e chairman of the Greens once made anti-semitic remarks he had to resign within a few days. But, on the other hand, this very man is the only Green candidate to win his constituency (the others come into the parliament by proportional representation). So, at least, anti-semitic remarks don't make a left candidate uneligible.

Wolfgang