Reply #21: Why has the Wiesenthal Center ignored local Jews THREE times? [View All]

[Peace Patriot]

When this flap first broke, people here at DU were saying it was just a cultural mistake on the part of the Wiesenthal Center. I'm not so sure. Re-read this part...

"He (Fred Pressner, president of the Confederation of Jewish Associations of Venezuela) added that this was the THIRD time in recent years that the Wiesenthal center had publicly criticized Chavez without first consulting the local community." (emphasis added)

So, the Wiesenthal Center has repeatedly failed to consult local Jews about Chavez. Not just this once. Not just regarding this misinterpretation of his remarks. But on two other occasions. Why would that be?

The first thing that occurred to ME, upon reading this--that they've done this three times--is that they have a vendetta against Chavez, just like the Bushites do, and that it might have to do with the Wiesenthal Center's support for Bush's war in the Middle East (or support for that war by individual members and leaders of the Center, if not official policy of the Center). This may be a tit for tat. 'We support your war, ergo any enemy of yours is an enemy of ours.' So, they pile onto Chavez, for no good reason at all--but because the Bushites hate him.

Chavez is the FIRST brown-faced man of indigenous origins to become the leader of ANY South American country. (A second was just overwhelmingly elected in Bolivia--Evo Morales.) He represents the vast population of poor brown people who have never before been served by government, who have never before been represented in government, and who have been ruthlessly exploited by Venezuela's own oil elite, and by global corporate predators, for centuries. He is a just and peaceful and honestly elected, democratic president, with big support in Venezuela. As such, the Simon Wiesenthal Center should be CELEBRATING his success, not dissing him--not leaping to criticize him, and ignoring LOCAL Jewish opinion, and doing that repeatedly.

So I question the Wiesenthal Center's motives. I think they owe the local Venezuelan Jewish community and the rest of us an explanation. Why are they criticizing a head of government in South America whom they should be praising, and whom they should be helping to protect from Bush's fascist, racist death squads? And I they owe both Chavez an apology.