why is israel picked on so much?

Question

i dont understand it, israel is an amazing place, with amazing people.the jewish are amazing people, and i love the hebrew language. im glad the uk has a good relationship with israel.
i am a christian and will one day visit jerusalem.

Answer 1

Hey, thank you for asking such a good question.



It is so nice to know that some non Jews do appreciate why Israel means so much to us. And I really hope you do go to Jerusalem; you will love it.



As for the question: I think that it's sheer ignorance. In Britain, I blame the BBC for a lot of this. Their reports on Israel are never fair; even when it's a Muslim terror attack and Israelis are killed, the BBC shows the crying mother of the suicide bomber! It's happened so many times and I could screeeeeammmmm!



People have the wrong picture of Israel. They think it's a massive country, with a lot of wealth. They have been taken in by the Islamic propoganda machine, and believe all the rubbish about the land being stolen from the Palestinians.



Some people, who really don't know their history at all, even insist that Israel invaded her Arab neighbours!



It can be exhausting, trying to combat all the lies.



But I feel cheered by reading all these answers.

Answer 2

If the Israelis are pushed to give up more land for "Peace" Israel would only be 8 Miles wide in northern area; The Arabs will never accept the Fact ' God " gave that Land to Jacob; God will have the last Word,on this Issue; I agree with Your Statement,;Muslims are full of Hate; -----This is a Spiritual Battle; That is the only explanation I can give ;The Rage that Muslims have for Israel;

Answer 3

Wow, you have no idea how good it makes me feel that there are at least some people who don't think we are evil occupiers, murderers of children, blood-sucking monsters. You really lit a small light in the dark. You're words are like cool rain on a draught-stricken land. Thank you.

As for you're question - I think it started way before the state of Israel was established. Look at the history of the Jews all over the world. We were prosecuted and stepped on almost everywhere we went (I'm not trying to sound like a self pittying scapegoat, but facts are facts). Why? maybe because the Jews always were big in the trade and banking, and that caused jealousy, maybe lots of things, but there is no rational explaination, I believe.

The Jewish sage Shimon Bar-Yochai (around 100 A.D) said: "It is a given law - it is known that Esau hates Jacob". meaning that it is a law of nature, in a way, that the descendenants of Esau hate the Descendanents of Jacob and the reason isn't known.

Take it or leave it but if you find a rational explanation of this hate, tell me.

Answer 4

Unfortunately, the relationship between the UK and Israel isn't as good as it once was, especially if your academics keep trying to boycott us. I know they aren't in the majority, but it is insulting.

Many people will tell you that it has to do with the Palestinian issue, but they are either young or brainwashed. Those people do not envision a world and an Israel before 1967, yet both existed. At that time, Israel was still picked on, so it's a fallacy to say that Israel is only picked on because of that one issue. All it has really done is made neutral states like Norway hostile towards Israel, while most others who've been friends from the beginning have remained friends.

I think the main reason that Israel is picked on is anti-Semitism. I know many people think Jews cry 'anti-Semitism' too often, but it is undeniable that there is a still a strong anti-Semitic subculture in Europe (one that Europe refuses to recognize and instead maintains its belief that Nazism was a fluke and that anti-Semitism was localized to Nazis), and it is also undeniable that Israel is identified as the symbol for world Judaism in this age. Anyone who thinks anti-Semitism is gone need only read the news; right now I'm reading an article about vandals who desecrated Jewish graves in Poland by spraying Nazi symbols on them. Anyone who has flown to Israel via Continental will notice the mini-'ghetto' they erected around the gate for Jewish travelers. It is sad to say that even nowadays the world isn't safe for Jews, and Israel is the primary target.

Another reason is international politics. Classically, it has been more profitable to be a friend of oil-rich Arabia then resource-deprived Israel. Once you remove ethics from the game, why not play for profit?

Answer 5

FRANKTURK 50 - I'm amazed that you can just come onto this site and lie like that.



Go on, list evidence to back your rubbish! If Israel was guilty of 'ethnic cleansing' then there would be no Muslims left; in fact their numbers are INCREASING.



Palestine was always the jewish land. There is sufficient evidence from archaeologists to prove this, for those that had any remaining doubts.



Britain controlled Palestine (used to be called Judea) and it was Britain that proposed partition. The UN agreed. The Jews did nothing wrong. Nothing!



