Zichron Yaacov, Israel--The Internet has done wonders for one group of people. The anti-Israel
crowd. They believe it is legitimate to hate Israel and to charge Israel with committing "acts of
genocide and massacre against the Palestinians."
This group is comprised of a mixture of Arabs and Americans from the far right and from the far
Left, and are all united in their belief that "Israel has stolen the Palestinians lands and deprived
them of their right to nationhood." They claim the Israeli government has had a "secret policy to
destroy the Palestinian people going back 50 years." They charge that the state of Israel is
illegitimate and should be expelled from the family of nations.
Throughout the Internet there are various discussion groups and press services catering to
anti-Israel views. Arab and Palestinians intellectual along with Lefties rule these sites and bulletin
boards. The norm is condemnation of Israel. The moment they don't hear that you as a
contributor to the discussion aren't prepared to immediately condemn Israel for "mass brutality"
and "genocide perpetrated against the Palestinians" you are immediately branded as an apologist
for Israel. In other words, in their minds, Israel isassumed guilty. This is anti-Israelism.
Anti-Israelism is widespread on college campuses. The extreme Left-wingers join forces with the
Arab student societies and the other Third World groups to systematically condemn Israel in
university sponsored and funded forums and lectures. Year-in and year-out on US college
campuses, Israel is accused of "crimes against the Palestinian people."
The yearly ritual is repeated without any complaint by even the Jewish community or the Israeli
government. What if it was France that was being charged with the crime of "genocide?" The
French government would immediately demand these attacks end. Unlike other Western
countries, it is permissible to publicly hate Israel. Arabs and Americans who espouse
anti-Israelism claim that they are not against Jews, only Israel. They don't hate Jews, they point
out, they just hate Israel. These are there own words. They admit that are "anti" Israel.
Why is it okay to hate Israel? In a civilized society can it be permitted to publicly hate another
country and charge its people with "genocide" and "massacres"? If such hatred was directed
against the UK, Germany, Finland, Belgium or Italy these country's ambassador's would be in
Washington demanding and end to the campaign of hate against the good name and reputation of
their country.
Unfortunately, however, anti-Israelism has become accepted as a legitimate political expression.
Forget anti-Semitism. Being anti-Israel is accepted as a legitimate political expression. In most
civil societies anti-Jewish sentiments are frowned upon. Yet in those same countries it is perfectly
acceptable for Arabs to express hatred of Israel.
Why is such hatred of Israel allowed to continue unconfronted?
Anti-Israel people who claim they are anti-Israel but not anti-Semitic believe they have a right to
reserve their hatred just for Israel. Yet if you identify yourself as being anti-Egyptian it means you
don't like the Egyptian people or the Egyptian state or both. Israel is the Jewish state and the
majority of its inhabitants are Jews. Being anti-Israel means being anti-Jewish in the same way
being anti the political state of India means being anti Indian people. If I am anti-France I am anti
the French people. Would it be morally acceptable to say: "I don't hate the Italians, I just hate
Italy?"
A public expression of hatred against another country must be confronted in the courts with libel
and slander suits. The next time an article appears on an Internet site propagating anti-Israel
hatred it should be the basis for legal action. No one has a right to use the public airwaves to
incite hatred against another country or its people.
These expressions of anti-Israelism must be confronted. The normalization and legitimization of
hatred of Israel must be arrested. It isn't permissible to hate Israel anymore than it is permissible to
hate Greece, Nambia, Denmark, Japan or Brazil. Anti-Israel forums and organizations should not
be allowed to so freely preach hatred against Israel. It should be a crime to preach hatred against
another country or its people.
People can think anything they want. They should be able to discuss these views in a private
setting. What they should not be allowed to do is to publicly express hatred towards another
people or country and use a university or other public institution as arenas to spread hatred
against Israel. If specific accusations are made then proof must be presented. Anytime a group or
organization makes a public condemnation of another people or country they should risk facing
libel and slander charges in the courts.
The right to free speech doesn't mean one can scream "fire" in a crowded theater. Accusations
against another country can still be made. But they must be backed up by a reasonable amount of
proof. If none is presented then those making the accusations should be sued for libel and slander
and risk facing a civil suit.
This is the only way to combat the phenomenon known as "anti-Israelism." Jewish and Israeli
groups throughout America need to hire lawyers to initiate legal proceedings against these
anti-Israel voices. Publishing an article on the public Internet accusing Israel of charges of
"massacres and genocide against the Palestinian people" would be met with an expensive court
case.
This is how to confront anti-Israelism.
===============
Joel Bainerman, The Israel Technology Letter
POB 387, Zichron Yaacov, Israel, 30900
Voice: 972-6-639-6673 Fax: 972-6-639-8880
Email: isratech@netvision.net.il
