What is anti-Semitism? http://blogs.jta.org/ENTRY_PERMALINK_HERE/what-is-anti-semitism/ When U.C. Santa Barbara Professor William Robinson sent students an email recently comparing Israeli actions in Gaza to what the Nazis did to the Jews in Warsaw, it was, in some eyes, yet another case of criticism of Israel veering towards blatant anti-Semitism. Robinson, not surprisingly, saw it differently. So the Los Angeles Times set out to sort things out for us.  en-us bharris@jta.org Copyright 2009 2009-05-12T;19:11:00-05:00 Comment by Andrew Austin wwsword@gmail.com Robinson does dispute that his position is anti-Semitic.  However, since his position is by definition not anti-Semitic, he hardly needs to.  Robinson introduced into his sociology class stories from the world media comparing Gaza to the Warsaw ghetto.  It is not an uncommon comparison.  Comparison is a bases of scientific practice.  Robinson’s class concerns analyzing current global issues and in the spring term the most high profile global issue was Israel’s invasion of Gaza.  It would have been ideological for Robinson to avoid talking about the most high profile global issue in a sociology class on global issues.  Nothing Robinson said or did, and nothing in the materials he forwarded, make Robinson an anti-Semite. The attack on Robinson is designed to suppress speech and analysis critical of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians in Gaza. Robinson does dispute that his position is anti-Semitic.  However, since his position is by definition not anti-Semitic, he hardly needs to.  Robinson introduced into his sociology class stories from the world media comparing Gaza to the Warsaw ghetto.  It is not an uncommon comparison.  Comparison is a bases of scientific practice.  Robinson’s class concerns analyzing current global issues and in the spring term the most high profile global issue was Israel’s invasion of Gaza.  It would have been ideological for Robinson to avoid talking about the most high profile global issue in a sociology class on global issues.  Nothing Robinson said or did, and nothing in the materials he forwarded, make Robinson an anti-Semite. The attack on Robinson is designed to suppress speech and analysis critical of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians in Gaza.

]]> 2012-05-24T;14:04:00-05:00 Comment by Joel Weisz jweisz@globo.com Professor William Robinson understands that “ the real principle at stake is that of open debate and academic freedom”. Apparently he does not dispute the fact that his position is antisemitic. Regarding the principle he presents, Sartre has pointed out that racism does not belong to the category of ideas protected by the principle of free thought. In fact, any kind of hatred is not a thought but rather an emotional attitude. Professor William Robinson understands that “ the real principle at stake is that of open debate and academic freedom”. Apparently he does not dispute the fact that his position is antisemitic.
Regarding the principle he presents, Sartre has pointed out that racism does not belong to the category of ideas protected by the principle of free thought. In fact, any kind of hatred is not a thought but rather an emotional attitude.

]]> 2012-05-24T;14:04:00-05:00 Comment by John Q. Public kerry.berger@gmail.com Alan’s comments are argued very convincingly.  I agree with what he says.  It is time for Jews to stand up and speak out when ignoramouses take ignorant positions that delegitimize and demonize us. Alan’s comments are argued very convincingly.  I agree with what he says.  It is time for Jews to stand up and speak out when ignoramouses take ignorant positions that delegitimize and demonize us.

