Talk:Antisemitism/Archive 30

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Add mention of alternative uses of the word

(This was mentioned above, but may have gotten lost in the re-write of that lead paragraph):

The word "antisemitism" is, rarely, used to include bigotry against arabs and other "Semitic" peoples. This usage is discouraged, but it is made by notable people, sometimes for political purposes. Although the usage is rare quantitatively, it is significant from a political and social point of view. The importance is underscored by the huge debate over spellings antisemitism vs anti-Semitism, and the trend towards the former spelling to avoid the mis-use of the word.

But the total absence of acknowledgement of the alternative use in this article is not good. I would not suggest anything in the lead paragr, of course, but would suggest a sentence in the "Usage" section. Something like: "the word has been used on occasion to include bigotry against other Semitic-language peoples such as Arabs, but such usage is often rooted in political purposes and is discouraged by language authorities."

Primary-source examples of using the word to include Arabs include Ralph Nader, James Zogby, and Samir Hanna Kafity.

Secondary sources that discuss that usage (and generally condemn it) include: Bernard Lewis "Semites and anti-Semites" page 117; book "Aftershock: anti-zionism and anti-semitism" by David Matas p 34; and several other books.

One especially notable example of this usage was in the report of the Durban Review Conference.

I understand that this alternative usage of the word is an anathema to many, but it is a reality, and should be described in the "Usage" section. This usage is not "fringe" or screwball, instead it is a notable, albeit rare, usage that deserves to be mentioned. --Noleander (talk) 06:51, 9 February 2010 (UTC)

Any comments? Here is a quote from that book by Matas:

"At the Durban NGO forum, anti-Israel advocates arranged to have inserted into the final Declaration and Program of Action the words 'anti-Arab racism is another form of antisemitism' and 'Arabs as a Semitic people have also suffered from alternative forms of antisemitism'... This attempt has nothing to do with racism against Arabs and everthying to do with undercutting a rationale for the existence of Israel."

--Noleander (talk) 14:38, 10 February 2010 (UTC)

Didnt see any objections after five days, so I added that sentence. --Noleander (talk) 19:40, 15 February 2010 (UTC)

You may be correct Noleander, regarding motives, but Zionist motives are also at work above, to try to prevent the proper and correct use of the English language and stiffle a term's correct and legitimate use. I don't mind what Jews do with their language. I do mind when they try to interfere with my language. Anti-semitism refers to Semites (Arabs and Israelis.) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 220.245.169.188 (talk) 14:05, 11 February 2010 (UTC)

The problem with antizionist antisemanticist such as you is that your politics block your grasp of human language. The term's meaning is the way in which it is usually being used, and Nader is trying to make a point specifically by using it differently, thus relies on the standard meaning of the term. 134.106.41.28 (talk) 12:18, 16 February 2010 (UTC)

The debate about this word antisemitism is typical of discussions that involve peoples personal understanding of language and the actual facts of language. English has many words that have changed meaning, and some words have the opposite meaning to that when the word was first used. The emotionally charged nature of the word antisemitism means it will always have competing definitions depending on a persons background, education, and beliefs. The above comments are typical;"Anti-semitism refers to Semite (Arabs and Israelis.)" What about the other groups known as Semitic? Maltese etc? To lock a words meaning into a denial of history is only one trap for this debate. We use language to clarify and to cloud facts.We talk to conceal and to reveal.Culture is like that. Good luck.Ern Malleyscrub (talk) 10:57, 26 March 2010 (UTC)

Dhimmis

part of the article where jews under islamic rule are discussed , there is a factual error regarding islamic perspective of non muslims under muslim rule.Nonmuslims were equal to muslims in every field and they were allowed to appear in court of law. and file a law suet against even the caliph, which is proven in history.They were to pay jizya only if they could ,otherwise islamic goverment was to pay for the expences for that idividual, this was called wazifa. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 119.152.30.72 (talk) 10:31, 28 February 2010 (UTC)