The Forum > Article Comments > Some forms of criticism of Israel can indeed be antisemitic > Comments
Some forms of criticism of Israel can indeed be antisemitic : Comments
By Ahron Shapiro, published 31/5/2013From the Prime Minister down Australian politicians deserve praise for adding their names to the London Declaration.
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<<Democracy in my opinion includes the protection of the minority from interference by the government except where such interference is vital to the survival of the nation.>>
This is called 'liberalism', not 'democracy'. Democracies may be more liberal or otherwise, just like any other rule.
<<One of the areas that government has no business interfering with is a person's religious belief or lack of religious belief.>>
That's obvious, but religion is so much more than belief: belief is cheap - religion means PRACTICE!
<<You wanted him shut up.>>
No. Not publishing one's articles every other week is not shutting them up, there's nothing wrong with protecting one's own eardrums. Singer is free to create his own blogs and forums; he may comment here on other people's articles; he may start a 'general discussion'; or he can also publish his ideas in professional lawyer's forums where they are more likely to be appreciated.
<<Individuals must be protected from the 'will of the people' in my view. Possibly not in yours.>>
Certainly in my view as well. I would do anything to protect Singer had his religious practices or way of life been under threat, but it is not my duty to invite anyone into my own home.
<<The protection of those with minority viewpoints is not only necessary in religious beliefs but for dissenting opinion in general.>>
I agree of course, but protecting viewpoints and dissenting opinions is cheap. The crux of the matter and the big test is when those viewpoints call for actual practice, for an actual alternative way of life.