Political criticism or antisemitism??
It’s no secret that the U.S. has proposed to give Israel around $30 billion, including 20 F-35 fighter jets, in exchange for Israel agreeing to temporarily stop building new settlements in land that is supposed to belong to Palestinians.
Recently I came across a political cartoon which captured my sentiments on this proposed deal and posted it on my Facebook profile. Here is the cartoon:
I felt like this captured the ludicrous nature of such an attempt at “peace” talks.
However, what I didn’t take into account was how this would be perceived by one of my good friends who is a Jewish believer in Jesus. He messaged me and said that he found the image to be extremely antisemitic. I asked him to share his comments in the comment section and he raised some valid points that I had not considered. Here is the comment stream that appeared along with the posted image:
James-Michael Smith
For more info on what this is about (and how you can help stop it) visit http://www.twopeoplesonefuture.org/James-Michael Smith
Note: I’ve been told by someone who I love and respect as a brother in Christ that the depiction of Netanyahu in this image is antisemitic. I’m not convinced that it is, but I’m considering removing the image because I don’t want to add unnecessary fuel to an already burning fire. But how can the message of this cartoon be maintained in a way that does not bring such charges? That is what I’m wanting to know and what I’m considering before deciding whether or not to remove the picture.Jacob Isaacson
Perhaps a slightly different perspective on the issue? (for the record, this is the only Dennis Prager I’ve ever listened to)… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63hTOaRu7h4Darin F
What is supposed to be anti-semitic about it? The fact that he’s wearing a suit and taking money? There are no exaggerated features or other typical anti-semitic cues as far as I can tell. I think that only the idea behind the cartoon could… be considered anti-semitic, and then only if you think criticism of Israeli policy is inherently anti-semitic.I say, leave the cartoon up and let it speak for itself. There’s nothing hateful about it.
Jacob Isaacson
So the question becomes, is it exaggerated features that makes something antisemitic or the ideas it presents? So then this isn’t antisemitic?http://myblahg.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/anti-semitic_cartoon.jpg
Certainly one can criticize… Israel without being antisemitic, it happens all the time. But if one put up a cartoon that read “Boy those Jews sure do love money” but didn’t have any exaggerated features, I would hope none of us would argue that it wasn’t antisemitic.
Any arguments that this cartoon is not antisemitic completely ignore the history of antisemitic rhetoric. Historically the MAIN argument anti-Semites make is that Jews are money-hungry and will take advantage of whomever they have to to get more money.
The main problem is the delivery method as well. You’re talking about a medium that has traditionally been used as a vehicle for antisemitic rhetoric. I doubt if you yelled out “Let’s have us a lynching!!” any African-Americans would appreciate it. You could say, “I didn’t mean a BLACK person!” but I doubt they would see it that way.
James-Michael Smith
Jacob, that’s a valid point. When I saw the image, I didn’t make the association with monetary greed on Israel’s part; I associated it with the Israeli govt’s greed for military domination at all costs. But you’re right that it is similar to… past stereotypes of Jews and financial greed.Would the cartoon be as offensive if instead of money, Netanyahu was clutching guns and fighter jets were being delivered? That might make the political point without coming too close to prominent anti-Jewish cartoons of previous centuries, would it not?
At the end of the day, the sentiment I oppose is the notion that the US is considering massive military aid to an already massively armed country in order to get them to put a 3 month hold on building more unethical settlements in land that is supposed to belong to the Palestinians by treaty.
Antisemitism doesn’t need to come into the equation (especially since Atabs are a semitic people too). Thus, I’m leaning towards replacing this image with one that can make the same point but not be able to be interpreted as anti-…Jewish. Conversations like this are necessary to have though, because or views are sahped by our different experiences and thus can have blind spots that we need to be made aware of and receive humbly. That’s why I appreciate you commenting and challenging me to think more carefully.
[Note: In order to protect his privacy (as this is an extremely sensitive issue for our Messianic brothers and sisters who already face persecution from many of the non-Messianic Jewish community) we’re not using his real name.]
Here is some of our conversation via email in which we discuss it a little more in-depth:
Look, if you just linked to the website I probably wouldn’t have commented at all. Although I don’t agree with the position of the website I also don’t think Israel is blameless and I feel especially for Palestinian Christians. However, I just really can’t describe to you how offensive that cartoon is to me.
Not very far from this…
http://myblahg.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/anti-semitic_cartoon.jpgor this…
http://www.friends-partners.org/partners/beyond-the-pale/eng_captions/64-4.htmlAs your friend I’d like to ask you to consider removing the cartoon and just posting the link.
Jacob
———
First of all, I appreciate you communicating directly to me and I value our friendship. This is a sensitive issue and one that I know brings out deep feelings in many people on all sides.
What I don’t understand is how the depiction of Netanyahu is in any way anti-semitic. There is nothing stereotypical about the cartoon that I can see; as an artist it’s a caricature of a handful of political figures–and as political cartoons go, neither Obama, Hillary nor Netanyahu are portrayed with any exaggerated features. I believe the cartoon is making a powerful point in how these countries are going about seeking peace in such a wrong-headed manner.
