Are a few people here anti-Israel?

[jiacinto]

I hate to ask this question because usually I've tried to avoid the contetnious I/P debates. But I do see a lot of hostility toward Israel here and it really makes me feel uncomfortable.

I don't want to start a flame war, but I am wondering if anyone else feels uncomfortable by the increasing anti-Israeli sentiment here.

[cosmicdot]

1. shouldn't this be in Foreign Affairs forum? n/t

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. I'm Jewish and I am ANTI-SHARON

and by way of reference I am ANTI- Israel's current policies.

I am not against Israel's existance which is the only qualification that would make one anti-Israel.

Saying one is anti-Israel for criticizing Israel's policies is as much an ad hominem as saying one is anti-American for criticizing America's policies where one disagrees.

[JohnKleeb]

5. I agree with you NSMA

That is so being against Israel's existance is anti-Israel. I didnt know you were Jewish though, I would like a fairhanded approach to Israel/Palestine not one that will overwhelmingly favor the other. I am Catholic btw, so I am not gonna have the pro Israeli fundy bias. BTW Kucinich who favors an even headed approach, has a Jewish girlfriend.

[Darranar]

11. I agree completely...

nothingshocksmeanymore. Taht's my stance as well-even the religion's the same.

[Maple]

3. There are 2 countries involved in the dispute

Israel and Palestine.

You can want a viable country for Palestinians, and an end to the hostilities without being anti-Israel.

However, since Israel has jets, tanks...even nukes, and the Palestinians have nothing but bombs tied on volunteers....Israel is often seen as the bully and the aggressor, yes.

If you read Israeli newspapers, you'd know many Israelis don't like their country's methods either.

[liberalhistorian]

10. Then why do they keep voting for Sharon and his ilk,

especially since things have only gotten worse on his watch, with his policies?

[JanMichael]

4. I'm anti-Repression, period.

Regardless who does it.

Personally I think Sharon is a monster so I do oppose the Israeli government.

[jonnyblitz]

6. i am anti any country that oppresses a people . n/t

[Kellanved]

7. Without going into details: I'm pro Israel

I'm biased (I have quite a few relatives in Israel), so pleae don't flame me .
I don't like Sharon (Rabin was one of the greatest Statesmen ever IMHO), but I feel, that Israel is blamed too much for the current situaton. The neighbouring nations (with a few notable exceptions), not allowing Paletstines to immigrate, aren't innocent in letting the conflict escalate either.

[unfrigginreal]

8. I am Jiacinto...

and I never was prior to the election of Sharon. There is no question in my mind that the Sharon government is just as if not further right wing than the Bush government. The thing that bothers me most is that he has broad support from Israelis AND also broad support from American Jews! Try finding an American Jew that doesn't think that Sharon is doing a good thing for Israel...giving them security(cough)!

[Darranar]

12. Here's one...

unfrigginreal. Here's an American Jew who thinks Sharon is ruining Israel. (That would be myself, in case you're confused.)

[Tinoire]

13. Perceived "broad support from American Jews & Israelis"

It is all PERCEIVED.

George Bush has an approval rating of 61% remember? Media manipulation and nothing more. Don't fall for it. Do your own goodles on the American Jewish and Isreali peace groups who are just as appalled as you are, no more appalled because it's the good name of their religion being dragged through the mud for this.

Don't believe the hype.

[Kolesar]

9. The way I feel about Israel is about the way I feel about 1800s America

Do you remember 19th century America? The nation that took half of Mexico out of pique and then went on to destroy the Native American culture through mass genocide. There were Americans who objected to what was happening, like Henry David Thoreau, but not enough Americans cared enough to stop the conquest.

Israel still has time to turn back from the course they are on, but not much time.

[Lithos]

14. Locking

Not based on a recent news or op-ed article.

Lithos
FA/NS Moderator
Democratic Underground

[vierundzwanzig]

15. I'm personally for the right of

life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. I am against what limits people's rights to free speech, assembly, religion.

I am personally all for the stuff in the constitution and Bill of Rights. I think these are universal values.

I am also anti-Apartheid.

Taking all of this together I would consider myself strongly against-Israeli-policies-since-its-inception.

But you can't punish someone for the sins of their fathers. Just because Ben Gurion was by all modern definition a terrorist can't make me judge the many good Israelis that are highly critical of their governments inhumane policies. But these policies have gone on since 1948 so one must oneself how sincere these people are that are ruled by what seems like injustice itself.

I don't know - what is that - anti-Israel? To say that the land it was established on belonged to someone else that was either tricked or driven from it? To call it Palestine instead of Israel? To call it a country with imperialist tendencies, full of weapons of mass destruction, a brutal, oppressive regime? To call it a country that has more U.N. strikes against it than even Iraq?

I would say there is something fundamentally wrong with that country. (fundamentally as in 'the foundations of').