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Total number of comments: 34 (since 2011-08-01 14:46:36)

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  • Hiroshima epiphany
    • mjrosenberg April 8, 2013 at 7:10 pm with 7 replies

      Your response drips with vitriol. So I'd say it is some good evidence right there.

      1.5 million Jewish children were killed by gas in the middle of the 20th century purely and only and solely because of their ethnicity. It was not a fight over land, not a war, not "collateral" damage but genocide. Unique.

      Fortunately, it does not, as some here seem to think, happen all the time. I stand by my assertion that anti-Semitism is a problem here although it appears that some think that it does not exist, that Jews invented the concept for political reasons.

      I get this mode of thinking. I tend to call out the right (the Limbaugh, Breitbart acolytes) for racism all the time. And they also go ballistic. How dare you? As if there is no racism, just the charge of racism used by leftists to stifle debate.

      But, no, there are racists. And there are anti-Semites. And I don't care who is offended by me calling you out.

      Own your anti-Semitism.

    • mjrosenberg April 8, 2013 at 10:50 am with 37 replies

      It is one thing to say the Holocaust is exploited for political reasons.

      Those who feel the need to say that there is "nothing terribly unique" about the Holocaust are, in my opinion, driven by anti-Semitism. "Not terribly unique." What an ugly, cavalier way of speaking about mass murder.

      I can't imagine saying there is "nothing terribly unique" about American slavery or Hiroshima or even Dresden. That kind of language is dismissive of peoples' suffering.

      Sorry. The language on this site is offensive.

      I could, if I wanted to, find hundreds if not thousands of anti-Semitic statements here. My beloved friend, Phil, should either shut down all comments or preferably screen them for anti-Semitism, Islamohatred and other forms of bigotry.

      Anti-semites who use the Palestinian cause to hide behind hurt the Palestinian cause. The cause of Palestine is not anti-Semitic. Why let it be tainted by people who found the cause because they just don't like Jews.

    • mjrosenberg April 7, 2013 at 9:13 pm with 7 replies

      Man, I love the stuff Phil does at Mondoweiss but some of the people who post here remind there still is real old-fashioned anti-Semitism. Even ridiculing the Holocaust is not out of bounds.

      I appreciate the reminder. It is also interesting to note that the anti-Semitism never seems to emanate from Muslims or Palestinians but from old-fashioned American Jew haters.

  • Obama put the ball in Israel's court
    • mjrosenberg March 25, 2013 at 2:31 pm with 27 replies

      Fighting anti-semitism is part of the good fight. Plenty of those of us who are engaged in the struggle for Palestinian rights have family members (in my case my wife) were were victims of European anti-semitism. We don't ask for anything in return EXCEPT not engaging in anti-Semitism. Unfortunately I see plenty of it (not from Muslims) and I think that some non-Jews and non-Muslims use "support" for Palestinians as cover for Judeophobia or plain old fashioned anti-Semitism.

    • mjrosenberg March 25, 2013 at 2:24 pm with 3 replies

      Fighting anti-semitism is part of the good fight.

    • mjrosenberg March 25, 2013 at 10:53 am with 5 replies

      Left out link to piece about anti-Semitism within pro-Palestinian networks. link to stevehynd.com

    • mjrosenberg March 25, 2013 at 10:26 am with 51 replies

      This is a brilliant piece. In fact, it is the only convincingly hopeful piece I have read about the Obama trip.
      "There’s no absolute justice. There’s not going to be for anyone. Anyone’s seeking absolute justice should not be involved in this issue, because it’s just not going to happen."
      On another subject: the other really smart thing I read today was about anti-Semitism among the "pro-Palestinian network" (i.e, non-Muslims & non-Arabs) whose pro-Palestinian fervor is a cover for anti-Semitism (no, not anti-Israelism, the real kind). Definitely worth reading.

  • UN report finds errant Palestinian fire responsible for child's death during Gaza fighting, but parent and human rights group maintains Israel is responsible
    • mjrosenberg March 13, 2013 at 8:06 am

      Apparently, the IDF has never killed any Palestinians. Like Holocaust deniers, the hasbara crowd rushes to prove that every incident that is reported never happened. All this means that no Palestinians have been killed in decades (since the hasbara legions went to work). What delightful news.

      So where are the Palestinian dead hiding?
      It must be the same place the Holocaust revisionists say 6,000,000 Jews are hiding.

  • Wrong t-shirt
    • mjrosenberg March 5, 2013 at 8:14 pm with 1 replies

      If I went to a restaurant and was served by someone wearing an AIPAC tee shirt, I would not tip my usual 20%, that is for sure.

