More examples of Antisemitism at Left Wing rallies

Not afraid of ruins has blogged about Antisemitism that was encountered at a rally against Asset Sales in Wellington.  (Also covered by Kiwiblog here).

Last Saturday I went to the protest against asset sales organized by Aotearoa Not For Sale. I was marching with my friend Maia, discussing the latest episode of The Good Wife in between chants of ‘hey hey ho ho/John Key has got to go’.

Halfway up Willis St we overheard a guy behind us talking: ‘This is all because John Key is a money-hungry Jew.’ Maia immediately turned around and told him that he was being anti-Semitic and that it wasn’t ok (she’s great like that). The guy explained that she didn’t understand the historical context, that ‘they took over this country with their money’, before finally giving up and telling her ‘you must be Jewish’ (incidentally, she isn’t. Not that it’s relevant’).

By that point I’d already walked away. I was in no mood to hear about how I control the world’s money and am personally responsible for the economic recession.

This wasn’t the first time that anti-Jewish racism has cropped up at Aotearoa Not For Sale events. Last year a guy named Nathan Symington joined an anti-asset sales march in Auckland holding a skateboard with swastikas chalked on it. The same man was later charged with the racist vandalism of the Symonds St Jewish cemetery.

When an Auckland activist noticed that Symington had clicked ‘attending’ on a facebook page for an Aotearoa Not For Sale street party, she commented and asked the organisers to make a clear statement that racism and fascism weren’t welcome at this event. She was ignored and her comment was deleted. (I’m told that at the party itself one of the organisers did make a statement condemning racism. I don’t want to imply that everyone involved in ANFS ignores racism.)

There were similar instances of anti-Jewish racism at Occupy spaces in 2011, and on the facebook pages of several of the Occupy groups as well.

Unfortunately it is becoming more prevalent and open, and the organisers of these rallies are doing less and less about it.  If John Key was not of Jewish ancestry, this same malevolent behaviour would  still exist, except it would probably only be displayed at anti-Israel rallies.  There is a clear commonality between the two, and it is usually just rent-a-crowd attending.

Now what is interesting is that the author of this blog is "Nausea Nissenbaum".  I don't know this person, but his/her twitter bio describes themselves as:

"Born on occupied Palestinian land, living on occupied Māori land."

They are also heavily active in trying to get BDS to New Zealand (a facebook page of 60 or so likes).

I would ask this person - If you are so proudly "Jewish" that you want to stand up against racism, then what are you doing to identify as such?  Can you really just say "I was born a Jew, but I can hate Israel"? 

Where is your empathy with Jews living in Israel?  Where is the empathy with the constant threat of attack?  If it is all "stolen" land, then what about the actual money paid by your ancestors.  Or do you think like BDS and you want a Palestine next to a Palestine.  Two Islamic states side by side.

Really I am not surprised at all that there is antisemitism at these rallies.  What I am surprised about is your naivety about it, and naivety towards the other groups you are involve in.


 

Antisemitism on campus in NSW - "Sue me Jew"

AIJAC has two compelling posts regarding online hate speech on campus at UNSW.

They highlight some atrocious examplesof hate speech towards Jews on facebook.

I really appreciate AIJAC taking this stand, and highlighting this - my only question is why are New Zealanders so quiet over the same issue here. 

How about this one:

Or this:

Both taken from the Israel In New Zealand facebook page.  Just the tip of the iceberg, unfortunately.

Roger Waters considering his Israel position

After last month's cancellation of his concert in New York, Roger Waters is now "considering" his position towards his Israel boycott.

"I am considering my position," Waters said in a taped interview published online Monday by The Huffington Post. "The letter asking my fellow musicians to boycott Israel has never appeared. I'm thinking it all through extremely carefully … because I care more about the outcome, because I care about the people involved, than I do about the moment."

Waters last month likened Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza to South Africa's apartheid policy segregating blacks and whites, which was the target of an international boycott.

Waters said he wants to avoid "some kind of dramatic moment that could very easily blow up and mean that I would, in the long term, have less effect on the outcome."

"Assuming that you're rational and that you care about other human beings, the goal strategically should be a solution of the Palestinian refugee problem, an end to the occupation, security and the right to lead a decent life for all the citizens of Israel," Waters said.

Hopefully Mr Waters will investigate the main cause of the continuation of hate - the passing on of hate to the Palestinian children.

Dear Roger Waters - we don't need no thought control.  No dark sarcasm in the classroom.  Get the teachers to leave the children alone.

My views on the Marriage Equality Act

Some people may be wondering on my views on Marriage Equality.  Apparently all people who subscribe to any religion (especially an "ancient" religion) should be totally opposed.