I really just cannot understand, beyond simply disagreeing with the message being put forward by it, how you can find the image offensive. How could such a political cartoon be done in such a way as to be less offensive, specifically? I’ve seen the charges of antisemitism used by so many who seek to shut down any actual criticism of Israel and it troubles me because it ends up equating “Israel” with “the Jewish people” and I can’t find any justification for such an equation.
I feel like this is such an important conversation to have and rather than simply taking the picture down, I would like to find a way to let people discuss this issue honestly and publicly. Would you be willing to post your feelings about the cartoon and share why it is that it strikes you the way it does in the comments section and let others respond?
The main reason why I’m reluctant to remove it (though I’m not closed to the possibility and I want to pray about it in light of the NT teaching on making others stumble) is because it was shared with me by a Palestinian Christian whose family were removed from their homes and have been in exile for decades. I feel like if I were to take it down with no discussion or explanation that it would be somewhat of a betrayal of her struggle due to your offense at a caricature of a leader who has overseen numerous oppressive policies. Do you see the dilemma I find myself in?
Like I said, I would rather see this somehow used as a discussion generating opportunity, perhaps even move it to the Thinking Christians page where such discussions are frequent since we have both Palestinian and Jewish believers present there who feel passionately about this issue.
But I also value your friendship and if there is no way to avoid losing it I would consider taking the image down.
Let me know your thoughts when you have a chance and we’ll see where the Holy Spirit directs us.
Blessings and solidarity in Christ,
JM———–
A brief summary…
As I said, the IDEAS don’t offend me. The cartoon is specifically what was offensive. You should know that I am one who hesitates to play the antisemitism card when it comes to the Israel/Palestine debate (in fact I’m almost positive this is the first time I’ve ever done it) as, much like the Nazi card, in most cases it makes people stop listening.
My problem is specifically this… did you look at the two cartoons i sent you links to? This cartoon, although just slightly lacking the “stereotypical” or “exaggerated features” of other antisemitic cartoons, contains all the same themes. The Jews (who run Israel) are all money-hungry and are using the US in order to get more money and keep the Palestinians from being free. You’ll notice the first cartoon I sent you a link to doesn’t contain any “exaggerated features” either.
Perhaps you feel I’m reading too much into the cartoon. Perhaps you’re right. But I ask you, could you be reading too little into it?
The points in this cartoon may be perfectly legitimate (for the sake of argument) but presenting them in a format that has been used historically as a means of antisemitic rhetoric, and specifically antisemitic rhetoric concerning these same themes (because you have to admit, even if you mean them in a good way [which I honestly know you do] these ARE the same themes presented in typical antisemitic cartoons), makes it hard for me to see it as anything but antisemitic.
Unfortunately, for better or worse, “Israel” and “the Jewish people” are inextricably linked as Isreal is the ONLY Jewish state in the world. Arab nations as well as the Palestinian ruling powers seem to have no problem reminding us of this and refusing to recognize any “Jewish state.” The verbiage is not “we don’t recognize the right of Israel to exist,” the verbiage is “we don’t recognize the right of a Jewish state to exist.” The assumption is Israel.
On a personal note and on the actual issues, as a Jewish follower of the Messiah (Jesus) I often find myself in an unusual place on this issue. I understand that there are completely stupid steps that Israel has taken to try to maintain it’s people’s security. And I especially feel for and one day God-willing if I move to Israel will fight for the lives of Palestinian Christians. But I still believe that what (ironically) Benjamin Netanyahu said is true, “If the Palestinians put down their weapons there would be no war tomorrow. If the Israelis put down there weapons there would be no Israel tomorrow.”
Everyone (including this cartoon) seems to spin it as “big bad Israel” oppressing the Palestinians. But do you honestly believe for a second that the Israelis have any desire to “wipe the Palestinians off the face of the Earth?” Because if they really wanted to they could. In a show of good faith Israel completely pulled out of Gaza in 2005 forcing Israelis from THEIR homes. Did the Palestinians do anything to further their people’s future? No, they lobbed rockets into Israel for 3 years. When Israel finally went into Gaza to try to stop the people lobbing rockets at their citizens, the world condemned them. 3 YEARS Gaza lobbed rockets into southern Israel EVERY DAY!!! North Korea did it for ONE DAY and the international community took it as an offense.
Unfortunately, this is a conflict that goes back to the time of Abraham. God made it very clear that Ishmael would be a thorn in the side of his brother. Jewish tradition also says that the decedents of Esau were Rome (or more broadly, western civilization). It’s interesting to see these things play out on a global scale. I also happen to believe, from Scripture, that God also still has a plan for the people of Ishmael and just as he will one day cause “lion to lay down with lamb” he will bring reconciliation between the people of Jacob and the people of Ishmael and I appreciate that you’re passionate about seeing that happen. May it happen soon and in our days!!
