Difference between revisions of "Anti-Semitism"
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Anti-Semitism (or antisemitism) is discrimination or hatred of [[Jews]]. Anti-Semitism has had a huge role in history. Jews have proven to be a convenient [[scapegoat]] for dictators and conspiracy theorists. | Anti-Semitism (or antisemitism) is discrimination or hatred of [[Jews]]. Anti-Semitism has had a huge role in history. Jews have proven to be a convenient [[scapegoat]] for dictators and conspiracy theorists. | ||
| − | == | + | ==Blood Libels== |
| − | One of the oldest instances of anti-Semitic claims was made in the first century AD by | + | One of the oldest instances of anti-Semitic claims was made in the first century AD by Apion who claimed Jews sacrificed Greeks in their temple in a ritual known as a blood libel. Christianity later brought this up again in England in 1144, after William of Norwich was found murdered. William was called a martyr and created a second wave of anti-antisemitism, this time in Europe. It was mostly popularized with the story of Little Saint Hugh of Lincoln, and was even present in the Canterbury Tales. This continued on for many centuries until modern times. This blood libel accusation has survived the centuries and is today seen in Muslim anti-Semitic propaganda. |
==Modern anti-Semitism== | ==Modern anti-Semitism== | ||
| − | + | Anti-semitism is evident by radicals on both ends of the political spectrum. Conspiracy theorists on the left have been known to use Jews as a cause of problems.<ref>[http://newint.org/features/2004/10/01/conspiracism/ ''Zog ate my brains''], Chip Berlet, New Internationalist, October 2004.</ref>, whereas leaders on the religious right have been known to be openly anti-semitic, namely Jerry Falwell. <ref>http://www.sullivan-county.com/id3/right_jews.htm</ref> | |
==The Iraq War== | ==The Iraq War== | ||
Revision as of 01:53, April 2, 2007
Anti-Semitism (or antisemitism) is discrimination or hatred of Jews. Anti-Semitism has had a huge role in history. Jews have proven to be a convenient scapegoat for dictators and conspiracy theorists.
Blood Libels
One of the oldest instances of anti-Semitic claims was made in the first century AD by Apion who claimed Jews sacrificed Greeks in their temple in a ritual known as a blood libel. Christianity later brought this up again in England in 1144, after William of Norwich was found murdered. William was called a martyr and created a second wave of anti-antisemitism, this time in Europe. It was mostly popularized with the story of Little Saint Hugh of Lincoln, and was even present in the Canterbury Tales. This continued on for many centuries until modern times. This blood libel accusation has survived the centuries and is today seen in Muslim anti-Semitic propaganda.
Modern anti-Semitism
Anti-semitism is evident by radicals on both ends of the political spectrum. Conspiracy theorists on the left have been known to use Jews as a cause of problems.[1], whereas leaders on the religious right have been known to be openly anti-semitic, namely Jerry Falwell. [2]
The Iraq War
Democratic Senator Ernest Hollings criticized the Bush Andministration in 2004 when he said,
- "Israel long since would have taken us to the weapons of mass destruction if there were any or if they had been removed. With Iraq no threat, why invade a sovereign country? The answer: President Bush's policy to secure Israel.
- "Led by Wolfowitz, Richard Perle and Charles Krauthammer, for years there has been a domino school of thought that the way to guarantee Israel's security is to spread democracy in the area. [3]
Abraham H. Foxman, National Director of the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith responded to Sen. Hollings remarks publicly by stating,
- "when the debate veers into anti-Jewish stereotyping, it is tantamount to scapegoating and an appeal to ethnic hatred...Regardless of whether one feels that America's war on Iraq was justified, the charge that it is being fought by the U.S. on behalf of Israel grossly misrepresents the legitimate U.S. interests that are involved in the debate."[4]
References
- ↑ Zog ate my brains, Chip Berlet, New Internationalist, October 2004.
- ↑ http://www.sullivan-county.com/id3/right_jews.htm
- ↑ Bush's failed Mideast policy is creating more terrorism, U.S. Senator Ernest F. Hollings, Charleston Post and Courier, 6 May 2004.
- ↑ Anti-Semitism: USA, ADL Urges Senator Hollings to Disavow Statements on Jews and the Iraq War, ADL Press Release, New York, 14 May 2004.