Staunch opponents of the Israeli occupation and advocates for Palestinian rights–I include myself in both categories–are right to critique the Israeli government when it cynically invokes anti-Semitism and security threats for political cover.
But this doesn’t mean the threats aren’t real. They are. And anti-Semitism continues to be a huge problem in the Middle East. Here is a post from Norman Geras highlighting repulsive anti-Jewish video clips produced in Syria and airing on Iranian TV.
Al Jazeera reports what Iran’s new president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, told attendees at a Tehran conference called “The World Without Zionism”:
“As the Imam said, Israel must be wiped off the map,” said Ahmadinejad, referring to Iran’s revolutionary leader Ayat Allah Khomeini.
…
“Anyone who signs a treaty which recognises the entity of Israel means he has signed the surrender of the Muslim world,” Ahmadinejad said. “Any leaders in the Islamic umma who recognise Israel face the wrath of their own people.”
The article goes on to note the radical change in tone from Ahmadinejad’s moderate predecessor, Mohammad Khatami. Let’s not forget, this regime has nuclear ambitions.
Pro-Palestinian activists who aid and abet the hate ought to be ashamed.
(Hat tip: Harry’s Place.)
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