]]> 2012-05-24T;14:04:00-05:00 Comment by Alan avrumeleh@aol.com That’s so interesting. DK....First of all, the issue is whether or not what that professor said is anti-Semitism, not whether he should be fired for what he said. If Santa Barbara wants to keep him on as a professor, that’s their business and I’m not attempting to stop anyone from having his or her free speech or preventing some West Coast college from lowering its academic integrity. But, somehow...that professor is entitled to an opinion but if someone describes that opinion as anti-Semitism...he’s...according to DK...."wrong." That’s typical of the double standard that’s been placed on Jews from every quarter in these times....If a Jew kills someone inadvertently while defending himself, that’s “as bad as the Holocaust...the Israelis are insensitive, even when its citizens are attacked with rockets for year after year....When a Jewish student is physically attacked in Paris by a gang of north Africans , the authorities declare it to be a “gang” dispute...It all brings to mind the Shylock Soliloquy: ...If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that… It seems that wisdom possessed by Shakespeare in the Seventeenth Century has been lost on the likes of DK and Archie, here, in the Twenty-first. “It’s a wake up call to the Israeli government.” Oh, it is?  The remarks of Hamas and left-wing Belgian labor unions and narrow-minded college professors at Santa Barbara don’t amount to wake-up calls just because they’re uttered. When things are said that are idiotic and contrary to reason and based on some age-old or new anti-Semitism they don’t deserve credit. Beth, maybe this professor is attempting to use the Jews for some ulterior self-aggrandizing purpose. Maybe it’s because he genuinely does hate Jews.  But so did the Nazis. People said then, “They’re crazy....who’s going to listen.” I’m afraid that Jews need now to speak up when ignorant people take ignorant positions. That’s so interesting. DK....First of all, the issue is whether or not what that professor said is anti-Semitism, not whether he should be fired for what he said. If Santa Barbara wants to keep him on as a professor, that’s their business and I’m not attempting to stop anyone from having his or her free speech or preventing some West Coast college from lowering its academic integrity. But, somehow...that professor is entitled to an opinion but if someone describes that opinion as anti-Semitism...he’s...according to DK...."wrong."

That’s typical of the double standard that’s been placed on Jews from every quarter in these times....If a Jew kills someone inadvertently while defending himself, that’s “as bad as the Holocaust...the Israelis are insensitive, even when its citizens are attacked with rockets for year after year....When a Jewish student is physically attacked in Paris by a gang of north Africans , the authorities declare it to be a “gang” dispute...It all brings to mind the Shylock Soliloquy:

...If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you
tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison
us, do we not die? And if you wrong us,
shall we not revenge? If we are like you
in the rest, we will resemble you in that…

It seems that wisdom possessed by Shakespeare in the Seventeenth Century has been lost on the likes of DK and Archie, here, in the Twenty-first.

“It’s a wake up call to the Israeli government.” Oh, it is?  The remarks of Hamas and left-wing Belgian labor unions and narrow-minded college professors at Santa Barbara don’t amount to wake-up calls just because they’re uttered. When things are said that are idiotic and contrary to reason and based on some age-old or new anti-Semitism they don’t deserve credit.

Beth, maybe this professor is attempting to use the Jews for some ulterior self-aggrandizing purpose. Maybe it’s because he genuinely does hate Jews.  But so did the Nazis. People said then, “They’re crazy....who’s going to listen.” I’m afraid that Jews need now to speak up when ignorant people take ignorant positions.

]]> 2012-05-24T;14:04:00-05:00 Comment by EU WEI CHOI EUWEI.CHOI@YAHOO.COM This is WHO is “Organizing” an ‘EVENT"For the Anti-Semitic Professor,Robinson. “ Daniel Olmos - contact Sociology, 2nd year Ph.D. I’m a second year doctoral student in the department of sociology. My general research interests are in contemporary forms of subordination and arts of resistance, specifically on the self-activity and autonomy of indigenous communities in, against and beyond the state and global capitalism. I’m also apart of Accion Zapatista de Santa Barbara, a collective working in solidarity with the Zapatistas in Southern Mexico as well as locally resisting the imposition of neo-liberalism through a political pratice of Zapatismo. Our collective is networked(ing) regionally, nationally and internationally. I am also a part of Caracol Intergalactika, a transnational collective of activists inspired “ These CRETINS USE “Academic Freedom’ to Advance Jew-Hatred ,Israel Hatred, and AMERICA-Hatred! Left-Wingers: How CAN you sleep at night,KNOWING You’re on Evil’s Side?? This is WHO is “Organizing” an ‘EVENT"For the Anti-Semitic Professor,Robinson.

