Today, it is not uncommon to hear both pro- and anti-Israel speakers at local and national gatherings, and through the media, regurgitate the "line"-"Its ok for people to criticize Israel – without fearing being labeled antisemites or anti-Israel"- along with -the more forthright declaration that- "it is a duty to criticize Israeli policy much as we do American policy decisions". Is this "line" credible, and justifiable? I believe it is neither. I suggest that this "line" is just another means by which Israel's adversaries have manipulated the dialogue to support divestment, boycott, and international isolation of the Jewish State. This mirrors the refrain which accuses Israel of Apartheid policy. Further, in espousing this "line", I suggest that even some American pro-Israel stalwarts, have unknowingly become stooges (tools) in this propaganda war to bring down the State of Israel? Why is this public duty to criticize reserved primarily for Israel's policies and actions? Why is there a lack of public duty or responsibility to advocate, for example, that Chinese Americans should publicly criticize Chinese policy on a comparative scale to the high profile public criticism expected of Israel? Is the rest of the world blameless for their activities, or do they live on another planet? Considering all the useful innovations that Israel has put forward in the fields of science, medicine, technology, and the environment, shouldn't we actually be lauding her? Isn't it more appropriate or "OK" to criticize Israel"s enemies? –who comparatively have devoted precious little effort for the betterment of mankind, while instead expending far greater efforts in supporting terrorist enterprises? Perhaps we are spending too much time criticizing our friends and not enough time criticizing the "real" enemies of democracy. Your thoughts?
Its OK to laud Israel
Is it OK for Israel supporters and others to openly criticize Israel? Americans can openly criticize American policies if they think they are unfair or poor policies. So criticism is a good thing- Yes? – or maybe NO, not always?
February 17, 2011 at 1:52AM
about the writer
garyfine
The man suspected of killing a Minnesota lawmaker and wounding another crawled to officers in surrender Sunday after they located him in the woods near his home, ending a massive, nearly two-day search that put the entire state on edge.
