Anti-Semitism and Palestinian Terrorism Global

Anti-Semitism and Palestinian Terrorism

Global anti-Semitism is escalating at an alarming rate (Spencer 2010). While there are many deep-rooted, impassioned conflicts between Arab Palestinians and Israeli Jews, the question remains: to what degree can today's continued unrest being attributed to rampant anti-Semitism, both in Palestine and abroad? In addition, to what extent does anti-Semitism fuel Palestinian terrorism? More importantly, since anti-Semitism certainly plays some role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, what can be done to lessen the strife in order to move in the direction of peace? Is there any way to stem the tide of anti-Semitic sentiment among Palestinians?

Justification for the research

This research will study the existing literature pertaining to anti-Semitism in relation to Palestinian terrorism, in the hope of formulating a thorough, enlightening analysis of role of anti-Semitism in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This issue is rarely addressed directly in today's more thorough literature, yet it is a critical question in formulating any plans for peace.

Many countries -- and the United Nations -- are entangled in this web of war and need all the education they can get regarding the conflict and its roots. Both Arabs and Jews want an end to the unrest, yet both are unwilling to compromise as a result of fundamentalist and extremely polarized beliefs. Anti-Semitism in Palestine, rampant and growing, is a natural response to the conflict; however, it's important to address all underlying causes of this anti-Semitism in order to move toward peace. In addition, anti-Arab sentiments in Israel are a natural response to the disputes and animosity, yet anyone investigating the role of anti-Semitism among Arabs must also examine the role of an anti-Arab mindset among Jews. No one would argue that this is a surmountable problem which can be solved anytime soon, but since anti-Semitism is based on hatred, and hatred is a result of ignorance, any research in this area is important to broaden the knowledge base available to people in the media and in power. As long as warring and terrorism continues, the Middle Eastern conflict, with all of its complexities, is an urgent area for further research.

Existing literature

Marsh, Gerald 2006, "Desert diplomacy: no end in sight to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict." USA Today, vol. 135, no. 2734, pp. 54+.

"The third resolution stated in no uncertain terms that there would be "no peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel, [and] no negotiations. (Marsh 2006)"

"The Palestinians are not going to leave the West Bank and major Israeli developments around Jerusalem are not going to be undone. The land is not a gift from God to either of the claimants, and any solution has, as a necessary precondition, a true acceptance by both parties of the legitimate presence of the other and their right to exist in peace. (Marsh 2006)"

These two quotes from Gerald Marsh's 2006 article on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict beautifully demonstrate the ultimate question at hand: How to soothe tensions enough to make compromise possible? How to make both sides of the conflict see that it will not end without compromise from both sides? It may not be possible to end the anti-Semitism among Palestinians, or the Arab hatred among Jews in Israel, yet something must be done to encourage these groups to rise above their emotions. Among fundamentalist Muslims, however, religious belief is inextricable from every aspect of life, including politics. And where there is religion, there is powerful emotion. But Palestinian terrorists take this to the next level, using the Jihad and extreme violence to spit in the face of compromise. And even without terrorism, extreme Palestinians (who believe the entire region must be restored to Muslim rule without compromise), are a dominant political force in the region. This makes the prospect of peace nearly impossible.

Marsh also discusses another important question about modern-day anti-Semitism in Palestine: To what degree is this hatred for Jews the result of Amin al-Husseini's alliance with Adolf Hitler many decades ago? To what degree did this pro-Nazi alliance influence the region to move from anti-Zionism toward extreme anti-Semitism?

Spencer, Robert 2010, "Muslims fuel rise in Anti-semitic incidents." Human Events, vol. 66, no. 14, p. 13.

Robert Spencer attacks the issue of pro-Palestinian propaganda in the United Nations. Citing the UN's "Goldstone Report," he charges that lies about Israel instigated by Palestinians are being reported as facts (Spencer 2010). Indeed, the report was compiled using Palestinian sources (Spencer 2010). This biased UN stance is one explanation for the rising tide of anti-Semitism across the globe; this anti-Semitism must be curbed in order to end terrorism and move toward a peaceful resolution in the Middle East. Spencer claims that the entire purpose of the "Goldstone Report" is to "criminalize legitimate Israeli self-defense. (Spencer 2010)" He cites the UN's seeming ignorance of the prevalence and seriousness of Islamic anti-Semitism, rooted in the basic belief (as stated in the Koran 5:82) that Jews are "the worst enemies of the Muslims" (Spencer 2010). Spencer also claims the UN does not recognize at all that reports of Israeli atrocities in Gaza were based the lies of Palestinian propaganda (Spencer 2010). Also, is Barack Obama really "bullying" Israel, and how does this attitude contribute to the spread of anti-Semitism and its growing power in Palestine? How are Palestinians viewing America these days? Do they still see America as pro-Israel?

Slater, Jerome 2006, "Polemics in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict." Human Rights & Human Welfare, vol. 6, p. 105

Dershowitz, Alan, 2003, the Case for Israel, Wiley, Hoboken, NJ.

Jerome Slater criticizes Alan Dershowitz's extreme views on the role of anti-semitism in the "growing global anger at Israel," in addition to attacking extremists from the opposite pole. Dershowitz's views are best expressed by this quote from his book, the Case for Israel: "I prove beyond any shadow of a doubt that a pernicious double standard has been applied to judging Israel's actions: that even when Israel has been the best or among the best in the world, it has often been accused of being the worst or among the worst in the world." (Dershowitz 2003, Slater 2006) My research will attempt to answer whether this kind of radical statement may have some basis in fact; and if so, why are Israeli Jews faced with a double standard so much worse than other groups? Moreover, how does current Israeli criticism, coming from other Jews (even other Israelis) themselves, contribute to the overall global attitude? And to what degree is this global attitude responsible for Palestinian terrorism?

Cohen, James 2009, "The accusation of Anti-semitism as moral blackmail: conservative Jews in France and the Israel-palestinian conflict." Human Architecture, vol. 7, no. 2, pp.23+.

James Cohen claims that despite the insurgence of anti-Semitism in France, and the growing portrayal of Muslims as fanatically anti-Semitic, there is no evidence that Muslims are in fact predominantly anti-Semitic. Of course they have feelings of intolerance for Jews, but this does not equate to a Nazi-like "joy" in radical anti-Semitic acts. (Cohen 2009)

Miller, Steven 2005, "Terrifying thoughts: power, order, and terror after 9/11." Global Governance, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 247+.

Steven Miller approaches the subject of anti-Semitism and its relevance to the U.S. war on terror. How will the current U.S. stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict affect Palestinian terrorism?

Slater, Jerome 2004, "Israeli Democracy and the "demography problem." Tikkun, vol. 19, no. 5 pp.13+.

In this article, Slater addresses demographical issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Particularly, what effect will the higher Palestinian growth rate have in the future? Once Palestinians become the great majority, what effect will this dominance have on extreme anti-Semitism and terrorism among Palestinians?