Your friend always,
Jacob————–
Jacob,
As I posted in the comments section on the picture, I see your point and I think it is a valid one. I also appreciate your hesitancy to play the antisemite card and I think that you are not wrong to point it out in this picture. As I said in the comments section, I didn’t read the cartoon that way because I was thinking of the money in terms of its military funding identity. The “greedy Jew” stereotype didn’t cross my radar I have to admit, because I intentionally try to separate my critique and criticism of Israeli government from the Jewish people. I love the latter, I don’t really love the former precisely because I believe their actions are a danger to the latter ironically. I also constantly deal with folk-eschatology that totally rips Scripture out of context in order to use it for geopolitical policies and end-times timetables. Those embracing these type of theologies take an “Israel cannot be criticized and must be supported at any cost” approach that as a Biblical scholar, particularly of the Hebrew Bible, either saddens or infuriates me (depending on the level of rhetoric it is delivered with). So I’m not as sensitive to true anti-Jewish sentiments as you are, which is why I’m glad you initiated this conversation with me.I agree in that I don’t think Israelis in general want to destroy Palestinians outright…but they do want them to leave. That is why the state of living that most Palestinians (Christian and Muslim alike) experience daily is pretty much the state that black South Africans found themselves living under during Apartheid. They can’t even begin to match the military might of the Israeli forces, so they must either live daily under humiliating and oppressive conditions (i.e. pregnant mothers not being able to get to hospitals when their water breaks because of checkpoint bureaucracy and concrete barriers down the middle of their town, etc.) or the violent among them lash out in whatever ways they can using whatever they can get their hands on…often being enabled by surrounding enemies of Israel who are using the plight of the Palestinian communities for their own political purposes. (Incidentally, the reason N.Korea’s attack garnered such public attention and outrage is because N.Korea is a nuclear-weapon-equipped country with a despotic dictator at the helm! Palestine doesn’t even have a solid universally supported leadership in place, much less an army like N.Korea’s…but that is another conversation for another time, I believe). One of my friends, Porter Speakman Jr. has made a documentary about the lives of Palestinians, particularly Christians, and the support that Israel has received from Dispensationalist Christians like John Hagee. It’s been called “anti-semitic” by some reactionary critics, but while it does seek to present primarily the Palestinian Christian voice (a voice that often gets ignored due to all the hate rhetoric on both sides!), I don’t believe it can in any way be labeled as such. If you have not already seen it I would strongly recommend watching it (in fact, I believe it’s crucial for everyone who truly loves the Jewish people to see and engage with the things presented in it in some meaningful way). Here’s the website: http://www.withgodonourside.com/
Also, I just don’t believe Netanyahu’s claim is valid or true. I don’t believe Israel would be wiped out if they withdrew from the occupied territories and only built settlements outside of Gaza and the West Bank. They would still have the strongest military force in the middle east and would be more than capable of defending their land against any would-be attacks. Even more so, they would also take away the biggest recruiting aid used by their enemies, namely they would no longer be able to be declared to be oppressing Palestinians or seeking rule them with an iron fist. But this would infuriate hardliners and extremists on both sides. And I believe Netanyahu is an extremist (or at the very least represents the hardline element among the minority of Israeli citizens) just as many within the Palestinian leadership are extremists. And it’s such extremism and casting those who are in opposition to you as “those people who don’t want peace” that I believe grieves the heart of God and leads to continued human rights abuses and terrorism found on opposing sides of this conflict.
I would like to write a blog about this issue and this discussion you and I are having and post it later in the week, because I think you raise good points that those of us who are predisposed to sympathize with our brothers and sisters in Messiah in Palestine can often overlook. It’s important that we have voices that have a heart for the Jewish people as well as those with a heart for the Palestinian communities in the mix. I truly believe the body of Yeshua has the task of pushing through the extremism and truly being “peacemakers” in even the darkest of situations.
Nothing but love and respect brother,
JM
After my discussion with Jacob, I took a few seconds to modify the cartoon in a way that I felt would communicate my feelings about this proposed military aid without coming so close to the issues of stereotyping and historic antisemitic cartoons that Jacob raise good points about. Here’s what I came up with:
I’ve asked Jacob to share his feedback in the comments section below, which may generate good discussion and possibly a follow up post. But I’d also like to hear comments from other Dojo readers. What do you think? How can we discuss, debate and even disagree with one another on sensitive issues like this one without it devolving into name-calling, inflammatory rhetoric or character assassination? In other words, how can followers of Jesus work through this issue in a way that honors His prayer in John 17 for unity among His followers?
JM
THIS is what we should pray for when we pray for Israel and Jerusalem, is it not?
