Tag Archives: abraham-foxman

Jewish Groups Refudiate Sarah Palin "Blood Libel" Remark

Sarah Palin’s video response to the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords prompted a strong backlash from some members of America’s Jewish community. Why? The former Alaska Governor accused the media of manufacturing a “blood libel” that only incites the hatred and violence they condemn. Fair enough, except … “Blood libel” is a term apparently dating back to the Middle Ages, referring to a prejudice that Jewish people used Christian blood during religious rituals. David Harris of the National Democratic Jewish Council said that instead of dialing down the rhetoric, Palin “chose to accuse others trying to sort out the meaning of this tragedy of somehow engaging in a ‘blood libel’ against her and others.” Harris called the repeated fiction of blood libels “directly responsible for the murder of so many Jews across centuries – and given that blood libels are so intertwined with deeply ingrained anti-Semitism around the globe, even today.” He wasn’t alone in echoing this sentiment. “The term ‘blood libel’ is not a synonym for ‘false accusation,'” added Simon Greer of Jewish Funds for Justice. “It refers to a specific falsehood perpetuated by Christians about Jews for centuries” that sparked violence and discrimination. “Unless someone has been accusing Ms. Palin of killing Christian babies and making matzoh from their blood, her use of the term is totally out of line.” U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona, who was shot in the head (allegedly by Jared Lee Loughner ) and remained in critical condition, is Jewish. Criticism over her crosshairs map that infamously targeted Giffords during the 2010 elections prompted the comments by Sarah today (below). Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, was sure to note that “it was inappropriate at the outset to blame Sarah Palin and others for causing this tragedy or for being an accessory to murder.” “Palin has every right to defend herself and we agree with her that [our best tradition] is one of finding common ground despite our differences,” he said. “Still, we wish that Palin had not invoked the phrase ‘blood libel’ in reference to the actions of journalists in placing blame for the shooting on others.” “While the term ‘blood libel’ has become part of the English parlance to refer to someone being falsely accused, we wish that Palin had used another phrase, instead of one so fraught with pain in Jewish history.” Here’s Palin’s video response to the Arizona’s massacre: Sarah Palin Speaks on Gabrielle Giffords Shooting

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Jewish Groups Refudiate Sarah Palin "Blood Libel" Remark

Helen Thomas: Congress, the White House, and Hollywood, Wall Street, are owned by the Zionists

Oh boy, Helen Thomas can't keep her big mouth shut. She's exercising her God given right to free speech as if it were going to be taken away tomorrow! *** In a speech that drew a standing ovation, Helen Thomas talked about “the whole question of money involved in politics.” “I can call a president of the United States anything in the book, but I can’t touch Israel, which has Jewish-only roads in the West Bank,” Thomas said. “No Americans would tolerate that — white-only roads.” “We are owned by propagandists against the Arabs. There's no question about that. Congress, the White House, and Hollywood, Wall Street, are owned by the Zionists. No question in my opinion. They put their money where there mouth is…We're being pushed into a wrong direction in every way.”… In her speech to about 300 inside a center in Dearborn, Thomas lashed out at the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, saying they were built on lies. And she decried bias against Arabs. Who said there are only two acts in American lives? Thomas keeps on going. Here she is in the Detroit Free Press saying that her firing has liberated her to speak the truth about Zionist influence. Apparently she gave a speech in Dearborn, Michigan. John Mearsheimer lately called Dennis Ross an agent for Israel and Thomas calls him a Zionist. Well for god's sake he headed the Jewish People Policy Institute, which is based in Jerusalem. Isn't that a story? This guy is now making our policy? Is Thomas right or is she wrong about Zionist influence? When will the debate really happen? I think the answer is, When Jews come out strongly against Zionism and can show that this is not about Jews, it is about an ideology/mindset/frame that pervades and distorts Jewish life. Of course, the National Chairman of the Jewish-run Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Abraham Foxman is continuing his onging efforts of actually DEFAMING anyone who dares to breach the ultimate taboo. “Helen Thomas has clearly, unequivocally revealed herself as a vulgar anti-Semite,” Foxman said in a statement. “Her suggestion that Zionists control government, finance and Hollywood is nothing less than classic, garden-variety anti-Semitism. This is a sad final chapter to an otherwise illustrious career. Unlike her previous, spontaneous remarks into a camera, these words were carefully thought out and conscious. It shows a prejudice that is deep-seated and obsessive.” added by: maasanova