Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!wivax!decvax!harpo!floyd!vax135!ariel!hou5f!orion!houca!hogpc!houxm!houxf!5941ux!dje From: dje@5941ux.UUCP Newsgroups: net.flame Subject: Re: Don"t equate anti-Zionism with racism Message-ID: <292@5941ux.UUCP> Date: Wed, 15-Jun-83 10:09:52 EDT Article-I.D.: 5941ux.292 Posted: Wed Jun 15 10:09:52 1983 Date-Received: Thu, 16-Jun-83 17:08:04 EDT References: unc.5379 Lines: 46 OK, Tim, we meet head on. In my article on discrimination as faced by Jews, I mentioned that Jews often are confronted with a hostility towards Zionism, our national movement. In your reply, you state: "You could start by not assuming that the only possible basis for disliking Zionism is racism.... it is a leading reason [but] it is not my reason." Soon after, you come right out with: "I dislike Zionism because it is racism, both in the abstract and in the concrete. Israel is a segregated nation, in which racial laws provide, for example, economic sanctions against Jews who marry Gentiles. The Israelis claim to be "God's chosen race" and make racially-transmitted claims about their rightful ownership of certain tracts of land. This is racism, no more, no less." Aside from the obvious contradiction, that's a pretty nasty series of accusations. (Aren't you the one who says that the burden of proof is on the accuser?) Israel certainly has its social problems, but they are not nearly so sinister as you depict. I'd like to see another country faced with as much external hostility come up with a better record. You have provided a perfect example of the kind of public anti-Zionist diatribe that seems so fashionable these days. Zionism is central to the beliefs and needs of the vast majority of the Jewish people. Anti-Zionism is a denial to the Jews of their right to nationhood. It's one thing to disagree with a country's policies. It's something entirely different to single out one country for public flagellation. Jews do not like to be singled out for "special treatment" by non-Jews. Singling the Jews out as the only people not entitled to their nationhood is a particularly ugly example of racism. It becomes even more objectionable when we are accused of racism in the process. I started by pointing out the kind of attitudes that Jews are often confronted with. Some people think we're crying wolf. Given the kind of hostility we've had to face, are we really being all that unrealistic? I don't think so. The purpose of this reply is not to impugn anybody's motives but to ask for an increased understanding and sensitivity. Dave Ellis / Bell Labs, Piscataway NJ ...!harpo!npoiv!npois!houxm!5941ux!dje ...!{ariel,lime}!houti!hogpc!houxm!5941ux!dje