Intolerance on the left. [Rabbi Michael] Lerner knows better than to equate criticism of Israeli policy, no matter how harsh, with anti-Semitism. But he believes ANSWER crosses the line into bigotry. "It is anti-Semitic to make it sound as though Israel's repression of human rights is the worst instance of repression of human rights going on in the world today," he says. [Salon.com]
ANSWER serves as a shining example of the problems with the anti-war movement in the United States and throughout the world. Unfortunately, the remnants of the Marxist left of the last century hold far too much sway over the politics of those organizing the opposition to the war in Iraq. Furthermore, as Rabbi Lerner points out, elements of the radical left have moved to a position of active anti-semitism and support for dictators and murderers.
Just as I have trouble supporting a war on Iraq because the Bush administration seems to be willing to ignore the truth for the sake of its own ideology, I cannot support the anti-war movement for the same reason. Too many times, those opposing the war gloss over the fact that Saddam Hussein is a cold blooded killer and a tyrant, and close their eyes to evidence that he is defying UN Resolution 1441.
The world needs a viable, credible left-wing voice to help it confront the important issue of creating just, sustainable, and democratic societies in the 21st century. Unfortunately, the left's continued insistence on clinging to failed ideologies from the last century undermines that credibility.
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