What is Anti-Semitism?

Israel & Palestine Forum

The following are what seem to be contradictory definitions.

Sem·ite n. A member of a group of Semitic-speaking peoples of the Near East and northern Africa, including the Arabs, Arameans, Babylonians, Carthaginians, Ethiopians, Hebrews, and Phoenicians.

anti-Semitism n : the intense dislike for and prejudice against Jewish people .


I don't want to offend... but I am curious how did this terminology become accepted as it is today. If a Semite was any member of a Semitic-speaking tribe/nation, then how does Anti-Semitism only refer to Jews?

Any rational responses to this are encouraged.

Rowdy...

here are a few other definitions.....

The definition I have in the Oxford Dictionary Third Edition states:

a member of a people speaking a semetic language, in particular the Jews and Arabs;

Origin: 'Shem" son of Noah in the Bible, from whom these people are traditionally descended.

Another from the Royal Roads University...but that had three definitions...they are:

1. A member of a group of Semitic-speaking peoples of the Near East and northern Africa, including the Arabs, Arameans, Babylonians, Carthaginians, Ethiopians, Hebrews, and Phoenicians.

2. A Jew.

3. Bible . A descendant of Shem.




Actually anti-semitism can be used in both ways...can be used to term Arabs or Jews...but the reason that it is so familiarized with the Jews is because when the Nazis were unsatisfied with whether or not German Jews were really German! The Nazis searched for Semites (Jews in this case) to eliminate them. Thus the term anti-semitism, was coined for the Jews.

BUT...I read this somewhere:

A recent Los Angeles Times article noted that "pro-Israel or Jewish organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League, the Jewish Defense League and the Middle East Forum think tank have provided news organizations with reams of critical documentation on Muslim leaders in recent weeks." Opportunistically taking advantage of the post-9/11 atmosphere in this country, these groups have launched a determined and concerted effort to scapegoat American Muslims. The purpose is to rationalize a new anti-Semitism, directed not against Jews but against Arabs.


So because of Hitler...anti-Semitism was termed for the Jews, but in the recent wake of 9/11 and the controversy over racial profiling... a new anti-semitism is now referred for the Arabs.

I certainly hope that helps!

Originally posted by rowdyrjp




Thanks Mystic! So the term, while more familiarily used against Jews, can be used to describe racial prejudice against Arabs as well. That is alot to consider.

The original term anti-semetic was basically made for the Jews after Hitler's determination to rid them of their rights and life. But because they are not the only semites...people have now used it recently to term the profiling situation of the Arabs, because they, too, are semites.


Perhaps by turning this unifying cultural terminology on its head there may be hope for middle east!

It would be nice!

Think about it, a Semitic approach to joint studies and relations in Israel/Palestine! Some sort of collaborative ministries { governmental, social and religious } focusing on the wealth of common history these people share instead of the differences that tear them apart!

What do you think? If one can view these peoples as sub sets of a larger group... could not that dynamic help improve their relations?


I would certainly think that could help. If they could focus on their similarities instead of their differences it certainly could help open the way to acheiving peace! I just worry over the individuals that might stand in the way of this...of course, with that said, these kind of people are everywhere; People that dont want to see any happiness in the world unless it goes with their own way of thinking!

It's a good thought Rowdy! Maybe this could be a starting ground, it certainly coudn't hurt! Like you said, I think it could help!

It's a good idea, however, it's not as realizable as it seems.

You want the children to be taught... but they are taught by adults, and if the adults have different beliefs, there's no way they'd want their children to be educated differently. Furthermore, even though children will be taught in schools that Israelis and Palestinians came from the same ancestor, that they're brothers, that they're very much alike, the children watch TV and know what's really going on between the Israelis and the Palestinians - between the brothers.

Yes, they should be taught: "You are the new generation, a generation of peace. Don't follow your parents' way - they represent today's situation and as you can see it's a very bitter one. You will change the world!". They should be taught peace and love rather than warfare and hatred.

Sometimes they shot on TV how the Palestinians are taught to use weapons, make explosives, etc. I don't know how many schools do that and how many students learn hatred and warfare, I certainly hope it's just a few.

I've been to 5 different schools and I have never heard a teacher saying bad things about the Palestinians. Most of my teachers were left-winged, including the history teachers who teach Israel's history between 1880-1948. Out of 39 students from my class, only 3 are willing to go to combat units and serve in the Palestinian territories if needed.

