Is the right wing taking advantage of the Jews?

[Smith_3]

i am wondering about this recent strong pro-israel stance among right wingers. could it be that they are just looking to side with anyone who has an active conflict with muslim groups?

i can clearly remember times when the "jews murdered jesus" and "there are too much jews in clinton's government" memes were very common among republicans. only recently (after 9/11?) have they turned to liking jews.

if you look on sites like freerepublic, israeli politicians get alot of cheer when they are involved in fighting muslim groups, but get called traitors if they try to push for peaceful solutions. i wonder if it is wise for jewish groups to trust the religious right. i think it is very probable that their mood can easily swing again.

[Fredda Weinberg]

1. We'll take care of ourselves, thank you. We haven't forgotten how

people can turn away from genocide. Heck, nothing's changed.

[asthmaticeog]

6. Thanks for defending us. Gosh, where would we be?

:eyes:

[Jeffro40]

2. They love the Jews, as long as the help them get to heaven at the End of Times

They need Israel so they can go to heaven. They love Jews, but hope they all die before the End of Times. But Israel MUST stay!

[sellitman]

3. This belongs in the IP area.

As a Liberal Jew who supports Israel unconditionally I find no comfort from bush and his minions.

His Grandfather was a Nazis supporter and his Fundies are another sick bunch. Their support of Israel is skin deep.

This is why a huge majority of Jews in America vote Democratically year in and year out.

[Johonny]

17. I agree

I think it's been a hard era for many American Jews that have been traditionally liberal. Israel politically has become more ring wing of late. Thus for American Jews to support Israel in international politics they find themselves lining up with American Republicans. This ignores American domestic issues where most Republican policies run counter to the traditional Jewish voters values.

[melody]

4. Of the Israelis or the Jews? Two distinct questions.

The right-wing has always used lip service to protect Israel as a reason for military build-up. Protecting
Israel does not necessarily mean protect Jewish people.

[bryant69]

5. It could be

Right Wing Evangelical support for Israel seems based on the theory that Israel has to be around for the Second Coming and the Apocolypse to happen.

Religious Tolerance isn't a value to these people.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[KharmaTrain]

7. It's A Muddled Issue

Jews are far from being monolithic, and many, like myself, see ourselves constantly conflicted by our own beliefs being lumped in with a larger group. I'm Pro-Israel as being Jewish, having studied the history of the region and of my ancestors and appreciating that culture, I see Israel as a fulfillment of many good things. Having had relatives killed during the Holocoust...and growing up under its shadown...I appreciate the value of this country and the diverse groups who have transformed it.

But I also see the many problems trying to fulfill this dream has created...and the divisions that have gotten deeper throughout my lifetime. It's spread in this country on several levels...among Jews who view Israel as a personal extension and do put that country's welfare over our own. There are also those who profit from these divisions...the Krisols and other Jewish beltway chickenhawks...the AIPAC crowd...that profit from using the Jewish/Israeli agenda for their own profit. But, I see many a majority of Jews as being far from right wing and have divorced themselves from the fringes. It's a silent majority...and one that rarely can raise its voice over the divisions and emotions the Israel/Palestinian issue and the other Middle East problems have created. The divide gets even greater...and always welcomes broad brushes to be used and old stereotypes to be employed.

The uncomfortable shot-gun marriage of the religious right and some Jews is purely self-serving and many, such as myself, detest it for such. Right now they have access to power and money...their numbers far outweigh the majority.

Remember...80% of American Jews voted for Kerry in '04...

[RaleighNCDUer]

8. Everybody takes advantage of the Jews at one point or another.

It's a bit astonishing that we're still here - particularly to those of us who don't believe that we are in any way a chosen people, selected by a mythical god to be the light of the world.

As Tevye said "I know that we're the chosen people, but couldn't you once choose someone else?"

[Fredda Weinberg]

10. Secularized Jews should have learned that Gentiles choose us

We don't get to define ourselves ... even if we try. I've spent most of life in the secular world - tribalism is despised, but envied. I can pass - you won't guess my identity by my appearance, but if they round us up again, I won't be overlooked.

[RaleighNCDUer]

11. That's why I refuse to accept the fundies professed love for Israel

at face value. All it will take is Pat Robertson's say so, and they'll be herding us onto boxcars. And that is why I despise AIPAC's cozying up to the so-called Christian Zionists - refusing to see how they are being used for an agenda that is fundamentally anti-Jewish.

A person can be a whole lot safer standing alone than by having the wrong person watching his back.

[Fredda Weinberg]

13. Please accept from someone who was raised Orthodox ... fundamentalist

Christians have more in common w/my former classmates than w/you or me. Unable to cope, they dream of an end to the way things are ... no one is using anyone else in a way they don't want.

Sad thing is, I shared that apocalyptic vision once - and the education to address it wasn't cheap or easy. If we're going to overcome the appeal of salvation, we have to offer more than internecine squabbling.

[RaleighNCDUer]

15. We're certainly in agreement there.

Shalom.

[madrchsod]

9. well duh....

of course they are. always have been, always will be.

[karynnj]

12. That has been true for at least a decade, but there is no group other than blacks,

that votes as consistently with the Democrats. Given their economic status, there should be far more Republicans than there are and I think over time a higher percent of Jews may start to selfishly vote their economic interest.

In 2004, there were plenty of stories that they would break more for Bush than was usual - and it didn't happen. (It was only slightly down from 2000)

(I am Jewish - and we are NOT a one issue group.)

[TahitiNut]

14. Hint: "Jew" is NOT synonymous with "Israeli" OR "Zionist"

It's bad enough that each term is used in fallaciously broad-brush ways, but to speciously equate the terms is appalling. There are orthodox Jews, conservative Jews, reform Jews, reconstructionist Jews, secular Jews, and INDIVIDUAL Jews who, like every other individual on the planet, are unique. There are Jewish Israelis, Arab Israelis, Christian Israelis, liberal Israelis, conservative Israelis, and every 'flavor' in-between and around that. Likewise, there are many different attitudes and ideologies within Zionism.

It really doesn't serve any valid discourse or comprehension to peddle these terms so indiscriminately.

[Orsino]

16. The right wing takes advantage of everyone.

That is their reason for existing.

[Indenturedebtor]

18. Some very good responses here

That have really spoken for me as well.

This whole situation reminds me of the crusades. "Forget about what we said and did yesterday, we want to go take over the Middle East. Today we love you and we just need to borrow some money so we can go take over the region for our mutual benefit." Then the Crusades are over and it's back to burning Jews as usual.

Fortunately I think that many of us remember "First they came for the Gypsys, then the Socialists, then my Neighbor... etc." Among other lessons that can be applied to the party of hate and facism.

Fortunately it's a small percentage of Jews who buy into this shit... based on recent voting records and even polls.