Ireland's Jewish community

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

How could he(...............) clueless opinions on it.

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

.............

Plus he isn't the only one.

https://eurojewcong.org/ejc-in-action/statements/ejc-calls-on-european-parliament-to-take-action-against-mep-who-compared-israelis-to-a-rash/

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

Because they have constantly sought to draw comparisons with other conflicts that used similar tactics to their own in order to justify them.

Odhinn wrote: »

Not that you care, as its just their support of the Palestinian struggle that bothers you.

The republican physical force tradition predates both ANC and PLO. The fact is though, that liberation struggles often have many commonalities between them. Statements by and beliefs of Apartheid South Africans and Israelis echoe those of Australian racists, NI loyalists. It's that that gives SF (and others) an internationalist view.

Odhinn wrote: »

Considering you seem to see it everywhere it isn't I'd imagine that gives you a lot not to like.

Amani Low Graphology wrote: »

As someone who supports the rights of Palestinians but opposes anti semitism, how do you go about that support? Are there any organisations, individuals who you think do a good job of it? Could you show us someone who is critical of Israel on this topic and not anti-Semitic?

It's a tricky one to gauge, I find, I'd be interested in the perspective of an Irish Jewish person.

Adalah is an independent human rights organization and legal center that works to promote and defend the rights of Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel. It strives to achieve equal individual and collectives rights for the Palestinian Arab minority in Israel, focusing on: land and planning rights; civil and political rights; economic, social and cultural rights; and prisoners’ rights. Adalah also defends the human rights of Palestinians living in the Occupied Territories.

The American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to advocating that it is in the American national interest to promote an end to the conflict in the Middle East through a negotiated agreement that provides for two states living side by side in peace and security. The ATFP, based in Washington DC, was established in 2003 to provide an independent voice for Palestinian-Americans and their supporters and to promote peace. AFTP works primarily in Washington DC, and seeks to build strong working relationships with government departments and agencies, think tanks and NGOs and the media. It has also engaged in humanitarian fundraising to support health and education causes in the occupied Palestinian territories. ATFP’s Board of Directors is made up of a large group of noted Palestinian-Americans who agree with the principles of the organization.

The Arik Institute was established by Yitzhak Frankenthal in 1994 in the memory of his son, Arik, who was murdered by Hamas terrorists. The Arik Institute seeks to resolve the reactions of repression and denial among both the Israeli and Palestinian populations, aiming to foster reconciliation, tolerance and peace. The three stated goals of the Institute are to bring Palestinians – advocates of peace and reconciliation – into the limelight of Israeli society; to arouse Israeli and global awareness regarding the tragic consequences of the occupations and the effects it has on Israeli, Palestinian and global societies; and lastly, to act within the Palestinian public, and promote an awareness among Palestinians regarding the psychological, security and political assurances that are necessities to the Israeli public.

Bat Shalom is a feminist grassroots organization of Jewish and Palestinian Israeli women working together towards peace, a just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, respect for human rights, and an equal voice for Jewish and Arab women within Israeli society. Bat Shalom recognizes the right to self-determination of both Israelis and Palestinians though the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel on the 1967 boundaries, with the whole city of Jerusalem constituting two capitals for two states.

Breaking the Silence is an organization of veteran combatants who have served in the Israeli military since the start of the Second Intifada, and have taken it upon themselves to expose the Israeli public to the reality of everyday life in the Occupied Territories. Breaking the Silence was founded in 2004 by a group of soldiers who served in Hebron, and to this date has collected more than 700 testimonies from soldiers who represent all strata of Israeli society and cover nearly all units that operate in the Territories. The organization publishes these testimonies, holds lectures, house meetings, and other public events to bring to light the reality in the Territories through the voice of former combatants, and also conducts tours in Hebron and the South Hebron Hills region with the aim of giving the Israeli public access to the reality that exists in the Occupied Territories.

B’Tselem (“in the image of”), also known as The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, is an organization established in 1989 by a group of prominent academics, attorneys, journalists, and Knesset members. As one of the most prominent human rights organizations in Israel, B’Tselem seeks to document and educate the Israeli public and policymakers about human rights violations in the Occupied Territories, to combat the phenomenon of denial prevalent among the Israeli public, and to help create a human rights culture in Israel. B’Tselem acts primarily to change Israeli policy in the Occupied Territories and ensure that the Israeli government protects the human rights of residents there and complies with its obligations under international law. While its primary concern is the actions of the Israeli government and security forces, B’Tselem also monitors and reports on severe violations of human rights by the Palestinian Authority against their own population, as well as on terror attacks against Israelis. B’Tselem is based in Jerusalem but has an office in Washington D.C..