Teaching kids this new ideology seems like an impossible task, as you inherit your parents' views and usually may think differently only after you're old enough. The change should come in today's society - in the parents themselves. They inherit hatred and that's what should be stopped. The best way to stop it is a diplomatic solution.

Also, you can't change half of the world and convince all the Arab countries that Israel is like their brother... if achieving peace in the middle east is a difficult task, that one is much harder.

First there should be 2 states, hatred will slowly fade away and only then they may talk about becoming allies.

I must admit that Palestinians look much like some Israelis (those who came from N.Africa and M.East) That's why suicide bombers make it to public places. They can only be recognized by suspicious artifacts or suspicious behavior.

By the way, if you're talking about cultural union, then I should tell you about a filharmonic orchestra that contains both Israeli and Palestinian musicians and they give concerts at halls where, if I'm correct - both Palestinians and Israelis gather. They believe that it can bring the two nations closer to each other.

What IS NOT anti-Semitism...
...Criticism of the Nation/State of Israel. Don't let those BaZtardz fool you with this crap!

Originally posted by rowdyrjp


Ok any more flatterry and my wife is gonna think you are sweet on me...

LOL!! I just like the way you think! My husband would kick me if he even thought I was sweet on another! LOL

Seriously though, thanks for the comment. I am actually impressed at the fact that Bush is making Israel/Palestine such a priority now. I did not expect it.... I must say people, well they always possess so many facets and refuse to fit into the image we see of them. If he is sucessful ... well it will certainly turn world attention away from the divisive issue of Iraq.

Thats true! Of course...well...I think everyone knows my stance on the Iraq issue. It may have been wrong to some, but I was okay with it. This certainly will help his case though, I agree.

This seems a great oppurtunity for him to mend fences. The good that could come from him being there and putting pressure on both sides to come to terms... cannot be measured.

I hope it works. And this goes for both sides. I would love for them to achieve this peace!

I know I am hardly known as a Bush fan.... but regardless of other activities { which we have debated ad nauseum in Iraq threads }... I think he can do a world of good in this situation.
I hope he can, both sides need to stop the blood.

Agreed!

Ya know ... its funny. I am thinking of an historic similarity. As many people did not like Nixon and found him guilty of certain crimes.... well what is the saying " Only Nixon could go to China"?
Perhaps that may apply here when we look back years from now... as many people who did not like Bush and felt he was guilty of certain crimes..... perhaps " Only Bush could go to Israel and Palestine". Just a thought.


How true that is! And its funny you should mention Nixon, I was just talking about him last night! He had his problems, but he was really not as bad as he was portrayed. He did good for this country, and as funny as it is...SOME people have associated him with the Vietnam War, kind of at a point that they felt he was to blame. Dont quite understand that reasoning, as he came into office when the BS was happening, and actually put an end to it. So I thought. But I certainly hope Bush can put and end to this and pave the way for a better life for both the Israeli's and the Palestinians!!

Amen to that!

Bush always seemed to be a strong and rightful leader. I may not see his negative lines as I don't live in the US. I always read positive things about him - lowering taxes, signing for new programs of education, investing a lot of money to aid African people who suffer from AIDS, etc.

After all these things I find it hard to believe that he strives for middle east conquest, for stealing oil or anything like that.

I support the war in Iraq whether there are nuclear, biological or chemical weapons in Iraq or not. He got rid of Saddam who killed thousands of his own people and Bush showed US military's power to the whole world. He proved that he doesn't just talk and promise, but also achieve it.

Many leaders are hated by some while they're presidents/prime ministers, but after 5-20 years they will be remembered as national or international heroes regardless of their political mistakes and one of them is definitley G.W.Bush.

Okay guys, lets get down do the bottom line....

You all know more than me on this subject, so I will look to all of you for your thoughts.

Things seem, from what Ive read, to be going very well, and I know Ive asked this before, but that was before, and since all of this has been happening, Ill ask again.

Do you think this will achieve peace? and how long do you think it will be before it is reality? And do you think it will be accepted by both the Palestinians and the Israelis??

Look forward to your thoughts!

I suppose this doesnt help the situations huh? Whats going on with this?


Hamas Stops Talks on Halting Attacks on Israelis
1 hour, 27 minutes ago


By Nidal al-Mughrabi

GAZA (Reuters) - The militant Islamic group Hamas said on Friday it was breaking off talks with Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas on ending its attacks on Israelis in a strong challenge to peace pledges he made at a U.S.-led summit.


