Little correction. Israelis are not just Jews and Arabs. There are also Druze, Bedouins, Baha'i, Samaritans, Armenians, Greeks, Cherkessians, Chechens, Russians, and others. There are even some Vietnamese. All have Israeli citizenship with full rights.
Thank you for your video Professor Abramson. Highly emotive subject, and certainly most folks I know have an opinion about the Gaza conflict. This is a subject that divides many. Thank you for your balanced and thoughtful approach, voicing one’s opinion publicly can be likened to tiptoeing through a minefield. A troubling time for many of us, but behind every storm is the promise of sunny days ahead.
Dear Henry, can you make a lecture about israeli hate speech, zionist calls for genocide of the gaza population, and the daily crimes against of humanity conducted by the israeli army in the occupied territories, and the openly commited war crimes by such in Gaza? That would be welcomed very much! Also please cover the crimes by the settlers. Your opinion matters, and you can show your academic objectivity on that matter. Thank you very much.
Excellent video. I couldn't agree more with you as someone who is generally on the pro-Palestinian side of the argument [but also enjoys your videos]. Way too often criticism of Israel becomes overtly anti-semitic and has become a "respectable" outlet for people to say the most anti-semitic things while disguising it as anti-zionism/pro-palestinian activism.
Thank you for your calm discussion at this very painful time. As a Jew I find the suffering of both Palestinians and Jews very difficult to experience and it is hard to listen to people who have no compassion for one side of the issue and who call Biden Genocide Joe when he is really trying to bring peace. Neither side is going anywhere. My grandfather's family disappeared in Babi Yar and I understand why Jews needed a place to live. But I also am horrified by what is happening in Gaza and we need to find a way to honor both peoples.
Rabbi I really enjoy your work. I do though have one criticism. I believe that we should strip the veneer of respectability off of false ideas. Therefore I would like you to consider 2 things. One Jew hatred is a more appropriate word for the hatred of Jews it takes away the late 19th century respectability that antisemitism brought to our demonization. 2 the word Palestinian, I prefer to hear Arab because like the first point it is just a more truthful descriptor. Thank you for your fine work.
Genuine question. On guardrail #1: Inability to empathize with Israeli suffering. I can see that in action everyday with people on both ends. Some people who are really conditioned to not see Palestinians or people of Arab descent as real people with the capacity of suffering. The way I see is that when one bleeds, we all bleed. It's probably a horrifying time to be Israeli and I'd be mortified by my governments actions and be wondering if it was safe to stay where I live or if I needed to consider leaving. But here is where I am hung up. My understanding is to be semitic or to be a semite has to do with your mother/ancestral tongue and is related to a linguistic family. This set of languages includes Hebrew and Arabic. If definitions mean anything, that would mean Arabic descendants are semites as much as Hebrews. This definition is more consistent historically and goes against every way antisemitism is defined in major news publications recently, and it gives me hope of bridges being built instead of burnt in the future. I really believe Hebrews and Arabic persons have much more in common and are waged against each other to serve the interest of the elites. Am I being delusional or naive? I'd really like your perspective. Is Arabic semitic?
I very much appreciate the informative video. This is good information to use as a tool to identify racism and sexism as well. My response to #4 is that people generally respond to what is the hot topic or being covered heavily in the media. A few weeks ago it was Ukraine/Russia. Currently it’s the Middle Eastern crisis. As an American it should be a right as a citizen to have an opinion on my own government, how it’s spending American taxpayers money and it’s domestic or foreign policy. I don’t see that as selective outrage. I’ve personally encountered threats to myself and my family because I disagree with forever wars and in my opinion what I view as neglecting American citizens in favor of foreign citizens and foreign governments. I’ve noticed that antisemitism, anti Zionism and Islamic-phobia is addressed in the media. However the rampant anti-American rhetoric and blatant xenophobia towards Americans is normalized. It’s scary. I don’t feel safe in my own country. There are so many threats against Americans in terms of picking a side, religious revenge comments, and just inflammatory and offensive statements against Americans that aren’t addressed by my government while foreign governments and foreign nationals are prioritized. Eg. 9/11 has been used as a propaganda tool and internal American conflicts have been weaponized to garner support for external interventions. Basically dragging Americans into external conflicts while expecting Americans to ignore domestic issues. It’s frankly saddening. And, I feel for all innocent people involved that are affected and suffering and have been lost in the political chaos. All I can do is 🙏🏻 pray for a peaceful resolution.
as an American I am weary of borh Isreal and palestine both being such big issues in US it is so tiring when i see Americans by the scores homeless in my nation
The problem can't go away in USA becuase Israel constantly lobbies USA, Jews and Evangelicals here for funds. They worry us that if we don't support them we risk the curse of Genesis 12:3.
I think the situation in the Middle East is tragic; it has been painfully going on for a long time and is an important issue for many Jews all over the world. That said, there are important, pressing issues closer to home for people in the U.S.
@@princesskaitlinhazelwood4703 no America First im not ever saying to give foreign aid to my ancestors or overthrow the communists that rule them with Americans
Antizionism= questioning the jews right to self determination as one people. Being antizionist equals antisemitism since it offers jews no other alternative and also because only jews are being questioned to having a homeland. Also, you should make a video explaining the term “antisemitism”. A lot of people are making claims that they can’t be antisemitic because they themselves are “semites”.
the problem with your claim here sister is that it would follow that simply being internationalist/leftist/socialist is antisemitism. Further, there are people who oppose any ethnic or religious state, so would oppose zionism as well as many other countries - part of the issue here is that nationstates are not the only form of polity
@@emilianosintarias7337 If one is an anti -statist and not merely an anti-Zionist, one would make anti-statist arguments, not anti-Zionist ones built on historical falsities. For example, the a-Z argument that Israel is a European colony is based on many historical inaccuracies. Insofar as I hear this argument coming from college students and other academics, it’s the application of a historical analysis tool (Marxism) without having studied the actual history. Ignorance is no excuse for anti-semitism, but willful ignorance is doubly so. Making fallacious comparisons to actual instances of colonialism is disgusting, disgraceful, and disrespectful to victims of colonialism.
@@emilianosintarias7337true, but wouldn't you just call yourself anti-statist, anarchist, marxist-communist etc.? Like if Israel is just one of many examples of a ethno-majority state to you, you wouldn't specifically identify as anti-zionist anymore than anti-Spain.
@@rickwrites2612 yes, that's correct and I agree. 100 years ago there was a large jewish movement that opposed zionism, because they thought nationalism was not the way to go. they weren't self hating, obviously. today, there is a wider swatch of anti-zionism, and much of it is either hypocritical, confused, or antisemitic.
It should be noted that the Orthodox Jewish Palestinians Opposed the formation of the State of Israel on religious grounds. They felt - and still feel - that it is blasphemous to establish a Jewish state before the Messiah comes. They aren't anti-Semitic.
Your fourth point is worth repeating....I frequently bring up the situation in Yemen, where a civil war over the past ten years has resulted in 400K deaths with 70% of the deaths being children under five years of age. If it's okay for the Houthis to be supporting Hamas, then it must be okay for them to engage in a civil war that has killed over 250 young kids under five.....nobody cares about the lives of innocent Yemeni children because there are no Jews involved in that conflict.... Blessings as always sir.
I’ve been seeing this a lot with the excuse that Anti-Zionism is not anti-semitism. And the main anti-Zionist argument is that Israel is a European colony committing a genocide against indigenous people. This is the “Marxist-Academic argument that ironically is bereft of scholarship. If Marx was a serious scholar of history, he must be spinning in his grave. I don’t even know where to start because of the abundance of historical inaccuracies used to form this anti-Semitic argument.
I appreciate your word "visceral", so much here as a useful indicator or guide rail. It reminds me of your analysis of the "hep hep" riots, that perhaps the term "hep hep" was a sign of treating Jews as animals rather than humans. All of us are at risk of viewing our opponents as outright monsters rather than people, and I appreciate the metrics you offer to check ourselves.