Well they may be surprised.  Firstly, we do have a clear separation of Church and State.  Many people seem to forget this - even though much of the law in Commonwealth countries such as New Zealand and Australia is based upon Judeo-Christian values.

In the seven laws of Noah, which are the laws that should be subscribed by all people (not just Jews or Christians), one of the founding requirements is to establish courts of law and seats of government.  As such, the responsibility lies with the people to determine the rules which govern them.

There is also a law on sexual morality, although it is only commentary which states whether or not this may include homosexuality.  Definitely it includes adultery, but aren't we discussing marriage?  Marriage equality surely applies adultery evenly to all marriages.  You will also notice that Chabad's definition does not include Homosexual relationships.

Under religious law, we place our trust in the secular government to have the wisdom.  In this case it is clear, Marriage Equality has the will of the people.

The Act allows for all legal covering of the definition of marriage by law.  It also allows for freedom of religious expression, such that no congregation be required to conduct the ceremonies, if they are not appropriate.  Maybe this will be tested in the future.  I hope not, as it caters nicely for pluralism, in my mind.

Other arguments on raising of children etc have been covered well in other places.  No need for me to cover it here, except that in 20-50 years time, our children and grandchildren may decide the laws need further requirement.  Who knows.

One thing that is clear in Australia.  They will definitely follow suit at some stage.  Already New Zealand is engaging on marriage tourism.  I predict this will come from a Liberal government.  Mainly because the current Labor government looks set to be ousted in September.  The Greens look to introduce a bill this May.  Even if the Liberals agree in their party room to a conscience vote, it will take a while before the Act will pass.  More likely, is that the Libs will block it until after the election.  The irony here is the constant attacks on Tony Abbott - even though his sister is in a Lesbian relationship.  Lets see if my prediction holds suit.  I'd even cheekily suggest that supporters of Marriage Equality should vote Liberal as their only chance to achieve it :-)

[UPDATE] - I may be incorrect.  It appears that a commentary in the Midrash explores this actual issue:

"Rabbi Huna said in the name of Rabbi Joseph, 'The generation of the Flood was not wiped out until they wrote marriage documents for the union of a man to a male or to an animal.'"

So if Rav Huna is correct, then the world could actually be about to end (although there were no Jews in Noah's time).  Anyway, as always, consult your Halachic authority if that is relevant to your non-Halachic secular same gender Union.

Why the Crusaders have the wood on the Stormers

This was interesting - there was quite a controversy in Cape Town over the Crusaders match last weekend.  Apparently there are a large number of supporters for New Zealand based Super Rugby sides, and the All Blacks

There have been a number of incidents of violence over the years, including some fights at the recent match which were seen on Television.

The Crusaders have had the wood over the Stormers throughout the last decade.  The Stormers seem to continually top the ladder, but lose in their home semi.  What's worse is that the WP president Thelo Wakefield says the behaviour of Cape-based New Zealand rugby supporters is why Saru no longer stages Tests between the Springboks and All Blacks at Newlands.

Then it gets stranger - it appears that the daughters of said WP President support the Crusaders

I can understand that there was some disgust against South African rugby teams during the apartheid era, as they were seen as symbols of apartheid.  Strange that it is still carrying on 20 years later.

Or, as some commentators put it, maybe they just love the style and flair (and good looks) of Daniel Carter!

Roger Waters gig scrapped over Israel comments

Interesting news that a Roger Waters gig in New York has been scrapped because of his repeated lies comments regarding Israel

Roger Waters' upcoming appearance at a Jewish cultural mecca in New York City has been cancelled following outrage from officials at a leading religious group.

The Pink Floyd star was scheduled to sit for an interview at the Theresa L Kaufmann Concert Hall at the end of the month. The show was rescheduled to June and now it has been scrapped altogether, according to an online ticket link to the event.

I actually quite like Pink Floyd's music, but I refused to attend RW's "The Wall" concert in Melbourne last year just because of his offensive stand.  Cop that!

Stone Throwers kill in the West Bank

We are starting to see a number of incidents where finally the violence of stone throwing by Palestinians is shown for the horrific consequences that result.  This incident shows where occupants of a vehicle were killed by a large stone thrown from overhead onto a moving car.

Honest Reporting has the following video which highlights an article by the New York Times which states that stone throwing is "non-violent" and "acceptable resistance".  When incidents like these occur in Australia or New Zealand they result in Manslaughter charges, and in Israel they should as well.  If the PA were really supportive of non-violence, they would come out in condemnation of stone throwing also.