I think that Israel gets a bad rap because people just don't know their facts. Anyone who actually knows how the country came to exist is supportive of Israel and understands that she has been fending off terrorism ever since she was established.



To repeat facts I've seen cited before on Yahoo answers and which I believe put it all in perspective:



No of Arab countries: 22



No of Jewish countries: 1 - and she's bloody tiny!



EDIT - DAVID H - you have just proven how little you know.



I want you to explain what proof you have that the Jews are, as you so nicely put it, 'behaving like Nazis'.

What a strange remark. Last time I looked there were no concentration camps where Palestinians were being put in gas chambers, or experimented on, or having their skin used to make things including soap. Nor was there any 'final solution' that the whole of Israel had agreed on; i.e. no mass extermination.



To compare the Israelis to Nazis is the most offensive thing you could say. I'm not a Jew but I know anti semitism when I read it. The Israelis give the Palestinians new schools, new homes, water, fuel, medical help; all free.



Tell me - when did the Nazis ever do that for the Jews? Answer: of course they didn't, they were too busy slaughtering them.



You should be ashamed for that remark. The only positive thing is that now, we can all see the type of fool you are.



EDIT: MSAFWAT - You state that the Jews complain in this question that they are 'picked on' - but this question was posted by a NON JEWISH PERSON.



Also, perhaps you'd like to revise your statement that Israel has taken land from Syria etc. For aren't you neglecting the vital bit of information? The Golan Heights, and those other bits of land, were acquired by Israel during WARS STARTED BY HER ARAB NEIGHBOURS.



Now, go on, list me countries that have returned land they got while defending their country, during wars started by others? Go on. I want the names.



Because you know full well that no sane nation would do this!



As for your absurd rambling about Jews being the 'superior' ones - not one Jewish person on this site has said that. Nor have I ever heard any Jew say it out there in the 'real' world either. YOU are the only one who brings it up.

Answer 6

Why is it that you people can't do anything but bleat about how hard done by you are ?



You have a distorted view of history , short memories , no consciences , no compassion , no mercy ...in short , not much going for you at all !



You use religion as an excuse to rob people of their property & their heritage then try to distort this & claim victim status !

Don't give us that hoary old chestnut about being God's chosen people & how he GAVE you this land !



You refused to accept Jesus as the promised Messiah , you still in spite of all of the evidence refuse that !



You claim to live by the Law yet break every one which was the very reason Jesus came !



Your so called state of Israel is virtually totally secular ...how many of you fine upstanding people are true to your faith ?



It's all a crock full & if you were in the least bit honest you would face up to it & give some justice & mercy to the people you are hounding & persecuting !



In summary , you are a bunch of lily livered cowards , propped up by a corrupt U.S . regime with no ethics , morals or sense of fair play!



You can thumbs me down till the cows come home , that won't change a thing.



I'm 100% in agreement with David H ...he speaks the truth & you don't like that one bit do you ?

Answer 7

not all, one can not generalize like that, i have some good jewish egyptian friends, some good israeli friends but i have also met some that were mean, hostile and racist. like anywhere there is the good and there's the bad. normal.



as why israel is picked on, it's political, israelis are human beings just like any, it's history too, different point of views, different interpretations, different beliefs, what moses thought was very different from what pharaoh thought, then what jews thought was different from what christians thought, and what christians thought was different from what muslims thought, blablabla boring

Answer 8

TO frankturk50, maram and Dee please read my 4th paragraph! Do your research!



Thank you, somebody who talks sense! :-)



I am a Christian but love Israel. My Mum is from England and my Dad is from Israel. I listen to Israeli music because I think its beautiful and there are a lot of meaningful lyrics! The national anthem too means a lot to me.



I have visited Israel many times and been to Jerusalem, I highly recommend the trip! I think Israel is an extraordinary place and meeting the people and experiencing life there is an overwhelming feeling. When I have visited they welcomed me with open arms every single time.



I don't understand those who criticise Israel and say its a terrorist country when they haven't been there or met any Israeli's. I'm not saying every Israeli is an angel, but I'm saying every Israeli is not a devil.



