Opposing genocide in Gaza is not antisemitism
JVL Introduction
In the days before Holocaust Memorial Day 2024, which has the theme “the Fragility of Freedom”, we are pleased to publish this powerful piece from Aotearoa New Zealand. In it Marilyn Garson questions why so many Jewish institutions fail to stand against what is happening in Gaza; that, like the UK Chief Rabbi, object, even to the term genocide being applied as though the word should be reserved by the murderous Nazis and their supporters.
As we watch the genocide in Gaza unfold before our eyes, millions and millions of people do understand what “never again” means; we can look at the size and persistence of the demonstrations and the direct support, often against the odds such as the Egyptians who are taking generators and long cables to their border with Gaza. But the question remains, what has been learned by our governments and by our Jewish Institutions?
Garson says: “When ceasefire is equated with genocide or when the very sight of Palestinian protest is unbearably triggering, the speaker is making their own fragility the point of their statement. They are speaking of their own intolerance. We ask, what is the matter with you that you equate the cessation of violence with the very worst form of violence?” Such an approach, she argues, robs the term of antisemitism of its true meaning and leaves us all vulnerable to the threats of the Far Right on our freedoms and those of others. Freedom is, indeed, a very fragile thing.
LL
This article was originally published by Sh'ma Koleinu – Alternative Jewish Voices (NZ) on Thu 18 Jan 2024. Read the original here.
The language of protest and the lessons of memory
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This is superficial. Hamas is a rightwing reactionary organisation. It is deeply sexist and male dominatory. In parallel it is utterly homophobic. We must defend the sexist Hamas unconditionally against the Ziono-Nazis and imperialism whilst at the same time exposing its reactionary content. Revolutionaries must always tell it as it is.
Howard Voris.
Do Western, initially American, conceptions and definitions of ‘sexism’ have much relevance here? Aren’t we in danger of falling in behind the American (Democrat) aggressive export of a perceived superior culture. Is it any of our business really? What are the underlying motives for Western interference in other peoples’ affairs?
The numbers speak. How many years have the Palestinians been subjected to assault in every way by the Israeli actions? How many Palestinians have been killed maimed or injured? Apply that to Israelis ! Lies, deceitful arguments speak in a sick way and the world of normal humanity see it and are protesting . Read ‘Killing Hope’ by an independent US lawyer, William Blum, to ss the US for what it is ! Why has Blum not been imprisoned or taken to court?
How much military weaponry has the US, since 1999, supplied to Israel – £100 billion ?