Thank you very much. I very much agree with your first three guard rails. I think the fourth guard rail could possibly be developed a little further. There are many reasons why people focus on particular issues - for example, shortage of time, differences in knowledge or experience. One of the very attractive features of your guard rails is their general applicability. For example, your first guard rail. Inability to empathise with Israeli suffering. I strongly agree this is morally completely defective. So also is inability to empathise with the suffering of Palestinians and their families. For example, people subjected to military detention. Your second guard rail. Conflating anything Jewish with Israel. Again, I strongly agree. A closely related guard rail is also important - Conflating anything Israeli with Judaism - this is wrong, indeed it is itself anti-semitic. Joseph Raz, one of our greatest moral and legal philosophers, warned against definitions of anti-semitism that conflate criticism of Israel, or Zionism, with anti-semitism. He considered that the IHRA Working Definition of Anti-Semitism suffered from this defect, and had a potentially chilling effect on legitimate political discourse. Your third guard rail - Borrowing tropes from historical anti-Semitism. Yes, I strongly agree. There seems to me to be a parallel guard rail - Borrowing tropes from historical (or contemporary) Islamophobia. I shall not state here the horrific, violent, gory (and untrue) allegations which are in my mind. Applying your guard rails even handedly will help focus our minds on our moral duty to value the humanity of all the people suffering in this terrible situation. We must not tolerate the dehumanising of any group of people. Dehumanising people - whether by racism, by anti-Semitism, or by prejudice against Moslems or Christians - is deeply immoral. It corrupts and degrades the personality of those people who adopt these attitudes. Where it is widespread in any community it will be a huge obstacle to achieving peace. Thank you very much again for your analysis.
Well now here’s what I think based on when you said why these supporters seem mostly focused with Israel! Firstly, compared to a lot of other conflicts, this one is one that goes back to beginning of 20th century. Secondly, it’s not necessarily just because it’s Jews, but besides them it’s also . about western support all these years and how biased western media tends to usually be about this! Technically because of this I do feel Americans should definitely speak up given that they’re the largest supporter!
Awesome video I’m not fan of Israel but I’ve always been a fan of your videos on Jewish history glad to see you always keep a level head. All nation states deserve criticism
There are not enough words to thank you for this balanced and thought provoking video! A prism does in fact have many sides, and the colours it projects are perceived differently by those who view them. The tragedy is that in the end, it is ordinary human beings who suffer the consequences while the 'bigger picture' is played out
Thanks for this, Dr. Abramson. The first three points you make seem eminently agreeable, but I would like to ask you about the fourth. Some nations today have populations who have made their living in cities for centuries, all that time having large literate minorities and being fully plugged into the main currents of scientific thought and technological development. They may also have long traditions of democratic consultation between people and leaders. Israel and Iran both fall into this category. Many nations today are still mostly inhabited by subsistence farmers and nomadic pastoralists, and two centuries ago had no polities of more than a hundred thousand people, no written traditions and only the barest vestiges of urban life. Both types of nations must now operate government bureaucracies ruling many millions of people. Is it not reasonable, Dr. Abramson, to hold the first type of nation to a higher standard of respect for international law and respect for universal human rights, than the second type? Is it not reasonable to expect nations with high institutional and human capabilities to set a positive example for nations with lower ones?
Thank you for making this video. The current tragedy has no easy answers, and there is plenty of blame to go around. It is unfortunate that the noncombatants on both sides are getting the worst of it.
Why do people in the west seem to mobilise only when Israel is involved? 1) Because Israel is perceived - rightly or wrongly - as a colonial outpost of the west, massively supported by the west 2) Because of the - perceived - enormous disproportion of forces and causalities in the conflict, on the one hand you have crappy hand-made rockets the effect of which is mainly psychological (settlers have to take refuge), on the other hand you have the best that western military technology can offer and much, much higher casualties 3) because Israel's occupation of the west bank and the Gaza blockade - illegal under international law - are seen - rightly or wrongly - as explanations, if not justification, of Palestinian violence 4) Because people suspect that Israel needs to maintain an external threat in order to prevent the country from disintegrating due to its internal contradictions: "I am under threat" is the core identity marker of Israel. Critics of Israel know that Israel is a democratic country, and its neighbours are not, but being a democracy doesn't necessarily prevent a state from behaving like an arsehole with its neighbours, and being ruled by corrupt and undemocratic military elite does not prevent a people from being a victim of injustice. If my neighbour is a criminal and I illegally assault him, I am guilty of assault no matter how bad a person my neighbour is. Dr M. Marcon
The U.S. must play both sides. 7000 rockets can do a lot of damage. Israel is not an occupier of the west bank if you are a judge of international law. How else do you believe Israel can win a victory? Israel Doesn't Need External Threats. Any critique of palestinian being ahole, corrupt, unjust? It may change your perspective. Sounds like your neighbor is not a criminal and attacking you.
A great sagely benchmarks of what constitutes anti-Semitism...Dr Henry Abramson is highly objective, rational and honest in his views, opinions and comments...❤❤💐🙏
Thank you! Such an important video reflecting another Jewish perspective it’s refreshing during this time to still hear people who can empathize with human suffering as a whole!
Your friendly local Palestinian Supporter here 🇵🇸, EXCELLENT lecture, I am in violent agreement on 1-3 (I am in Toronto, and that Mount Sinai incident angers me as well as many others and I mean anger not 'worry'), I have a lightly different view on number '4' but that is OK, Thank you, and last time you replied to my comment you mentioned how many like myself are in the public space, well, there are a few and I am inspired to start a podcast (Can I send you an interview request? ) the world need to be built around humanity and understanding, Hamas and Likud can't do it, but I think people like yourself and others can 🙏
I think I understand your problems with “selective outrage” being considered anti-Semitic. At what point is it merely the tactic of “whataboutism”? I think we can be both on guard against dismissive “whataboutism” while also watching out for selective outrage. I think we also have resistance to charges of selective outrage because there might be some truth to them (although not necessarily anti-semitism). We might be all too eager to direct outrage on other people because we are avoiding unresolved injustice closer to home.
I agree with all of your guardrails - excellent work! Though I was a bit disappointed you didn’t address guardrail abuse. I’m sure you’ve seen cynical people who appeal to very good guardrail principles in a nefarious way to deflect legitimate criticism. Your calm balanced voice would do a lot of good to provide this kind of additional nuance to maximize the epistemic quality of all conversations on these sometimes difficult issues.
I am going to have to disagree with your your last point about selective outrage. Just as you can put people's selective outrage as anti-semitism you can say that it is a way to deflect criticism. There are many reasons for the outrage towards Israel versus other places. If you would like to discuss those I would be more than happy to have that discussion with you.
The defining question is this: Are you a Jew who happens to live in the USA for convenience, or are you an American, who follows the Jewish religion? Most would say the former, because they truly believe that the blood of Abraham flows in their veins. Thats a real problem, because they are conflicted in their loyalty. If asked who they owe it to, would it be to Judahism, or America or any other country? We know the answer.
Talk about palastinan dna and where they came The Ashkenazi accepted to play the proxy they accepted to be the new sea people The Homs are the palastinan hagana and argon
Fifth guardrail: Denies violent events regarding the Jewish people. I.e. denying Ottoman or Muslim massacres pre-1948. Sixth guardrail: Relates anything involving a minority participation of individual Jews as Israel's bidding. I.e. Colombia's President blaming his own civil war on a single Israeli mercenary trainer. (By his account, many conflicts around the World are Colombia's bidding). Seventh: Denies the connection of Israel with the Jewish people. Eight: Fails to acknowledge the law of Return as affirmative action correcting a worldwide failure to protect Jews (see Evian conference). Ninth: Does adjudication of complex matters in Judaism without subject competency or using token opinion. (I.e. citing Neturei Karta or blatant misrepresentations pf Torah content). Tenth: Uses Jewish tokens of any kind. Eleventh: Deliberately misrepresents teachings of Judaism (G-d's chosen people). Twelfth: Uses conditionals for their outrage against Israel that are merely a cover for hate. ("I'm not against Israel, just Netanyahu", bit dont have a specific policy of Netanyahu they are against). 13th: Exagerates internal criticism of Israel.