Categories: Blog, Eschatology, Political/Social issues, Prayer, Theological issues
Good post JM. Btw, I am a sister not a brother 🙂
The anti-semitic stereotype did not cross my mind either when I posted it or even when I saw the cartoon reposted by others. I think mostly I was blown away by the ridiculousness of the idea that the USA pretends to be “an honest broker for peace” (wikileaks now confirms the USA is not an honest broker for peace) and the USA is offering Israel’s gov’t BILLIONS for a settlement freeze, something that is illegal under international law to begin with, it is ludicrous. BILLIONS in monetary aid for weapons in the midst of a so called “Peace Process” by the “honest broker”.
by Rana on Dec 1, 2010 at 5:55 am
Haha…fixed, Rana! 🙂
by jm on Dec 1, 2010 at 5:06 pm
and one more thing, JM’s version of the cartoon does not get the point across as to how much money is being given to Israel. I really think the helicopter pallets of US Dollars brings the HUGE sum home a lot more than the table of rifles. Btw, it has been documented that the USA does bribe gov’ts with pallets of US Dollars, if I come across the article I read that in I will post it.
My one criticism of the cartoon is that it does not take into account the corruption in American politics that allows for this to occur. Israel has a lot of enablers that are just as guilty in stalling/ opposing peace.
by Rana on Dec 1, 2010 at 6:03 am
JM,
You ask the question: “how can followers of Jesus work through this issue in a way that honors His prayer in John 17 for unity among His followers?”
I think the dialogue between you and your friend shows a great example that answers this question. You disagreed but you both seemed to listen to each other and hear each other’s points. Something we can all try to do better. Kudos to you both– the honesty, openness and value of the relationship shone through– I’m humbled by you both.
Somewhat as an aside:
One possibility that I did not see discussed is that the cartoon was not inherently antisemitc, but can be so depending on perception– i.e. It is anti-semitic if someone perceives it to be so. This cartoon was in our newspaper a few days ago and, like you, anti-semitism did not even cross my mind (i don’t think even sub-consciously– because sub-consciously is where many stereotypes and prejudices exist)– I saw it as a political cartoon, not an ethnic cartoon. So, it clearly was not anti-semitic for me– it did not create or fuel any stereotypes in me about Jews as a people. However, your friend is right, in that it can be seen as a anti-semitic– at which point for that person who sees it that way it is an anti-semitic cartoon of the worst kind.
To that person, I cannot argue that the cartoon is not anti-semitic as that would deny his experience, which is truth for him. Likewise, he cannot tell me it is anti-semitic as that denies my experiece.
The only other question would lie in the author/drawers intention. Which cannot only be known for sure– so it is a moot point.
My opinon on the Israeli/Palestinian issue is hard to put into words. I tend to put more onus and responsibility on the group with more power– but I know it is not always that simple.
All I can think to say is: Lord, have mercy.
Thank you both for sharing and caring and loving and praying.
Erik
by Erik Hadden on Dec 1, 2010 at 6:07 am
I’m pretty much right where you are, James. Having said that, we gentile Christian don’t feel this sensitivities well, just as we underestimate the impact of the N word. The word “chink” does things to me I couldn’t describe, and I’ve not got a bad case of it.
I’ve also personally taken to the term “anti-Jewish” rather than “anti-Semitic” for the reasons you describe. The latter term was coined as a somewhat less bald description at a time when Jews were the only Semites one was likely to encounter. I remember when I was directing a French Jew to the Semitic Museum at Harvard and how surprised he was that it was not all Jewish!
I have Jewish friends that are behind Netanyahu. I, however, have never liked him since the first Gulf War. “Your mileage may vary.”
by Alexander J. Wei on Dec 1, 2010 at 12:08 pm
Cartoons are a double-edged sword because they have to simplify what are usually complex issues. They can be a real zinger or, in this case, they can only show one side of a complex story. I think that cartoon is rather biased, but not anti-Semitic (or anti-Jewish). Consider that we are also funding the Palestinian cause as well to the tune of about 75-150 million dollars per year, or close to 4 billion dollars since 1994. So Abbas, who only represents one faction of the Palestinians (Faatah), is not exactly sitting penniless and lonely while we allegedly give all of our attention and monies to Israel.
Admittedly, I don’t know if Israel has signed documents saying they would not build more settlements. If they have, then they are in clear violation of such promises. But one thing should be made clear: the land does not legally belong to the Palestinians at all. It belongs to Israel and Israel alone.
I don’t even have to go back to biblical history to substantiate that. The first grant of land came from the UN/British in 1948, for which Israel had to fight just to survive as a nation. Then in 1967 and 1973 it had to fight two more wars against Arab powers, again for its own survival. What you conquer you get to keep, unless for whatever reason you do not want it (e.g. the Sinai peninsula). There are a substantial number of Arab Israelis living in that country, so it is not a strictly “Jews only” entity. They are a parliamentary democracy who has willingly made peace with at least two Arab countries: Egypt and Jordan. They and the United States have been under near-constant attack from paramilitary Arab/Islamic groups since at least the 1980s. Hamas and Hezbollah are two that readily come to mind. Hamas’ own charter states that the annihilation of Israel is its singular reason for existence.
