WTF?! Shocking article in Sweden angers Israel

[conor]

Aren't Palestinians 'semites'?

No, they're muslim

 

[Cailean]

Google 'blood libel'

 

[conor]

I remember that from college - the jews were treated horribly in Europe. The word Jew is a derivitive of Judas. One of our history lecturers showed us an old medieval carving of a wooden block depicting such imagined ceremonies. It seems that such suspicion of a people who managed to keep its own tradition and continue to have tight communites is like a precursor to all sorts of racist issues. But it's not only that. This sort of suspicion fueled a tradition of a great Jewish conspiracy. Hitler thoroughly believed in such conspiracies, such as the Elders of Zion, a forged document which caught hold in the fraught years between the 2 world wars.

That also makes me think that this is just how dangerous a conspiracy theory can actually become. Now, if we blame certain groups for all the ills of the world, and someone gets into power who thoroughly believes and/or endorses such beliefs, and this person takes this a step beyond, believing that his power entitles him to act on such a warped belief .... well, we all know how that can end.

The jewish people have been through a hell of a lot, and they have found themselves a people persecuted, not just in Nazi Germany (though that is the most extreme example) but also for centuries before all over Europe. I'd like to think that us Irish share a similar history of persecution (again, not as extreme).

But as for Israel/Palestine issue - well, that is a whole other kettle of fish. I suspect that this swedish article is a load of crap sprinkled anti-semitism. But I still do feel a lot of sympathy towards the palestinians. It seems that they are at the whim of a much powerful state, and they are not in a position to make the first step towards peace, because Israel has all the cards in this one. And the latest conflict, with Israel going into Palestine, well let me say that they have created more future terrorists (who will join Hamas because they see no hope, no way out other than violence) than any recruiters could hope for.

 

[AnnetteMarie]

I remember that from college - the jews were treated horribly in Europe. The word Jew is a derivitive of Judas. ...

if I remember my studies from way back, Judas came long after the tribe of Judah. On the other hand, if you are suggesting 'jew' stands in for 'Judas' who turned Christ in to the soldiers at Gethsemane, then it is not so good to keep that nasty urban myth going, which is why I am going to the trouble to put this here.

I did a quick search, and among some very offensive crap, this little gem popped up:

Teaching
The Origin of the Name “Jew”
By
Rev. Mark Alterman​

The name JEW actually comprises a nickname. Nicknames may eventually be incorporated as the primary name of an ethnic group. In the Bible and Hebrew language, the proper name for the people of the tribe of Judah was Yahudi or Judahite. Another variation is Judean, meaning resident of Judah or Judea. Over the years, the word Yahudi was corrupted and shortened to Jew. Remember that there is no ‘J’ sound in the Hebrew language, and the yod should be pronounced as a ‘Y.’

By the time of Jesus Christ, all Israelites were referred to as Jews. Paul called himself both an Israelite and a Jew. The term “Jew” came to refer to all descendents of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob!​

 

[conor]

if I remember my studies from way back, Judas came long after the tribe of Judah. On the other hand, if you are suggesting 'jew' stands in for 'Judas' who turned Christ in to the soldiers at Gethsemane, then it is not so good to keep that nasty urban myth going, which is why I am going to the trouble to put this here.

I did a quick search, and among some very offensive crap, this little gem popped up:

Teaching
The Origin of the Name “Jew”
By
Rev. Mark Alterman​

The name JEW actually comprises a nickname. Nicknames may eventually be incorporated as the primary name of an ethnic group. In the Bible and Hebrew language, the proper name for the people of the tribe of Judah was Yahudi or Judahite. Another variation is Judean, meaning resident of Judah or Judea. Over the years, the word Yahudi was corrupted and shortened to Jew. Remember that there is no ‘J’ sound in the Hebrew language, and the yod should be pronounced as a ‘Y.’

By the time of Jesus Christ, all Israelites were referred to as Jews. Paul called himself both an Israelite and a Jew. The term “Jew” came to refer to all descendents of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob!​

Okay, not trying to offend anyone. Cheers for that one. What I was getting at was that some people warpedly believed that the Jews betrayed Jesus, and Judas was like the quintisential Jew for some very narrow minded people. So yes, it is, and was an urban myth, but people back in the middle ages (and after) actually believed that shit.

I thought it was more like an example of antisemitism in Europe. Definitly not trying to propogate any such warped belief.

 

[AnnetteMarie]

there is no denying that the connotation has been handed down for generations, that's for certain. btw, thanks for not taking it as a direct criticism as when I re-read it, it does not sound half as well-meant as I heard it in my mind.

 

[conor]

there is no denying that the connotation has been handed down for generations, that's for certain. btw, thanks for not taking it as a direct criticism as when I re-read it, it does not sound half as well-meant as I heard it in my mind.

When it comes to things like this you have to be very careful how you words things. And, taken in the wrong context, my comment could have been taken in a bad way. It needed more explaining. Cheers:

 

[Apocalypto]

I suspect that this swedish article is a load of crap sprinkled anti-semitism.

That's your opinion. My opinion is that the jury is still out.

Consider this:

1. What the Israelis did to the Palestinians in Gaza was a crime of the highest order, killing innocent men, women and children like they were dogs.
2. The Palestinians in Gaza continue to live in prison-like conditions to this day.
3. Many Israelis sympathize with the soldier's remarks in this video:

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<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pSyP6IPbuR0&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="405" width="500"></object>

Teach your children well.

 

[conor]

That's your opinion. My opinion is that the jury is still out.

Consider this:

1. What the Israelis did to the Palestinians in Gaza was a crime of the highest order, killing innocent men, women and children like they were dogs.
2. The Palestinians in Gaza continue to live in prison-like conditions to this day.
3. Many Israelis sympathize with this soldier's remarks in this video:

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<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pSyP6IPbuR0&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="405" width="500"></OBJECT>

Teach your children well.

I know, and I agree with you, but don't you think the harvasting of organs is a little farfetched, and that it harkens back to hundred year old conspiracy theories ("Blood Libel") which hold no basis in fact? That the Israelis are comitting an atrocity in Gaza is probably correct. Recently, a Israeli soldier came out and claimed that when they went into palestine they were told to shoot anyone, man woman or child. But harvasting organs?? Really????

 

[AnnetteMarie]

at this stage, I don't see that either side has much to be proud of in their political and military actions towards each other. somedays I think it would be best if all the kids from both sides were taken away and raised elsewhere, without all the hate and prejudice passed down to them. wonder if it would work?

 

[Brian Now]

No, they're muslim

Just a little trivia..."semite" or "semitic" means "Jewish" in about every context except linguistics. Semitic languages form a specific group of related languages which includes Hebrew, Arabic, Akkadian/Assyrian/Babylonian, Aramaic, and others.