For those who complain and say 'Israel stole the land, the Palestinians didn't have anywhere to go' blahdi bladhi blah..wake up! Do your research and you'll see that the Palestinians ignorance was their downfall. They were offered a country for their people many many times but refused because they didn't want to be neighboured by a Jewish community! So before blaming Israel, do your research!



I wish you a lovely, lovely stay in Israel.

Take Care,

God Bless.

Answer 9

Just in relation to the stupid/ terribly researched comments made by David H-

I don't see how it's possible for you to have heard of a Palestinians who had his home taken from him in TEL AVIV. The fact that Tel Aviv was only created in the beginning of the 20th century, and never had an arab presence there before it (seeing as it was all just empty sand dunes). I think all your arguments are fact-less, ridiculous; and that special glitch in your argument pretty much explains the baseless nature of your claims. It is impossible to possess a home in Tel Aviv and have it taken away from you (like in any modern city), UNLESS it was built illegally and you didn't pay for it at all (which would probably explain it--and someone in that position doesn't have any claim to property in that case). Also, why would an arab want to live among all those Jews instead of living in a more obvious place, like an arab village or Jerusalem? You are a liar, sir, and you do it very bady too.

The crap about the Balfour declaration? Excuse me if I laugh, but the arabs were never happy with it, and hated every allowance of letting jews into the country. Heck, they even started infamous riots which killed many people just to show how much they didn't want Jews among them. You think they'd let them live in peace and be good neighbors to a small minority of Jews in the land? No, they wanted to throw any and all of them into the sea. Remind you of someone? Maybe the Nazis.

Excuse my reasonable doubts about your claims, but I think zionism is not the dangerous ideology here, I think yours is. After all, your ideology is making it easier to wipe off any shred of claim the Jewish people have to a homeland or national identity of any kind (a claim EVERY person on earth has). Zionism, is after all, a national movement meant to make Jews a safe home without fear of people like Nazis, Islamist terrorists, or people like you.



Argument over.

Answer 10

To summarize the Israeli dogma to everyone, Israel issue with the rest of the world is that Israeli leaders want to keep occupying land that was never part of Israel. If Israel is willing to end its occupation of other people land the world will be on the Israeli side its up to the Israeli leaders and up to those who will elect them.

The Israeli VS Palestine is a legal and Human Right issue to most people around the world.

Answer 11

To Answer your question you'll have first to define which Israel do you see as the land of the Jewish People.



1- Is it the Israel defined by International Legitimacy (UN Resolutions)?



2- Is it the Defacto Israel occupying Palestininian, Lebanese and Syrian lands?



3- Or is it the Biblical Israel from the Nile to the Euphrates?



I think if you can pick one of the choices above you'll automatically have an Answer to your question.



As an Arab I have no problem with the first option. Neither do the other Arab nations, in fact an Arab peace Initiative was presented in 2002 supporting this scenario.



As for the second option, where Israel is deliberately occupying the lands of others and claiming it as its' own, in defiance of the entire world community. Of course it is wrong, and critisizing Israel becasue of that is not only legitimate but is a duty on every human being who loves justice and peace.



As for the third option its a pure fantasy, but regretably is still spoken of among many extremist Israelis who claim rights in the lands of all their neighbours. This is obviously insanity on an unprescedented scale. It only contributes in inflamming emotions, and adds to the hatred floating in the air.



I would equally add that current Israeli policies are not helping them better their immage either. Maintaining Military occupation through appartheid like laws, Blockades, forced evacuations, illegal settlements, assassinations, Home demolitions, farms destruction, targetting civilians, collective punishment etc... etc.. who in his right mind will support such actions.



The Israeli talk about historical rights dating back from the "Bronze age" is as absurd as denying the existance of the Palestininas. But they just do it any way since hidding the truth is easier when you flood the discussion with irrelevant speech. As I said before in many posts it's just part of their "Fogging" tactics. I wouldn't go down this road any more it has been discussed exhaustively, and is frankly useless.



Facts remain simple and srtaight forward I can sum it all up in the comming few lines.



Israelis and Palestinians exist and are there to stay.

Israel occupies Arab lands (West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem, Golan Heights and Shebaa farms)

Arabs have rights that Israel must recognize in accordance with the will of the international community.