“ Daniel Olmos - contact Sociology, 2nd year Ph.D.
I’m a second year doctoral student in the department of sociology. My general research interests are in contemporary forms of subordination and arts of resistance, specifically on the self-activity and autonomy of indigenous communities in, against and beyond the state and global capitalism.
I’m also apart of Accion Zapatista de Santa Barbara, a collective working in solidarity with the Zapatistas in Southern Mexico as well as locally resisting the imposition of neo-liberalism through a political pratice of Zapatismo. Our collective is networked(ing) regionally, nationally and internationally. I am also a part of Caracol Intergalactika, a transnational collective of activists inspired “
These CRETINS USE “Academic Freedom’ to Advance Jew-Hatred ,Israel Hatred, and AMERICA-Hatred!
Left-Wingers: How CAN you sleep at night,KNOWING You’re on Evil’s Side??

]]> 2012-05-24T;14:04:00-05:00 Comment by beth hyre bethhyre@gmail.com Oh, for heaven’s sake!!  Doesn’t anyone realize that this jerk is only trying to make a name for himself & using Jews, the Holocaust & Israel to do it?  The best - in fact, the only - way to deal with someone like this is to ignore him.  He’s looking for attention - clearly, it’s the only way he can distinguish himself, since scholarship is obviously not his long suit.  Why are we cooperating & allowing ourselves to be used? Oh, for heaven’s sake!!  Doesn’t anyone realize that this jerk is only trying to make a name for himself & using Jews, the Holocaust & Israel to do it?  The best - in fact, the only - way to deal with someone like this is to ignore him.  He’s looking for attention - clearly, it’s the only way he can distinguish himself, since scholarship is obviously not his long suit.  Why are we cooperating & allowing ourselves to be used?

]]> 2012-05-24T;14:04:00-05:00 Comment by Archie1954 robertgsmiley@hotmail.com Israel is a secular Zionist regime not a religious one (at least it was). Any criticism of Israel should not include mention of Jews whatsover. I dare to state that I wouldn’t be at all surprised if a great number of ruling parties in Tel Aviv are not even bona fide members of Judaism. So criticise Israel and its politics all you want but leave Judaism out of it. Secondly much to much is being made of the numbers used for the Holocaust. If one Jew was killed during that time it was one too many. I fell just as devestated by that one person’s trip through Nazi he** as I do about six million. None of it should have happened. It is an evil stain on human civilization. The reason it is being used as a comparison is simply because it is the most egregious thing that has ever happened and that gives it shock value beyond anything else. When it is applied to Israel’s conduct then you know people are very unhappy with what is going on. It’s a wake up call to the Israeli government. Israel is a secular Zionist regime not a religious one (at least it was). Any criticism of Israel should not include mention of Jews whatsover. I dare to state that I wouldn’t be at all surprised if a great number of ruling parties in Tel Aviv are not even bona fide members of Judaism. So criticise Israel and its politics all you want but leave Judaism out of it. Secondly much to much is being made of the numbers used for the Holocaust. If one Jew was killed during that time it was one too many. I fell just as devestated by that one person’s trip through Nazi he** as I do about six million. None of it should have happened. It is an evil stain on human civilization. The reason it is being used as a comparison is simply because it is the most egregious thing that has ever happened and that gives it shock value beyond anything else. When it is applied to Israel’s conduct then you know people are very unhappy with what is going on. It’s a wake up call to the Israeli government.

