Friday, August 04, 2006

Can Arabs be Anti-Semites?

SemĀ·ite
n.
1. A member of a group of Semitic-speaking peoples of the Near East and northern Africa, including the Arabs, Arameans, Babylonians, Carthaginians, Ethiopians, Hebrews, and Phoenicians.
2. A Jew.
3. Bible. A descendant of Shem.

Technically speaking, I suppose self-hating Arabs can be called anti-Semitic. But as you can see, Arabs are Semites, so to be an Arab anti-Semite, would require a significant measure of self hatred.

Does being pro-Palestine mean one is anti-Semitic? Again, the answer is no. Supporting a Palestinian state is simply that. Supporting a Palestinian state.

Does opposing Israel, or an Israeli state in Palestine mean one is anti-semite? Well, in this case one can be anti-Semitic and oppose Israel, presuming they are also against all people of northern Africa and middle eastern origin. George Bush might fall into this category as Christian zealots do not fall under the definition of Semite, and he does seem bent on the destruction and domination of the entire middle east. However, being against Israel does not, by itself, imply anti-Semitism because many proud Arabs are against the Israeli state. Being anti-Israel is also called anti-Zionism. Anti-Zionism does not equate to anti-Semitism.

Any questions?

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