Encounter is an organization that seeks to equip Rabbis, Jewish professionals, leaders, and philanthropists with first-hand knowledge of Palestinian life, seeding a multi-denominational cadre of Jewish leadership charged with a two-pronged mission: to transform the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to heal internal Jewish communal rifts formed in its wake. Encounter’s flagship program has brought more than 900 prominent and emerging Jewish leaders on trips to Bethlehem, Hebron, and East Jerusalem where they witness Palestinian life and gain a more nuanced, informed understanding of the conflict. Encounter has a North America program which works to provide ongoing capacity-building and training so that alumni can work effectively to reshape Israel education, philanthropy, and advocacy.

Foundation for Middle East Peace is a non-profit charitable and educational organization, located in Washington DC, that was established in 1979 to promote a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that brings peace and security to both peoples. The Foundation publishes a bimonthly Report on Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Territories, containing detailed, authoritative analysis, data ad maps on settlements and their relationship to the peace process. The Foundation has also published, or supported the publication of several books.

Gisha (“access”, “approach”) is an Israeli non-profit organization, founded in 2005 to protect the freedom of movement of Palestinians, especially Gaza residents. Gisha uses legal assistance and public advocacy to protect the rights of Palestinian residents, representing individuals and organizations in Israeli administrative proceedings and courts. Its legal activity is based on Israeli law and international human rights and humanitarian law.

HaMoked is a human rights organization established in 1988 to assist Palestinians subjected to the Israeli occupation. HaMoked works for the enforcement of the standards and values of international human rights and humanitarian law, dealing with issues such as detainee rights, residency rights and family unification, freedom of movement, violence by security forces and settlers toward Palestinians, housing demolitions, and more. HaMoked processes complaints, contacts the relevant authorities, and when necessary files legal claims and submits petitions to the High Court of Justice. Furthermore, HaMoked endeavors to introduce policy changes and implement legislative amendments that would improve the status of human rights in the Occupied Territories.

The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD) was established in 1997 as a non-violent, direct-action organization to resist Israeli demolition of Palestinian houses in the Occupied Territories. The ICAHD has become an active voice against other Israeli policies that include land expropriation, settlement expansion, and the Separation Barrier/Wall. They have engaged in a campaign of international advocacy to end the occupation altogether and to achieve a just peace between Israelis and Palestinians. The ICAHD supports any solution which offers a just and inclusive peace, and supports the Palestinian civil society call for boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) on Israel until the occupation ends.

The Israel Palestine Center for Research and Information (IPCRI) is a joint institution of Israelis and Palestinians dedicated to the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the basis of “two states for two peoples”. The IPCRI recognizes the rights of the Jewish people and the Palestinian people to fulfill their national interests within the framework of achieving national self-determination within their own states and by establishing peaceful relations between two democratic states living side-by-side. The institution is divided into three departments: environment, public media, and research. Each department is responsible for its own projects and management with significant coordination between departments. The IPCRI is constantly working on its goal of a lasting peace between Palestinians and Israelis on the basis of a two state solution.

J Street is an organization which gives political voice to mainstream American Jews and other supporters of Israel who believe that a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is essential to Israel’s survival as the national home of the Jewish people and as a vibrant democracy. J Street’s mission is to advocate for urgent American diplomatic leadership to achieve a two-state solution and a broader regional, comprehensive peace, and also to ensure a broad debate on Israel and the Middle East in national politics and the American Jewish community. J Street represents Americans, primarily but not exclusively Jewish, who support Israel and its desire for security as the Jewish homeland, as well as the right of the Palestinians to a sovereign state of their own. J Street advocates forcefully in the policy process, in Congress, in the media, and in the Jewish community, and seeks to complement the work of existing organizations and individuals that share its agenda.

