It is certainly true that all antisemites oppose Israel’s actions in Gaza but it does not follow that all of us who oppose the actions are antisemites. I am not Jewish but have always regarded myself as a Zionist – the word needs rescuing from those who have turned it into a term of abuse. I support the principle of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. But what Israel has done is closer to Lebensraum – a chilling irony.
The problem was originally of Arab making. Arab nations opposed Zionism in successive conflicts. The West supported Israel, as did I. Israel had every right to defend itself and did, with our help. But there was no right to the expansionism that followed – the settling on land militarily acquired had no justification in international law. In short it was theft.
To oppose Israel’s expansionism and the organised planting of settlers is not Jew hatred nor antisemitism. It is not unreasonable to believe that Israel’s borders should be determined by negotiation not by war.
It is clear that Israel’s goal in Gaza is to incorporate the territory in Greater Israel. And that what is effectively ethnic cleansing is the strategy chosen. The irony that this has a direct parallel with the all too many pogroms Jewish people have suffered over the centuries is another irony.
The IDF is the legitimate Armed Forces of the State of Israel. It operates solely under political control. It is possible to oppose what it is doing (I do) – but that opposition needs to be directed at Netanyahu. He’s in charge, the IDF is his means.
Paddy’s Blogs in a crazy world 