John Cook and Wael Elasady do not stop with legitimate criticism of a Jewish-related issue. They openly slur the Jews.
Elasady compared Israel to Sudan’s genocide of Darfur’s people when he joined with others who assailed Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski for trading with Israel.
Cook, a Republican honcho in Texas, dragged the tussle over a Jewish speaker of the state House to a new low when he claimed that Christian conservatives “do the best jobs over all,” asked a reporter her religion, assured that Jews “are some of my best friends” and proclaimed his “favorite person” - hint, born of immaculate conception - to be a Jew.
Both occasions surface within a few days of each other, but attracted little attention - unlike Helen Thomas’ latest rantings, which surprised few people.
The Oregon flap stems from the governor’s act of signing a Memorandum of Understanding between Oregon and Israel last Oct. 27 “to develop and strengthen economic, industrial, technological and commercial cooperation between” them, according to Kulongoski’s press release.
The Web site Salem-News.com and The Vanguard, the student newspaper at Portland State University, reported earlier this month that an organization, called Americans United for Palestinian Human Rights, sent the governor an open letter condemning Israel’s occupation of its territories and “racism” toward Arabs who live in Israel and the territories.
Kulongoski stood his ground. In an e-mail to AUPHR, his communications director, Jodi Sherwood, wrote, “The governor believes that the Memorandum is in the best interest of the people of Oregon. Israel is a strong and democratic friend of Oregon and the United States. This agreement will build on our existing trade relationship with Israel, open up new opportunities to share information and foster commercial ties in areas that are vital to Oregon’s economic future.”
In response, Elasady, who is president of Students United for Palestinian Equal Rights, said according to these publications that Oregon’s refusal to conduct business with Sudan is precedent for not doing business with states that violate international law.
Sudan? That’s another blood libel. We all know that Sudan murders, rapes and expels hundreds of thousands of Darfurians who cannot defend themselves. Israel has made mistakes, but this ongoing war with the Arab world was thrust on it more than a century ago.
Deep in the heartlessness of Texan John Cook, the magazine Texas Observer’s web site reported in early December that Cook had sent an e-mail to Rebecca Williamson - both are members of the State Republican Executive Committee - explaining his opposition to retaining Joe Straus of San Antonio, who is Jewish, as House speaker. He wrote, “We elected a House with Christian, conservative values. We now want a true Christian, conservative running it.”
Cook dug a deeper hole for himself during a phone call with a reporter, Abby Rapoport of the Texas Observer, who quoted him as saying, “When I got involved in politics, I told people I wanted to put Christian conservatives in leadership positions. I want to make sure that a person I’m supporting is going to have my values. It’s not anything about Jews and whether I think their religion is right or Muslims and whether I think their religion is right…I got into politics to put Christian conservatives into office. They’re the people that do the best jobs over all.”
If Christian conservatives “do the best jobs, neither the U.S. Constitution nor Texas constitution allows a religious preference. Both forbid a religious test for anyone to hold public office.”
When he asked Rapoport if she is a Christian, he said, “I just need to know who I’m talking to so I can understand…The holy spirit is in the people who are Christian.” Rapoport is a Jewish name, and a look at her photo suggests she can be taken for Jewish.
He also said of Jews: “They’re some of my best friends.” Finally, “My favorite person that’s ever been on this earth is a Jews. How can they possibly think that if Jesus Christ is a Jew, and he’s my favorite person that’s ever been on this earth?”
Others who criticized Straus made comments that were too vague to be labeled anti-Semitic. Cook does not sound like a mean-spirited person, but his attitudes amount to anti-Semitism. He believes that good government requires good Christians, which certainly excludes Jews and adherents of other religions, atheists and agnostics. It would also cover Christians whom he could never accept as his kind of Christian.
Cook and Elasady may be different in a number of ways, but both do not know what they are talking about, and do not care. Jews are hardly the only people vulnerable to harm because of their attitudes.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
A reason for the season - for all of us
As Kramer from “Seinfeld” might say, it’s a Chanukah miracle!!!
The word “Christmas” was removed from the 15-foot-high “Christmas Village” sign welcoming visitors to a Christmas market in front of Philadelphia’s City Hall by order of Managing Director Richard Negrin on Nov. 29. Some city workers and visitors griped about a religious sign on public property.