One must carefully examine any assumption that a majority in the region outside Israel wants to live in peace with Israel. I don't know the answer to that one; I cannot find the locus of a peaceful coexistence community in the muslim world, but I'd be happy if it could be plausibly promoted. Another factor you might want to consider is the difference between religious and secular people who adopt a "Jewish identity". Completely secular individuals are certainly also subject to anti-semitic attacks. Just as a side note, make sure you know the semantics of the word "enervated" (unless it was just a slip in live delivery of a lecture).
Thankyou for this video! I have lost friends in the Jewish Community as they don't accept any criticism. I am Jewish myself. And yes I am critical of the Israeli government.
Your videos are always so enlightening; It’s always a pleasure to listen to you. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and bringing truth and light to your viewers 🙏🏼
Good points all. Thanks much yet again, professor. I know it's gotta be pretty hard for many American/Canadian/European Jews to try to have discussions about the goings-on in Gaza these days., regardless of their take on the situation. The discussions on all sides have got terribly overheated. I would like to say something in regards to your fourh guardrail, though. As an American, I tend to be a bit more vocal about what's going on in Gaza, and Israel's part in that, for a couple of reasons: One is that, as terrible as events elsewhere may be, our outrage against whatever Assad or Xi Jin Peng might be doing is going to be not very effective, because those regimes don't have any values to which we can appeal. (I think of the famous comeback by Josef Stalin when somebody told him that the Pope disapproved of his actions. "The Pope?" he said. "So how many troops does he have?") Israel really is a country that believes in humam values and decency, or at least I hope it does. As such, Israel is at least susceptible to appeals to the better angels of its nature. The other thing here is that--and I'm speaking as a US citizen--Israel is in many ways a client state of the US . The US provides both aignificant amounts of moneitary/military aid, and also diplomati ccover for Israel at the UN and elsewhere,. What this means is that we not only have more influence (indirect though it may be) about Israel's behavior, but we Americans are responsible to some extent for its actions. So for us to pay far more attention to what's going on in Israel than elsewhere can't by itself be taken as evidence of anti-Semitism. The problem is that there are plenty of anti-Semites who are delighted to criticize Israel or Jews irrespective of anything else, and this kind of argument can indeed provide them cover. It's hard.
I agree with the points in your video but it should also be clarified that disagreeing with specific Israeli policies is not the same as anti-Zionism. Zionism is simply the belief in right for Jews to have self determination and a state in some part of the Jewish historic homeland ( not just historic as there have been Jews living there continuously under others rule). I truly believe that anti-Zionism is anti-semitism. It is like saying that you support Jews but don’t support Jews having rights or any control over their own fate. It should also be clarified that Zionism has nothing to do with Palestinian Arabs and is NOT in contradiction with them also having self determination.
Thank you so much for this sober minded and comprehensive video outlining some very important red flags to keep in our minds. It’s so very heartbreaking to have to have such reminders but thank you for doing it.
Summery: 1- question everything you want to criticize about Israel because you might be an ANTiseEmiTe 2- Israel committed the biggest mãsşacrè in our lifetime because of the anger after Oct 7th, but Palestinians must be reasonable and calm after 100s of Oct 7th happened to them since 1947 3- don't talk too much about Israel's mãsàcrë, why not spend more of your time on other conflicts because all this attention has caused us a lot problems
Thank you for this video! Your words are as careful and precise as the work of an accomplished surgeon. May they contribute to the healing of the world.
The fact that the world is focused on this area, and still chooses to be ignorant about the facts on the ground, and the people in the region, and their national rights shows that they are not objective, and therefore should be generally ignored
It would be more helpful if your comment mentioned what needs to be done (what it is that people are ignorant of, what would objectivity sound like) rather than just finding fault and writing about what is wrong. That doesn't get us anywhere! It's easy to criticize; it take more thought and knowledge to suggest solutions.
@@Yosaif-Israel thanks for your attention and reply... and I read your full comment several times; I just really don't get your point! For me, at least, it's too vague and general. Maybe other readers will grasp it better. .
@@josephtein3835 Jewish history is very extensive and highly documented. Anyone who wants to be ignorant about the facts it’s because they choose to be as we do have the Internet and information is available. It’s just most people are lazy and only watch general propaganda and pay attention to thumbnails and headlines. But if you do have any specific question that you don’t have an answer, I would be happy to answer it
I just saw kid who couldn’t be saved from under the rubbles of his house because there was no heavy machinery. People tried to pull him out by hand but couldn’t. I can criticize all the way out Israel for doing it. Call it anti Zionism, call it antisemitism- I don’t care no more. That dying kid under rubles buried Israel .
That's what did it for me. I used to raise money for Israeli medical research and technology development. Then I started reading all these stories about the IDF killing children, even 2 or 3 years old. I checked out the facts, asked Israeli advocates and government officials about it, read the reports by human rights organizations, read the English-language Jewish newspapers, and it was true. They weren't isolated incidents. For example, there were the "white flag" incidents in the Goldstone reports, when for example an IDF soldier machine-gunned down a family of a 2-year-old, a 5-year-old, and a 12-year-old, in the Rabbo family. I would have thought that, when the American Jewish community learned about these deaths, they would do everything in their power to make the IDF stop killing children -- but they didn't. How can I support Israel, when they are killing Palestinian children, just as the Cossaks were killing Jewish families in my mother's village near Odessa?
Well said and balanced, thanks Henry. I have a dear Jewish friend here in Australia who is in an agonizing quandary. He cares greatly about the land of his birth and the Palestinians too though he wanders if the Palestinians can ever be trusted again. Though I am more Pro-Palestinian we both agree what has happened is a catastrophic mess with major grief and trauma on both sides. Both at the moment cannot see past it. Though it is painful for him, he is willing to discuss and argue about it and disagree. My deepest sympathies for all those who are suffering in pain. I think it is too raw for either side to forgive at the moment. I just hope both sides can at least compromise and start the road towards peace. This will require much strength and tenacity because extremists and opportunists on both sides will try and destroy it again and again.
I have loved your fascinating presentation of Jewish history, but here you are being unfair not to mention the massive misuse of the anti-semitism accusation to smear ordinary supporters of human rights and ethnic equality who have just had enough of modern Israel's never-ending border expansion ambitions in the West Bank and revenge slaughter in Gaza. The "selectivity" criterion, in particular, is pure whataboutery.
There was no protest at the Mount Sinai hospital. There was a march that started at the Israeli Consulate and proceeded to the American Consulate. They did not stop at the hospital. There was no protest at the hospital. They passed by because it happens to be along the route.
They climbed up on the scaffolding, shouted in megaphones, and disturbed patients, visitors and workers. Similar thing happened at Cornell Presbyterian in NY because there were Jewish names on donor plaques.
@@HenryAbramsonPhD "They"? This was not an official act of the protest itself. You of all people know better than to blame an entire group for the actions of a minority.
@@AaronMiller-rh7rj You have evidence that the march actually stopped at the hospital and shouted anti-Semitic slogans? No one else has shown any. In the second sentence, I am reminding Dr. Abramson not to commit the logical fallacy known as the fallacy of composition. Look it up.
In New York, the protestors stood in front of Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital and someone with a megaphone was was shouting, "You are complicit in genocide." The reason being that someone who had donated money to Israel also was a major donor to the hospital. They marched to Mount Sinai and repeated the same thing.
I have a rebuttal to your 4th guardrail. I'm jewish. I have a vested interest how jews represent me. I could are less about China ans Syria. If we are eagles. We should act as such.
