Rating: 
Summary: A frightening look at an old evil come back to life
Review: A lot of people who like the status quo try to explain away anti-Semitism by saying it isn't that serious, or it is just the grumblings of a few disgruntled folks, or it is just people who are anti-Israel and not anti-Jewish...but Chesler (the auther) presents a clear and compelling argument that honest-to-goodness anti-Semitism is back with a vegeance, especially inportions of Europe and the Middle East.She reports on how the line between legitimate criticism of Israeli government policies and outright hatred towards Jews is often crossed by academics and political commentators, even as they protest they are doing no such thing. She also covers very well the history of anti-Semitism and how it is very destructive to civil society. This is a scary but necessary book.
Rating: 
Summary: Why the Jews and Israel are treated badly?
Review: After reading Alan Dershowitz's book "The Case for Israel", I felt compelled to read a book of this type, one that tries to explain why, despite terrorist attacks upon it and despite it being the only democracy in the Middle East, Israel is singled out for punishment over and above other less humane countries. This was a theme of Dershowitzs's great book but Chesler's book goes on to investigate the new anti-semitism in media and academia. The book is very readable (I finished it in 4 days) and one of the advantages I found is that it covers a lot of the historical ground on Israel and the Palestinian issues in a concise, light reading style. Anybody, Jewish or non-Jewish, who is concerned about why Israel seems to cop it from all sides, whilst other less democratic regimes (let alone ones that support terrorism) don't get criticised by the U.N., would be interested in this book. It is a very easy read though as it tries to address the difficult task of blending a number of themes in addition to Anti Semitism, Anti Zionism and history of Middle East issues.
Rating:
Summary: Why the Jews and Israel are treated badly?
Review: After reading Alan Dershowitz's book "The Case for Israel", I felt compelled to read a book of this type, one that tries to explain why, despite terrorist attacks upon it and despite it being the only democracy in the Middle East, Israel is singled out for punishment over and above other less humane countries. This was a theme of Dershowitzs's great book but Chesler's book goes on to investigate the new anti-semitism in media and academia. The book is very readable (I finished it in 4 days) and one of the advantages I found is that it covers a lot of the historical ground on Israel and the Palestinian issues in a concise, light reading style. Anybody, Jewish or non-Jewish, who is concerned about why Israel seems to cop it from all sides, whilst other less democratic regimes (let alone ones that support terrorism) don't get criticised by the U.N., would be interested in this book. It is a very easy read though as it tries to address the difficult task of blending a number of themes in addition to Anti Semitism, Anti Zionism and history of Middle East issues.
Rating: 
Summary: Puh-lease
Review: As a concerned Catholic whose grandfather told stories of liberating Nasi death camps, I am offended at the tone taken by the author. The anger expressed towards Catholics in the first few chapters makes me so furious to read. And, that so many reviewers applaud this book makes my blood run cold. Might I recommend a different book, The New Anti-Catholicism: The Last Acceptable Prejudice, by Philip Jenkins. It might be an easy starting point, but hate towards Jews cannot be shaken off by simple transference of hate towards Catholics, or even so-called Islamo-fascists. Anyone ever hear of being nice in thought and deed?
Rating:
Summary: impressed
Review: Chesler's THE NEW ANTI-SEMITISM is a "gloves off, as she views it, in your face," book. Consistent, with her previous works, her approach to change history and remind us of history (lest we repeat it)! again succeeds. Jew hatred or Israel blaming will not do. The Pandora's box of Islamic Jihadism cannot be shut by a leftist "politically correct" moribund embracing of agents of terror. This book is vital to political, social, feminist, and religious debate.
Rating:
Summary: Impeccable scholarship, passionate writing
Review: Chesler, a leftist feminist, has here produced a work of impeccable scholarship detailing the rise of a new virulent anti-Semitism. Based on verifiable facts, statistics and personal experience, she demonstrates how prevalent this mental illness has become amongst leftist academics; she also investigates the psychological roots of this detestable idea. Chesler further illuminates the connections between the hatred of Jews and the hatred of America. Having herself criticized certain actions of Israel in the past, she makes a distinction between legitimate criticism of Israel and that subtle version of anti-Semitism that cloaks itself in Anti-Zionism. She points out that the new anti-semitism is being perpetraded in the cause of anti-colonialism and anti-racism and that it comes from the Left of the political spectrum. Chesler makes a plea for the truth and exposes leftist disinformation, for example the so-called Jenin Massacre that never took place. The author lived in Afghanistan in the 1960s and was married to an Afghan; she praises the kindness and love she experienced from her Muslim relatives during those times. This wonderful book is a plea for decency, truth and dignity. It includes a 20-page question-and-answer section called What We Must Do on how to reply to anti-Semitic remarks or questions. Although Chesler's book reveals deeply disturbing trends, it is a compelling read. I would also like to refer the interested reader to the following books: The Case For Israel by Dershowitz, Right To Exist by Lozowick, Never Again? by Foxman, The Return Of Anti-Semitism by Schoenfeld, The Rage And The Pride by Fallaci and Anti-Americanism by Jean-Francois Revel.
Rating:
Summary: A wake up call about the rise of anti-Semitism on the Left
Review: Excellent exposition of the rise of anti-Semitism on the Left. Chesler explores how did the Left's position on Israel and Jews has become congruent with that of the viciously anti-Semitic Arab nations. She makes the compelling argument that anti-Semitism, holding Jews to completely different standards than everyone else, has become the last acceptable prejudice.This is important reading for all Jews and for anyone who is concerned about prejudice and hatred.
Rating:
Summary: Why all the fuss over such a straightforward book?
