Antisemitism tangle: Can ridicule depict reality?
Sep 16, 2024
Current responses to the Gaza “war” would seem to suggest that antisemitism is the priority issue, not the unending slaughter of Palestinians.
That conclusion is confirmed by the law firm Levitt Robinson’s class action which charges that in contravention to sections 9 and 18c of the Racial Discrimination Act, Sydney University has breached its duty of care for certain students and staff, and has done so by allowing expressions of antisemitism on campus.
In addition to a law firm throwing its weight around, citizens across the country are being asked to respond to antisemitism commissions’ claims that these individuals had written unduly critically of Israel’s “war” in Gaza and slaughter on the West Bank. How dare they? How can they justify their criticism?
These inquiries seem to have been encouraged by the prime minister’s appointment of an envoy for antisemitism, an initiative with certain consequences. Antisemitism inquiries begin to display features of 1950s McCarthyism in the US, a campaign to suppress opposition by persecuting supposed left-wingers often called Communists for being disloyal. In a culture of fear, US citizens were even asked to dob in their neighbours if they held suspicions about them.
As though contributing to a self fulfilling prophecy — bound to find the evidence they need — the Levitt Robinson legal firm also seeks academics and students to join their antisemitism action.
No-one doubts that antisemitism is a hateful prejudice, but so too is anti-Palestinianism, Islamophobia, homophobia and several other unjustifiable discriminations. In which case, let’s ask, what sort of morality promotes publicity and persecution only about antisemitism and does so while a slaughter of Palestinians continues unabated?
A few days ago, in a designated Gaza safe zone, Israeli forces killed 19 more Gazans and made the usual claims that they used precision to target only a “Hamas command centre”. Who believes them?
Why on earth can there be enthusiasm for an inquiry into antisemitism in Australia when the same enthusiasts appear to have few reservations about genocide in Gaza?
Efforts to persuade the Australian overnment to not only seek a permanent ceasefire in Gaza but also to consistently condemn Israel’s slaughter and ethnic cleansing, have failed. Why? Perhaps from a fear of being labelled anti-Semitic, or wedged by their political opponents as being disloyal to Israel?
To deal with despair at a government’s lack of courage in condemning Israeli policies, thereby showing a degree of support for Palestinians, a different initiative needs to be tried, different even to the literary traditions of Pearls & Irritations.
With a little bit of imagination, concern can be expressed about the engineered consternation and resources poured into pursuing the antisemitism charges.
History, not only Machiavelli, has shown that individuals, groups and companies who assumed they had influence, did not like ridicule which threatened their control. Those who suppressed dissent did not like humour which exposed their practice, in which case let’s ponder lines which depict a sad, deliberately distracting series of accusations, which in some instances appear cruel.
Herewith the,
Anti Semitism Tangle
Pandemic sounds have filled the nation
with antisemitic accusation
they’re out to get you, have no fear
the groundswell lasts from year to year.But now has reached an all-time high
the guilty known from land to sky
by men in suits with political clout
who walk and talk with no self doubt.Appointed lawyers make their claims
derived from lists of suspect names
of men and women, brother, daughter
who dared to condemn the Gaza slaughter.A monumental sin indeed
the killing’s fine, so too the greed
for others’ lands and means of breathing
at least they’ve got a chance by leaving.Please don’t expose Israel’s pretence
they never meant to cause offence,
tho’ Muslim status treated poorer
but not recorded in the Torah.CHORUS:
Speak more of truth about the law
For human rights, insist, implore
An end to savage cruelty
From the river to the sea, from the river to the sea
The pressure’s reached new crisis points
accusers must be high on joints,
they’ve thrown aside humanity
to accuse a university.It does not matter when or where,
bully, threaten, that’s their flair
for serving the news their usual dish
they’ve discovered the only prejudice.Has nothing to do with claustrophobia
or practiced Islamophobia,
it’s a terrible harm resurgentism
the headlines claim antisemitism.An envoy’s appointed for the dig
she seems to like a well-paid gig
to ask for details for her show
from those who say they already know:If you have written of terrorists
among the ranks of Zionists
confess to this you really ought
or appear before a vengeful court.The evidence may well prove scanty
but apologise for being anti
for decades of crimes you really should hide
and forget the current genocide.The pandemic spreads with no vaccine
the slaughtered kids just more has been
who’ll never hear the latest wrangle,
the shameful, antisemite tangle.CHORUS:
Speak more of truth about the law
For human rights, insist, implore
An end to savage cruelty
from the river to the sea, from the river to the sea.
Contributions to Pearls and Irritations
Your contribution will fund quality independent comment and analysis in Pearls and Irritations
Contribute