      HOWEVER, Busboys is a leftwing place, very close to AIPAC Command Center on H Street. I go there all the time. Since I'd prefer not seeing AIPAC people when I'm eating, I am all for wait staff discouraging them all they can.
      Busboys should be declared an AIPAC-Free Zone. That place belongs to the left. They can find some fascist restaurant!

  • Circumcision deaths are a legalized non-scandal
    • mjrosenberg June 25, 2012 at 1:23 pm with 68 replies

      I want to elaborate a bit on why I am so offended by this piece. Those of us who struggle to make the case for peace and justice in the Middle East labor under the lobby-generated lie that we are anti-Israel or, as stupid as this is, anti-Semitic.

      In fact, it is the fear of being labelled anti-Semitic that prevents many non-Jews from even speaking out on the subject. As a friend, a nominal Christian put it to me: "They can call you anti-Semitic and you can laugh. But how would you feel if African-Americans labelled you racist, that would hurt. Well, that is what being called anti-Jewish feels like to me. And that is why I'll leave this issue to you."

      That is why I emphasize whenever I can that my attacks on the lobby are not about Jews, that the overwhelming majority of Jews are progressive and that the AIPAC crowd is a powerful but unrepresentative minority of Jews. That is also why I, and others, like to cite Israelis who share our position.

      An article like this, on a website dedicated to Middle East issues, suggests that there may be an anti-Jewish bias at play. Although male circumcision is practiced by infinitely more Muslims than Jews, it is identified most strongly with Jews. It is also, for Jews, the most universally accepted Jewish practice.

      To suddenly engage on this issue on a Middle East site is to undermine all of us who fight so hard to demonstrate that being pro-Palestinian does not make us anti-Jewish. For Jews (and Muslims) attacking male circumcision appears like religious bigotry. Right or wrong, the perception of anti-Semitism is created and to what end: to rail against a practice that is infinitely less dangerous than riding a bicycle.

      This issue does not belong here. It is especially offensive when the issue we are addressing -- the Israeli-Arab conflict -- is a struggle between two people who have this practice in common. Lay it aside.

      Even if circumcision was dangerous, discussion of its merits or dangers would still belong somewhere else. We have important work to do. This certainly isn't part of it.

    • mjrosenberg June 25, 2012 at 10:33 am with 53 replies

      The anti-circumcision movement is ugly, and suffused with anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. This does not belong here.

  • Why I am using 'Israel firster' again
    • mjrosenberg June 21, 2012 at 7:58 am

      I think that is significant. Hope so anyway.

    • mjrosenberg June 20, 2012 at 10:32 pm with 5 replies

      Actually, my main vehicle has always been Huffington Post and I continue to post there.

    • mjrosenberg June 20, 2012 at 8:47 pm

      what is sha stil?

    • mjrosenberg June 20, 2012 at 6:19 pm

      Be still my heart.

    • mjrosenberg June 20, 2012 at 5:09 pm with 9 replies

      Dan Crowther,
      I don't care about the "Jewish narrative" whatever that is.
      I oppose war with Iran, and sanctions too.
      I favor ending the occupation on terms acceptable to Israel and Palestine's elected representatives, including Hamas.
      And I want to see the lobby's influence collapse because its influence is dangerous and also because, along with the politicians it owns, it will ultimately produce an anti-Semitic backlash.
      In fact, people like me, Phil, Max Adam, etc are anti- anti-Semitism machines -- reminders to Americans, Palestinians and others that neither the lobby nor Israel's government speaks for us.

  • In '92, AIPAC president raised $1 million for Bill Clinton -- and he supported the settlements
  • Obama high-fives Jimmy Kimmel after he calls Netanyahu a warmongering 'yahoo'
  • Shmully and guilt
    • mjrosenberg April 28, 2012 at 8:14 am with 3 replies

      I read all the comments. Thanks.

      I am not talking about neo-Nazi anti-Semites, white supremacists or the Taliban.

      I am talking about plain people, not haters, not racists, who either now or ultimately will understand what the lobby is doing to this country. Many Americans, often for reasons that are ridiculous, tend to resent foreign countries which is why likening anything to "Europeans" is a political no no.

      But these people make an exception for Israel, and only Israel. Thanks to indoctrination they believe that Israel is Us. And they excuse a lobby (if they even know it exists) that is based on the lie that Israel's interests are our interests.

      That won't last forever. I can foresee circumstances where an incident could cause that situation to flip in a day.

