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HP's avatar

This is a great list, but it assumes that those who criticize Israel the loudest actually want to be critical yet not antisemitic. Frankly I assume the opposite.

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Kari Tuovinen's avatar

Why criticize? Doesn't every country have its problems, every country has groups that operate outside of its officially announced policy against its own policy, why should Israel be criticized separately, and what should be criticized? Hasn't Russia taught enough yet? Is there really nothing to praise? Israel is at war against terrorism, every dater understands that there are casualties in war, when nowadays wars are not fought far from cities, they are aimed at cities. If Israel had waged war like Russia, the entire population of Gaza would have died in greater numbers than now. Russia doesn't say where it will strike, let alone warn of the consequences. Two different wars, and Israel gets my pacifist sympathies, and I don't criticize. We in Finland have our own problems, led by an incompetent parliament. But that belongs to democracy.

I'm not criticizing the parliament, it got a mandate through an election, and that's fine, it doesn't change my perception of competence. Blessings to all who work for Israel, in the "fight" against lies.

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kayla's avatar

uhmmmm okay. giving any credence to the idea that the state of Israel has anti colonialist roots is wild. I won't argue Jews aren't native to the land we're calling Israel. sure. whatever. yeah. there's a diaspora. but should those people be allowed to displace and murder the people that have been living on that same land for hundreds of years? do we look at liberia the same way we do Israel? having ancestral roots doesnt excuse genocide.

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Jewish Grandmother's avatar

Thanks for the clarity on so many facets of the current onslaught. This should be required reading for every journalist, commentator, media executive, university professor, . . . the list goes on. It is a perfect tool for self-examination if a person really wants to understand their own motivation to take sides against Israel, the country and/or Israel, the people.

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Steven Brizel's avatar

This is an excellent primer on how to respond to anti Semitism but the best response is that of knowledge as a proud committed Jew

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CI Carlson's avatar

Jews are THE indigenous people of Palestine? Hard pass on your advice. Also that ship about Zionism being nice has sailed. There’s too much evidence for it being a white settler project.

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Mr. Ala's avatar

I do recognize that Israelis and Palestinian( Arab)s are both real people; but I don’t recognize that those are both real nationalities.

Israeli is a real nationality. That should not have been difficult to guess.

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Dana Ramos's avatar

Well, great article, but it won't be followed by the pro-terrorists (and the media and the UN) because it removes ALL their false talking points. Literally, all of them that I can think of.

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Richard Hacker's avatar

Criticize Israel? Not from me.

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Stephen Shaiken's avatar

Excellent explanation of what is fair and legitimate criticism and what is not. Thanks!

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Pablo Naboso's avatar

Your post, on a difficult topic (in difficult times) is one of very rare examples of stating your position firmly, yet in moderated language without unneeded emotion and without attacking others. I wish that dialoguers in international negotiations had those skills. Much appreciated.

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