Capitalism is a society based on competition and conflict so it comes as no suprise to learn that anti-semitic views that seem outdated are being revived by recent events. A YouGov poll showed that 45 per cent of Britons agreed with at least one of four anti semitic statements put to them. 'Some 25 per cent agreed with the idea that "Jews chase money more than other British people" while one in five accepted as true that "Jews' loyalty to Israel makes them less loyal to Britain than other British people". A further 13 per cent said of those surveyed in the poll commissioned by the Campaign Against Anti Semitism (CAA) agreed that 'Jews talk about the Holocaust too much in order to get sympathy'. (Independent, 14 January) All of this nonsense splits workers apart. RD
The Glasgow & Edinburgh Branches Blog. Towards a better understanding of the world, in order to change it.
The perception of a special relationship between those who are Jews and the state of Israel is a real one, and it built into the constitution of Israel itself. Zionism is a nationalistic political position and is held by many British Jews. I'm actually surprised that the preconception is only a fifth of respondents. To question the policies of Israel, or even its existence as a Jewish state rather than a possible secular state that incorporates Palestinians is not anti-semitic but is often treated as such. Norman Finkelstein has written a book on what he describes as the Holocaust industry where he documents that the holocaust is used as political justification in support of of the Israeli government.
ReplyDeleteThe same poll found 84% of British Jews consider the boycott of Israeli products in support of Palestinians as intimidation of them as Jews. 45% believe the Jewish population does not have a long term future in the UK and over a have no future in Europe. Three-quarters of British Jews believe criticism of Israel's politics were disguised anti-semitic statements.
ReplyDeleteThe nonsense has succeeded in splitting workers already