If It Looks Like a Duck
Isn't it amazing the number of individuals, groups and some-such who hold Israel to a standard which they themselves could not uphold under like circumstances. At a time in current history throughout the world when so many countries are recognized as being human-rights abusers of unspeakable magnitude, the onlooking world tut-tuts yet no similar demands are placed upon those countries. Some of which have been elevated to posts within the United Nations, including those of Human Rights tribunals, while their abuses are handily overlooked. And while Israel barely receives official recognition through the United Nations, thanks to the balance of members whose orientation is so inimical to Israel.Why is this so familiar a ritual? It has nothing to do with being anti-Jewish, of course. It is simply taking a critical look at the functioning of the State of Israel. In fact, the focus is indeed on Israel, a state dedicated as a world refuge for Jews. This same people whom no other country would see fit to embrace, to offer a refuge, however temporary, when millions of Jewish lives were being threatened. These same Jews, who, in extremis, begged for rescue from a horrible fate, yet were abandoned by an uncaring world. They were Jews, after all. And haven't Jews historically been thought of in the most detestably deleterious of ways, of being possessed of the meanest characteristics known to humankind?
With so many dire situations occurring throughout the world in various African countries where one tribal faction wars against the other, while the world wrings its collective hands in desperation while doing nothing to help, we are yet loathe to bring the offenders to task, to demand cessation. Much like what is happening now in Sudan. We don't see constant resolutions condemning countries like Guatemala, Burma, Nigeria, the Philippines, South Africa, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, to name but a few. Yet these are countries which are known human-rights abusers.
Still, it is Israel and Israel alone who suffers condemnation for its actions taken for the purpose of defending its very existence. Yes, in so doing innocent people are often hurt and killed. But never as a deliberate, provocative, heartless act of premeditated chaos and murder. Yet when Israel is faced with an aggressive opponent whose activites are based on deliberate decisions to create as much mayhem, to kill as many civilians as possible through suicide bombing and other deadly means, it is considered to be somehow acceptable. When Israel is singled out, it is singled out, never does a condemnatory statement appear to balance events.
So when a group like CUPE decides that Israel deserves its censure, a union, for heaven's sake, taking these draconian condemnatory steps, it couldn't possibly be because its leading lights harbour anti-Semitic feelings. And when the United Church of Canada is outraged that it feels the State of Israel is failing to meet the moral standards that the United Church of Canada has set forward for Israel, then it must be right and proper that the Church consider pulling out investments in companies and stocks which do business with and support Israel.
Since the condemnation is entirely one-sided, with no balancing acknowledgement of the strictures imposed upon Israel's very existence by an implacable adversary refusing to co-sign a lasting peace agreement for the benefit of both Israelis and Palestinians, the conclusion is inescapable.
Anti-Semites, all!
posted by Pieface @ Friday, July 07, 2006
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