Last week I exposed an antisemitic comment by one Max Lindegger, renowned Permaculture designer, educator, and author, in which he blamed Israeli Jews for antisemitism.
Max eventually came across my article, and decided to explain to me – a Jew – what is and what isn’t antisemitism:
Hi David,
I notice that you published a letter I wrote.
Yes, I’m the Permaculturist you suspected, and yes I volunteer in Cambodia.
I have also worked in Bangladesh, Haiti, post Tsunami Sri Lanka, the slums of India and Manila…
I have also volunteered at an Ecovillage in South Africa run my Jewish friends.
But, NO, I’m not a Jew hater. Indeed I have plenty of Jewish friends. I don’t treat anybody like dirt.
I have also written against the action of people like Hamas, post 7. October.
You seem to see any opposition to the activities by the Israeli Government as being antisemitic.
A very convenient and incredibly simplistic way to try to shut people up.
I’m not the only one who believes that Palestinians also deserve their own country.
I’m not alone in thinking that the Israeli Government has gone too far. I read papers/news from Australia, the US, UK, Switzerland and indeed Israel.
While Jews have incredible influence on politics (by paying trips to people like Simon Birmingham and others) and own or control much of the media around the world, there are enough independent thinkers who will cary the message forward.
War is not the solution. Palestinians deserve a save home like the Jews do.
You need to open your eyes and mind a little to reality.
Don’t be simply lead by hatred.
Study history.
You take care
Max
No, Max, I don’t see “any opposition to the activities by the Israeli Government as being antisemitic.” You thought it ok to blame the burning of a synagogue on Peter Dutton’s “Jewish friends in Israel,” and suggest “Jews will be disliked for generations” for defending themselves. THAT I found antisemitic. not to mention claiming the land belongs to the palestinian Arabs – descendants of those who colonized it or moved way after a Jewish presence here – thus negating Jewish history. Also antisemitic.
But I am glad you took the time to write to me. “Some of my best friends are Jewish” is not the flex you think it is, and writing “While Jews have incredible influence on politics (by paying trips to people like Simon Birmingham and others) and own or control much of the media around the world..” was just plain stupid for someone claiming they are not antisemitic in the same breath.
As a permaculturist I am sure you are used to digging yourself deep holes, but I doubt this is one you can climb out of.
And by the way, telling me to study history is like me telling you to play in dirt.
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