John Chuckman
COMMENT POSTED TO AN ARTICLE BY JONATHAN COOK IN THE UNZ REVIEW
“Even with Corbyn Gone, Antisemitism Threats Will Keep Destroying the UK Labour Party”
My view of anti-Semitism is that it represents superstition, and of course we know some superstitions can be very powerful, can promote violence, and can even be contagious in their nature.
Just look at clashing beliefs (superstitious, all of them) in various religions.
In quite a number of cases, they have provoked violence. Early Protestant versus Catholic in Europe. Shia versus Sunni in various countries of the Middle East. Ultra-orthodox Jews verses some other Jews in Israel and in America. Hindus versus Muslims in India. Native Animism in many lands versus Christian newcomers.
And that is a major reason why it is completely wrong to conflate anti-Semitism with criticism of Israel.
You cannot compare a personal superstition with ethical criticism of a heavily armed state.
Criticizing Israel’s bloody excesses reflects our best Western liberal traditions of respect for human and democratic rights, the dignity of all people, and the rule of law.
And that is about as far from superstition as you can go.
That also is why liberals in general are so hated in Israel.