The announcement set Palestinian hard-liners and Abbas's new reformist government on a collision course likely to stoke fears of civil war.


"We have stopped the dialogue with the Palestinian Authority (news - web sites)," Hamas founder and spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin told Reuters. "This is our choice and we have no alternative. (Armed) resistance will continue."


Reinforcing Yassin's words, thousands of Hamas supporters staged rallies across the Gaza Strip (news - web sites) on Friday vowing to continue attacks, including suicide bombings, against Israelis.


Yassin said Abbas made unacceptable commitments at the landmark summit in Aqaba, Jordan, on Wednesday with President Bush (news - web sites) and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (news - web sites) in which they affirmed initial steps in a "road map" for peace.


Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, called for demilitarization of a 32-month-old Palestinian uprising for independence, effectively advocating an end to an armed struggle for a state.


Bush, cementing his new role as chief Middle East peace mediator after the U.S.-led war in Iraq (news - web sites), won a promise from Sharon to dismantle some settler outposts in the West Bank and endorsement of the creation of a "viable" Palestinian state.


Hamas has spearheaded dozens of suicide bombings against Israelis during the revolt.


The road map calls for a halt to Israeli-Palestinian violence and reciprocal confidence-building steps, including a freeze of Jewish settlement expansion on occupied Arab land, leading to establishment of a Palestinian state in 2005.


CABINET MINISTER RULES OUT FORCE AGAINST HAMAS


Hoping to avoid confrontation with Hamas, Abbas held truce talks with the group before the Aqaba summit and had expressed confidence he would soon persuade it to declare a cease-fire.


Yassin said Hamas was ending dialogue since Abbas ignored at the summit key issues like the right of return of Palestinian refugees to what is now Israel and the future of Jerusalem.


Commenting on the Hamas move, Palestinian cabinet minister Ziad Abu Amr signaled Abbas would do his utmost to steer clear of armed conflict with the group. The government, Abu Amr said, made a commitment "not to resort to force" in internal affairs.


There was no immediate comment by officials in Israel, where government offices were closed for a Jewish holiday.


The peace plan, which the Palestinians accepted and Israel endorsed with reservations, calls on the Palestinian Authority to mount "effective operations aimed at confronting all those engaged in terror."


Such action, the road map says, includes the "dismantlement of terrorist capabilities and infrastructure" and "confiscation of illegal weapons."


Since the summit, Israeli forces have killed two Hamas gunmen in a raid on the West Bank city of Tulkarm, and destroyed in the southern Gaza Strip two tunnels through which the army said arms were smuggled from Egypt.

Well? What do you think? If you criticize the STATE of Israel, does that mean that you're anti-Semitic?

PS... I'll give it up for Bush BIG TIME if he actially pulls off a Palestinian state. Of course Israel would have to have NO INFLUENCE over that state and NO RIGHT TO TROOPS inside that state. And that state would have to be allowed to be as ARMED as they want to be-for self defense of course.

Because with people like Bush and Sharon in charge, no matter what they say outwardly, my guess is that they'll try and give them a puppet state that they can control...which of course won't work...like it's not working in Afghanistan and it's not going to work in Iraq.

Let me ask you this, what if a Palestinian state is about to be created and the people THROUGH A FREE VOTE, elect Arafat LEGITIMATELY as the leader? What should happen? That would be a FUN SCENARIO, why? Just to see the look on Bush's face.

Guys... if the USA decides to go { hopefully with the UN.. this would be a great time for UNITY } into Israel and Palestine to disarm both sides.. which seem to be filled with MONSTERS...!!

Well if they decide to go... forget everything I have said....

I won't care to debate the finer points of war justification....

It won't matter.... ALL OF US need to stop these { pardon my language} ANIMALS from slaughtering their children any more!!

I have been reading Anti-Jihad's thread..... sobering.

What do you think... could former allies { USA, CANADA, FRANCE ETC. } join forces again .....?

If so ... despite our differences I would fight along side any of you Americans... for a cause this JUST!!!

Neither the Palestinians nor the Israelies... deserve any more time... they are killing kids!!!

Neither the Israelies nor the Palestinians... have earned statehood.... they are killing kids!!!

Both sides are pretty much useless...and their kids deserve....DEMAND a chance to grow up....

I think only AN ALLIED FORCE could bring this about now.

Even after "road map" summit... they went right on bombing each other....... they are so sick... they are actually helpless to stop.

WE { allied forces of UN } MUST STOP THEM!!