      I want to do everything I can to make sure my fellow Americans understand that many American Jews (and many Israelis too) hate the policies that endanger U.S. security and abhor the lobby that speaks in our name.

      That is why I am proud of what I do. I don't know if I accomplish anything. But I have never had any doubt that fighting the power is good for America, Jews, Israel, Palestine, and, most important to me, my own descendants.

      "The occupation and its lobby is dangerous to children and other living things."

    • mjrosenberg April 27, 2012 at 9:19 am with 62 replies

      Interesting piece. I have never had a moment's "guilt" about opposing Israel's suicidal course loudly and publicly.
      I consider Jews like Phil (and me and so many others) to be ANTI-anti-Semitism machines.
      The work of the Firsters is producing hatred toward Jews worldwide, and particularly in the Muslim world.
      And here in America there is smoldering resentment at the way our government is pushed around by the lobby. This resentment extends even to Israel's loudest advocates in Congress.
      I fear it will ultimately extend to Americans Jews in general, unless checked.
      BUT every time people prone to dislike Jews because of Israel, the lobby, Bibi, etc, feel rage or just resentment, they may remember "they are not all like that."
      They may have just seen Beinart on television.
      Or read one of our pieces.
      And think: the lobby is not them.
      Similarly, when Israeli peace people speak out, Arabs may think: Bibi is not them.
      In other words, fighting the power (AIPAC, the Israeli government) is a mitzvah. We are not only fighting for the soul of Judaism but also for the physical safety of Jews (including Israelis, including our families) who could pay a terrible price if we weren't there representing on behalf of real Judaism.
      The only time I feel guilty about not fighting the lobby and the Israeli government is a day (rare) when I'm not doing it.
      Let David Saperstein and his ilk feel the guilt. Not us.
      In fact, it would never have occured to me until reading Phil's piece, provocative as always.

  • My spirit is American (a religious manifesto)
    • mjrosenberg April 2, 2012 at 3:12 pm with 31 replies

      This is a beautiful and important piece.
      But I disagree with the criticism of Beinart. His book destroys the right's arguments one-by-one even if he is too careful to admit it. (My favorite is the chapter where he demonstrates that every major hasbara point is a lie).
      Al Smith could not be the first Catholic President. Too immigrant sounding. Too Catholic. It took the WASPY JFK to get to the White House.
      Peter Beinart's Orthodox faith makes it possible for him to do what a secular leftist could not do: bring AIPAC and the other neocons to their knees. He can help free Congress from bondage (how Passover!). He can serve as role model for young Jews who might otherwise get ensnared in AIPAC or one of the other rightist organizations.
      The left always devours its own.
      As a mind exercise, pretend that Peter wasn't really observant and that he was just faking it to make our case more credible.
      We'd applaud that.
      Even better, he isn't faking it. And that is why he is effective.
      Don't look a gift horse in the mouth!

  • 'Peter Beinart's offense against liberalism' and the spiritual crisis Zionism has wrought
  • 'New Yorker' defends Rosenberg (and use of term 'Israel firster')
    • mjrosenberg March 6, 2012 at 11:23 am with 5 replies

      Thanks to Connie, Jerry and, of course, Phil.
      This can be a watershed moment.
      Thank you guys for all your support.
      This isn't over. No doubt the forces that have suppressed discussion of this subject for decades won't quit now.
      But, as Connie Bruck points out, the "Israel First" meme is driving them crazy. But even if none of us ever used it again (not likely), it is out there.
      and that, in a small way, makes war less likely.
      As Steve Rosen always said: "A lobby is a night flower. It thrives in the dark and dies in daylight."
      It's sunny today!

  • Three harsh critiques of the lobby
    • mjrosenberg March 5, 2012 at 1:03 pm with 2 replies

      I think this year may be AIPAC's high point. I walked over to the Convention Center this morning. Most of the attendees are Orthodox, which is fine but (1) they are Republicans anyway (2) they aren't donors and (3) they are out of the mainstream of American and Jewish life.
      As for the kids who AIPAC pays to bring to DC (yay, a free trip) they are (1) either outliers on campus, or (2) there for the sex, drugs and rock n roll.
      AIPAC is a post World War II phenomenon and that era is ending. Young people are post-national, barely involved with their own country (other than voting), let alone with a foreign country.
      In short, AIPAC represents its members. AIPAC knows it is in trouble which is why its website devotes so much space to getting people to donate via legacies. Who is AIPAC? The parents of the baby boomers.