Arabs have presented a peace initiative in 2002, calling for a just and comprehensive peace with Israel based on UN resolutions 242 and 338. Calling for the withdrawal of Israel from the above mentioned Arab lands in exchange for peace, recognition and Normalization (Israel has refused it so far).

Any specualtive talk going along the lines of "if the Arabs" will hold their part of the Bargain, or "Israel needs to keep some territory for strategic security issues, or "peace initiatives aiming to annhilate Israel" is simply hogwash, and falls under the "fogging" Category. Arabs have demonstrated in the past that they are willing to maintain their part of the deal if Israel is willing to recognize their rights (you have the example of Egypt and Jordan)



Israel chose to be an occupying and oppressing power, and must accept the consequences of its choices. Critisizing its policies being the least any conscient human being can do. But how could the "chosen people of God" accept any critisizm! aren't they supposed to be a perfect superior race! So they have mastered a few techniques to silence and persecute any legitimate opposition by victimizing themselve and aiming their ultimate weapon, the accusation of "Anti-semitism" against all opposition. Or calling regular critisizm "Picking on" as you just did.



Sorry for the long Answer



Cheers

Answer 12

Nice question! Like you, I'm not Jewish but I lived in Israel for six months and absolutely loved it.



I think Israel has a terrible image in the UK because there is ignorance of her history. People actually believe that the Jews 'stole' the land from the Muslims; they totally ignore the fact that there have been Jews living there for close on three thousand years, and that the original 'Palestinians' were Jews!



Often I watch cable news and learn of terrorist attacks, or foiled attempts, on Israelis. But on the BBC for example, these things are not even mentioned!



In the UK there is a massive Islamic PR machine, with lots of lobbying groups, and they are very clever, and very articulate, and very good at what they do.



But there is no Israeli or Jewish group to represent Israel and to explain the truth about her history.



I hope you do make that trip to Israel; believe me, it's a unique place and Jerusalem especially is magic.

Answer 13

Theres a lot of history there, I studied the arab israeli conflict in History at A-Level, millenia of battles that many nations were drawn into and suffered from it. I think a lot of people are just tyerd of the wars and attacks that go on day in and day out all the time.

Answer 14

good question who took other people's land? who kills and tortures the owners of that land? if englad or the USA is so kind, why dont they give them part of their own land? now , who is picking on the other more? who has stopped the people of gaza from returning home? who is starving the palestinians ? who doesnt allow others to offer help to palestinians? the palestinians look at their own land taken by the israeli and ask themselves, when will justice take us back to where we belong? try to be fair for once and see the real situation as it is.

Answer 15

Maybe because they steal land that is not theirs, then oust the people who it truly belongs to, then they invade their neighboring countries and completely destroy the civilian infrastructure, while killing thousands of innocent people in the process. Then they congratulate each other on a job well done. Maybe that has something to do with it, I don't know.

Answer 16

Its real simple - people hate Jews - everything else is just a rationalization for irrational hatred of Jews.



Good Luck!!!

Answer 17

first to maram : keep dreaming!!!! it's ISRAEL!!! not any other name!

you are not asking the right question, you need to ask why are jews picked on so much all the time???

when you'll answer this question... you'll know the question for your first!

the thing is that today people don't like us so much because of the fact that they don't know 80% of what really is happening...

arabs like "maram" know how to look like victims all the time to gain your sympathy!

don't belive everything you see on tv... most of them are pro arabs... and they don't show two sides of the story.

Answer 18

not sure

Answer 19

Could it be that they have stolen territory belonging to others,bombed and killed their neighbours,built illegal nuclear bombs and facilities,used weapons of mass destruction,a bit of genocide and a lot of ethnic cleansing and have been condemned by almost every country in the world except the USA for their actions.In their recent attacks on Lebanon even British government ministers openly spoke out against their actions.

Answer 20

Dear friend, I am a Palestinian, what you call Israel, is Palestine to me, how would you feel if the UK became Israel one day. I know it is a great country because it is my country. You are welcome to visit Palestine one day, and try the Arabic hospitality.

Answer 21

Israel is "picked on" becuse of it's treatment of the native people taht have lived on that land since it was taken away from them...by...guess who???



All you have to do is a little research on the history of the subject and you'll have your answers.



They're brutal and not as civilized as lots of folks would like for you to think they are.



Kinda like...guess who???

Answer 22

dunno