Everyone has the right to criticise the State of Israel but not the Kingdom of Israel. The State of Israel was founded by atheists but the Kingdom of Israel will be a nation of priests. As the name "Israel" has been given Jacob, it is unholy to use the name "Israel" for a state who has no connection with Jacob.
I think that Israel is overreacting in their war against Palestine because the Jewish people are still in extreme trauma from the Holocaust. I am NOT an antisemite. I am someone who has been through complex and brutal trauma in my own life. I cannot forgive what has happened to me. However, for my own survival, I am in the process of healing. I cannot understand what it is like to be Jewish because I am Christian. I hope that there will come a time for Jews to heal from what has happened. I see Israel overreacting and attacking innocent Palestinians because of anger which they hold because of persecution. The world can change. I hope we all can heal.
And let us not forget how healthy & vibrant Israeli democracy proved itself to be in the aftermath of Ariel Sharon ( PM Begin’s Defence Minister at the time ) leading the IDF, in tandem with Lebanon’s right-wing, viscerally anti-Palestinian Kataeb ( Phalange party ) into the suburbs of Beirut. ‘ Peace Now ‘ led Israelis in the largest protest ever mustered in the land, all in opposition to the war itself. Not to mention outrage over apparent IDF collusion with the Kataeb’s slaughter of Palestinians in the Saabra & Shatila camps. In contrast, surely one must ask where is the appearance of significant dissent from the appalling, Jewphobic hysteria sweeping both the West and the Islamic world ? Which Arab or Muslim majority states play host to anything but seeming white-hot desires to put those ancient, broken, shellac records on permanent rotation ? Even in the midst of a war to defend the rights of Israelis ( not to mention the Thais, Africans, and others who were both beaten, slaughtered, or abducted on 10.7 ) to simply LIVE, the country has begun to see the appearance of protests against the war against Hamas. As ever, the only functioning, bona fide democracy to be found from Morocco to the Indian frontier, is alive with a healthy plethora of ‘discourses ‘. On the other side we see, what ? The grey & stagnant parade, unchallenged, almost whollly adhered to, of ‘ solidarity with ‘Palestinian martyrdom ‘…
🙏 Dr Abrahamson for you logical explanation. Am assuming u know Tanakh well enuf to know layers upon layer of meaning? RUTH (Typology of Bible Christians/ Goyim) said to her mother in law Naomi (Typology of Israel) your Elohim is also mine & where u die, there I also. This is supernatural Love for Israel. As for hate, many forms of וְהָמָ֔ן as history always repeats itself Ecc 1:9
I can consider any criticism of Israel which fully recognizes Israeli sovereignty. The concept of “secure borders” means much more than a simple geographical demarcation and extends to all aspects of self-determination. The holiness of the Jewish people is vitally connected to their special kind of separateness. The Roman historian Tacitus was very impressed with this quality of Jewish experience. Accepting sovereignty without qualification is the bright line test.
Is a deal with Jordan that involves relocating Gazans to the West Bank and transferring a considerable portion over to Jordan, in exchange for an absolute promise that they will deal with Palestinian issues forevermore, completely impossible or fruitless?🤔
As i am criticize (someone, something), it is important to be aware about how it is with me own inner. Is it, with chessed, is it, i am hurt (or old pain)? If i have this clear, (maybe, need help or can create it on me own self als good), this isn't the same as speak outer as right if it is unbalance. If a human know about who they are, what get stock, what can grow more beautiful, this a good way for a stap to outer an with chessed. If the other want (or as robot) play the boss, an don't show as compassion for live (human, animale, nature), this is signal that say a lot but nothing about me. I have notice as human in idf, gouverment israel, president Isreael an what i have notice is that in this human is chessed (how many, is an other theme). This, also if there is survive, war give room for contact an more as equal...human/live. Sure, we need the right time, room for communication an choice a theme of attention, current an what can be done, in later time. We can find oure connection with patient because oure chessed, because it is important. Who is with narcismm, autismm, etc or temporary without room for this (patient) chessed, it is posseble to say this. How to react in relation can have a sad, or cruel, or dominance/controlled energy an this Isn't what i can approve. You understand, that if the other with make a mistake or with wear a blind spot can be also with goodness, an it is more easy to love this human......or, love to create a bridgebuilder in me. Anitsemitisme can be as compensation.
👋, concerning Israel unfortunately it is War; not peace. unfortunately Antisemitism, Personally if God/values/disposition were taken out of my Life I can relate to that False perspective.
As usual very clear and sane teaching. I especially learned from #4. What a very good observation. Thank you for your measured and respectful teaching. I pray those who need to understand - would watch this.
Thank you, Dr. Abramson! Incredibly thoughtful and helpful information that I wish we could share on every media site! There are many people affected by this conflict, in various and nuanced ways. But we can all be better at learning respect for each other and ensuring antisemitism does not occur.
Thanks for clarifying such an important issue! It is wise and fair to be less biased, thus engaging our criticism on something better than sensationalism!
Masses are always biased…most people follow trends without thinking deeper about anything. I was living in 4 different countries, people are everywhere the same, some act like animals and some act like a human being…putting in frames any nation or minorities or even individuals is simply narrow minded.
Your balanced voice, with the academic knowledge underneath it, is much needed and appreciated in the current atmosphere - thank you
Thank you very much
Little correction. Israelis are not just Jews and Arabs. There are also Druze, Bedouins, Baha'i, Samaritans, Armenians, Greeks, Cherkessians, Chechens, Russians, and others. There are even some Vietnamese. All have Israeli citizenship with full rights.
Meaningful point. Thanks.
Sad that the isreali government is an apartheid government that is committing genocide on the Palestinians.
Israel so special because it tolerates diversity
No Jew ever moves to Israel to get treated like an Arab, or any other of the peoples you mentioned.
Thank you for your voice of reason and for teaching us how to think critically 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙏💝
You are so welcome
Thank you, sir, for helping with these parameters.
Thank you for your video Professor Abramson. Highly emotive subject, and certainly most folks I know have an opinion about the Gaza conflict. This is a subject that divides many. Thank you for your balanced and thoughtful approach, voicing one’s opinion publicly can be likened to tiptoeing through a minefield. A troubling time for many of us, but behind every storm is the promise of sunny days ahead.
I'm not sure why this term is even still used? Arn't Gazans semites too? Semites are more than one nation. I now its a term, but its wrong!
We Christians love and support Israel because of Jesus Christ.
Israel belongs to God; let God criticize them or not.
Dear Henry, can you make a lecture about israeli hate speech, zionist calls for genocide of the gaza population, and the daily crimes against of humanity conducted by the israeli army in the occupied territories, and the openly commited war crimes by such in Gaza? That would be welcomed very much! Also please cover the crimes by the settlers. Your opinion matters, and you can show your academic objectivity on that matter. Thank you very much.
Excellent video. I couldn't agree more with you as someone who is generally on the pro-Palestinian side of the argument [but also enjoys your videos]. Way too often criticism of Israel becomes overtly anti-semitic and has become a "respectable" outlet for people to say the most anti-semitic things while disguising it as anti-zionism/pro-palestinian activism.
Thank you for your calm discussion at this very painful time. As a Jew I find the suffering of both Palestinians and Jews very difficult to experience and it is hard to listen to people who have no compassion for one side of the issue and who call Biden Genocide Joe when he is really trying to bring peace. Neither side is going anywhere. My grandfather's family disappeared in Babi Yar and I understand why Jews needed a place to live. But I also am horrified by what is happening in Gaza and we need to find a way to honor both peoples.
Thank you for your comment
Rabbi I really enjoy your work. I do though have one criticism. I believe that we should strip the veneer of respectability off of false ideas. Therefore I would like you to consider 2 things. One Jew hatred is a more appropriate word for the hatred of Jews it takes away the late 19th century respectability that antisemitism brought to our demonization. 2 the word Palestinian, I prefer to hear Arab because like the first point it is just a more truthful descriptor. Thank you for your fine work.
