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From: smb@ulysses.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: Re: Orphaned Response - (nf)
Message-ID: <684@ulysses.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 3-Nov-83 11:41:52 EST
Article-I.D.: ulysses.684
Posted: Thu Nov  3 11:41:52 1983
Date-Received: Sun, 6-Nov-83 17:11:00 EST
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	From: milhodge@uok.UUCP
	Message-ID: <3665@uiucdcs.UUCP>
	Date: Wed, 2-Nov-83 23:34:21 EST

		Lionel, as to the difference between zionism and semantism.
	  A semantic person is a Jew,a Zionist is a radical terrorist using
	all of the tools of terror to try to achieve the goals of the Jews.
	I myself am anti-zionist but not anti-semantic.  I don't support any
	terrorist group, but I have nothing against the Jews 
						 Mike Hodge
						University of Oklahoma

Leaving aside the fact that word is "antisemitic", not "anti-semantic",
Mike Hodge's statement is factually incorrect, and in fact is an attempt
to use the tools of semantics (used correctly here) to express a political
statement.  Please, can't we give accurate definitions??!

Zionism is best defined as the movement for a Jewish national homeland, i.e.,
the creation of the state of Israel.  Most, though not all, Zionists are
Jews.  Many prominent Jews have claimed that Zionism is so inextricably tied
to Judaism that one can't oppose the one without opposing the other.  Others
disagree.  Note that this definition says nothing about methods, terrorist
or otherwise.

Now -- some Zionists have espoused or resorted to terrorist tactics.  So
have some anti-Zionists.  This says nothing about the merits of either cause.
Some people claim that the government of Israel is itself a terrorist organ-
ization, though this is considerably more debatable, on semantic grounds if
no others.  There are many left-wing Israelis and Zionists who have strongly
denounced the military policies of the current government, because they, too,
consider them immoral.  This says nothing about the morality of Zionism.

Opposition to Zionism itself takes two forms, philosophical (it's an
exclusivist movement (some would say racist)) and practical (a Zionist
state by its very existence must displace Palestinians).  Zionists call it
a nationalist movement, no different than other nationalist movements around
the world -- movement that are, in general, supported by those most
vehemently anti-Zionist.  They also point out that Palestinians are welcome
in a Jewish state, which could and should be as pluralistic as say, the
(culturally Christian) United States.  Opposition to Zionism on the grounds
that it is inherently "terrorist" is a sad example of twisting definitions
to suit a political end.

I hope that most people out there can accept my definitions as accurate
and non-judgemental; I've tried very hard not to let my personal beliefs
show through.

		--Steve Bellovin