I agree with Sir Vivor, it is important to distinguish legitimate criticism of Israel from racist attacks on people who are Jewish. Not all criticism of Israel is racist, but some is. Both sides of the argument tend to deliberately blur the distinction – the pro-Israel lobby to imply that all criticism of Israel is merely racism, and the anti-Jewish racists to imply that they are merely expressing outrage at Israel’s behaviour, not being racist.

James O'Neill, I agree that Indigenous and Muslim Australians probably suffer more racism than Jewish ones. But that does not make racism directed at Jewish people ok, nor does it in any way undermine the validity of Julie’s argument – unless you hold that racism directed at Jews is somehow not as deplorable as racism directed at other minorities?.

David G, your negative stereotyping, tarring of all members of a groups with the same brush and palpable hatred are classic hallmarks of racism. The irony is that one could substitute Muslim/fundamentalist for your use of Jew/Israeli to replicate almost exactly the views of another set of bigots in these forums:

“I could fill up pages listing the sins of the Muslim fundamentalists but they ignore them, they pretend they aren't happening, haven't occurred.

“And you wonder why the world seems to be anti-Muslim

“No amount of Muslim lies hides Muslim evil.

Change Muslim behaviour and you might be treated as decent people!”

ps Graham, if you do delete David's post, better delete mine too!

Criticising Israel is not anti-Semitic
and saying so is vile.
But singling out Israel for opprobrium and
international sanction - out of all proportion
to any other party in the Middle East - is
anti-Semitic, and not saying so is dishonest.

(Thomas Friedman).

Dear David,

<<No amount of Jewish lies hides Jewish evil.>>

The vast majority of Jews are not liars or evil.
The vast majority of Jews are innocent victims of the lies of Jewish leaders, past and present.

As the Jews are currently celebrating the festival of Hanukkah, they are told that it is a festival of light, of the victory of good over evil. When the common Jew lights Hanukkah candles, eats the traditional food associated with this festival and plays the dreidel, they only harbour positive and benevolent thoughts and it's great time for the kids.

Unfortunately, nobody told them about the real origins of the festival, which in today's terms was equivalent to the victory of the Taliban, taking control over their region, burning and destroying all foreign elements (such as Buddhist statues) and establishing strict Shariah law, banning women and music.

The vast majority of Jews innocently believe that theirs is a benevolent religion, failing to see that it is not a religion at all, but a national-group-identity, using 'religion' merely as a beautiful cover-story, where god was shaped to suit the national aspirations of their leaders.

Other than a few sociopaths, the common Israeli too doesn't do any of the atrocities you list in person and many even honestly believe that their government does only good.

Persecuting Jews and Israelis based on their racial origins is absolutely wrong, although a bit of education would go a long way to help them.

The vast majority of Jews and Israelis should be treated as decent people because they ARE decent people, despite being afflicted with Judaism.

Foxy I agree with Thomas and you.
I have on numerous occassons criticised the actions if the Israeli government as well as the actions of those who attack Jews.

Where once the apologists of the Israels once characterised me as anti-semitic, now they would not dare. Simple honesty, reason and expression of logic, as expressed in part if David G's post, simply 'stuffs' them and they eventually fall silent. The exception so far being D. SINGER.

The same destiny awaits this latest Israeli propagandist.

When Jews end Zionism like Europe/USA ended Fascism,then they will have nothing to fear.

James O'Neill

It took me about 30 seconds to locate the most memorable quote that represents your so called old "hoar", about wiping Israel out.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/24/us-un-assembly-ahmadinejad-idUSBRE88N0HF20120924

What's the bet that some of the software and hardware that allowed to do this was the product of an Israeli.

This and plenty more that gives Israel ample justification for defending itself and for possessing nuclear weapons... that they helped to design and build.

Further if my neighbour wants to throw rockets and rocks at me over the fence I am sure as hell going to fire some back ..only bigger and better.

Israel stands as a beacon of light and achievement surrounded by sea of poor ignorant masses under the thrall of despots as leaders and their violent and back ward religion.

By the way look up Middle East Forum for how the ex Morsi Govt of Egypt enacted a whole list of fatwas ( now annulled) that were just so appalling...including one that women should not bathe in sea water because it is male... . that's what the Israelis have to put up with in their region.