July 28, 2004

BEING SHOCKED AND APPALLED IS NOT A FOREIGN POLICY

Arab states refuse to slam anti-Semitism (Shlomo Shamir, Haaretz, July 28th, 2004)

Arab states at the UN are trying to foil a proposal to raise a vote condemning anti-Semitism in the General Assembly this September.

At a closed meeting held recently in New York, UN ambassadors from Arab and EU countries met and the Arabs made clear that they do not accept the initiative for the UN General Assembly to condemn anti-Semitism.

The blunt language used by the Arabs describing their opposition, and their plans to use diplomatic means to prevent the resolution from reaching a vote, shocked the Europeans, said a UN source.

Shocked indeed. The obscenity is not the Arab position, but that Europe stands impotent in the face of it.

Posted by Peter Burnet at July 28, 2004 9:50 AM
Comments

It's merely a language problem. For most Arab states (unless I'm merely projecting), being anti-semitic is not anti-semitic.

As for most of Europe and European wannabes--- sensitive, earnest, and peace-seeking souls all---well who are they to question the worldviews and/or philosophical imperatives of the "other"?Such simplicisme, smacking as it does of paternalism, hubris, colonialism, orientalism and (heavens no!) racism (the "R" word).

And we all know that it's far worse these days to be considered a racist than it is to be a mass murderer (sorry, freedom fighter).

So cut Europe a bit of slack here. Israel (and Jews) aren't making their lives easy, not one bit.

Posted by: Barry Meislin at July 28, 2004 11:04 AM

Europe's just Good Little Dhimmis.

I'm waiting for them to start requiring the burqa...

Posted by: Ken at July 28, 2004 12:07 PM

It's oviously all our fault for thinking that we are exceptional. Once we retire from the world stage, the lion will lie down with the lamb.

Posted by: Robert Duquette at July 28, 2004 2:16 PM

Arab Jew-hatred is not an obscenity?

Posted by: Harry Eagar at July 28, 2004 2:33 PM

Harry:

Nah. As the Arabs seem to hate in all directions, I'd downgrade it to merely disgusting.

Posted by: Peter B at July 28, 2004 3:43 PM
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