Hidden Agenda
Why is it Anti-Semitic to question whether some leaders allow sympathy for Israel to influence their political position? I like Jewish Culture and Values. I admire and respect Israeli scientific and military achievements. I think Yasser Arafat made some seriously bad choices by aligning himself with terrorists, and shares responsibility for the inability to resolve the crisis between Israel & Palestine. I also think Israel treats Palestinians unfairly, even cruelly, (in fact they used terrorism to drive many Palestinians from their historical homes in Israel) on a number of different levels, and that the Sharon government has been confrontational and overly hostile. (In fact, I think Sharon is probably classifiable as a War Criminal for his actions as a military leader in the past.)
Am I an Anti-Semite because of the above statements? Am I allowed to question people of Jewish heritage in the U.S. when they make pro-Israeli political decisions that I don't agree with? Is it anti-Semitic to suggest they are making unbalanced choices, perhaps because of their ethnic and cultural heritage and natural affinity for Israel (or in other words, for their Zionism?)
How about when some criticize U.S. action in Yugoslavia & inaction in Rwanda as being motivated by a subtle Euro-centric (translation: "White") bias? Is that criticism anti-white-ism ?
We have a good historic example of Anti-Semitism in World War II (and after), and even more historical examples going back to the Crusades. We'll know Anti-Semitism when we see it. Having been victims of the Holocaust does not exempt members of one ethicity from the same need to have their motives questioned, just as other ethnic groups (whites, blacks) have their motives frequently questioned when ethnicity might be a component of the issue at hand.
12:16:54 PM 
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