U.S. and Jewish Groups Call for U.N. Investigator to Resign over Anti-Semitism

[King_David]

Richard Falk asked to resign over cartoon posted on his blog.

The Obama Administration, and several American Jewish groups called for the resignation of U.N. Special Rapporteur for the Palestinian territories, Richard Falk, after he posted an “overtly anti-Semitic” cartoon on his blog.

The aforementioned cartoon depicts a dog clad in a yarmulke marked with a Star of David, and a body-warmer emblazoned with USA, urinating on Lady Justice whilst she obliviously holds its leash.

The cartoon was apparently in response to the International Criminal Court’s indictment of Muammar Gaddafi for crimes against humanity.

"I am deeply disturbed that once again U.N. Special Rapporteur Richard Falk has used his personal blog to publish abhorrent material. His shameful and outrageous behavior is an embarrassment to the United Nations. Someone who publishes such vicious images has no place in the U.N. system. His shameful and outrageous behavior is an embarrassment to the United Nations. Someone who publishes such vicious images has no place in the U.N. system. We reiterate our call for him to step down,” stated Joseph Torsella, the U.S. representative for management and reform to the United Nations.



http://www.shalomlife.com/news/15539/us-and-jewish-groups-call-for-un-investigator-to-resign-over-anti-semitism/#

[TomClash]

1. From Dr. Falk

"With apologies, I realize that the cartoon that originally appeared on my blog devoted to the arrest warrants for Qaddafi and two others issued by the ICC had strongly anti-semitic symbolism that I had not detected before it was pointed out to me. I posted the cartoon to express my view that double standards pertained to the American and ICC approach to international criminal accountability. As soon as I was made aware of the anti-semitic content of the cartoon I removed it from my blog, although initially I denied such a posting because I did not realize that it was anti-semitic and was mistaken as to what was being referred to. My intention has never been to demean in any way Jews as a people despite my strong criticisms of Israeli policies, and some versions of Zionist support. My interest and commitment has always been directed at finding a just and sustainable peace for both peoples, although I believe that this must be based on a belated recognition of Palestinian rights, and not on power relationships."

http://richardfalk.wordpress.com/

[oberliner]

2. Doesn't sound like he's planning to resign

I have a feeling he won't.

[azurnoir]

3. Tell us please how could one represent Israel in an easily

recognizable manner for the purposes of a political cartoon that could not be called anti-Semitic?

[oberliner]

4. A dog wearing a yarmulke chewing on human bones

That's probably the easiest and most recognizable way to represent Israel in a political cartoon without being antisemitic.

Plus having the dog wear a shirt that says "USA" on it.

[shira]

8. Someone like Falk who cannot recognize vile antisemitism shouldn't be viewed as a credible...

...critic of Israeli policy.

This isn't rocket science.

[azurnoir]

9. so using the symbol on Israel's flag equates to anti-Semitism

but a kippah is not? hmmm

[shira]

10. Both are. Obie was being sarcastic. n/t

[azurnoir]

11. or nonsensical but he did not then answer my question did he

so can we take it that there is not anyway to depict Israel in a cartoon that is not anti-sSemitic? or that it was simply a way to kick this thread, which is what I suspected ?

[shira]

12. So how do you depict Israel in a cartoon by including Israel's non-Jews in the equation? n/t

[azurnoir]

13. Israel's flag represents ALL Israelis doesn't it? n/t

[shira]

14. What do you think? n/t

[azurnoir]

15. I would think my answer would be obvious by not only the comment

your replying to but also a concurrent 'discussion' we're having on another thread, but your attempt at dodging the question also speaks volumes

[shira]

16. So when you see the Israeli flag, you see all Israel and not just Jews?

Listen, I don't think using the Israeli flag is in itself antisemitic, but the blood libel involved WRT the cartoon Falk posted is definitely antisemitic, whether the dog had a yarmulke or a flag around him.

[azurnoir]

17. When see the Israeli flag I think Israel not Jew or nonJew

to be very honest that has never really been a consideration for me up until recently due to posts and discussions such as this one

so it's 'blood libel' because it as critical of Israel or because of the exact illustration, I note no one seems to have a problem with the US being depicted in this manner, a double standard perhaps?

[shira]

18. Yes, it's a blood libel...

Senseless and deliberate Jewish savagery against their alleged victims is the very definition of the term.

[azurnoir]

19. an opinion is blood libel? the use of term IMO renders it meaningless

I think most know or should know where the term 'blood libel' comes from it was an obvious slander, this was a political opinion not stated fact as most political cartoons are it may have been bad taste but that is all IMO the 'Star of David' is the symbol on Israel's flag and there for for most people the most easily way of signifying Israel.

[shira]

20. The opinion that Jews by nature murder innocents is the very definition of blood libel.

I imagine you'd have no problem crying bigotry if instead of a yarmulke, the dog had a symbol on it identifying it with Muslims.

