JANIP

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO FEEL OFFENDED

October 1st, 2007 Posted by Judith

Judea Pearl, father of Daniel Pearl, suggests how to respond firmly and openly to anti-Israel and anti-Zionist remarks and language.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO FEEL OFFENDED

Judea Pearl

We, as Jews, have been grossly negligent in permitting the dehumanization of Israel to become socially acceptable in certain circles of society, especially on college campuses. Our silence, natural resilience to insults, and general reluctance to confront colleagues and friends have contributed significantly to the Orwellianization of campus vocabulary, and the legitimization of the unacceptable. Most of our assailants are even unaware of the shiver that goes down our spines with utterances such as “apartheid Israeli regime” or “brutal Israeli occupation.” …

But if we take seriously the moral basis for our right to take offense,and exercise that right broadly and consistently, a reverse process of de-Orwellianization will ensue. If instead of avoiding confrontation, swallowing our insults or letting ourselves be dragged into defensive arguments we simply halt the conversation and assert with honesty and dignity: “Sorry, this is offensive to me,” or, “this is unacceptable,” we will reclaim the respect that our adversaries plan to trample.

History and decency have given us that right. If we act on it proudly and resolutely, the word will quickly come around that good company no longer accepts smearing Israel with apartheid or bashing Zionism as a crime.

There is a time to take pride and a time to take offense.

For the FULL TEXT of this commentary, as it appeared in the Jewish

Journal of Greater Los Angeles on August 16, 2007, go to

http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/searchview.php?id=18061
Posted by Judith

Entry Filed under: Online Community