Far be it from me to say that anything is impossible for our God to do. But at the same time I don’t think these circumstances will change to favor peace anytime soon. Israel as a nation is becoming exasperated, in my opinion, because it cannot entirely get rid of its enemies and its enemies will not make peace with it either. If you asked me why this is, I believe it is because God wants Israel to repent and to realize that, much like America, it is not its own military, political, and economic might that keep it from perishing from the face of the earth. It is the grace and mercy of the Yahweh Sabbaoth (the Lord of hosts), period.
This is not meant to be read as a whitewash for anything illegal, immoral, or unethical the Israelis might have done to the Palestinians in regards to settlements or anything beside. Much like the Kurds, however, the Palestinians are a people but they are not a state and they are living on land that belongs to Israel legally despite the ceding of civil authority to the Palestinians in 1995, and the later evacuation and walling off of the West Bank and Gaza. To be truthful, peace is probably not in the best interest of either side. It would rob both of a cause. For the Palestinians: a holy war of resistance to an “occupier”. For the Israelis: a democratic nation afflicted by terrorism. Both of them have ”victim’ angles they are trying to work to their own advantage. Is Israel using this situation to its advantage in order to procure US aid? Yes. Is Hamas/Faatah doing the same with the US, UN, EU, and other organizations? Yes. And those together are probably one of the biggest sources of the problem, outside of the core beliefs of each party about the other party.
Yes, Christians should pray for peace, and not give excuses to either side for the violence they perpetrate on each other. But we should also realize that the entire political system, including the aid system, is set up to promote violence not quell it, despite the lofty aims of politicians who say otherwise. Peace starts in the heart, not the hand, and for that there is no convenient political solution.
by Bobby Lane on Dec 1, 2010 at 8:11 pm
I agree that the cartoon is anti-semitic. But to be honest it is a political cartoon. Political leaders are usually presented in cartoons with an element of pride, greed, or idiocy. For instance, Obama looks like a total boob. But it doesn’t mean it’s anti-American or racist against mixed people. It means its a political cartoon. Perhaps there is a bit of oversensitivity that is expected when it comes to not being anti-semitic.
The cartoon aside I do agree the situation is anti-semitic. The Deputy Speaker of Knisset (a leader in Israel and possibly a future Prime Minister) shared on American national news how Israeli’s and Jews felt this was anti-semitic.
Just to add a little… Israel wants to build in their own capital. Obama’s administration wants Israel to free settlements…even to the point of paying them off. Why? I don’t know if anyone is qualified to judge the hearts of the men who lead Iran, Israel, America, etc. Decisions at this level are confusing even upon their own hearts and consciences, b/c the information they are working with may/or may not be wholly true. It is not as straightforward as simply letting people build, stopping a war, having easy peace negotiations, or having the “I respect you, surely you’ll immediately respect me” mentality. They may know what is at stake more than cartoonists or citizens and have more to interpret. It’s a messy puzzle that has and will unfortunately shed the blood of many peoples…reminding me that is why we are supposed to pray for our leaders and enemies.
by Amy Patel on Dec 1, 2010 at 9:41 pm
JM,
Let me start by saying, because I think it’s the most important point, that YES the last picture you posted IS what we should all pray for!! As much as the cartoon gave me a churning in my stomach, this picture literally makes me feel like jumping. The thing I always try to keep in perspective when discussing Israel is that the only way things are going to change for the better is on a grass-roots level. By that I mean, the only way to solve the problem is for us involved to think of the others as individual people rather than “them.” On BOTH sides.
Golda Meir said, “We will have peace in Israel when the Palestinians love their children more than they hate ours.” If the inverse becomes true as well, if we love the Palestinians as much as we love our own children, how radical would that be in changing attitudes. What has historically perpetuated the situation is children being raised from a young age to hate the Jews. And sadly, although I would argue the expression of it has not been as defined or violent as the other side, the Jews too have been conditioned to think of the Palestinians as “them.” I understand these issues are horribly complex and have at least 60 years of history (if not 4000), but I would argue there is only one way to ever reach peace… one person at a time. This was the model Moshiach (Messiah) exemplified for us. Maybe it’s an idealistic thought. Maybe it’s not possible. But I don’t think that gives us an excuse not to try.
Now, back to the subject of the cartoon. I can’t explain it to you except to say that I literally got a churning in my stomach the first time I saw it. As I’ve thought through, over the last few days, why it bothered me, I realized there were two reasons. 1) The money the Israelis (read: Jews) were depicted as greedily hoarding and 2) The fact that Netanyahu seemed to be controlling/manipulating the entire situation. As I mentioned previously, these are the two oldest Jewish stereotypes around, that Jews are money-hungry and want to control/manipulate the world.