[azurnoir]

22. But once again the Star of David represents Israel in this case

at least any reasonable person would believe IMO, not as you and others attempt to foist off on us all Jews everywhere, the dog as you will recall also had symbols from the American flag on it too, which backs up the Star of David in this case means Israel

[shira]

23. So you don't think the cartoon was antisemitic? Not surprising considering the sign in Petra...

...saying "No dogs, No Israelis allowed" didn't appear antisemitic to you either. Of course, "No dogs, No Palestinians allowed" in Israel wouldn't give you cause for thinking that's bigotry either....

:eyes:

[Shaktimaan]

28. Are you serious?

That's like asking if Obama could be represented in a way that isn't racist.

Just because so many cartoons depicting Israel are anti-semitic you should not assume that every one would automatically be considered as such. There's nothing wrong with using the Israeli flag. But it helps to bear in mind that if it is paired with referenced to nazism, world domination, or blood libels then there is probably a reason for that.

Likewise, if you see Obama paired with references to watermelon, fried chicken or a zulu shield and spear there is probably some kind of racism at hand.

This is not exactly rocket surgery.

[azurnoir]

30. no it's not rocket science at all it's faux outrage

pure and simple and what makes it most telling is that as I pointed out the American flag is also depicted and not a squeak not a whisper as to that

this is not the first time I've this pathology used here, it insulted Israel and America nothing more nothing less , it was not blatant antisemitism nor did imply all Jews only Israel which when convenient and ONLY when convenient it will be pointed out has nonJews in it's population by the people here that will shrilly cry that any slight to Israel is antisemitism blood libel......
That very fact the very selective outrage speaks volumes

[King_David]

5. Some 'Expert'

'I did not realize that it was anti-semitic '




(I do not believe him)

[TomClash]

6. He's an expert

He's also jewish.

Falk described his family background as "assimilationist Jewish with a virtual denial of even the ethnic side of Jewishness",<2> and more recently described himself as "an American Jew".

Falk obtained a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, a Bachelor of Laws from Yale University, and a Doctor of Laws (SJD) from Harvard University. He is Albert G. Milbank Professor of International Law and Practice, Emeritus at Princeton University, and was Visiting Distinguished Professor in Global and International Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara (2001–04). He retired from teaching in 2001.

Falk has published a number of books and essays analyzing the legality of the Vietnam War and other military operations. With regard to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, he wrote that it is "inescapable that an objective observer would reach the conclusion that this Iraq War is a war of aggression, and as such, that it amounts to a Crime against Peace of the sort for which surviving German leaders were indicted, prosecuted and punished at the Nuremberg trials conducted shortly after the Second World War."

He is a member of the Editorial Boards of The Nation and The Progressive, and Chair of the Board of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation. He is a former advisory board member of the World Federalist Institute and the American Movement for World Government. He is Distinguished Visiting Professor in Global & International Studies, University of California at Santa Barbara.

During 1999–2000, Falk worked on the Independent International Commission on Kosovo.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_A._Falk

[shira]

7. He's a piece of shit who cannot be defended

Here's how he handled this situation...
http://blog.unwatch.org/index.php/2011/07/06/uns-falk-denies-posting-anti-semitic-cartoon-then-deletes-it/

Still not seeing a problem there?

[King_David]

21. An Expert that does not know what antisemitism is?

And that is his field of expertise?

Some expert !!

[TomClash]

24. His field of expertise is obvious

Read his bio.

The odious ADL is using this episode to place a more pliable supplicant at the service of the Mossad. It is even more disgusting than the cartoon.

[King_David]

25. Sorry if someone can not see how disgusting

This POS and his antisemitic mind set is ,it speaks volumes of that person.

[TomClash]

26. Some people don't have an objective view

But rather reflexively take the side of their race/religion/ethnicity.

There's a word for that.

Oh, by the way, I guess you didn't catch the part where I called the cartoon disgusting.

[Shaktimaan]

29. the mossad?

what are you talking about? what mossad actions was falk even investigating?

[Shaktimaan]

27. Very telling.

I think it says a lot about Richard Falk if he was unable to detect any anti-semitism in this cartoon without being alerted to it. In particular I think it speaks rather loudly as to how someone who considers himself steeped in the politics of the conflict (and is hopefully not completely ignorant of the history of either the Jews or the Palestinians), can make an overtly anti-semitic statement without considering himself anti-semitic, (or even biased for that matter.)

So many people defend the biased and anti-semitic politics of people on the basis that they don't hate Jews and are thus, not anti-semitic. (By extension we are to infer that their anti-semitic opinions are otherwise non-bigoted as well.)

In this case it is rather laughable though to accept this defense of its face. We are faced with one of two equally unacceptable explanations. That Dr. Falk is anti-semitic, and is merely lying now to cover his ass. Or that he knows very little about the history of at least one of the groups he is responsible for investigating, to the point where he posts bigotry against them unknowingly. At the very least we can accept that he is somewhat biased by his beliefs. All of which make him quite unqualified for the position he holds.

[cali]

31. Really? Not detected?

Perhaps he's too stupid to serve.