Review: First, I must comment on the amazing number of "unhelpful" votes (often well over 100) for any favorable reviews of this book so far. Such votes would have convinced me to find out more about this book had I not already read it.
Well, what is the fuss all about? Roughly speaking, antisemitism is hostility towards Jews and towards human rights for Jews. The "new antisemitism" generally refers to implementing such hostility by attacking Israel from the political left (calling it racist, apartheid, colonial, oppressive, expansionist, reactionary, aggressive, tribal, irredentist, impudent, arrogant, and in need of punishment). As Chesler explains, such attacks began in earnest after the 1967 six-day war. Yes, Chesler herself noticed the extent of this trend only in 1980 and is writing about it only now. But that is no crime. Anyway, if the purpose of antizionism is simply to "ethnically cleanse" Israel of its Jews or to deny Israeli Jews basic human rights, it is indeed simply the old antisemitism with a new spin.
One unusual comment by Chesler involves criticism of Israel. While most people would call criticism of Zionism or Israel antisemitic only if it explicitly discriminated against, demonized or defamed Jews in general, Chesler also asks if there is anger and malice behind it. Angry refusals to provide even the most limited opposition to attacks on Jewish rights are, in Chesler's opinion, a sign of antisemitism.
Chesler exposes many lies of the new antisemitism and has some recommendations. These include her belief that it is fundamental for us as humans to honor our dreams of peace. To that end, she says we must fight Big Lies. In addition, she thinks we must restore campus civility. And she implores us to address the real problems of the world rather than avoid them by demonizing Israel instead.
Rating: 
Summary: J' Accuse
Review: How did it happen that 60 years after 6 million Jews perished in Hitler's inferno's, millions are again baying for the blood of Jews, led this time by the left?
It is cloaked in the language of political correctness, and academic language, but the end goal is the same, genocide of Jews.
On university campuses, in the media, in the halls of the United Nations, in European and Third World governments, prejudice runs strong.
Phyllis Chesler, well-known feminist author, in the 21-st century equivalent of Zola's J'Accuse, dissects this revolting and frightening phenomenon.
She points out that the leaders of today's Nuremberg rallies are supposedly 'enlightened' and 'progressive' leftwing academics, as Israel is pilloried, without the slightest compassion for the men, women and children of that tiny, poor country, condemned by a coterie of malignant narcissists for destruction. Of course the Israel-haters deny hotly that they are anti-Semites: The first thing students learn today in the 'humanities' departments on university campuses across the world is that anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism are different. Many Jewish-born ultra-leftists lead the 'burn Israel' movement. In fact it could be argued that the new anti-Semitism was founded by malignant high priest of Marxist academia, Noam Chomsky together with his partner in hate, Arab propagandist Edward Said. Indeed the Jewish-born Israel-haters are often the most callous and vicious, hoping that expunging 5 million Israeli men, women and children from the face of the earth, will make themselves more universal and progressive in the world today. It is only the 'backward Israelis' who get in the way of the place of Diaspora Jewish Marxists as leaders of the 'progressive vanguard' once more. So innocents must die in their millions!
But Chesler debunks the frightful lie that tries to disguise the new anti-Semitism, as 'progressive anti-Zionism'. After all is it not anti-Semitism to deny Jews the right to live in Israel? Is a Jewish child in Israel, gunned down in her bed, by Palestinian goons in 2002, any different to a Jewish child in Poland, gunned down in her bed by Nazi goons in 1942?
Martin Luther King pointed out the truth when he said 37 years ago: "Anti-Semitism, the hatred of the Jewish people, has been and remains a blot on the soul of mankind. In this we are in full agreement. So know also this: anti-Zionist is inherently anti-Semitic, and ever will be so". Chesler dissects this new anti-Semitism, in this work that will make you both angry and frightened. While the Left have certainly been the vanguard of this new cancer, it has not been confined to the left alone. Neo-Nazi hate-mongers like Pat Buchanan, Lyndon La Rouche, David Duke and Robert Novak, in the USA and the groups like the British National Party and German NPD, in Europe, have also jumped on the bandwagon of the new anti-Semitism, finding that anti-Zionism, is the most effective way to vent their malice. And the new anti-Semitism has resulted in attacks on Jews, not only in Israel, but also all around the world, as Jews are attacked in the streets and synagogues burned, with university campuses being the most vicious breeding grounds of hate of them all.
There is no logic in the intensity of the hate of the new anti-Semites, as Israel is condemned for every action taken to defend her, by the same ones who are so silent in the face of massacres of Israeli women and children, by Palestinian killers.
The latter being seen as the victims and the former as the aggressors in this macabre Orwellian theater.
Indeed, as we saw with the rise of Hitler, when the world loses it's moral compass, there is no limit to what they will stoop to, and no amount of politically correct jargon, and Marxist obfuscation can hide this from us all.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty disappointing ... argh!
Review: I agonized about this book for a long time. Then I tried to see what other people felt about it. Most people I know that have read it, or tried to read it, just cannot feel comfortable with the level of antagonism. So, it's suprising to me to see mostly enthusiastic and positive reviews, with maybe one mildly critical review. I'm sorry, but even the opening part where the author describes herself as hiding in her apartment, just like in a bunker, for months after 9-11-2001. I mean, it was shocking to me, because the world saw that all of America was going to work and helping each other and pulling together during those trying times. Then after hiding in fear, she comes out swinging at everything in sight. Okay, if it makes some people feel better to hide in bunkers and be resentful, then have at it. I prefer the more constructive approach that most other Americans took. It takes real guts to stand up and make a difference, instead of just complaining about what makes you feel bad. Sorry again.
|
