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From: jim@ISM780B.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: Re: Re: Zionism is not racism; Anti-Isra
Message-ID: <39000037@ISM780B.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 30-Nov-85 08:30:00 EST
Article-I.D.: ISM780B.39000037
Posted: Sat Nov 30 08:30:00 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 3-Dec-85 20:50:32 EST
References: <170@hector.UUCP>
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Nf-ID: #R:hector:-17000:ISM780B:39000037:000:1687
Nf-From: ISM780B!jim    Nov 30 08:30:00 1985


>Many Jews of European background practice a warped form of Judaism and
>have warped ideas because of their form of Judaism and because of the
>experience of European Jews among Europeans.  Only Sefardic Judaism
>can be considered normative.  While most Sefardic hakamim (sages) despise
>European Zionism, none are against the existence of Israel and almost
>all consider Israel 'athilta' dege'ulta' (the beginning of redemption).
>While badly phrased, Abeles statement is not essentially wrong.

One group establishing itself as normative is the basis of all racism
and bigotry.

As a non-practicing Jew who is familiar with the traditional prayers which
refer to the return to Zion, I consider denying the importance of that return
inconsistent with religious Judaism; however I no of know reference to a
requirement to establish a religious state in Zion, which is what I
understand Zionism to be, not simply return to the land.  Since I am not
religious, I am not in favor of religious states, so I suppose I am
anti-Zionist (I am also not in favor of making the U.S. a religious state and
I am not in favor of the Moslem religious states as such; i.e., I strongly
support separation of state and church).  In any case, I oppose many of the
policies of Israel for humanitarian reasons (I also support many of their
policies for the same reason).  However, in no sense am I anti-Semitic, since
that refers to discriminating against or persecuting Jews.  It is a sick
perversion of the language to make these equations, and just feeds into the
hands of true anti-Semites.  The Jews of Germany weren't asked their opinions
before they were led to the chambers.

-- Jim Balter (ima!jim)