  • If you name your group 'Emergency Committee for Israel,' do you get to call people bigots when they say you're an 'Israel Firster'?
  • Dershowitz wants MJ Rosenberg fired for daring to stop Iran war push
    • mjrosenberg February 28, 2012 at 5:51 pm with 4 replies

      It depends who your Representative and Senator is. In general, I recommend looking for them when they are back home and calmy telling them that you are aware of their record and strongly oppose their support for the occupation and/or Israel.
      If they are progressives, it's easier. Find other like minded people who will say they will not support your Rep unless he stops his/her mindless support for Bibi.
      Frankly I have not organized (I do my writing) but I never vote for my liberal Rep. Chris Van Hollen because he is an AIPAC tool and I never will.

    • mjrosenberg February 28, 2012 at 3:03 pm with 3 replies

      You write such good stuff here. I'm a fan!

    • mjrosenberg February 28, 2012 at 1:46 pm with 29 replies

      Thanks for all the great comments. Yes, I used to be mainstream Zionist. Then I was lucky enough to be on White House lawn for Arafat/Rabin handshake.
      I changed overnight. Now I wanted peace for both people and started working for it.
      Little did I know that the organized community would dedicate itself to destroying any chance for peace, along with immense help from Ehud Barak, Bibi Netanyahu and Ariel Sharon.
      I'm a peace guy and I'm done with all nationalism, except for my love for this country that took in my family 100 years ago and my wife's after they survived the Holocaust (Mindy was born in a DP camp in Germany).
      There are two reasons to get older (1) to be with the people you love and (2) to read, experience, learn and get smarter.
      I did. I'm not the same person I was before. I'm a better person.
      And, for me, the term "my people" which once meant "the Jews" now means all people who are dedicated to peace and justice for all.
      Asked recently if I was upset that my second son is "intermarrying," I said, "he's not.
      He's not marrying a Republican or an Israel Firster."
      Anyway, thanks.

  • Hoenlein says irresponsible 'J Street' threatens Jewish unity (and survival)
  • Goldstone contra Goldstone
    • mjrosenberg November 1, 2011 at 11:16 am with 22 replies

      Goldstone's primary need is to remain a member in good standing of the organized Jewish community in SA. So he caved, the sign of a weak man unwilling to face social ostracism over principle. Over Palestinian lives, to be exact.
      This type of behavior is common throughout the diaspora. If you choose to support Palestinian rights, you are choosing not to be part of the organized community. That is why organizations like my previous employer, Israel Policy Forum, went under. The machers cared about justice but cared about remaining members in good standing of the "community" more.

      I, for one, couldn't care less about that. I never was part of the organized community and would never want to be. But many other middle aged folks
      will not risk antagonizing the community. They want in. (So many on my side of the fence are joyous at being out).

      The good news. People under 40 don't and will not care about being part of the "community." Those that want to do Jewish things will be doing them at home, or with friends, even at synagogues (which are moving away from Israel emphasis so as not to offend a large segment of their congregations) but they will not be doing their Judaism at AIPAC or the AJC. They are too American for that, which means post-national (at least among progressives which is what most Jews are).

      Ultimately, organizing against the occupation will be primarily done outside a Jewish framework. People cannot have their cake and eat it. The question is as always: which side are you on? The organized Jewish community is hopeless but, fortunately, it is leaving to be replaced with something different. Prophetic Judaism and universalism perhaps?

  • Leading progressive magazine gives Palestinian solidarity the Swastika stamp
    • mjrosenberg October 27, 2011 at 12:47 pm with 8 replies

      Every synagogue in DC has them. They are utterly inappropriate and demonstrate disregard for the safety of members of their own congregation and the school kids who study there. But nothing trumps the need to proclaim devotion to Israel. Pretty sick.

      And the message on them is a life: "We Support Israel In Its Struggle For Peace & Security." Struggle? For peace?

    • mjrosenberg October 27, 2011 at 10:18 am with 60 replies

      Howard Jacobson is a paranoid Likudnik and his reactionary book bored me to death.

  • Who's paying for Congress to summer in Israel? Liberal foundations that give halls to Princeton and Yale and fund Human Rights Watch
  • The Larry David peace plan
    • mjrosenberg August 1, 2011 at 12:27 pm with 2 replies

      The Curb episode was brilliant. Yes, it mocked Arabs. But that is standard for the mass media. What else is new?
      But the episode's main targets were the racist brouhaha over the "Ground Zero" mosque and mindless rightwing Zionists. David even mocked Orthodox Jews for the sheer fun of it.
      If Larry David wasn't as rich and powerful as he is, the lobby would destroy him for this. Happily, they can't touch him.

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