Come Chanukah eve, Dec. 1, Mayor Michael Nutter countermanded the order so Christmas could become part of the sign once again. Next morning, 25 days before the big day, a Philadelphia Daily News headline proclaimed: “Nutter saves Christmas!”
Each year we must contend with such episodes. After 2010 years, maybe it is time for a meeting of the spiritual minds to offer understanding and determine how the holiday season can bring us together.
I have observed many good friends beam as they prepared Christmas decorations at the officer or smile broadly as they wished me “Merry Christmas.” Christmas is important to millions of Americans and I have in the past expended efforts to help my Christians friends enjoy it.
However, lovers of Christmas need to understand how the holiday season affects others. At the very least, the remainder of the non-Christmas celebrating world is overwhelmed with reminders of a holiday that is foreign to us. Jews in particular do not mention Jesus in our religious traditions, and so we feel left out of a holiday that appears to be celebrated by almost everyone we encounter.
Historically, Jews have legitimate reason to be downright bitter about all Christian holidays. Christianity gave us not only Christmas and Easter but also the Crusades and the Inquisition, and it laid the foundation for the Holocaust.
Many Jews have personally experienced anti-Semitism. A Jew contending with a hostile environment could be subjected to nasty treatment for the first 11 months of the year, and then finds that people around him will be indignant if he does not catch the holiday spirit.
I fully understand that Christianity has evolved into a force that is far more civil as contrasted to earlier times, though it has taken some troubling turns. I find that gracious, kindhearted Christians are more the rule than the exception. The United States has been welcoming to the Jewish people, so I figure I can tolerate some discomfort.
Most Christians I know do not treat me as an outsider and celebrate Christmas because they love it, not as an instrument to denigrate other religions. I take their “Happy Hanukkah” greetings as a well-intentioned gesture to recognize the validity of Judaism. At the same time, they may not understand that we do not recognize Hanukkah as an important holiday.
I have found that one way to reward deeds of friendship is to make their holidays more joyous. Years ago, I spelled a woman assigned to work Christmas so that she could join her family for the holiday dinner. At the office, I do not complain about Christmas decorations or holiday talk because I figure, to paraphrase a song title, Christians just want to have fun.
I was initially against the Christmas Village at City Hall, but it occurred to me that other religious symbols are allowed on public property - most notably for an annual Menorah-lighting ceremony held near Independence Hall.
The local religious wars seemed to escalate a tad when a co-worker wore a button on her blouse stating: “It is okay to wish me a Merry Christmas.” This refers to the neutral practice of wishing others “Happy Holidays.” It is understandable that some people innocently greet others with “Merry Christmas” out of habit, but there are those who deliberately apply the greeting to those they know who do not celebrate Christmas. I believe that most people fall into the first category and should not be condemned for an honest mistake.
Maybe we should anoint a panel of wise, sensible folks to mediate holiday disputes. On a national or local basis, or both, a group of sages of different religions - imams, priests, rabbis and ministers - could convene in good fellowship and devise a list of do’s and don’t’s for the holiday season. Most of all, they can offer a reason for the season in which we can all delight.
I know many fine statements have been made that can qualify for this message, but they escape me for the moment. I must continue to search.
Meanwhile, I wish you all peace on earth and goodwill to men…and women.
The word “Christmas” was removed from the 15-foot-high “Christmas Village” sign welcoming visitors to a Christmas market in front of Philadelphia’s City Hall by order of Managing Director Richard Negrin on Nov. 29. Some city workers and visitors griped about a religious sign on public property.
Come Chanukah eve, Dec. 1, Mayor Michael Nutter countermanded the order so Christmas could become part of the sign once again. Next morning, 25 days before the big day, a Philadelphia Daily News headline proclaimed: “Nutter saves Christmas!”
Each year we must contend with such episodes. After 2010 years, maybe it is time for a meeting of the spiritual minds to offer understanding and determine how the holiday season can bring us together.
I have observed many good friends beam as they prepared Christmas decorations at the officer or smile broadly as they wished me “Merry Christmas.” Christmas is important to millions of Americans and I have in the past expended efforts to help my Christians friends enjoy it.