As for your modified cartoon. I will say first that you could definitely use a little fine-tuning of your Photoshop skills. I hate to flat-out say that this new version is not as anti-semitic, just because personally I horribly disagree with the political message. But I will concede that yes, this version is definitely LESS offensive from an anti-semitic perspective. Actually, I came up with an alternate version (I don’t have Photoshop so had to use Microsoft Paint for mine). I’d like to hear if you feel this still (or maybe even better) portrays the message you were trying to get across.
by Jacob I. on Dec 2, 2010 at 11:58 pm
http://www.flickr.com/photos/56606063@N07/5227746424/
by Jacob I. on Dec 3, 2010 at 12:56 am
Jacob,
Yes, ’twas not my best photoshop indeed! 🙂 Email me the image you made b/c the link isn’t working. I’ll post it along with your comments in a follow up.
by jm on Dec 3, 2010 at 3:56 am
Try it now. I was just giving you a hard time on the Photoshop, btw.
by Jacob I. on Dec 3, 2010 at 9:11 am
Haha, you can officially never give me a hard time about my photoshop skills ever again after seeing that! 😉 Heh heh. Thanks my friend. I’d love for you to send me the image (can’t save it from flickr) along with your commentary on it and why you feel it’s a more accurate representation of things politically speaking. I’ll post it as a follow up blog entry for people to discuss.
by jm on Dec 3, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Like Jacob, I am a Jewish believer in Jesus. I would agree that the original cartoon would stir up antisemitic feelings in readers who have already been primed to stereotype Jews as greedy and manipulative. There has been too much rhetoric of this type lately – and from the Right as well (consider Glenn Beck’s diatribe against George Soros).
I like the new version. I think it conveys the issue well without the “piles of money” image that could definitely be considered antisemitic.
BTW, I believe in the State of Israel as a Jewish homeland, and also support the Palestinians in their quest for rights and a homeland. I believe that Netanyahu and his settlement-building ilk are a barrier to peace and are too extreme to garner my support.
I hope and pray that believers from both Jewish and Palestinian backgrounds can be catalysts for peace. They have a unique voice in the midst of extremists and polemicists.
by Abby B on Dec 3, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Coincidentally, please pray for Israel as they are fighting the worst forest fire in their history right now. Over 40 people have died already.
by Jacob I. on Dec 3, 2010 at 11:10 pm
Thanks for letting us know about this, Jacob. I’m sure forest fires are more intense there and do much more damage than here due to climate and the small size of the country in general.
by jm on Dec 4, 2010 at 1:48 am
A little history and understanding of International Law is in order:
1. Acquisition of Territory by Military Conquest is Illegal
2. Occupation (either Legal or Illegal) is Generally Temporary and Must Never Lead To Sovereignty over Occupied or Conquered Lands of the Enemy People or Nation.
http://www.israellawresourcecenter.org/internationallaw/studyguides/sgil3a.htm
In 1947 the United Nations hoped to settle the conflict between the Palestinian people and the Zionists by dividing the land between them. Unfortunately, they chose a plan which the Palestinians did not agree with, and implemented it anyways. The plan, described in UN Resolution, divided the land of Palestine into two sections awarding the Zionists more than 1/2 of the land (55%) even though their current holdings totalled only about 6%, and their population was only about 16% of all the people in Palestine. Plus the plan gave the most fertile farmlands to the Zionists. The plan was clearly unfair, and the Palestinians and their Arab neighbors rebelled against the plan, and war broke out.
The Zionists won the fighting, and during the course of the fighting took additional lands bringing their total holdings to about 75% of the lands of Palestine, which they kept.
Even though this additional land was thus illegally gained in violation of both the Hague Regulations (1907) and UN Charter (1945) which both included the basic legal principle that it is illegal to acquire territory by force, these new boundaries soon became the accepted boundaries of the new State of Israel in the various peace agreements Israel signed with its neighbors.
Please, take some time to understand the relevant International Law and history, not just the mythology and ethos. I cut and pasted the above from the Israeli Law Resource Center. Given the fact that so many Christians hold a false ideology that favors Israelis over Palestinians, the least that can be done is to understand the history through the lens of International Law, clearly Israel has violated International Laws and continues to do so vis a vis acquiring land/ territory by force and the ongoing occupation and siege of Gaza.
PLEASE read the above carefully, I would be curious how Israel’s territorial gains and the Occupation of Palestinian Territories is justified in light of Israeli Int’l Law violations.
Sincerely,
Rana
by Rana on Dec 4, 2010 at 12:52 am
Thanks Rana. Most Christians don’t realize this; they simply see “Israel’s formation” in the late 40s as a prophetic “super sign” and are therefore VERY fearful to criticize or oppose it in any way.
by jm on Dec 4, 2010 at 1:12 am
I have been reticent to discuss these political issues as I did not wish to get into a debate with Rana. I prefer to focus on the positives and how we can move forward and I did not wish to in any way, belittle or embarrass Rana. However, since James-Michael asked me specifically to comment on these issues, here goes…
Rana’s selection and interpretation of international law is, of course, convenient. She has quoted a bunch of laws that sound convenient but have no basis in the context of actual historical fact and don’t actually apply to this situation. As I understand her points, Rana would like us to think of Israel as an invading power that, although initially attacked by an established Arab state, then illegally took possession of the territories of said state. Territories which, we’re led to believe, Israel still illegally possesses today.
