Tel Aviv was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site a few years ago. Why not try to boycott the UN as well, then?

http://archrecord.construction.com/news/daily/archives/080421bauhaus.asp

“Years ago Bertrand Russell noted and cautioned against the left-liberal tendancy to confer “superior virtue” on “the righteous oppressed”. This mindset probably explains the phenom of Jewish intellectuals like Trilling taking the likes of Ed Said at face value, rather than subjecting their claims to the same scrutiny they would apply to those who can’t claim to be among “the wretched of the earth”.”

I agree with Russell’s view, Lynne.

However, Trilling anti-Zionism is more of a piece with his own desire to deny his own status as one of the “wretched of the earth” than by supporting them.

Trilling was himself the subject of antisemitic attacks at Columbia U and it was only because the President of the University intervened that he became the first Jewish professor in that department.

Many Jewish intellectuals believe that by taking the side of the “oppressed” they can escape the fate of other Jews. This is what is behind the anti-Zionism of many Jews. They like to see themselves as citizen of the world (yet they would never deny the citizenship of whatever country in which they reside, be it the US, England, Canada, etc.) They practice “universal values” only in relation to Israel.

Their position is motivated by cowardice and justified by hypocrisy.

http://www.thestar.com/article/692083

Years ago Bertrand Russell noted and cautioned against the left-liberal tendancy to confer “superior virtue” on “the righteous oppressed”. This mindset probably explains the phenom of Jewish intellectuals like Trilling taking the likes of Ed Said at face value, rather than subjecting their claims to the same scrutiny they would apply to those who can’t claim to be among “the wretched of the earth”.

WHY IS HUMAN RIGHT’S OFFICIAL POSTING ON NAZI WEBSITES?

“ORIGINAL: There are two Marc Garlascos on the Internet. One is a top human rights investigator who, having joined Human Rights Watch after several years with the Pentagon, has become known for his shrill attacks on Israel. The other is a Marc Garlasco who’s obsessed with the color and pageantry of Nazism, has published a detailed 430 page book on Nazi war paraphernalia, and participates in forums for Nazi souvenir collectors.”

Read the whole thing, here:

http://www.mererhetoric.com/archives/11275875.html

It’s not about individuals, or at least not only about individuals, Noga.

We need a good history of anti-Zionism among intellectuals in the US (or even in North America) lacking that we have no way of knowing what’s behind all this Israel hatred.

I do know that such hatred goes far back at least to the 1920’s. Lionel Trilling has written that he and his friends were on the side of the Arabs during the late 20’s Hebron massacre. I doubt many people are aware of that.

It’s also no coincidence that many of these intellectuals were also one time Trotskyites who didn’t see much difference between Stalin and Hitler at the beginning of WW2.

One more thing, Trilling brought Edward said to Colombia. Nuf said. (Pun is intentional.)

I hope some Jewish organization will commission a study of anti Zionism among Jewish intellectuals in the US the way that they commissioned a study of antisemitism in 1945 from the Frankfurt School.

The boycott call backfired anyway. Tickets to City-to-City TA sold out last week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOwH-46ovlo

http://www.tmz.com/2006/07/28/gibsons-anti-semitic-tirade-alleged-cover-up/

Birds of a feather, and all that.

Plus, if these so-called stars were really interested in finding a solution to the I/P problem, they would do everything in their power to engage and support Israel’s vibrant and diverse civil society rather than paint it with a broad brush, alienate it, and ostracize Israel’s artistic voices. But a genuine solution is not what these people are interested in.