However, lovers of Christmas need to understand how the holiday season affects others. At the very least, the remainder of the non-Christmas celebrating world is overwhelmed with reminders of a holiday that is foreign to us. Jews in particular do not mention Jesus in our religious traditions, and so we feel left out of a holiday that appears to be celebrated by almost everyone we encounter.
Historically, Jews have legitimate reason to be downright bitter about all Christian holidays. Christianity gave us not only Christmas and Easter but also the Crusades and the Inquisition, and it laid the foundation for the Holocaust.
Many Jews have personally experienced anti-Semitism. A Jew contending with a hostile environment could be subjected to nasty treatment for the first 11 months of the year, and then finds that people around him will be indignant if he does not catch the holiday spirit.
I fully understand that Christianity has evolved into a force that is far more civil as contrasted to earlier times, though it has taken some troubling turns. I find that gracious, kindhearted Christians are more the rule than the exception. The United States has been welcoming to the Jewish people, so I figure I can tolerate some discomfort.
Most Christians I know do not treat me as an outsider and celebrate Christmas because they love it, not as an instrument to denigrate other religions. I take their “Happy Hanukkah” greetings as a well-intentioned gesture to recognize the validity of Judaism. At the same time, they may not understand that we do not recognize Hanukkah as an important holiday.
I have found that one way to reward deeds of friendship is to make their holidays more joyous. Years ago, I spelled a woman assigned to work Christmas so that she could join her family for the holiday dinner. At the office, I do not complain about Christmas decorations or holiday talk because I figure, to paraphrase a song title, Christians just want to have fun.
I was initially against the Christmas Village at City Hall, but it occurred to me that other religious symbols are allowed on public property - most notably for an annual Menorah-lighting ceremony held near Independence Hall.
The local religious wars seemed to escalate a tad when a co-worker wore a button on her blouse stating: “It is okay to wish me a Merry Christmas.” This refers to the neutral practice of wishing others “Happy Holidays.” It is understandable that some people innocently greet others with “Merry Christmas” out of habit, but there are those who deliberately apply the greeting to those they know who do not celebrate Christmas. I believe that most people fall into the first category and should not be condemned for an honest mistake.
Maybe we should anoint a panel of wise, sensible folks to mediate holiday disputes. On a national or local basis, or both, a group of sages of different religions - imams, priests, rabbis and ministers - could convene in good fellowship and devise a list of do’s and don’t’s for the holiday season. Most of all, they can offer a reason for the season in which we can all delight.
I know many fine statements have been made that can qualify for this message, but they escape me for the moment. I must continue to search.
Meanwhile, I wish you all peace on earth and goodwill to men…and women.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Arab fears undermine future of Middle East
It is beneficial that Arab and Israeli leaders agree for once. Or is it just once?
As The New York Times and other media report, the release of state secrets from WikiLeaks reveal how Iran’s nuclear preparations have terrified Arab leaders, and some have been urging strong action, including a military strike. Israel has been more than open about these possibilities.
Arab leaders repeated their concerns in private, and they wanted someone else to do it - such as Israel or the United States.
No wonder we consistently fail to make progress on any Middle East issues. Arabs who might agree with Israeli positions nonetheless keep silent. As the Times explains it, “Publicly, these Arab states held their tongues, for fear of a domestic uproar and the retributions of a powerful neighbor. Privately, they clamored for strong action, by someone else.”
God forbid that an Arab publicly concede that Israel is right about something. Arab leaders have left sufficient hints about their real feelings about Iran, but it is no surprise that they would say one thing publicly and the complete opposite privately. If they concur with Israel on how to respond to Iran, what is the possibility that they agree with Israel on other crucial issues?
Many Arabs probably are not obsessed with Israel’s destruction; support Israel’s treatment of Gaza and its positions on a peace deal; and believe that Hamas should release captured Israeli Sgt. Gilad Shalit. Because violent extremists control the situation, they are simply too frightened to say so publicly.
To be sure, there are nonetheless plenty of Arabs who are virulently against Israel.
