A paradigmatic
characteristic of all bigotry is to take a fault that is widespread among all
cultures, races, religions and nationalities and to attribute it singularly to
one group.
For example: “Blacks are
violent.” “Jews are cheap.” “Asians are sly.” “Gays are pedophiles.” “Women are
irrational.” “Romanies (gypsies) cheat.”
The truth, of course, is
that all groups have some among them with these negative characteristics.
The bigots who make these
claims correctly point to the fact that some members of these groups display
the negative characteristics attributed to the groups as a whole.
But the bigotry consists of
singling out any such group for unique condemnation on the basis of these
widespread faults without acknowledging that members of other groups have them
as well, sometimes in greater proportion than the group that is singled out.
This is precisely what is
occurring in the context of the nation state of the Jewish people, Israel,
being singled out for boycotts, divestment and sanctions.
As the president of the
American Studies Association, Curtis Marez, acknowledged, after his
organization singled out Israel for an academic boycott: Many other countries,
including all of Israel’s neighbors, have far worse records when it comes to
human rights and academic freedom.
Moreover, other countries
(including China, Russia and Turkey) have had longer and far more oppressive
occupations than Israel without offering (as Israel has) to end the occupation
as part of a negotiated peace. CLICK TO KEEP READING
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