[Apologies for repeating the same comment as on the Lisa Benson cartoon, but the same point was made and the same response is appropriate]
Criticism of Benjamin Netanyahu and his Nazification of a nation birthed out of support for the victims of Nazis is not criticism of Israel. It is not criticism of Judaism or a sentiment of antipathy towards Jewish people.
There are many in Israel who oppose the brutal, genocidal Netanyahu policies.
The unprecedented act of barring visitation from two congresswomen (even after partially relenting as to one of them who has a 90-year-old grandmother on the West Bank, subject to onerous, unacceptable restrictions) is a slap in the face of a nation that Israel depends on for billions of dollars in welfare each year. It is unprecedented as to Israel, but has echoes of an African American U.S. congressman from Michigan, Charles Diggs, in the 1970’s who was denied entry to South Africa in its pre-Mandela era of apartheid. The irony is rich. Diggs represented the same district Rashida Tlaib represents today.
There are many Jewish people in Israel and the United States who are strongly supportive of Israel but who oppose the Netanyahu policies.
Liberals such as prime ministers Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres (I had the honor of appearing on stage with Peres and Leah Rabin, widow of Yitzhak after he was assassinated by a right-wing [Netanyahu-style] extremist), sought humane policies of accommodation and respectful cooperation with Palestinians.
Those who oppose Netanyahu are not anti-Israel.
Those who oppose Netanyahu do not hate Jewish people — many are, in fact, Jews.
Those who oppose Netanyahu are not anti-Semitic; not anti-Jewish; not anti-Israel.
[Apologies for repeating the same comment as on the Lisa Benson cartoon, but the same point was made and the same response is appropriate]
Criticism of Benjamin Netanyahu and his Nazification of a nation birthed out of support for the victims of Nazis is not criticism of Israel. It is not criticism of Judaism or a sentiment of antipathy towards Jewish people.
There are many in Israel who oppose the brutal, genocidal Netanyahu policies.
The unprecedented act of barring visitation from two congresswomen (even after partially relenting as to one of them who has a 90-year-old grandmother on the West Bank, subject to onerous, unacceptable restrictions) is a slap in the face of a nation that Israel depends on for billions of dollars in welfare each year. It is unprecedented as to Israel, but has echoes of an African American U.S. congressman from Michigan, Charles Diggs, in the 1970’s who was denied entry to South Africa in its pre-Mandela era of apartheid. The irony is rich. Diggs represented the same district Rashida Tlaib represents today.
There are many Jewish people in Israel and the United States who are strongly supportive of Israel but who oppose the Netanyahu policies.
Liberals such as prime ministers Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres (I had the honor of appearing on stage with Peres and Leah Rabin, widow of Yitzhak after he was assassinated by a right-wing [Netanyahu-style] extremist), sought humane policies of accommodation and respectful cooperation with Palestinians.
Those who oppose Netanyahu are not anti-Israel.
Those who oppose Netanyahu do not hate Jewish people — many are, in fact, Jews.
Those who oppose Netanyahu are not anti-Semitic; not anti-Jewish; not anti-Israel.
Those who oppose Netanyahu are pro-human rights.