I am not sure I entirely agree with Prof. Abramson in this video. I welcome his perspective regardless.
Thank you
I guess I can ask: With what do you disagree?
Genuine question. On guardrail #1: Inability to empathize with Israeli suffering. I can see that in action everyday with people on both ends. Some people who are really conditioned to not see Palestinians or people of Arab descent as real people with the capacity of suffering. The way I see is that when one bleeds, we all bleed. It's probably a horrifying time to be Israeli and I'd be mortified by my governments actions and be wondering if it was safe to stay where I live or if I needed to consider leaving. But here is where I am hung up. My understanding is to be semitic or to be a semite has to do with your mother/ancestral tongue and is related to a linguistic family. This set of languages includes Hebrew and Arabic. If definitions mean anything, that would mean Arabic descendants are semites as much as Hebrews. This definition is more consistent historically and goes against every way antisemitism is defined in major news publications recently, and it gives me hope of bridges being built instead of burnt in the future. I really believe Hebrews and Arabic persons have much more in common and are waged against each other to serve the interest of the elites. Am I being delusional or naive? I'd really like your perspective. Is Arabic semitic?
I very much appreciate the informative video. This is good information to use as a tool to identify racism and sexism as well. My response to #4 is that people generally respond to what is the hot topic or being covered heavily in the media. A few weeks ago it was Ukraine/Russia. Currently it’s the Middle Eastern crisis. As an American it should be a right as a citizen to have an opinion on my own government, how it’s spending American taxpayers money and it’s domestic or foreign policy. I don’t see that as selective outrage. I’ve personally encountered threats to myself and my family because I disagree with forever wars and in my opinion what I view as neglecting American citizens in favor of foreign citizens and foreign governments. I’ve noticed that antisemitism, anti Zionism and Islamic-phobia is addressed in the media. However the rampant anti-American rhetoric and blatant xenophobia towards Americans is normalized. It’s scary. I don’t feel safe in my own country. There are so many threats against Americans in terms of picking a side, religious revenge comments, and just inflammatory and offensive statements against Americans that aren’t addressed by my government while foreign governments and foreign nationals are prioritized. Eg. 9/11 has been used as a propaganda tool and internal American conflicts have been weaponized to garner support for external interventions. Basically dragging Americans into external conflicts while expecting Americans to ignore domestic issues. It’s frankly saddening. And, I feel for all innocent people involved that are affected and suffering and have been lost in the political chaos. All I can do is 🙏🏻 pray for a peaceful resolution.
as an American I am weary of borh Isreal and palestine both being such big issues in US it is so tiring when i see Americans by the scores homeless in my nation
Oil, money, politics make the world go round.
There are definitely serious problems in this country.
The problem can't go away in USA becuase Israel constantly lobbies USA, Jews and Evangelicals here for funds. They worry us that if we don't support them we risk the curse of Genesis 12:3.
I think the situation in the Middle East is tragic; it has been painfully going on for a long time and is an important issue for many Jews all over the world. That said, there are important, pressing issues closer to home for people in the U.S.
Can’t they both be important issues at the same time? One doesn’t negate the other.
@@princesskaitlinhazelwood4703 no America First im not ever saying to give foreign aid to my ancestors or overthrow the communists that rule them with Americans
Antizionism= questioning the jews right to self determination as one people. Being antizionist equals antisemitism since it offers jews no other alternative and also because only jews are being questioned to having a homeland.
Also, you should make a video explaining the term “antisemitism”. A lot of people are making claims that they can’t be antisemitic because they themselves are “semites”.
the problem with your claim here sister is that it would follow that simply being internationalist/leftist/socialist is antisemitism. Further, there are people who oppose any ethnic or religious state, so would oppose zionism as well as many other countries - part of the issue here is that nationstates are not the only form of polity
@@emilianosintarias7337 If one is an anti -statist and not merely an anti-Zionist, one would make anti-statist arguments, not anti-Zionist ones built on historical falsities.
For example, the a-Z argument that Israel is a European colony is based on many historical inaccuracies.
Insofar as I hear this argument coming from college students and other academics, it’s the application of a historical analysis tool (Marxism) without having studied the actual history. Ignorance is no excuse for anti-semitism, but willful ignorance is doubly so. Making fallacious comparisons to actual instances of colonialism is disgusting, disgraceful, and disrespectful to victims of colonialism.
@@emilianosintarias7337true, but wouldn't you just call yourself anti-statist, anarchist, marxist-communist etc.? Like if Israel is just one of many examples of a ethno-majority state to you, you wouldn't specifically identify as anti-zionist anymore than anti-Spain.
@@rickwrites2612 yes, that's correct and I agree. 100 years ago there was a large jewish movement that opposed zionism, because they thought nationalism was not the way to go. they weren't self hating, obviously. today, there is a wider swatch of anti-zionism, and much of it is either hypocritical, confused, or antisemitic.
It should be noted that the Orthodox Jewish Palestinians Opposed the formation of the State of Israel on religious grounds. They felt - and still feel - that it is blasphemous to establish a Jewish state before the Messiah comes.
They aren't anti-Semitic.
Israel was created and exists.
Who said Jews can’t be anti semites? Ever heard of Nicholas donin?
@@AaronMiller-rh7rj That's not the point at issue, here. The issue is: Orthodox Jews think Zionists are heretics.
And that is no anti-Semitism.
They have valid religious reasons, so it's absurd that non-Jews always use them as an excuse.
Thanks. A historians mind is always essential when looking at current events.
Glad you found it useful
Thank you
You're welcome
Your fourth point is worth repeating....I frequently bring up the situation in Yemen, where a civil war over the past ten years has resulted in 400K deaths with 70% of the deaths being children under five years of age. If it's okay for the Houthis to be supporting Hamas, then it must be okay for them to engage in a civil war that has killed over 250 young kids under five.....nobody cares about the lives of innocent Yemeni children because there are no Jews involved in that conflict....
Blessings as always sir.
To criticize Israel DOES NOT equate anti-Semitism and that can become a weaponized issue
To criticize Israel is possible, but unfortunately nowdays every antisemit could cover his antisemetism under Israel criticism.
I’ve been seeing this a lot with the excuse that Anti-Zionism is not anti-semitism. And the main anti-Zionist argument is that Israel is a European colony committing a genocide against indigenous people.
This is the “Marxist-Academic argument that ironically is bereft of scholarship. If Marx was a serious scholar of history, he must be spinning in his grave. I don’t even know where to start because of the abundance of historical inaccuracies used to form this anti-Semitic argument.
I appreciate your word "visceral", so much here as a useful indicator or guide rail. It reminds me of your analysis of the "hep hep" riots, that perhaps the term "hep hep" was a sign of treating Jews as animals rather than humans.
All of us are at risk of viewing our opponents as outright monsters rather than people, and I appreciate the metrics you offer to check ourselves.
Thank you very much. I very much agree with your first three guard rails. I think the fourth guard rail could possibly be developed a little further. There are many reasons why people focus on particular issues - for example, shortage of time, differences in knowledge or experience. One of the very attractive features of your guard rails is their general applicability. For example, your first guard rail. Inability to empathise with Israeli suffering. I strongly agree this is morally completely defective. So also is inability to empathise with the suffering of Palestinians and their families. For example, people subjected to military detention. Your second guard rail. Conflating anything Jewish with Israel. Again, I strongly agree. A closely related guard rail is also important - Conflating anything Israeli with Judaism - this is wrong, indeed it is itself anti-semitic. Joseph Raz, one of our greatest moral and legal philosophers, warned against definitions of anti-semitism that conflate criticism of Israel, or Zionism, with anti-semitism. He considered that the IHRA Working Definition of Anti-Semitism suffered from this defect, and had a potentially chilling effect on legitimate political discourse. Your third guard rail - Borrowing tropes from historical anti-Semitism. Yes, I strongly agree. There seems to me to be a parallel guard rail - Borrowing tropes from historical (or contemporary) Islamophobia. I shall not state here the horrific, violent, gory (and untrue) allegations which are in my mind. Applying your guard rails even handedly will help focus our minds on our moral duty to value the humanity of all the people suffering in this terrible situation. We must not tolerate the dehumanising of any group of people. Dehumanising people - whether by racism, by anti-Semitism, or by prejudice against Moslems or Christians - is deeply immoral. It corrupts and degrades the personality of those people who adopt these attitudes. Where it is widespread in any community it will be a huge obstacle to achieving peace. Thank you very much again for your analysis.
