Phil,

I also have some questions. I'd like to know who sponsored, organised and promoted the conference on anti-Semitism. Were the speakers paid, and if so by whom? If I missed any disclosures I'm sorry, but I think it's a bit dishonest to run these types of 'conferences' and not fully disclose these details.

I'd also like to know on what grounds it was deemed necessary. For example, has there been a spate of anti-Jewish violence?

The reason I take exception to the very existence of the conference, is that it gives oxygen to, and hence publicises a problem that largely (relative to other social problems) doesn't exist.

Could you seriously tell me a Jew walking down the street wearing a kippa is in more danger of being assaulted then a Muslim women wearing a hijab or a Muslim man sporting a full beard and Islamic robes?

Of course, we hear statistics about anti-Semitic attacks because the ever vigilant Jewish lobby keeps meticulous records and applies rather dubious definitions of an attack. It is after all, in their interest to do so. But what about other religious or ethnic groups? Do we ever hear about assaults on Aborigines? Would you really like to be a Muslim in the current climate? Muslims don't have the power to publicise their interests so they simply don't have any interests.

Before you jump to conclusions, I’m not saying anti-Semitic attacks never occur. What I am saying is that there are many pressing issues facing the world, I just believe anti-Semitism isn’t one of them.

Josh..
Christians are "attacked" every day.. the use of the term "Jesus f******g Christ" is about as low as u can go, and its like breathing to many.

PERICLES.... found it. Michel Foucault

"In other words, our institutions and schools of thought, our universities and charismatic leaders, our ministers our parents, our teachers, all of these collaborate to create a context in which something is established as "true."

With this, I can agree to a point. Culturally, the above would apply beautifully to the various tribal societies which emerge with totally different understandings of such issues as slavery, the taking of life etc. It would also apply to the concept of justice and fair trial of various countries which view differently from our approach of 'innocent till proven guilty'

Because of this, I contend that we need an 'outside' source for abiding moral truth which is applicable to ALL humanity. As per the portion of the definition/statement above, a given truth will be tugged and stretched and pulled this way and that by vested interest. All of which, when subjected to human cross examination, will be shown to be what it is. "Do not steal" ( stretched to =>except if the person is a thief themselves) kind of thing. The exception does not change the easily understood concept of 'do not steal'. We can easily know what Adultery is etc.. same kind of reasoning. But Christ showed that ALL the commandments not referring to our relation to God, are summed up in 'Do for your neighbour what you would wish them to do for you'.

It covers all of life. (It EVEN covers the idea of women and the vote:) 'would you like to have to pay taxes without a say in how they are used' ?

Interpreting this summary of the commandments assumes that 'normal' people will prefer not to be harmed in matters of their person or property, so its pretty safe.

So, in contrast to Foucault, who leaves it at 'truth is relative to our opinion leaders/shapers' (if I understand him correctly) I would say, because GOD has spoken to us on these matters, it is abiding and enduring and ultimately valid. It applies whether or not people 'believe' in God.
Romans chapter 1 suggests that all mankind is aware of this basic truth and therefore are without excuse.

I was actually looking for more info on that Foucault guy, glad u brought him up.

Boaz: I suggest you read my book Australia's Welfare Wars, University of NSW Press, for a broader discussion of my views on social policy.

Philip

Philip
let me guess. In the book I'll find 'vested interest, political spin,greed, denial, and the full gammit of human intrigue. And possibly there will be some suggestion that one side is more correct than the other ?

Personally,I rather find myself attracted to the Israelite concept of social justice. I hope that you as a Jew would include some principles based on that in your work. After all, from what I can see its where recorded 'social policy/welfare' pretty much began. I smile when I see the current world movement about 'Jubilee' (forgiveness of 3rd world debt) because it iis an Israelite concept. Social Justice was very central to the Old Testament. Do you accept your own heritage as having value for today ?

Rather than spend a whole lot of time Phil reading a book which would cost me money, I really would like to know your fundamental position, on the issue of moral judgements and values ? I think one could answer that in one sentence. Would u put yourself in the secular humanist camp or how ?

Josh: There has been an unprecedented revival of Anti-Semitism over the past five years: bombings killing dozens of people in Turkey and Morocco, numerous attacks on Jews in the street in France, Belgium, and other European cities, firebombings of synagogues, desecrations of cemeteries, and widespread expressions of verbal and rhetorical hatred associated with anti-Zionist fundamentalism. This has been documented by numerous anti-racist institutions, researchers, books etc.

To be sure, Australia remains a relative golden land for most Jews. But today nearly all Australian Jewish institutions including particularly Jewish day schools have full-time security guards.

I am frankly amazed that a political activist such as yourself is not aware of the above.

The aim of the Monash Conference was to explore whether the above reflects a revival of traditional anti-Semitism as in Jews as alleged Christ killers, well poisoners, ritual murderers, controllers of Bolshevism etc, or whether given that the latest perpetrators seem to be mainly from sections of the Arab/Muslim communities and sections of the Left as distinct from the traditional anti-Semitic far Right, it is more so a byproduct of events in the Middle East. If the latter, this would mean a possible ebb and flow according to whether Palestinians and Israelis remain trapped in a mutual dance of death, or return seriously to the negotiating table.

The conference has been discussed in a number of articles in the Australian Jewish News - see last week and also this week coming out tomorrow - go to their website www.ajn.com.au. See also the conference details on www.arts.monash.edu.au/jewish_civilisation.

Any more specific questions about Conference speakers should be directed to my personal email.

Philip