Eretz Israel is our unforgettable historic homeland...The Jews who will it shall achieve their State...And whatever we attempt there for our own benefit will redound mightily and beneficially to the good of all mankind. (Theodor Herzl, DerJudenstaat, 1896)

We offer peace and amity to all the neighbouring states and their peoples, and invite them to cooperate with the independent Jewish nation for the common good of all. The State of Israel is ready to contribute its full share to the peaceful progress and development of the Middle East.
(From Proclamation of the State of Israel, 5 Iyar 5708; 14 May 1948)

With a liberal democratic political system operating under the rule of law, a flourishing market economy producing technological innovation to the benefit of the wider world, and a population as educated and cultured as anywhere in Europe or North America, Israel is a normal Western country with a right to be treated as such in the community of nations.... For the global jihad, Israel may be the first objective. But it will not be the last. (Friends of Israel Initiative)

Saturday 2 December 2017

A Cry of "Wolf" against Eddie McGuire

A few years ago a terrible insult to an Aboriginal footballer, Adam Goodes, quite rightly landed Aussie media mega-star Eddie McGuire in hot water.

Now, in a ridiculous beat-up abetted by the chairman  of the Anti-Defamation Commission, who has done much sterling work in the past, especially in defending Israel from obloquy, but who is beginning to show a disquieting tendency to cry wolf too often, Eddie McGuire is being accused of antisemitism.

Regular viewers of the popular general knowledge quiz show Millionaire Hot Seat will know that a rather endearing larrikin humour from host McGuire is part of the show's fabric, and no doubt of its appeal.  Indeed, I'd be willing to bet that his presence in the show, where his easy rapport with the contestants and the audience is palpable, has won him a legion of fans who have never watched him in the Footie Show that made him a household name.

On Thursday's episode of the Hot Seat contestant Serena Greenberg, who had said that if she won the $20,000 she was playing for she would like to treat her parents to a trip overseas, was asked by Eddie, in characteristic genial fashion: "Your Dad’s not Jewish, is he?" "Yes," she replied. Joked Eddie, who's of Scottish parentage himself: "So you have a Jewish father and a Scottish mother. I reckon it would have been hard getting pocket money from them!"
Just a throwaway line to lighten the mood, as is Eddie's habit.


But it's copped him a stern haranguing lecture from the chairman of the now oh-so-politically correct-and-censorious Anti-Defamation Commission, a sermon that may be apt in other contexts but which is inappropriate in this instance.

Unsurprisingly, this intervention has been condemned by many in the Jewish community, recognising Eddie McGuire's remark for the lighthearted piece of banter it was.  (And, yes, many Jews thought it was funny, and laughed!)

Also unsurprisingly, this intervention has been counterproductive, stirring examples of genuine antisemitism in online responses to it.

In order to win friends and influence people those who purport to speak for the Jewish community should have the wisdom to know what is trivial and what is serious, and when to speak out and when to stay silent.

Instances of genuine antisemitism merit unequivocal challenge and denunciation.

Eddie McGuire's joke was not one of those instances.

The ADL and its chairman need to heed the salutary tale of the boy who called "wolf" too often.

4 comments:

  1. Why Israel’s 1967 Borders are Undefendable:

    www.algemeiner.com/2017/10/27/israel-cannot-withdraw-from-the-west-bank/

    https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2017/03/guest-post-why-1967-borders-are-suicide.html

    Ancient Roman historians connected Jews with the Land of Israel:

    http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/05/guest-post-cornelius-tacticus.html

    https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2017/02/guest-post-josephus-vs-muslim-liars.html

    Why Muslims Hate Jews:

    https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/12/guest-post-why-muslims-hate-jews.html

    http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/03/guest-post-famous-last-words.html

    https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2017/01/guest-post-forgotten-oppression.html

    ReplyDelete
  2. Chris Tarrant's in trouble too: https://ukmediawatch.org/2017/11/30/channel-5-presenter-chris-tarrant-fails-to-challenge-jews-are-good-with-money-claim/

    ReplyDelete
  3. The ADC's Dr Abramovich made a galah of himself over this and even the AJN must think so because there's nothing it in this week's edition!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They rushed to make a big deal of it on their Facebook page, presumably having received a press release, but must have later thought better of it in view of the mocking comments it (rightly)received. Not his finest hour, though he has done much good work in the past.

      Delete

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