Well now here’s what I think based on when you said why these supporters seem mostly focused with Israel! Firstly, compared to a lot of other conflicts, this one is one that goes back to beginning of 20th century. Secondly, it’s not necessarily just because it’s Jews, but besides them it’s also . about western support all these years and how biased western media tends to usually be about this! Technically because of this I do feel Americans should definitely speak up given that they’re the largest supporter!
☀️🗽👍🧠🙌
Dr. Abramson what a great framework to base our discussions on. Thank you for these ideas.
Glad it was helpful
Awesome video I’m not fan of Israel but I’ve always been a fan of your videos on Jewish history glad to see you always keep a level head. All nation states deserve criticism
There are not enough words to thank you for this balanced and thought provoking video! A prism does in fact have many sides, and the colours it projects are perceived differently by those who view them.
The tragedy is that in the end, it is ordinary human beings who suffer the consequences while the 'bigger picture' is played out
Thanks for this, Dr. Abramson. The first three points you make seem eminently agreeable, but I would like to ask you about the fourth.
Some nations today have populations who have made their living in cities for centuries, all that time having large literate minorities and being fully plugged into the main currents of scientific thought and technological development. They may also have long traditions of democratic consultation between people and leaders. Israel and Iran both fall into this category.
Many nations today are still mostly inhabited by subsistence farmers and nomadic pastoralists, and two centuries ago had no polities of more than a hundred thousand people, no written traditions and only the barest vestiges of urban life.
Both types of nations must now operate government bureaucracies ruling many millions of people.
Is it not reasonable, Dr. Abramson, to hold the first type of nation to a higher standard of respect for international law and respect for universal human rights, than the second type? Is it not reasonable to expect nations with high institutional and human capabilities to set a positive example for nations with lower ones?
I prefer not to get involved in a civil war thousands of miles away, just leave me, and my taxes out of it.
Except that 28 billion of your taxes have gone there.
Thanks for all you do always. I personally found this to be a helpful step in the right direction to healthy conversation and debate. All the best.
Excellent summation; I think this sets the boundaries pretty clearly.
Thank you for the feedback!
Thank you for making this video. The current tragedy has no easy answers, and there is plenty of blame to go around. It is unfortunate that the noncombatants on both sides are getting the worst of it.
Good list of guardrails. You might want to check the definition of Enervated.
Why do people in the west seem to mobilise only when Israel is involved? 1) Because Israel is perceived - rightly or wrongly - as a colonial outpost of the west, massively supported by the west 2) Because of the - perceived - enormous disproportion of forces and causalities in the conflict, on the one hand you have crappy hand-made rockets the effect of which is mainly psychological (settlers have to take refuge), on the other hand you have the best that western military technology can offer and much, much higher casualties 3) because Israel's occupation of the west bank and the Gaza blockade - illegal under international law - are seen - rightly or wrongly - as explanations, if not justification, of Palestinian violence 4) Because people suspect that Israel needs to maintain an external threat in order to prevent the country from disintegrating due to its internal contradictions: "I am under threat" is the core identity marker of Israel. Critics of Israel know that Israel is a democratic country, and its neighbours are not, but being a democracy doesn't necessarily prevent a state from behaving like an arsehole with its neighbours, and being ruled by corrupt and undemocratic military elite does not prevent a people from being a victim of injustice. If my neighbour is a criminal and I illegally assault him, I am guilty of assault no matter how bad a person my neighbour is.
Dr M. Marcon
The U.S. must play both sides. 7000 rockets can do a lot of damage.
Israel is not an occupier of the west bank if you are a judge of international law.
How else do you believe Israel can win a victory?
Israel Doesn't Need External Threats.
Any critique of palestinian being ahole, corrupt, unjust? It may change your perspective.
Sounds like your neighbor is not a criminal and attacking you.
Thanks for this presentation. It was cogent and gives me something to think about. Someday I would like to see a similar talk on the Palestinians.
A great sagely benchmarks of what constitutes anti-Semitism...Dr Henry Abramson is highly objective, rational and honest in his views, opinions and comments...❤❤💐🙏
Thank you for the kind words
Thank you! Such an important video reflecting another Jewish perspective it’s refreshing during this time to still hear people who can empathize with human suffering as a whole!
There are many of us
A topic you evaded: anti-ZIONISM, and replacing the word ״Israelis” with ״ZIONISTS”, a term that is often used pejoratively.
The perjorative usage is noted
Your friendly local Palestinian Supporter here 🇵🇸, EXCELLENT lecture, I am in violent agreement on 1-3 (I am in Toronto, and that Mount Sinai incident angers me as well as many others and I mean anger not 'worry'), I have a lightly different view on number '4' but that is OK, Thank you, and last time you replied to my comment you mentioned how many like myself are in the public space, well, there are a few and I am inspired to start a podcast (Can I send you an interview request? ) the world need to be built around humanity and understanding, Hamas and Likud can't do it, but I think people like yourself and others can 🙏
If only more people would think like you.
Glad you found the video useful.
I think I understand your problems with “selective outrage” being considered anti-Semitic. At what point is it merely the tactic of “whataboutism”?
I think we can be both on guard against dismissive “whataboutism” while also watching out for selective outrage.
I think we also have resistance to charges of selective outrage because there might be some truth to them (although not necessarily anti-semitism). We might be all too eager to direct outrage on other people because we are avoiding unresolved injustice closer to home.
I agree with all of your guardrails - excellent work!
Though I was a bit disappointed you didn’t address guardrail abuse. I’m sure you’ve seen cynical people who appeal to very good guardrail principles in a nefarious way to deflect legitimate criticism. Your calm balanced voice would do a lot of good to provide this kind of additional nuance to maximize the epistemic quality of all conversations on these sometimes difficult issues.
I am going to have to disagree with your your last point about selective outrage. Just as you can put people's selective outrage as anti-semitism you can say that it is a way to deflect criticism. There are many reasons for the outrage towards Israel versus other places. If you would like to discuss those I would be more than happy to have that discussion with you.
Thank you my brother
Great Job: clear and succinct.
Rosa, VA, USA
The defining question is this: Are you a Jew who happens to live in the USA for convenience, or are you an American, who follows the Jewish religion? Most would say the former, because they truly believe that the blood of Abraham flows in their veins. Thats a real problem, because they are conflicted in their loyalty. If asked who they owe it to, would it be to Judahism, or America or any other country? We know the answer.
Talk about palastinan dna and where they came
The Ashkenazi accepted to play the proxy they accepted to be the new sea people
The Homs are the palastinan hagana and argon
Fifth guardrail: Denies violent events regarding the Jewish people. I.e. denying Ottoman or Muslim massacres pre-1948.
Sixth guardrail: Relates anything involving a minority participation of individual Jews as Israel's bidding. I.e. Colombia's President blaming his own civil war on a single Israeli mercenary trainer. (By his account, many conflicts around the World are Colombia's bidding).
Seventh: Denies the connection of Israel with the Jewish people.
Eight: Fails to acknowledge the law of Return as affirmative action correcting a worldwide failure to protect Jews (see Evian conference).
