Criticizing Israel Not Always Anti-Semitic -Powell

[maddezmom]

By Philip Blenkinsop
BERLIN (Reuters) - Criticizing Israel is not anti-Semitic, but using Nazi symbolism and racist language to do so certainly is, Secretary of State Colin Powell told an international conference on Wednesday.

Europe has seen a rise in attacks on Jews coinciding with an escalation in Middle East violence since 2000. Jewish groups say Europe has been slow to fight the rise in anti-Semitism, but some say dislike for Israel's policies is behind the attacks.

"It is not anti-Semitic to criticize the policies of the state of Israel but the line is crossed when Israel or its leaders are demonized or villainised for example by the use of Nazi symbols and racist caricatures," Powell told the Organization for Cooperation and Development in Europe meeting.

An EU report said attacks on Jews increased in several member states in 2002 from 2001. The sharpest rise was in France where incidents rose six-fold.

~snip~
more: http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=4975642

[mot78]

1. For all the contempt I have for Powell, at least he says something decent

But I doubt even he would live up this quote.

[Khephra]

2. Wow...there's still a soul in Powell???!!!

To be critical of a gov't doesn't mean you are against the people--just the gov't. I'm not anti-American, just Anti-Bush.

[Just Me]

3. Well,...at minimum he seems to still have his mind intact.

The soul part,...I just don't know, anymore.

[Jacobin]

4. I'm so happy that we now have permission to question

Israel's policies.

However, I'm concerned. If this liberalism were to spread, who knows? Next someone could question the policies of the United States!! And we all know that that is forbidden.

[Voltaire99]

5. We may question all we like, but...

...we're still stuck paying taxes for the $2.5 billion year occupation fund.

Talk about taxation without representation!

[TahitiNut]

6. "Not Always"???

I see. So, it's only most of the time, huh? BULLSHIT. :puke:

[loudsue]

7. I'm just glad he said it, TahitiNut...it's about time someone did.

There's too much of this martyr/victim thing going on that opporesses those who "dare" to question what the Israeli government is doing.

Criticizing the Israeli government is the same thing as criticizing the bush government. It isn't a case of smearing the "people" -- it's a case of not appreciating the actions of government.

I'm glad he said something!

:kick:

[Just Me]

8. Me, too.

Geez,...enough of the rhetoric that anyone who condemns the Sharon leadership is "anti-semitic".

[TahitiNut]

13. It's today's nuclear ad hominem - an attack on freedom of political speech

... itself. Worse than saying "you're insane" or "you're an idiot" all one has to do is play the bigot card and it not only attacks the person's sanity but their moral character and intelligence as well. There are valid scientific tests and ways to incontrovertibly prove intelligence and sanity, but this ad hominem is permanently corrosive. The saddest part of all is that it's being used most by those most inimical to ethnic diversity: those who value it least - and creating a 'cry wolf' effect letting dedicated anti-semites commit sabotage while the misguided vigilantes are busy frisking the body politic. (Cavity searches are next.)

[Larkspur]

9. Wonder if Powell is on the Zionist's hit list now

for making the obvious obvious.

[Ediacara]

10. Wait a minute

Does he mean that:

a) comparing the current Israeli to Nazis is racist, or

b) using Nazism to criticize Israel is racist?

I definately agree b) is racist, but a) is no where close.

[methinks2]

11. Wow, did he forget to run his speech by his boss first?

Somehow I don't think the other admin members agree with him. But it's about time someone with a little authority said it aloud.

[nodehopper]

12. Powell must have the most severe cognitive dissonance case in history

[Dr Fate]

14. He is right. But having said that...

...I dont need the likes of Powell to tell me who I can & cant criticise.

A lot of people still respect Powell-

But not me- not after his presentation of forged, plagerized and ultimatley false info at his pre-War UN & Congressional appearances.

This was no accident. Powell used to be respected by even most DEMS, but no longer- Bush is dragging all of them down...

[maddezmom]

15. I'm glad he said it, but he's a lost cause nt