Full Circle: Israel and the Nazi comparisons

Go to any demonstration that criticizes Israel and you will often see signs that connect Israel with the Nazis. It use to just be a hippie thing but now Professor Richard Falk has brought that discussion into the mainstream. Richard Falk is the UN’s investigator into Israel’s conduct in the occupied territories and like anyone in the UN who is free to speak their mind such as John Dugard, he is naturally very critical of Israel’s conduct. It is important to note that Falk did not say that Israel and the Nazis were the same, Falk claimed that Israel and the Nazis both employed collective punishment often. His comments were aimed specifically at the American public and the BBC quoted him as saying, “if this kind of situation existed...in...China...or...Darfur, I think there would be no reluctance to make that comparison.” Falk claimed that the reluctance stemmed the historic sensitivity to the persecution of the Jewish people and the fact that the double standard in international law and morality actually works to Israel’s favor. An incensed Israel wants Falk’s mandate expanded to look into human rights violations by the Palestinians in order to deflect criticism from its own conduct. Otherwise, “the only democracy in the Middle East” will consider barring Falk’s entry.

Thanks to the BBC.