Though Arab fears are understandable, their approach undermines any prospect of resolving the many obstacles that already exist. Their silence, or their opposing positions, drains Israel of credibility when its representatives try to justify Israeli actions.
Israel is either left alone out there, or Arab criticisms challenge its positions. People who might otherwise back Israel’s actions will be turned off to it because of deceptive Arab responses.
When the truth comes out, Israel’s position is strengthened, as Israeli officials have emphasized. Now the world knows that Arab leaders were drawing the same conclusions about Iran’s plans as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials.
Besides bin Zayed’s “Ahmadinejad is Hitler” statement, King Hamad of Bahrain said, “That program must be stopped. The danger of letting it go on is greater than the danger of stopping it.” A Saudi Arabian ambassador relayed this message from King Abdullah: “He told you to cut off the head of the snake.” Maj. Gen. Mohammad al-Assar, assistant to the Egyptian minister of defense, reportedly “stated that Egypt views Iran as a threat to the region.”
In reality, bin Zayed, Hamad, Abdullah and al-Assar were united with Israel privately, but not openly. After all, how could they lend credibility to a people who oppress the poor Palestinians, seek to dominate the Middle East and are the cause - with no exceptions - of all the problems plaguing the Arab world?
Israel and its Arab neighbors must operate in unison to resolve the Middle East’s challenges. Many of these issues reached crisis level long ago. Israel and the United States cannot be expected to save this corner of the world themselves, especially when weighted down by those who should be their allies.
As The New York Times and other media report, the release of state secrets from WikiLeaks reveal how Iran’s nuclear preparations have terrified Arab leaders, and some have been urging strong action, including a military strike. Israel has been more than open about these possibilities.
Arab leaders repeated their concerns in private, and they wanted someone else to do it - such as Israel or the United States.
No wonder we consistently fail to make progress on any Middle East issues. Arabs who might agree with Israeli positions nonetheless keep silent. As the Times explains it, “Publicly, these Arab states held their tongues, for fear of a domestic uproar and the retributions of a powerful neighbor. Privately, they clamored for strong action, by someone else.”
God forbid that an Arab publicly concede that Israel is right about something. Arab leaders have left sufficient hints about their real feelings about Iran, but it is no surprise that they would say one thing publicly and the complete opposite privately. If they concur with Israel on how to respond to Iran, what is the possibility that they agree with Israel on other crucial issues?
Many Arabs probably are not obsessed with Israel’s destruction; support Israel’s treatment of Gaza and its positions on a peace deal; and believe that Hamas should release captured Israeli Sgt. Gilad Shalit. Because violent extremists control the situation, they are simply too frightened to say so publicly.
To be sure, there are nonetheless plenty of Arabs who are virulently against Israel.
Though Arab fears are understandable, their approach undermines any prospect of resolving the many obstacles that already exist. Their silence, or their opposing positions, drains Israel of credibility when its representatives try to justify Israeli actions.
Israel is either left alone out there, or Arab criticisms challenge its positions. People who might otherwise back Israel’s actions will be turned off to it because of deceptive Arab responses.
When the truth comes out, Israel’s position is strengthened, as Israeli officials have emphasized. Now the world knows that Arab leaders were drawing the same conclusions about Iran’s plans as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials.
Besides bin Zayed’s “Ahmadinejad is Hitler” statement, King Hamad of Bahrain said, “That program must be stopped. The danger of letting it go on is greater than the danger of stopping it.” A Saudi Arabian ambassador relayed this message from King Abdullah: “He told you to cut off the head of the snake.” Maj. Gen. Mohammad al-Assar, assistant to the Egyptian minister of defense, reportedly “stated that Egypt views Iran as a threat to the region.”
In reality, bin Zayed, Hamad, Abdullah and al-Assar were united with Israel privately, but not openly. After all, how could they lend credibility to a people who oppress the poor Palestinians, seek to dominate the Middle East and are the cause - with no exceptions - of all the problems plaguing the Arab world?
Israel and its Arab neighbors must operate in unison to resolve the Middle East’s challenges. Many of these issues reached crisis level long ago. Israel and the United States cannot be expected to save this corner of the world themselves, especially when weighted down by those who should be their allies.
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