Ninth: Does adjudication of complex matters in Judaism without subject competency or using token opinion. (I.e. citing Neturei Karta or blatant misrepresentations pf Torah content).
Tenth: Uses Jewish tokens of any kind.
Eleventh: Deliberately misrepresents teachings of Judaism (G-d's chosen people).
Twelfth: Uses conditionals for their outrage against Israel that are merely a cover for hate. ("I'm not against Israel, just Netanyahu", bit dont have a specific policy of Netanyahu they are against).
13th: Exagerates internal criticism of Israel.
One must carefully examine any assumption that a majority in the region outside Israel wants to live in peace with Israel. I don't know the answer to that one; I cannot find the locus of a peaceful coexistence community in the muslim world, but I'd be happy if it could be plausibly promoted. Another factor you might want to consider is the difference between religious and secular people who adopt a "Jewish identity". Completely secular individuals are certainly also subject to anti-semitic attacks. Just as a side note, make sure you know the semantics of the word "enervated" (unless it was just a slip in live delivery of a lecture).
I’ll look it up
What are the borders of the land of Israel in your interpretation?
I hope the Israeli leadership and press also refrain from using similar images of guns on babies as well.
Thankyou for this video! I have lost friends in the Jewish Community as they don't accept any criticism. I am Jewish myself. And yes I am critical of the Israeli government.
I hope you found it helpful
@@HenryAbramsonPhD I did.
Your videos are always so enlightening; It’s always a pleasure to listen to you. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and bringing truth and light to your viewers 🙏🏼
🙌🏾❤🙌🏾🇮🇱
Thank you
mount sanai provides the best medical care ngl
Good points all. Thanks much yet again, professor. I know it's gotta be pretty hard for many American/Canadian/European Jews to try to have discussions about the goings-on in Gaza these days., regardless of their take on the situation. The discussions on all sides have got terribly overheated. I would like to say something in regards to your fourh guardrail, though. As an American, I tend to be a bit more vocal about what's going on in Gaza, and Israel's part in that, for a couple of reasons:
One is that, as terrible as events elsewhere may be, our outrage against whatever Assad or Xi Jin Peng might be doing is going to be not very effective, because those regimes don't have any values to which we can appeal. (I think of the famous comeback by Josef Stalin when somebody told him that the Pope disapproved of his actions. "The Pope?" he said. "So how many troops does he have?") Israel really is a country that believes in humam values and decency, or at least I hope it does. As such, Israel is at least susceptible to appeals to the better angels of its nature.
The other thing here is that--and I'm speaking as a US citizen--Israel is in many ways a client state of the US . The US provides both aignificant amounts of moneitary/military aid, and also diplomati ccover for Israel at the UN and elsewhere,. What this means is that we not only have more influence (indirect though it may be) about Israel's behavior, but we Americans are responsible to some extent for its actions. So for us to pay far more attention to what's going on in Israel than elsewhere can't by itself be taken as evidence of anti-Semitism. The problem is that there are plenty of anti-Semites who are delighted to criticize Israel or Jews irrespective of anything else, and this kind of argument can indeed provide them cover. It's hard.
Thank you Dr. Abrahamson.
Curious to the tape: 132 on your lapel? Unless I've missed a previous clip and any reference to it.
Days... (if that is an inquiry)
@@AaronMiller-rh7rj thanks. ❤️
It's the number of hostages
@@sunnysoto1084 i think it is day 132, and maybe 134 hostages.
I agree with the points in your video but it should also be clarified that disagreeing with specific Israeli policies is not the same as anti-Zionism. Zionism is simply the belief in right for Jews to have self determination and a state in some part of the Jewish historic homeland ( not just historic as there have been Jews living there continuously under others rule). I truly believe that anti-Zionism is anti-semitism. It is like saying that you support Jews but don’t support Jews having rights or any control over their own fate. It should also be clarified that Zionism has nothing to do with Palestinian Arabs and is NOT in contradiction with them also having self determination.
Thanks for your comment
❤ thanks Dr Abramson, for your helpful teaching and words
Thank you.
Thank you (42). Respectfully, NHG
No I’d call it a self hating Jew
Excellent balanced remarks. Thank you sir.
Thank you so much for this sober minded and comprehensive video outlining some very important red flags to keep in our minds. It’s so very heartbreaking to have to have such reminders but thank you for doing it.
You are so welcome
Summery:
1- question everything you want to criticize about Israel because you might be an ANTiseEmiTe
2- Israel committed the biggest mãsşacrè in our lifetime because of the anger after Oct 7th, but Palestinians must be reasonable and calm after 100s of Oct 7th happened to them since 1947
3- don't talk too much about Israel's mãsàcrë, why not spend more of your time on other conflicts because all this attention has caused us a lot problems
Not helpful
@@HenryAbramsonPhD tell me about it
Brilliant. Thank you.
Thank you for this video! Your words are as careful and precise as the work of an accomplished surgeon. May they contribute to the healing of the world.
Thank you, Rabbi. Very helpful. I'm going to share this with Facebook friends.
For the record, Dr. Abramson is not a rabbi, but a historian.
@@babababad I understand that. I'm thinking of him as a teacher and when I was growing up my family used it for exceptional teachers.
The fact that the world is focused on this area, and still chooses to be ignorant about the facts on the ground, and the people in the region, and their national rights shows that they are not objective, and therefore should be generally ignored
It would be more helpful if your comment mentioned what needs to be done (what it is that people are ignorant of, what would objectivity sound like) rather than just finding fault and writing about what is wrong. That doesn't get us anywhere! It's easy to criticize; it take more thought and knowledge to suggest solutions.
@@josephtein3835
I guess you did not read my comment thoroughly and see the conclusion
@@Yosaif-Israel thanks for your attention and reply... and I read your full comment several times; I just really don't get your point! For me, at least, it's too vague and general. Maybe other readers will grasp it better. .
@@josephtein3835
Jewish history is very extensive and highly documented. Anyone who wants to be ignorant about the facts it’s because they choose to be as we do have the Internet and information is available. It’s just most people are lazy and only watch general propaganda and pay attention to thumbnails and headlines. But if you do have any specific question that you don’t have an answer, I would be happy to answer it
I just saw kid who couldn’t be saved from under the rubbles of his house because there was no heavy machinery. People tried to pull him out by hand but couldn’t. I can criticize all the way out Israel for doing it. Call it anti Zionism, call it antisemitism- I don’t care no more. That dying kid under rubles buried Israel .
I don't think Israel is going to surrender to Hamas terrorism and the destruction of Israel.
That's what did it for me. I used to raise money for Israeli medical research and technology development. Then I started reading all these stories about the IDF killing children, even 2 or 3 years old. I checked out the facts, asked Israeli advocates and government officials about it, read the reports by human rights organizations, read the English-language Jewish newspapers, and it was true. They weren't isolated incidents. For example, there were the "white flag" incidents in the Goldstone reports, when for example an IDF soldier machine-gunned down a family of a 2-year-old, a 5-year-old, and a 12-year-old, in the Rabbo family. I would have thought that, when the American Jewish community learned about these deaths, they would do everything in their power to make the IDF stop killing children -- but they didn't. How can I support Israel, when they are killing Palestinian children, just as the Cossaks were killing Jewish families in my mother's village near Odessa?
Well said and balanced, thanks Henry.
I have a dear Jewish friend here in Australia who is in an agonizing quandary. He cares greatly about the land of his birth and the Palestinians too though he wanders if the Palestinians can ever be trusted again. Though I am more Pro-Palestinian we both agree what has happened is a catastrophic mess with major grief and trauma on both sides. Both at the moment cannot see past it. Though it is painful for him, he is willing to discuss and argue about it and disagree.
My deepest sympathies for all those who are suffering in pain. I think it is too raw for either side to forgive at the moment. I just hope both sides can at least compromise and start the road towards peace. This will require much strength and tenacity because extremists and opportunists on both sides will try and destroy it again and again.
