[mobglob-discuss] anti-Semitism in all its forms

[Chris Shaw]

There has been some discussion on the list in the last month about 
anti-Semitism, hate crimes, and other forms of bigotry.  On Wednesday last 
week, a bomb exploded in Jerusalem in a Hebrew University cafeteria, killing 
7 and wounding 70.  All were civilians, most of them were Jewish.  Hebrew 
University is my alma mater.

Had the perpetrators been white, skinhead neo-Nazis, we all would have 
correctly identified this as an anti-Semitic hate crime. In fact, the 
perpetrators belonged to Hamas, a Palestinian group.

There has been lots of discussion on this list and others and at various 
rallies about Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people.  There has 
never been, to my knowledge, any acknowledgment in such forums of the 
attacks against innocent Israelis.  Why? Is anti-Semitism only a crime when 
committed by white fascists?

The recent attacks (a minimum of 6 others since Wednesday) go far beyond the 
support for the right of the Palestinian people to live in freedom and 
dignity. Blowing up Jewish civilians because they are Jews is the purest 
form of anti-Semitism. There is never a moral justification for such a crime 
against Jews, or anyone else.

I hope to see some comments about this when everyone returns from their long 
weekend.  I'd like to be reassured that those who oppose racism, 
anti-Semitism, and all forms of bigotry do so from a morally consistent 
conviction that transcends politics.

The victims were the following human beings:

Maria Bennett, 24, from San Diego. Had lived in Jerusalem for two years, and 
was a year away from earning a joint graduate degree from Hebrew University 
and the religious school Pardes Institute. Had been due to return to the 
United States today.
Dina Carter, 37, American with Israeli citizenship.
Benjamin Blutstein, 25, from Susquehanna Township, Penn. Attending two-year 
program to be a teacher of Jewish studies. Had been expected to return to 
the United States yesterday.
David Gritz, 24, held dual American-French citizenship. Was beginning a 
graduate course in Jewish thought.
Janis Ruth Coulter, 36, assistant director of graduate studies for the 
university's Rothberg International School in New York. She had been 
escorting American students.
David Ludovisky, 29, student from Netanya.
Lavina Shapiro, 53, student-affairs administrator from Jerusalem.




Christopher A. Shaw, Ph.D
Associate Professor
Research Pavilion
828 W. 10th Ave.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada, V5Z 1L8
tel: 604-875-4111 (ext. 68375)
Fax: 604-875-4376
e-mail: csshawlab at hotmail.com




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