Maybe I am wrong here, I certainly hope I am wrong but it seems that the actions of Israel in its conflict with Hezbollah and with the Palestinians are likely to fuel anti-Semitism, the kind that may have been lingering beneath the surface in some, or even to ignite it where it hadn't already existed. Thus, it's so called self-defense may lead to its eventual self-destruction, or at least to its further alienation... and to prejudice against American Jewry.
I personally am sickened by the indiscriminate killing of civilians in Lebanon. No, I don't think Hezbollah's actions are any better, yet I do hold Israel, and the U.S., to a higher standard, sorry. If we (U.S./Israel) are going to call these groups "terrorists" then maybe we/Israel should be careful not to act as such. Two wrongs do not make a right.
So, I am stridently against the actions currently being taken by the Israeli government (and backed by our own.) However, so far, in my mind I am able to separate my feelings about the actions of Israel and my feelings about the Jewish people. I have a lovely Jewish husband who does not support Israel's current war in Lebanon. (And, no, he is not self-loathing, merely self-thinking.) This makes it easy for me to see the difference. But what about others who do not have this sort of personal experience. When will they begin to believe "Israel and Jews=same? I hate Israel's actions thus I hate Jews." It isn't hard to see this coming to pass. Sure, we all laugh at Mel Gibson's crazy anti-Semitism now. But for how long?
I am not saying the world is going to go back to anything like Nazi Germany, just concerned that there will be a backlash against what is seen as Israel's injustices and the popularly held belief that all Jews are behind Israel, no matter what. I just read an interesting article in the Nation.
Enlighten me if you will. Give me reading recommendations by all means. Just please let's not turn this into a troll fest. I want to know opinions out there on this subject.