Here are the facts regarding this inaccurate portrayal of history…
The fact is, the San Remo Conference of 1920, in the wake of World War I and the dissolving of the Ottoman Empire, LEGALLY established the areas of Palestine, including the city of Jerusalem, as a Jewish homeland. This decision was later ratified by the League of Nations in 1922. The British were put in charge of stewarding these lands and ensuring that the decisions of the San Remo Conference were upheld. Palestine remained under the control of the British (occupiers), although they legally belonged to the Jews, until the end of World War II. In fact, in 1939 the British, who had long made it difficult for Jews to migrate to the lands legally promised them in 1920, attempted to change the status of the entirety of Palestine from a Jewish homeland. The League of Nations Permanent Mandates Commission declared this attempt ILLEGAL, affirming the status of Palestine as a Jewish homeland.
Then, in 1945, the newly established United Nations reaffirmed this status as well (Article 80). Later, in 1947, they went about determining how they were going to divide these lands (which legally belonged to the Jews). They came up with a suggested plan which would divide the lands into two states, one Jewish and one Arab. This plan was ratified by the General Assembly. However, all such General Assembly resolutions on political issues are merely recommendations and MUST BE ACCEPTED BY THE PARTIES INVOLVED (Article 11; also see Articles. 10, 12, 13,14. Only the Security Council can make binding resolutions according to the Charter). The Jews, though they were legally entitled to the entirety of the land, including Jerusalem, agreed to the plan. THE ARABS UNANIMOUSLY REJECTED THE PLAN and immediately attacked the Jewish homeland attempting to possess the entirety of the land. Thus an Arab nation was NEVER LEGALLY ESTABLISHED in the land.
At the end of the Arab/Israeli war in 1948, Israel LEGALLY took possession of only a portion of the lands that were LEGALLY promised to them at the San Remo Convention of 1920. The remainder of the lands, namely the West Bank and Jerusalem, which legally belonged to the Jews, were illegally possessed by Trans-Jordan (now Jordan). It’s interesting that no Arabs complained about the Jordanians’ illegal occupation of the West Bank. Then in 1967, when Israel was threatened by several of it’s neighbors, it took possession of the areas of the West Bank and Gaza, lands that LEGALLY belonged to the Jewish people based on the San Remo Convention of 1920, and had actually been illegally possessed by Jordan for the previous 19 years. It should also be noted that during this time, Israel took possession of the Sinai Peninsula, an area, under Rana’s interpretation of international law, that it had no legal claim to. It stewarded this area faithfully, according to Rana’s laws, and later returned it to Egypt.
So, in summary, my argument is that, contrary to Rana’s proposition, there was never a LEGAL Arab state for Israel to invade and illegally take possession of, as the Arabs themselves refused to recognize such a state, and all the lands Israel is now in possession of are lands that were legally given to the Jews in 1920 and illegally possessed by Jordan and others until Israel rightfully gained possession of them. It’s only now, in hindsight, in an effort to de-legitimize Israel, that the Arabs claim that they actually wanted the lands proposed to them in 1948.
Please, I in no way want this to belittle or de-legitimize the experiences Rana has had. But an attempt was made to show that according to international law Israel has no claim to the land and are illegal occupiers. My only goal was to show that this is not true and that Israel indeed has a legal claim to the lands it now possesses.
For a visual reference…
Map of San Remo Resolution legally mandated Jewish homeland…
http://tinyurl.com/2esfl3w
Map of Palestine under British control…
http://tinyurl.com/37m3sf5
Map of proposed (but never accepted) borders of 1947…
http://tinyurl.com/32f7ekm
Again, I’m sure Rana and I can go back-and-forth like this forever, but what will we accomplish?
by Jacob I. on Dec 6, 2010 at 4:35 am
For some strange reason, the Church feels that everything my people do (jews) is ok, because they feel if they support everything they do, they will be blessed, but you had better not say anything against them, because the curses will follow you. I agree with many Jewish people that what we have over in Israel is not the people of Mose’s, but a nation of mostly non religious Jews, whom care nothing at all about God, only 20 percent are religious at all.
The last time I was there, I was shocked by the way the Arab Christians and Muslims were treated. Now, its not like you see on T.V, all of the Muslims and Arabs don’t want the Jews out of the land, they just want to live in peace with them. Sure there are plenty of trouble makers, and it seems they get all the attention, while the hard working Arabs, whom do most of the cooking, cleaning and other things most Jews do not want to do.
Look, I love my Jewish people, but Jesus commands us to love ALL people, we must not let T.V., talk radio, parties keep us from doing what scripture tells us to do, and that is to love our neighbor as ourself. Most Jewish people do not want problems, and wish the middle east problems would just go away, and many want to live in harmony with the Arabs, its the media and religious extremes that keep the division going. Even Jesus went to the most hated people in the land, he healed non jews, and even told him his faith was greater than any of the people of the Hebrews.