]]> 2012-05-24T;14:04:00-05:00 Comment by DK davidjkelsey@gmail.com Alan is wrong. Very wrong. This is exactly the type of mentality that has led to an unfortunate clamp down on free speech elsewhere. While it is indeed absurd to compare Israel to the Nazis, it is perhaps in part a reaction of resentment to the manipulative way that Israel and the Jewish community have employed the Holocaust to achieve general support and specific policy goals.  We Jews should stick to facts and debate the issues without crying like third grade schoolgirls and tattling every time someone says something nasty and incorrect about us. Alan is wrong. Very wrong. This is exactly the type of mentality that has led to an unfortunate clamp down on free speech elsewhere. While it is indeed absurd to compare Israel to the Nazis, it is perhaps in part a reaction of resentment to the manipulative way that Israel and the Jewish community have employed the Holocaust to achieve general support and specific policy goals. 

We Jews should stick to facts and debate the issues without crying like third grade schoolgirls and tattling every time someone says something nasty and incorrect about us.

]]> 2012-05-24T;14:04:00-05:00 Comment by Alan avrumeleh@aol.com Okay,,,,I’ll be the judge:  While I agree with the stance that is attributed to “the Foxmans and the Dershowitzes” I believe that the “absurdity” of comparing the 6-million Jews who were killed to the certainly incomparably smaller number of civilians killed in Gaza makes the argument that they are comparable not only anti-intellectual but makes the statement that the systematic murder under the most horrible conditions of 6-million Jews....innocent non-combatant Jews...no worse on any level than what befell whatever “innocents” were killed in Gaza during a defensive operation after years of popular rocket attacks on civilian targets in Israel.  Moreover, it ignores...utterly....that the Palestinian civilians that might have been killed were placed in harm’s way by their “freedom fighters” who operate in densely populated arenas, and it ignores that the Israelis went out of their way to keep civilian deaths and injuries to a minimum in one of the densest...if not the most densely populated places in the world. To suggest that the 6-million Jews that were slaughtered in the Holocaust were of the same “value” as those few that were killed under the conditions of the Israeli operation is plainly designed to diminish the value of those Jewish lives that were extinguished and the circumstances under which they were. This IS anti-Semitism.. It IS anti-Semitism as much as spitting at a Jew on the street or calling a Jew a “Kike.” The notion that this is something that should be tolerated or accepted as just a difference of “opinion,” is to say that if a college professor says...seriously to his class...that Blacks are inferior and so should be excluded from universities...or killed...THAT TOO should be acceptable in an academic setting because it “helps develop critical thinking.” There are some cellars of morality and decency that we should recognize for what they are and not defend it as though it were something valuable and decent. Okay,,,,I’ll be the judge:  While I agree with the stance that is attributed to “the Foxmans and the Dershowitzes” I believe that the “absurdity” of comparing the 6-million Jews who were killed to the certainly incomparably smaller number of civilians killed in Gaza makes the argument that they are comparable not only anti-intellectual but makes the statement that the systematic murder under the most horrible conditions of 6-million Jews....innocent non-combatant Jews...no worse on any level than what befell whatever “innocents” were killed in Gaza during a defensive operation after years of popular rocket attacks on civilian targets in Israel.  Moreover, it ignores...utterly....that the Palestinian civilians that might have been killed were placed in harm’s way by their “freedom fighters” who operate in densely populated arenas, and it ignores that the Israelis went out of their way to keep civilian deaths and injuries to a minimum in one of the densest...if not the most densely populated places in the world. To suggest that the 6-million Jews that were slaughtered in the Holocaust were of the same “value” as those few that were killed under the conditions of the Israeli operation is plainly designed to diminish the value of those Jewish lives that were extinguished and the circumstances under which they were. This IS anti-Semitism.. It IS anti-Semitism as much as spitting at a Jew on the street or calling a Jew a “Kike.”

The notion that this is something that should be tolerated or accepted as just a difference of “opinion,” is to say that if a college professor says...seriously to his class...that Blacks are inferior and so should be excluded from universities...or killed...THAT TOO should be acceptable in an academic setting because it “helps develop critical thinking.”

There are some cellars of morality and decency that we should recognize for what they are and not defend it as though it were something valuable and decent.

]]> 2012-05-24T;14:04:00-05:00