CiF reader comments on an Israel-related essay: Malevolence and Breathtaking Ignorance

The Sept 3 CiF pieceThe skewed Middle East Peace Talks, by Robert Malley and Hussein Agha, produced a slew of anti-Israel vitriol in the comment section, some of which seem clearly motivated by sheer malice towards Israel, and Jews.  Others advanced claims that are simply astonishing in their ignorance.

This first one (still not deleted) suggest that Israel “wrote the blueprint for terrorism”.

The link he provides to “prove” such an utterly preposterous allegation, was a site called The People’s Voice.

Just to give you a flavor of the content on the “social justice” site, here are a couple of stories they’ve published:

And, then there was this comment (still posted at CiF)

And, there was this ugly post (not deleted) which brings up the ugly specter of “rich Jews” (who he suggests are phony Zionists) too tied into making money to care much about anything:

Finally, there was this, which subtly characterizes Israel as a racist state which is obsessed with “ethnic purity.”

Of course, the claim  that Israel is unique in its desire maintain ethnic homogeneity is patently false. Jus sanguinis (Latin: right of blood) is a social policy by which nationality or citizenship is not determined by place of birth, but by having an ancestor who is a national or citizen of the state. It contrasts with jus soli (Latin for “right of soil”).  Apart from France, jus sanguinis still is the preferred means of passing on citizenship in many continental European countries, with benefits of maintaining culture and national identity.

Here are a few examples:

Greece’s ethnic/religious homogeneity: The constitution of democratic Greece recognizes the Greek Orthodox faith as the “prevailing” religion of the country, and an estimated 97% of Greek citizens identify themselves as Greek Orthodox. How’s that for purity?

Bulgaria’s “Law of Return”: Article 25 of the 1991 constitution specifies that “person[s] of Bulgarian origin shall acquire Bulgarian citizenship through a facilitated procedure.” Article 15 of the Law on Bulgarian Citizenship provides that an individual “of Bulgarian origin” may be naturalized without any waiting period and without having to show a source of income, knowledge of the Bulgarian language or renunciation of his former citizenship.

Croatia’s Law of Return: Article 11 of the Law on Croatian Citizenship allows emigrants and their descendants to acquire Croatian nationality upon return, without passing a language examination or renouncing former citizenship. In addition, Article 16 permits “a member of the Croatian people who does not have a place of residence in the Republic of Croatia [to] acquire Croatian citizenship” by making a written declaration and submitting proof of attachment to Croatian culture.

Spain’s “Law of Return”: Regardless of place of birth, or how far removed one is from an ancestor born in Spain, those born to an original Spaniard (whether or not your parent still retains Spanish citizenship, or is still living) are entitled to original Spanish nationality. (Original Spaniards are those who were born Spanish, no matter where they were born.) The grandchildren of those who emigrated due to political or economic reasons are also entitled to original Spanish nationality

Poland’s “Law of Return”: From the Constitution of Poland, Article 52(5): “Anyone whose Polish origin has been confirmed in accordance with statute may settle permanently in Poland.”

Turkey’s “Law of Return”: Turkish law allows persons of Turkish origin, and their spouses and children, to apply for naturalization without the five-year waiting period applicable to other immigrants.

Official Islamic States: There are 57 nations who are currently members of the Organization of Islamic States – that is, 57 self-described ISLAMIC states (many of which have Muslim populations exceeding 90%, and many of which explicitly prohibit the practice of religions other than Islam).

I could go on and on.

And, of course, the term “ethnic purity” is not an accidental choicer of words.  Its meant, of course, to convey the belief that Zionism is inherently racist – an updated version of the notorious (and since repealed) “Zionism = Racism” defamation of the Arab and Soviet sponsored UN Resolution 3379.

65 years after the Holocaust there’s 13 million Jews left in the world, and ONE state with a Jewish majority. The fact folks are bothered by this – and, apparently, find other nations’ desire to maintain ethnic/national/religious homogeneity perfectly normal – is, at best, grossly hypocritical.  At worst, it demonstrates the extreme malevolence towards Jews and Israel by many of the Guardian’s fellow travelers.

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