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Usually when an article is posted to this list, people will respond with disagreements or comments concerning the article's contents. Of course, even when there is no disagreement, one has the right to change the subject and discuss some other issue involving the same author, as Amith has treated us to: At 23:06 09-07-16 -0700, A.R. G via Marxism wrote: > >Greenstein ..... mixes his analysis with witchhunts for >anti-Semitism and racist privileging of Jewish voices like his own. I wish Greenstein were on this list so he could just respond directly, but since he isn't I'll speak up right now in his defense, and challenge Amith to back up charges that he is so quick to throw around. After all, these are clearly not actual "positions" that Greenstein takes, so the burden of proof is on Amith to point to Greenstein's behaviour or writings (easy enough to find on the internet!) to back up the charge. If (as I believe) he cannot, then I'd expect him to post a retraction and apology to the wronged individual. The charge of "racist privileging" itself borders on the absurd. But if it had any truth, there would certainly be something concrete to point to. The charge of "witchhunts for anti-Semitism" I can take a bit more seriously, partly because Amith has made the same idiotic charge against myself. It implies that Greenstein (and I) has a preoccupation with antisemitism in a world which, in this era of history and in most places, Jewish communities do not particularly face racist attacks. But of course we know what Amith is worried about is us finding antisemites within the Palestine solidarity movement. I certainly don't believe Greenstein (nor myself) has engaged in a "witchhunt" of any sort. But when right-wingers are found to be promoting their campaigns and organizations AT THE EXPENSE of the Palestinians, or interjecting their politics into the solidarity movement under the guise of being defenders of Palestine, then OF COURSE it's proper to identify that danger. Unsurprisingly, those right-wingers are often openly antisemitic or friendly to antisemites. When asked by Ken, Amith concedes that Gilad Atzmon should be shunned, calling him a "nutjob" (as if a person's mental state makes their public actions more or less objectionable). I believe there was at least one other right-winger in the UK scene that Greenstein helped expose and isolate. But referring to a "witchhunt" implies filing UNJUST or exaggerated charges against someone. Now Amith, name ONE PERSON who has been unjustly accused of being right-wing (or antisemitic) by Greenstein! When Amith can answer that, then we can begin a discussion about "witchhunts." Otherwise Amith owes this list a retraction and the maligned an apology. There is also the irony (perhaps this is what pissed me off enough to write this reply) that there IS a witchhunt against supposed antisemitism in which Tony Greenstein and other leftists in the British Labor Party (notably Ken Livingston) are TARGETS. Greenstein (among many others) has fought against attempts to liken antizionism to antisemitism, which of course is routinely used by the right to smear Palestine and her defenders. If Amith's real concern was about "witchhunts," then you'd expect him to be rushing to Greenstein's defence, rather than turning the accusation around. (Of course this isn't just about Greenstein, but Amith has made similar accusations against entire organizations which he has been unable to provide evidence for. But let's keep this simple and just find a single case of "witchhunting" by a named author who Amith felt compelled to apply that label to even when he had no disagreement with that persons article that was posted.) - Jeff >> >> https://rdln.wordpress.com/2015/08/15/israel-worlds-most-racist-state/ _________________________________________________________ Full posting guidelines at: http://www.marxmail.org/sub.htm Set your options at: http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