Sounds decent and civilized.
Too many countries and people want to destroy Israel.
🙌⚘☀️
Thank you Dr. Abramson
Your accent sounds Canadian?
Yeah, he's Canadian! He mentions this in a lot of his videos when he talks about his background growing up.
it's adar
venahaphachu
Thank you.
We're facing horrible antisemitic madness.
Sad but true
I have loved your fascinating presentation of Jewish history, but here you are being unfair not to mention the massive misuse of the anti-semitism accusation to smear ordinary supporters of human rights and ethnic equality who have just had enough of modern Israel's never-ending border expansion ambitions in the West Bank and revenge slaughter in Gaza. The "selectivity" criterion, in particular, is pure whataboutery.
There was no protest at the Mount Sinai hospital. There was a march that started at the Israeli Consulate and proceeded to the American Consulate. They did not stop at the hospital. There was no protest at the hospital. They passed by because it happens to be along the route.
They climbed up on the scaffolding, shouted in megaphones, and disturbed patients, visitors and workers. Similar thing happened at Cornell Presbyterian in NY because there were Jewish names on donor plaques.
@@HenryAbramsonPhD "They"? This was not an official act of the protest itself. You of all people know better than to blame an entire group for the actions of a minority.
@@pirbird14Your 1st comment is obviously completely false. Your 2nd comment is a nonsensical response. 👂
@@AaronMiller-rh7rj You have evidence that the march actually stopped at the hospital and shouted anti-Semitic slogans? No one else has shown any. In the second sentence, I am reminding Dr. Abramson not to commit the logical fallacy known as the fallacy of composition. Look it up.
In New York, the protestors stood in front of Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital and someone with a megaphone was was shouting, "You are complicit in genocide." The reason being that someone who had donated money to Israel also was a major donor to the hospital. They marched to Mount Sinai and repeated the same thing.
I have a rebuttal to your 4th guardrail. I'm jewish. I have a vested interest how jews represent me. I could are less about China ans Syria. If we are eagles. We should act as such.
Everyone has the right to criticise the State of Israel but not the Kingdom of Israel. The State of Israel was founded by atheists but the Kingdom of Israel will be a nation of priests.
As the name "Israel" has been given Jacob, it is unholy to use the name "Israel" for a state who has no connection with Jacob.
I think that Israel is overreacting in their war against Palestine because the Jewish people are still in extreme trauma from the Holocaust. I am NOT an antisemite. I am someone who has been through complex and brutal trauma in my own life. I cannot forgive what has happened to me. However, for my own survival, I am in the process of healing. I cannot understand what it is like to be Jewish because I am Christian. I hope that there will come a time for Jews to heal from what has happened. I see Israel overreacting and attacking innocent Palestinians because of anger which they hold because of persecution. The world can change. I hope we all can heal.
And let us not forget how healthy & vibrant Israeli democracy proved itself to be in the aftermath of Ariel Sharon ( PM Begin’s Defence Minister at the time ) leading the IDF, in tandem with Lebanon’s right-wing, viscerally anti-Palestinian Kataeb ( Phalange party ) into the suburbs of Beirut. ‘ Peace Now ‘ led Israelis in the largest protest ever mustered in the land, all in opposition to the war itself. Not to mention outrage over apparent IDF collusion with the Kataeb’s slaughter of Palestinians in the Saabra & Shatila camps.
In contrast, surely one must ask where is the appearance of significant dissent from the appalling, Jewphobic hysteria sweeping both the West and the Islamic world ? Which Arab or Muslim majority states play host to anything but seeming white-hot desires to put those ancient, broken, shellac records on permanent rotation ? Even in the midst of a war to defend the rights of Israelis ( not to mention the Thais, Africans, and others who were both beaten, slaughtered, or abducted on 10.7 ) to simply LIVE, the country has begun to see the appearance of protests against the war against Hamas. As ever, the only functioning, bona fide democracy to be found from Morocco to the Indian frontier, is alive with a healthy plethora of ‘discourses ‘. On the other side we see, what ? The grey & stagnant parade, unchallenged, almost whollly adhered to, of ‘ solidarity with ‘Palestinian martyrdom ‘…
Yes , if you are criticizing IDF / Israeli about the Gaza WAR you are not only a Antisemitic , but a SUPPERSIONIST as well . Genises 12 : 1-3 .
Qutb's mindless minions, they thought they were so Grand. And soon their bones be dryin' out, a layin' in the Sand.
🙏 Dr Abrahamson for you logical explanation. Am assuming u know Tanakh well enuf to know layers upon layer of meaning? RUTH (Typology of Bible Christians/ Goyim) said to her mother in law Naomi (Typology of Israel) your Elohim is also mine & where u die, there I also. This is supernatural Love for Israel. As for hate, many forms of וְהָמָ֔ן as history always repeats itself Ecc 1:9
I can consider any criticism of Israel which fully recognizes Israeli sovereignty. The concept of “secure borders” means much more than a simple geographical demarcation and extends to all aspects of self-determination. The holiness of the Jewish people is vitally connected to their special kind of separateness. The Roman historian Tacitus was very impressed with this quality of Jewish experience. Accepting sovereignty without qualification is the bright line test.
Is a deal with Jordan that involves relocating Gazans to the West Bank and transferring a considerable portion over to Jordan, in exchange for an absolute promise that they will deal with Palestinian issues forevermore, completely impossible or fruitless?🤔
As i am criticize (someone, something), it is important to be aware about how it is with me own inner. Is it, with chessed, is it, i am hurt (or old pain)? If i have this clear, (maybe, need help or can create it on me own self als good), this isn't the same as speak outer as right if it is unbalance. If a human know about who they are, what get stock, what can grow more beautiful, this a good way for a stap to outer an with chessed. If the other want (or as robot) play the boss, an don't show as compassion for live (human, animale, nature), this is signal that say a lot but nothing about me. I have notice as human in idf, gouverment israel, president Isreael an what i have notice is that in this human is chessed (how many, is an other theme). This, also if there is survive, war give room for contact an more as equal...human/live. Sure, we need the right time, room for communication an choice a theme of attention, current an what can be done, in later time. We can find oure connection with patient because oure chessed, because it is important. Who is with narcismm, autismm, etc or temporary without room for this (patient) chessed, it is posseble to say this. How to react in relation can have a sad, or cruel, or dominance/controlled energy an this Isn't what i can approve. You understand, that if the other with make a mistake or with wear a blind spot can be also with goodness, an it is more easy to love this human......or, love to create a bridgebuilder in me. Anitsemitisme can be as compensation.
👋, concerning Israel unfortunately it is War; not peace.
unfortunately Antisemitism, Personally if God/values/disposition were taken out of my Life I can relate to that False perspective.
As usual very clear and sane teaching. I especially learned from #4. What a very good observation. Thank you for your measured and respectful teaching. I pray those who need to understand - would watch this.
Thank you, Dr. Abramson! Incredibly thoughtful and helpful information that I wish we could share on every media site!
There are many people affected by this conflict, in various and nuanced ways. But we can all be better at learning respect for each other and ensuring antisemitism does not occur.
Thanks for clarifying such an important issue! It is wise and fair to be less biased, thus engaging our criticism on something better than sensationalism!
Just looking at the title, no. I bellyached about my parents but I loved them.
What do you think of the thoughts of Moshe Feiglin upon the matter? Like to know 🙂
Masses are always biased…most people follow trends without thinking deeper about anything. I was living in 4 different countries, people are everywhere the same, some act like animals and some act like a human being…putting in frames any nation or minorities or even individuals is simply narrow minded.
Great video. Enervated means something other than you think
Your education is necessary and much appreciated Dr. Abramson
And without private medical insurance!!!
Dr. Abramson, I've learned so much from your lectures both about history and about educating wisely. Thank you.
You are very welcome
Thanks!
Thank you for supporting the research!