I did not hear the radio interview with Sanchez myself, however I will say this. While Jews may be a minority, they are hardly "oppressed" (the adjective used by Mr. Sanchez). There has or there is still discrimination, but there is discrimination against many different types of people for varied reasons, and in fact, I would say that of all the "minority" groups in America who have faced discrimination, Jews have done very well for themselves and the discrimination they faced here is not anywhere near that faced by Black Americans. It also appears from reports that Jews are also the wealthiest or close to the wealthiest of ethnic groups. Nothing wrong with that, but it is true.
Mr. Sanchez may have some misplaced criticism of Jon Stewart but it would be absurd to claim that Jews are an "oppressed" minority. That is simply untrue.
I think we see today in the new law that is being proposed in Israel regarding converts to Judaism and the question this law raises as to who is/is not a Jew is the inevitable consequence of an identify that has never fully defined. Is being a Jew based a religious identify or ethnic identify that can be divorced from the religion? It is clear that the religious feel it must be based on religion, and while I am irreligious, I must say that definition is probably the more logical one. This law, if passed, will I believe, have dramatic consequences for the state of Israel and the influence religion will have in the future. I think many people who may consider themselves Jews, may and will find that are not considered Jews at all by the religious and therefore they will have no part in the life of the State of Israel , if that state can survive this deeply important question.
It was only a matter of time before this became important. It is likely to tear the country apart. Is Israel a country based on a religious text and therefore a theocracy? This is what the religious believe and as their numbers are growing, theirs will be the views that prevail.
I did not hear the radio interview with Sanchez myself, however I will say this. While Jews may be a minority, they are hardly "oppressed" (the adjective used by Mr. Sanchez). There has or there is still discrimination, but there is discrimination against many different types of people for varied reasons, and in fact, I would say that of all the "minority" groups in America who have faced discrimination, Jews have done very well for themselves and the discrimination they faced here is not anywhere near that faced by Black Americans. It also appears from reports that Jews are also the wealthiest or close to the wealthiest of ethnic groups. Nothing wrong with that, but it is true.
Mr. Sanchez may have some misplaced criticism of Jon Stewart but it would be absurd to claim that Jews are an "oppressed" minority. That is simply untrue.
I think we see today in the new law that is being proposed in Israel regarding converts to Judaism and the question this law raises as to who is/is not a Jew is the inevitable consequence of an identify that has never fully defined. Is being a Jew based a religious identify or ethnic identify that can be divorced from the religion? It is clear that the religious feel it must be based on religion, and while I am irreligious, I must say that definition is probably the more logical one. This law, if passed, will I believe, have dramatic consequences for the state of Israel and the influence religion will have in the future. I think many people who may consider themselves Jews, may and will find that are not considered Jews at all by the religious and therefore they will have no part in the life of the State of Israel , if that state can survive this deeply important question.
It was only a matter of time before this became important. It is likely to tear the country apart. Is Israel a country based on a religious text and therefore a theocracy? This is what the religious believe and as their numbers are growing, theirs will be the views that prevail.
Yes, thank you for all your work. Don't forget, bullies must always be confronted !
Cole at Tomdispatch
Do you think it possible that this is in fact what Israel and the United States wish for? A strengthening of the hardliners?