Nothing To Fear But Truth Itself: Criminalizing Criticism of Israel

"The theory of the free press is not that the truth will be presented completely or perfectly in any one instance, but that the truth will emerge from free discussion"

           - Walter Lippman (1889 - 1974)

A rather frightening and totally ridiculous reality, one that has been with us for many years now, is currently in the process of becoming even worse, at least down in the United States. This reality - the labeling of all criticism of Israel as "anti-Semitic" - threatens not only free speech and open debate, but the search for peace in the Middle East itself. Check out this article by Paul Craig Roberts and see if you don't agree: "The End of Free Speech? Criminalizing Criticism of Israel".

Roberts, it should be noted, is no left-wing radical. He's the former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury in the Reagan Administration and he's even referred to as the "Father of Reaganomics".

We're all well aware of this idea, put forward by the pro-Israel lobby and much of the media, that any sort of criticism of Israel, no matter how deserving, is indicative of one thing and one thing only: anti-Semitism. However, it doesn't take a genius to see this argument for what it really is: A load of nonsensical bullshit and highly irrational buffoonery.

And what, you ask, would these same people have you think of the many Jews, both inside and outside of Israel, who are highly critical of Israel's actions, particularly when it comes to the treatment of the Palestinians? Well, they're all, clearly, nothing more than "self-hating Jews", of course.

Convenient, isn't it? Anyone who dares criticize Israel - again, even if they happen to be Jewish - must be a hate-filled racist, anti-Semite. And probably a pedophile too, come to think of it.

Racist!

The truth, of course, is that criticizing Israel makes you no more of an anti-Semite than criticizing the regimes in Zimbabwe, North Korea, Burma, Iran or Saudi Arabia makes you a racist (or criticizing Dick Cheney makes you anti-bald or an ageist, for that matter). It's simply a rather desperate tactic that's used to try and deflect criticism away from horrific human rights abuses, not to mention outright war crimes.

Don't like Robert Mugabe's glorious leadership in Zimbabwe? You must be a racist!

Think Saddam's gassing of the Kurds was a war crime? You anti-Arab bigot!

Don't like the Saudi Arabian practice of jailing and whipping women for the "crime" of being raped? You xenophobic, hate-filled, anti-Arab, bigoted racist!!

Feel somewhat sickened by Israel's slaughter in Gaza at the beginning of the year? Well, clearly, you're nothing more than a lowdown, no-good anti-Semite!

Hate Is Real

Make no mistake, anti-Semites are very real, as are racists, homophobes, misogynists and the rest of their small-minded, bigoted ilk. But none of that has anything to do with legitimate criticism of Israel.

Hell, I'm sure there are even one or two self-hating Jews out there too (current Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs - and Chief Cabinet Secretary of Hate - Avigdor Lieberman comes to mind. Hell, why not? He hates everyone else, it's a good bet he's probably pretty full of self-loathing as well). But, whether the phantom "Self-Hating Jew" really exists or not, that, too, has nothing to do with our discussion here regarding legitimate criticism of Israel.

And, while we're on the topic, why don't we ever hear about the dreaded Self-Hating Zimbabwean?

Or the sly, sinister Self-Hating Korean?

Or the seething, venomous Self-Hating Burmese?

Some Hope

Roberts is certainly dead-on in much of what he has to say. However, I would disagree with his assertion that throughout the rest of the Western world - outside of the U.S. - it's getting harder and harder for anyone to criticize Israel's actions when it comes to the treatment of the Palestinians. I'd actually argue the opposite: that in Europe and here in Canada many more people now seem quite willing to question the brainwashing and whitewashing they've been force-fed in regards to the Israeli-Palestinian situation.

It would seem that the slaughter in Gaza a few months back really opened the eyes of a lot of people to what's actually going on over there and to the fact that one side is indeed terrorizing and victimizing the other... and that the whole situation is quite the opposite of what our governments and most of the media would like us to believe.

In fact, I'd even argue that this is becoming clearer to a lot more Americans these days as well, which would explain the push-back by the Israel Lobby and this crazy amendment to the Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009.

This particular part of the Act, I'm quite sure, will never stand up in court. But the fact of the matter is it'll take years to wind its way through the judicial system and finally make its way to the Supreme Court. And in the meantime a lot of people will either be silenced or charged. Which is a pretty fucked up situation, if you ask me.

Lobby This!

As many others have noted before, one of the main threats - if not THE main threat - to a real, healthy, functioning democracy in America is the massive money, power and influence wielded by large lobby groups, such as the NRA and AIPAC (the main Israel lobby group in America).

On so many important issues it doesn't seem to matter all that much what the electorate thinks, it only matters that you, as a candidate for elected office, don't upset the lobbyists. For if you do, for instance, speak some truth about Israel's crimes against the Palestinian people, you can be 100% certain that AIPAC will throw everything they've got (including tens of millions of dollars) into defeating you.

That this reality has had the desired (chilling) effect on political debate in America is indisputable.

But the question remains: Why? Why would anyone want to stifle any and all debate on this one topic?

The only thing I can think of is a clear fear of the truth getting out.

Then again, maybe I'm wrong. Perhaps, as you read Roberts' article, you can come up with some other explanation. But I doubt it:

The End of Free Speech? Criminalizing Criticism of Israel

And, no, don't worry, the simple act of reading this article will NOT make you an anti-Semite... or a self-hating Jew.

Mike Cowie (Oredakedo)
Friday, May 15th, 2009

For more on AIPAC's tactics and influence read this: Aipac's hidden persuaders: The Israel lobby is aiming to soften up US public opinion for an attack on Iran

For more on America, Israel and Palestine read this: Eight Years of Insanity: Bush, Israel and The Slow Destruction of Palestine

And for more on American politics try these:

Bye Bye Buffoon: The Final Bush Rant (Featuring Supertramp)

Fear and Loathing in The Heartland: Republicans' Lovefest With Ignorance
 
Red, (Very) White and Clueless: The Tale of Two Americas
 
And not to forget this perennial favorite: It's Called Conservativitus: The Pity The Conservatives Rant
 
And check out a few more of my pieces on the Middle East here: Politics: Middle East
 
And for lots more on politics of all types visit the Politics Homepage

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