# 18,000 Palestinians are starving. Will Europe explode in protest? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 8, 2014, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-000-palestinians-are-starving-will-europe-explode-in-protest/695094 "2014-08-08T05:39:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-000-palestinians-are-starving-will-europe-explode-in-protest/695094/161 "2014-08-11T20:25:13Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > I know. Those screaming “Death to Jews” and “Slit Jews’ Throats” in those protests have such high opinions of the leaders of Israel… Very clever–repeat the argument a few days later, thinking we’ve forgotten it. Since I’ve already addressed EXACTLY THIS SAME STUPID FUCKING ARGUMENT, I’ll just respond [with a link back to the last time I responded to it.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=17622453&postcount=25) ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-000-palestinians-are-starving-will-europe-explode-in-protest/695094/162 "2014-08-11T20:26:38Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > I know you like those quotations, but they seem to be based on an anecdote from “David” (no other name given) who claims to have heard it in Paris during a violent and destructive, but relatively small, riot by “Muslim youths”. They’re clearly not even remotely representative of most of those protesting against Israel’s actions. Yeah, but you know what kind of anti-semites the French are. **Terr** hasn’t forgiven them yet for the Dreyfus Affair. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-000-palestinians-are-starving-will-europe-explode-in-protest/695094/163 "2014-08-11T20:26:42Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Who here is defending those fucking assholes that you have to point that out Captain Obvious? Who’s talking about “defending”? He said “Israel gets protested more than Syria”. Well duh. Yes, they do. With the “Death to Jews” and “Slit Jews’ Throats” slogans, too. Also [“Heil Hitler” and “Oh Jew you will die”](http://www.algemeiner.com/2014/08/11/anti-semitic-muslim-protesters-chant-heil-hitler-in-london/). I am sure that’s just criticizing Israel, hoping they will change their policies. And I am sure [“Jews to the gas chambers”](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/10992886/Anti-Semitism-on-the-march-Europe-braces-for-violence.html) is all about Israel, too. When the battle flag of the Islamic State is waved in the streets of The Netherlands, I am sure it is just critics of Israel protesting. And when pictures of casualties are waved in Manhattan protests with [“This is bloody Israel. These are bloody Jews. Blood suckers”](https://twitter.com/AbeGreenwald/status/492797185692815360) commentary, I am sure the intention is to get Israel to “alter their positions and actions”. Right? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-000-palestinians-are-starving-will-europe-explode-in-protest/695094/164 "2014-08-11T20:28:42Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > I don’t think “Israel is HIter; that’s not anti-semitic!” accomplishes what those who liberally bandy it about think it does. Those people are morons. Of course, if you just made those people up because they don’t actually exist, I think you’re left holding the moron bag. So: link? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-000-palestinians-are-starving-will-europe-explode-in-protest/695094/165 "2014-08-11T20:29:51Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Who’s talking about “defending”? He said “Israel gets protested more than Syria”. Well duh. Yes, they do. With the “Death to Jews” and “Slit Jews’ Throats” slogans, too. Also [“Heil Hitler” and “Oh Jew you will die”](http://www.algemeiner.com/2014/08/11/anti-semitic-muslim-protesters-chant-heil-hitler-in-london/). I am sure that’s just criticizing Israel, hoping they will change their policies. And I am sure [“Jews to the gas chambers”](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/10992886/Anti-Semitism-on-the-march-Europe-braces-for-violence.html) is all about Israel, too. > > When the battle flag of the Islamic State is waved in the streets of The Netherlands, I am sure it is just critics of Israel protesting. And when pictures of casualties are waved in Manhattan protests with [“This is bloody Israel. These are bloody Jews. Blood suckers”](https://twitter.com/AbeGreenwald/status/492797185692815360) commentary, I am sure the intention is to get Israel to “alter their positions and actions”. Right? Fortunately, I still have [the relevant response to this idiocy](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=17622453&postcount=25) on my clipboard. Saves some time! ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-000-palestinians-are-starving-will-europe-explode-in-protest/695094/166 "2014-08-11T20:41:14Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Those people are morons. Of course, if you just made those people up because they don’t actually exist, I think you’re left holding the moron bag. So: link? Doesn’t take long to google: [http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/08/10/nation-whose-leader-says-israel-is-keeping-hitlers-spirit-alive-evacuates-wounded-palestinians-from-gaza/](http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/08/10/nation-whose-leader-says-israel-is-keeping-hitlers-spirit-alive-evacuates-wounded-palestinians-from-gaza/) > [@](#): > > Erdogan has been quoted as saying Israel is “keeping Hitler’s spirit alive,” according to the International Business Times. > > “What is the difference between what Nazis and Hitler did and what this Israeli administration is doing now?” Erdogan asked, reported IBT. “Israeli genocide is reminiscent of Hitler’s holocaust because of acting with the same immorality as Hitler.” Certainly not the only place I’ve seen it, in mainstream news, nevermind Facebook. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-000-palestinians-are-starving-will-europe-explode-in-protest/695094/167 "2014-08-11T20:43:22Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Who’s talking about “defending”? He said “Israel gets protested more than Syria”. Well duh. Yes, they do. With the “Death to Jews” and “Slit Jews’ Throats” slogans, too. Also [“Heil Hitler” and “Oh Jew you will die”](http://www.algemeiner.com/2014/08/11/anti-semitic-muslim-protesters-chant-heil-hitler-in-london/). I am sure that’s just criticizing Israel, hoping they will change their policies. And I am sure [“Jews to the gas chambers”](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/10992886/Anti-Semitism-on-the-march-Europe-braces-for-violence.html) is all about Israel, too. > > When the battle flag of the Islamic State is waved in the streets of The Netherlands, I am sure it is just critics of Israel protesting. And when pictures of casualties are waved in Manhattan protests with [“This is bloody Israel. These are bloody Jews. Blood suckers”](https://twitter.com/AbeGreenwald/status/492797185692815360) commentary, I am sure the intention is to get Israel to “alter their positions and actions”. Right? Wrong. Those are anti-semites protesting. Know how I know? Because they are saying anti-semitic things. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-000-palestinians-are-starving-will-europe-explode-in-protest/695094/168 "2014-08-11T20:45:43Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Wrong. **Those are anti-semites protesting**. Know how I know? Because they are saying anti-semitic things. Could it be that Israel gets protested more than Syria because of anti-semitism? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-000-palestinians-are-starving-will-europe-explode-in-protest/695094/169 "2014-08-11T20:49:47Z")
**Terr/levdrakon** , why are you both working so hard to prove to us that anti-semites and anti-semitism is alive and well in many places around the world? Is anybody here making a claim otherwise? Racism of every stripe is alive and well all over the world. That’s the human condition. What special knowledge do you think you are imparting beyond this very obvious fact? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-000-palestinians-are-starving-will-europe-explode-in-protest/695094/170 "2014-08-11T20:53:54Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > Doesn’t take long to google: [http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/08/10/nation-whose-leader-says-israel-is-keeping-hitlers-spirit-alive-evacuates-wounded-palestinians-from-gaza/](http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/08/10/nation-whose-leader-says-israel-is-keeping-hitlers-spirit-alive-evacuates-wounded-palestinians-from-gaza/) > > Certainly not the only place I’ve seen it, in mainstream news, nevermind Facebook. Ah–I thought you were suggesting someone in this thread was making such a claim. Yes, Ergodan and his ilk? Morons. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-000-palestinians-are-starving-will-europe-explode-in-protest/695094/171 "2014-08-11T20:56:58Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > **Terr/levdrakon** , why are you both working so hard to prove to us that anti-semites and anti-semitism is alive and well in many places around the world? Is anybody here making a claim otherwise? No, the “claim otherwise” is pooh-poohing anyone who suggests that those “protests against Israel” are in any way anti-semitic. Not at all. Couldn’t be. Anti-semites and anti-semitism is alive and well, but the protest of Israel are really only “because we think so much better of the leaders of Israel; we think there’s a chance they might alter their positions and actions”. Just close your eyes, ears and hum loudly. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-000-palestinians-are-starving-will-europe-explode-in-protest/695094/172 "2014-08-11T20:57:12Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Could it be that Israel gets protested more than Syria because of anti-semitism? Of course. Why would anti-semites protest against Syria? Kind of a waste of time for them, don’t you think? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-000-palestinians-are-starving-will-europe-explode-in-protest/695094/173 "2014-08-11T20:58:51Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Of course. Why would anti-semites protest against Syria? Kind of a waste of time for them, don’t you think? Tell that to the **Left Hand of Dorkness**. He thinks that Israel gets protested against more because “we think so much better of the leaders of Israel; we think there’s a chance they might alter their positions and actions”. Not because of anti-semitism at all. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-000-palestinians-are-starving-will-europe-explode-in-protest/695094/174 "2014-08-11T21:01:30Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > No, the “claim otherwise” is pooh-poohing anyone who suggests that those “protests against Israel” are in any way anti-semitic. Not at all. Couldn’t be. Anti-semites and anti-semitism is alive and well, but the protest of Israel are really only “because we think so much better of the leaders of Israel; we think there’s a chance they might alter their positions and actions”. > > Just close your eyes, ears and hum loudly. So Jon Stewart; [an anti-semite](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/22/jon-stewart-israel_n_5608436.html)? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-000-palestinians-are-starving-will-europe-explode-in-protest/695094/175 "2014-08-11T21:04:33Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > So Jon Stewart; [an anti-semite](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/22/jon-stewart-israel_n_5608436.html)? Not everyone “protesting Israel” is an anti-semite. A lot of “protesting Israel” is motivated by anti-semitism. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-000-palestinians-are-starving-will-europe-explode-in-protest/695094/176 "2014-08-11T21:09:19Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Tell that to the **Left Hand of Dorkness**. He thinks that Israel gets protested against more because “we think so much better of the leaders of Israel; we think there’s a chance they might alter their positions and actions”. Not because of anti-semitism at all. You’d think I’d never written: “Yes, there are antisemites involved in protesting Israel’s actions, and anyone who denies that is almost certainly an antisemite themselves.” You’d think that because you STILL haven’t read that post I’ve linked you to twice now. Of course there are antisemites involved in those protests. We’re in agreement. Is this your only point? Do you also agree that there are shitloads of people who are not antisemitic but who take principled stands against the military actions taken by Israel’s government, and that a person who takes such a stand can’t prima facie be assumed to be antisemitic? Edit: Do you further agree that such a person might join a protest against Israel but not against Syria, and STILL not be antisemitic, because they think protesting Israel isn’t just pissing in the wind, as protesting Syria would be? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-000-palestinians-are-starving-will-europe-explode-in-protest/695094/177 "2014-08-11T21:09:38Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Not everyone “protesting Israel” is an anti-semite. That’s all I’m sayin’… > [@Terr](#): > > A lot of “protesting Israel” is motivated by anti-semitism. …True as well. All I’m asking is that you don’t conflate the two with such zeal. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-000-palestinians-are-starving-will-europe-explode-in-protest/695094/178 "2014-08-11T21:13:27Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Do you also agree that there are shitloads of people who are not antisemitic but who take principled stands against the military actions taken by Israel’s government, and that a person who takes such a stand can’t prima facie be assumed to be antisemitic? Yes. I also agree that there are shitloads of people who are anti-semitic who participate in those same protests, hiding their anti-semitism under “principled stands”, and that a person who professes such a stand can’t be assumed not to be anti-semitic. Do you agree? > [@](#): > > Edit: Do you further agree that such a person might join a protest against Israel but not against Syria, and STILL not be antisemitic, because they think protesting Israel isn’t just pissing in the wind, as protesting Syria would be? No, I don’t agree. You know why? Because when there are “Death to the Jews” slogans next to those people with “principled stands”, the WHOLE protest is just pissing in the wind. ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-000-palestinians-are-starving-will-europe-explode-in-protest/695094/179 "2014-08-11T21:13:41Z")
So we’ve established that some people protesting against Israel are anti-Semitic. I, for one, would never have suspected such a thing. Thank you for drawing this to our attention, **Terr**. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-000-palestinians-are-starving-will-europe-explode-in-protest/695094/180 "2014-08-11T21:15:04Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > So we’ve established that some people protesting against Israel are anti-Semitic. > > I, for one, would never have suspected such a thing. Thank you for drawing this to our attention, **Terr**. You think it’s “some”. I think it’s “most”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-000-palestinians-are-starving-will-europe-explode-in-protest/695094.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-000-palestinians-are-starving-will-europe-explode-in-protest/695094.md?page=10)