Peace Now (“Shalom Akhshav”) is one of Israel’s largest human rights NGO, founded in 1978 as a protest movement against the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. Peace Now opposes Israeli expansionism and occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza, and of the Syrian Golan Heights, while favoring a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Peace Now is known for its Settlement Watch Committee, a group which follows settlement construction in the West Bank and publishes figures reporting the development of these communities. The organization is partners with Americans for Peace Now, an American coalition working to help Israel achieve peace with the Arab states and the Palestinian people.

Rabbis for Human Rights was established in 1988 as the rabbinic expression of conscience in Israel, giving voice to the Zionist ideal and the Jewish religious tradition of human rights. The organization works to prevent human rights violations in Israel and the occupied territories, and to bring specific human rights grievances to the attention of the Israeli public while pressuring authorities for their redress. Based in Israel, Rabbis for Human Rights also has a North American campaign.

Seeds of Peace is an organization dedicated to empowering young leaders from regions of conflict with the leadership skills required to advance reconciliation and coexistence. It is well-known for its summer camp in Maine, which brings together Israeli, Palestinian, and American youth to fulfill its goals. Seeds of Peace’s year-round regional initiatives include ongoing dialogue meetings, conferences, workshops, educational and professional opportunities, and adult educator programs which allow participants to develop lasting empathy, respect, and confidence, equipping them with the communication and negotiation skills necessary to advance peace.

Ta’Ayush (“living together”) is a grassroots movement of Arabs and Jews working to break down the walls of racism and segregation by constructing a true Arab-Jewish partnership. It strives for a future of equality, justice and peace through concrete, daily, non-violent actions of solidarity to end the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and to achieve full civil equality for all.

Windows: Channels for Communication is a non-profit organization of Palestinian and Jewish citizens of Israel and Palestinians from the Occupied Territories. It was established in 1991 in order to promote acquaintance, and understanding between both peoples, as well as empowerment of the youth. Windows believes that any political solution in the Middle East should be achieved in a democratic way and should ensure that both Palestinians and Jews live as equals with equal and comprehensive human rights. They empower participants towards creating positive change in Israel and Palestine by working to end the occupation, fighting racism, discrimination and any other violations of human rights. Windows also works closely with Israeli and Palestinian youth through educational and cultural programs, media, and art. They strive to help the youth overcome the vast amount of misinformation and stereotypes they are taught about one another, and to advance the process of reconciliation in the region.

Yesh Din is an Israeli human rights organization composed of volunteers working to achieve long-term structural improvement in the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Yesh Din works on individual cases to achieve justice for those whose rights have been violated, and also uses the accumulation of individual incidents to highlight structural violations of human rights to advocate for change, through a variety of means. Yesh Din combines the work of a professional staff, including leading human rights experts, with that of volunteers who participate in the collection and checking of information and serve on a committee of active volunteers.

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

Ok you define antisemitism for me and give some examples.

Ragnar Lothbrok wrote: »

Please can you answer my questions that I asked you earlier, asking for your SPECIFIC and PERSONAL experience of anti-semitism from Sinn Féin members/Republicans in general, first?

Ragnar Lothbrok wrote: »

Please can you answer my questions that I asked you earlier, asking for your SPECIFIC and PERSONAL experience of anti-semitism from Sinn Féin members/Republicans in general, first?

I am a long-time member of SF (25+ years) and have NEVER heard anything remotely anti-semitic within the party or from individual party members.

Yes, we support the Palestinian people in their struggles against Israeli occupation. We supported the PLO and their armed wing when they were involved in violent struggle against the Israeli government. That does NOT make us anti-semitic.

We also supported the Basque armed struggle of ETA against the Spanish state - using your logic, that would make Sinn Féin an anti-Catholic organisation too.

Odhinn wrote: »

If they were keeping company with Barret they weren't SF.

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

You said republicans.

Odhinn wrote: »

The majority of republicans are left wing and anti-racist. Whatever these eejits called themselves, marching round the place with Barret makes them outside mainstream republicanism.


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Ragnar Lothbrok wrote: »

So, not one example of Sinn Féin/the Republican Movement being anti-semitic. Your examples are so very poor, that you would have been better not answering my question at all.

In case you're wondering, I am 100% NOT anti-semitic, I just have a huge problem with some of your posts. I assume though that you want to class me as an anti-semite because I'm a Republican who has criticised your posts, and because you are Jewish that presumably makes me anti-semitic.