You know, I saw this post by Brad Brooks-Rubin on Semitism.net and I wasn’t even going to comment on it (this is just an excerpt, please read the entire thing for context):
What was this step? It came as part of AJCongress’ anti-divestment campaign. The point of this campaign is to combat those who “seek to undermine Israel’s self-defense, its economy and its legitimacy, and to pressure Israel to make concessions during peace negotiations with the Palestinians.”
The first plank of this campaign, AJCongress’ strongest answer to divestment? Buy shares of Caterpillar. Or, stated another way, underwrite home demolitions.
Now, divestment itself is a complex and difficult topic. Debates about divestment rage in many places, and I am no expert on any of them. I will admit that I go back and forth on what I think of these efforts and do little to support them.
But regardless of where you stand on divestment, how can buying shares of Caterpillar do anything for Israel’s self-defense, economy or legitimacy – that is, of course, except undermine all three? First, this is an American company selling items to Israel, so one can hardly say it does much for the Israeli economy. If you truly seek to help the Israeli economy — and it needs help — why would you prioritize sales to Israel of items not destined for the general economy, or for the most part, even destined to be used within Israel?
And what of self-defense? Israel uses CAT’s bulldozers and other equipment to demolish homes; tactics the IDF itself has now ceased because of findings that they do not work. Tens of thousands of Palestinian lives have been torn asunder by these bulldozers; American peace activist Rachel Corrie was killed by a CAT bulldozer in 2003 during a demolition in Gaza. So self-defense? If anything, at least some of those who lost their homes and possessions to the demolitions later turned in response to tactics endangering Israel and Israelis.
Legitimacy? Human rights groups consistently call out home demolitions as among the most egregious of Israeli human rights violations in the Palestinian Territories. The IDF itself knows demolitions don’t serve their purpose, and as such, has announced their cessation.
Help Israel’s self-defense, economy and legitimacy? O for 3.
But, then, via Porquois Pas?, I see this, on Jesus’ General:
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| This sharp leather LGF vest is accented with an Iron Cross and flaming skulls. |
And, this. How can one not at least point out such sickness?
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| I Love Big Cats |
UPDATE: Arthur Silber points me to a post (almost painful to read) on Rachel Corrie. It will be especially helpful for those who don’t know Rachel’s story already. For the rest of us, it will be another weight on the heart.