| Username |
Post |
| isolated freak |
Posted
on 03-Nov-03 08:38 AM
EU poll sees Israel as peace threat
Chris McGreal
Monday November 3, 2003
The Guardian
A European commission opinion poll that claims 60% of Europeans see Israel as the greatest threat to world peace has drawn outraged denunciations of anti-semitism.
The poll surveyed 7,500 people in 15 EU countries who said Israel was a bigger threat to world peace than Iran, North Korea and the US.
The public in the Netherlands, Austria and Luxembourg were the most fearful. France, which Israel views with the greatest suspicion of any EU state, did not rank the Jewish state as the greatest danger.
Israel's diaspora affairs minister, the former Soviet dissident Natan Sharansky, said the poll was further evidence of why Europe is not to be trusted to play a role in the peace process.
"The fact that the majority of Europeans sees Israel as the main danger ... is additional proof that behind the 'political' criticism of Israel stands pure anti-semitism.
"The EU, which shows sensitivity on human rights issues, would do well to stop the rampant brainwashing against and demonising of Israel before Europe deteriorates again to dark sections of its past."
But a former head of Israel's foreign ministry, Alon Liel, said Israelis would be wise to consider why Europeans might think that way. "Do they hate us or are they truly frightened? Our natural predilection is to pull out of the drawer our usual weapon of self-defence - the weapon of anti-semitism - but this is probably the wrong place to do so."
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| mickthesick |
Posted
on 03-Nov-03 08:59 AM
..even I ( an asian) think that I srael is a threat to world peace.
Backed by the US support, the Talibans became a major world threat, Saddam Hussein( who had US support behind him in the beginning) became a world threat after he attacked Kuwait and Iran.
Since the present scenario shows US supporting Israel and backing it up, it will not be a surprise if Israel becomes a threat to world peace after a decade.
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| suva chintak |
Posted
on 03-Nov-03 02:04 PM
IF broda,
This is an interesting news item you brought up. Why do ordinary Europeans think that Israel is a threat to world peace? Can we just silence all these people by just hammering them with the label 'anti-semitic'?
Last month Dr. Mahatir of Malaysia drew the condemnation of president Bush and the Isrelis when he said that the Jews are controlling the world through proxy (read US power). If what the Malaysian leader was saying was silly, why did Bush himself have to refute it? Just last week another German MP had to tender an apology just because he observed that a lot of Jews participated in Soviet police and army operations to kill those who opposed communist rule in 1917 revolution.
Why are they making Jews the holy cow who are beyond any kind of reproach, even when it is legitimate and historically accurate? Will that not only add to the sense of injustice?
If it is ok to talk about "Islamic threat" or "Arab threat" or "Islamic terrorism", why is it a problem when people talk about "Israeli threat"?
It sure beats me,
SC
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| isolated freak |
Posted
on 04-Nov-03 09:41 AM
SC broda,
Interesting points there.
Yes, the former PM of Malaysia was criticized by all for making that remark at the Islamic Leaders Summit in Kualalampur. But, again, he knew what he was saying and he probablyw as very much aware what reactions he was going to get for that remark. I think, he wanted to express his extreme views before he resigned and he did.
Also, about the Israel threat:
In order to keep its existence among the hostile neighbors, Israel DOES need to STRENGTHEN and UPGRADE its defense systems. The state of Israel has the duty to protect its innocent citizens, hoina ra? But, this does not mean that Israel should be bombing the innocent Palestanians. I still remember the artcile on Current History "nasty, bruitish and long: America's war on terror", the author made this strong argument saying that as long as the Americans keep on supporting the Israelis actons against the Palestanians, its impossible to get rid of the Anti-Americanism that exists in the Arab world today.
When we say jews, does it only or mainly represent the state of Israel and its citizens? I don't think so. Maybe the world in general and the middle east has a threat from the State of Israel, but not from a jew in NYC who doesn't really care about anything that's happening in the world. So, saying that all jews are a threat to the world peace is like saying all Hindus/Muslims are a threat to the regional peace in south asia.
aaiya k lekhya lekhya..
I hope it makes some sense.
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| suva chintak |
Posted
on 04-Nov-03 10:07 AM
IF bhai,
See this follow up news from the BBC:
________________________
German general axed in Jewish row
Guenzel is an 'isolated case' the defence ministry says
The head of Germany's special forces has been sacked for allegedly backing an MP who is accused of anti-Semitism.
Defence Minister Peter Struck fired Brigadier General Reinhard Guenzel for apparently praising MP Martin Hohmann.
Mr Hohmann has caused a national row with comments comparing the actions of Jews in the 1917 Russian revolution with those of the Nazis.
General Guenzel is said to have written to Mr Hohmann, praising his "courage".
Mr Struck insisted that General Guenzel's views were not widespread in the armed forces.
"This is about a lone, confused general who agreed with an even more confused statement made by a conservative member of parliament," he said.
Perpetrators
Mr Hohmann first sparked a furore when he suggested it might be possible to consider Jews as a "Taetervolk", or race of perpetrators, as Germans are seen, because of Jewish actions during the Bolshevik revolution.
In an interview for ZDF's Frontal 21 programme this weekend Mr Hohmann, an MP for the opposition right-wing Christian Democrats (CDU), read out the letter of support from General Guenzel.
"It was an excellent speech, of a courage truth and clarity which one seldom hears or reads in our country," Mr Hohmann quoted the letter as saying.
"Even though all those who support this view or who articulate it loud and clear are categorised by public opinion as right-wing extremists, you can be sure that you are doubtless speaking for the majority of our nation," he also quoted the general as writing.
The KSK special forces, which General Guenzel headed, are the elite branch of the German military and have recently seen action in Afghanistan.
Investigation
German prosecutors have launched an investigation into Mr Hohmann's speech after a criminal complaint against him was filed.
He has apologised for his comments, saying that neither Germans nor Jews were "Taetervolk".
The CDU has thrown him off two parliamentary commissions - though critics say that this is not punishment enough.
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