Please don’t get hung up on what you see in the press, check out both sides, and you will see God has enough love for all of us, Jews, Gentiles, we are all one in Messiah.
by Michael on Dec 4, 2010 at 1:26 am
Great points, Michael. I would love to hear you, Jacob and Rana discussing this more with me just listening in! I’m going to do a follow up post next week with more of Jacob’s comments and I invite all of you to continue the discussion.
by jm on Dec 4, 2010 at 1:50 am
Thanks Michael, I got choked up and misty eyed reading your post.
I have 20 generations of Christian Palestinian family history recorded in the monastic archives of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Jerusalem. I’ve been attending protestant churches since I made my profession of faith in high school, and the protestant world in the USA isn’t friendly toward Arab/Palestinian believers. It’s been a lonely road, I’ve experienced a lot of anti-semitism/ anti-Arab discrimination. When my Palestinian family hears of my frustration they encourage me to come back to the Greek Orthodox Church. There’s a GO Church 5 min from my house that’s 90% Palestinian. My prayer is that more Christians would have a NT ethic ruling their hearts/ minds in their view of the MidEast rather than be informed by the sensationalized culture of fear/ hysteria in the media. Sounds like we’re on the same page.
God bless you Michael.
by Rana on Dec 4, 2010 at 5:03 am
Rana, the reason most Evangelicals don’t apply a consistent NT ethic when it comes to Israel is due to the rise of Dispensational theology in the early 1900s. Until that doctrine, which was invented by Darby and Irving and popularized by Scofield and Moody, is put to rest, Evangelicals will continue to believe the “Modern State of Israel = Biblical People of Israel” myth and thus continue to erroneously give one-sided support while largely ignoring the rights of those in the Palestinian communities.
For more on this, I invite you (and other readers who are interested) to check out the following lectures I gave on this subject entitled “Apocalypse Now?? What the Bible teaches about the End Times” at http://sermon.net/jmsmith (particularly weeks 2 & 3)
by jm on Dec 4, 2010 at 5:16 am
JM, yes I am quite familiar with Dispensational eschatology/ heresy I used to attend dispensational churches for many years.
by Rana on Dec 4, 2010 at 6:38 am
Phil Weiss of Mondoweiss blog is having an interesting conversation on anti-semitism and Israel. He makes an interesting argument that the fear/ belief of anti-semitism is essential to Israel, which is interesting since the wikileaks cables revealed at least one instance in which a world leader pronounced “anti-semitism not what it was once was” and therefore “immigration to Israel is dead” from his country and in fact many Russian Jews were returning to Russia since they had better opportunities in Russia.
http://mondoweiss.net/2010/12/the-american-jewish-belief-in-the-endurance-of-anti-semitism-is-at-the-core-of-the-problem.html
i apologize the wikileaks link for citing the above is not working, i do know it was from a 2008 cable in Moscow.
by Rana on Dec 5, 2010 at 12:06 am
You’ll have to forgive me, I was away from my computer for Shabbat. A lot has transpired since I left!
Unfortunately, I prefer not to get into a debate about politics with Rana. I can tell by the little she’s written that there’s no way we’d ever agree, and, never having lived in Israel, I don’t feel I have the authority to speak into the situation. I definitely have opinions and I’m happy to share specific opinions if there are questions, but I prefer to focus on what we have in common and how we can move forward.
With that said I do have a question but first an invitation… Rana, I don’t know what part of the world you’re in, but if you’re ever on the west coast of the United States I’d love to have you join me for Shabbos dinner. I would be honored to have you as a guest. (I really hope that reads with no sense of pretension as I mean it in the most genuine way). Perhaps we can take the responsibility on ourselves for healing the wounds between our people.
Now my question… I’m curious Rana, how do you (or do you) view the relationship between Jesus and the Jewish people? I realize that’s a somewhat broad question and I can provide more detail as to what I mean by the question if you need, but I’d prefer not to lead your answer and give you a chance to answer it however you like. (This isn’t a loaded question by the way, I’m genuinely interested to know your answer).
All the best!
Jacob
by Jacob I. on Dec 5, 2010 at 9:54 am
[…] Here is part 1 of the discussion we’re having here in at Disciple Dojo regarding Israel, politics and antisemitism. Be sure to read it if you haven’t already, as many of the comments readers have left have been excellent and raised valid points on all sides of the issue! […]
by James-Michael Smith's Disciple Dojo – JMSmith.org » Israel, Palestine, Cartoons and antisemitism – cont’d on Dec 5, 2010 at 10:14 pm
Jesus is the promised Messiah of the Jewish people, like all people, Jewish people desperately need Jesus.
Do you mind me asking you one question, can you define Jewish? Is it an ethnic group? A religious group? A tribe?
by Rana on Dec 6, 2010 at 7:17 am
[…] https://jmsmith.org/blog/political-criticism-or-antisemitism/ […]
by James-Michael Smith's Disciple Dojo – JMSmith.org » Continuation of Israel/Palestine discussion on Dec 23, 2010 at 7:54 pm