"Liberal" Anti-"Zionism" - 'Palestine is our land, The Jews are our dogs'

This report of the Stephen Roth institute shows that 2006 was marked by a rise in so-called "anti-Zionist" activity, resulting in about 600 violent incidents and several major attacks. The Lebanon war provided the excuse for this "anti-Zionist" activity, which was greatest apparently in the UK and France.

The content of this "anti-Zionist" activity and the targets of attacks shed light on the question of whether or not "criticism of Israel" might be anti-Semitism, and whether such criticism is a good cause to be endorsed by liberals everywhere.

In the USA:

One striking example was the revival of an anti-Jewish slogan from the Middle East, chanted in Arabic, "Filastin hi arduna wa al- yahud kilabuna!" ("Palestine is our land and the Jews are our dogs!") − documented at rallies in San Francisco, Chicago and New York City, among others. These demonstrations were organized by the IAC, ANSWER Coalition, the ADC, and CAIR. Another common catchphrase at anti-Israel and anti-war rallies in recent years (also in Arabic) has been: "Khaybar, Khaybar, oh Jews, the army of Muhammad will return!" evoking the Qur'an's account of a battle between the Islamic Prophet and a Jewish tribe, which resulted in the subjugation of the Jews of Arabia. Notably, some of the more radical chants were in Arabic.

The liberal and progressive slogan "Palestine is our land and the Jews are our dogs!" was first chanted in 1920 by crowds organized by the Grand Mufti Hajj Amin Al Husseini, a follower of Adolf Hitler. They were attacking Jews in order to protest the occupation of their land.

More about liberal anti-Zionism here.

Cross posted: Latest Israel News Middle East Analysis

Ami Isseroff