When being “anti-Semitic” is honorable [Archives:2003/683/Viewpoint]

Editor
The recent Eurobarometer poll, which sparked outrage from Israel, shows that 59 percent of Europeans see Israel as a threat to world peace – ahead of Iran, North Korea and the US, who were all in second place, at 53 percent.
Some Israeli ministers have clearly said that the poll showed anti-Semitism. Natan Sharansky, diasporas affairs minister, said: “The European Union, which shows sensitivity on human rights issues, would do well to stop the rampant brainwashing against and demonizing of Israel before Europe deteriorates once again to dark sections of its past.”
The Israeli response was quite blunt, aggressive, and clear.
The same accusation was said against former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammed, “who said that Jews control the world through proxy”.
The same accusation also targeted thousands of others who criticized the way Israel has been handling the Middle East crisis. Any criticism to the state of Israel is now being interpreted to be ‘anti-Semitic’ to the level that people are starting to show that they do not care about this accusation. “If I am anti-Semitic because of the articles I write, I am happy and willing to be tried anywhere and anytime.” said Yemen Times writer Hassan Al-Haifi.
This wave of anti-Semitism hurts Israel the most because it shows that the old cry of anti-Semitism is not applicable today. The world knows what Israel is doing to Muslims in Palestine. People are aware of the biasness of the USA, and its role in vetoing certain resolutions of the Security Council before they saw light.
But it’s truly pathetic to see how Israel is willing to accuse everyone who criticizes Israel in any way of ‘anti Semitism’. I believe that Europeans will get even more convinced after Israel had reacted in such a manner. Is Israel so special that it needs to scream and shout and show outrage? Why don’t they just swallow the results just like Americans accepted the TIME poll results that suggested the USA is the biggest threat to peace in the world?
Regardless, what we are facing now is a routine consequence from a regime in Israel that is actually illegitimate and based on occupying another country. So in many opinions, in the Arab world and elsewhere, a country that is based on unlawful principles cannot dictate what is right and what is wrong. Is it the international community that needs to limit its fooling around and let the country know that it is not above the world?
I hail Europeans who voted for listing Israel on top of world nations that constitute the biggest threat to world peace, and I add my voice to theirs.
After all, I wouldn’t worry of being called anti-Semitic, because I have already been called so thousands of time, and one more time wouldn’t make a difference. If defending our brothers’ rights in Palestine and criticizing the acts of Israel means I am anti-Semitic, then I would indeed be anti-Semitic and it would be an honor for me to be so!
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