The following was written by Rabbi Yitzchok Schochet, Rabbi of the well-known Mill Hill Synagogue and a regular commentator in the British media, on his blog:
I was driving in my car today when the James O’Brien show came on LBC. Yet again, James was dedicating a segment to the current conflict in Gaza. It was only Friday when I heard a similar segment, with a lot of anti Israel rhetoric, only I was on my way home from the dentist with a very numbed mouth and tempted though I was to call in, I would have hardly been coherent. So I just listened as others called in attempting to defend the Israel position – most of them doing a pretty bad job of it.
I’m not suggesting that I am any better than they are, but I’ve shared a platform with Mr. O’Brien on more than one occasion on BBC’s The Big Questions, so I like to think I could have given him more of a run for his money.
Today, amongst the myriad of questions he raised one of them was simply this: “Just because I am critical of Israel, why do I get accused on social media of being Anti Semitic?” It is a fair question and to be sure, I am certain that James is not Anti Semitic. In fact from the few conversations I’ve had with him in person, he’s actually a nice guy.
But James, if you should so happen to read this I’ll tell you why people might make that assumption. First, as noted before, you had a segment about Israel on Friday and another one today. You, like other media outlets, go on about disproportionate response, and yet you all seem to allocate a disproportionate amount of air time or column space to criticism of Israel.
There has been more deaths in the last month in Syria or Iraq than there has been in all of Israel’s history. Why don’t we hear you banging on about that a little bit more? Why is Israel, which even you acknowledge has some justification for retaliation, being singled out no less than three times in seven days by your good self for conversation when there are far greater and wholly unjustified atrocities being committed in other regions? What of the plane atrocity in Ukraine? Much of the media is still focussed on it, but while it preceded your Israel segment on Friday, it was dropped today. Is Israel, which is merely struggling to defend itself, that much more of a crime in your eyes, or does it simply attract more listeners?
Second, one of the questions you raised was about a group of people taking couches and sitting on a hilltop with popcorn watching bombs fall on Gaza. Even as a caller set you straight and made the point that they were watching the Iron Dome in action, you still pushed ahead with the question. If you are right, and they were watching bombs fall on Gaza, then even Israeli supporters would be quick to condemn it as deplorable. But why did you feel the need to raise the question about the actions of barely a couple of dozen people who are not representative of the six million plus in Israel? Did you raise a similar question when thousands were dancing in the streets of Gaza and handing out sweets to children, in “celebration” of the three teenagers kidnapped last month? Did you consider asking why thousands more were celebrating last night when it was reported (falsely as it turns out) that an Israeli soldier was kidnapped?
It is the imbalance and the disproportionate scrutiny that gives rise to the consideration of one being Anti Zionist, which invariably links to the assumption of one being Anti Semitic.
Finally, for whatever clever responses that you, Mr O’Brien might choose to offer in order to whitewash my questions, it is true, it must be said, that Anti Zionism is not necessarily Anti Semitism. However, those lines become seriously blurred when pro-Palestinian rallies result in the firebombing a Synagogue in Paris, daubing swastikas on homes in London and chanting Nazi slurs on the streets of Berlin.
Ask yourself why when there’s tension in the Middle East, Synagogues throughout Europe and beyond have to go on high alert with added security – but not Mosques.
No James, you are not Anti Semitic. However, you might well be Anti Zionist. For many it is hard to make the distinction. Then again, who can blame them?
Perfect. You are the man.
Frankly, I don’t give a hoot whether O’brian is or isn’t a nice guy, or whether he is or isn’t an anti-semite. I only care about what he persuades his listeners to think and how that thinking impacts the safety of our brethren in Europe and elsewhere. I, for one, have had enough of this moral equivalence nonsense spewed by many in the media, whether well-meaning or not. Either OUR kids are,chas v’shalom, going to get hurt, or the enemy’s will. What would O’brian do if it was HIS kid vs. an enemy’s kid? If he’s at all normal, think… Read more »
Of course Zionism is not a substitute fro Judaism, but boy did you pick a time to deliver this lecture. Ah bissel seichel and some nonjudgmental AHAVAS YISROEL would be in order, please; and by the way, your contention that there would be less anti-Semitism if only our enemies were educated about the distinction between Judaism and Zionism is sadly indicative of ignorance on your part. Do you think the Mufti y”‘sh told Hitler y”‘sh that he’d participate with him in the murder of Zionists Jews only, but not in the murder of anti-Zionist Jews? In case you don’t know,… Read more »
Thank you Chaim G. for sending me to COL to read this. It has since appeared in other media as well. It is an excellent response. We needs voices like this Rabbi on every radio and TV show defending Israel!
don’t start up with ppl that are stronger then you. I guess the. Their mothers forgot to teach them
I think that is why Rabbi S.point is so perfectly expressed. They can be separated but the lines get blurred is what he said. Brilliant point.
I have no idea who Mr O’Brien is, but I am certain that you are living in la la land. Here’s why: Anti Israel is the new form of anti semitism, or at the very least it’s sibling. Segments of society that have traditionally been against Jews are now against Israel. And by O’Brien giving credence to such claims, he might not be an anti smite but by repeating those claims is supporting anti semitism. How else do you explain the target of Jews in Europe every time Israel is at war? * A cafe near Liege in Belgium said… Read more »
Never side with someone who criticizes and makes lies about your own nation. This guy is anti semtic, period!
There are always some here who think they know better. Rabbi Shochat is undeniably one of the most eloquent voices in Chabad and possibly the Jewish world.
I saw R. Shochet tweeted his response to Obrien so he saw it. As 21 points out he spoke about it today. R. Schochet clearly touched a nerve if he needed to talk about it on his show. Well done! He dismisses everything so no surprise there. Do you have a link that we could listen to where he talks about R. Schochet blog piece?
The fight on terrorism will always be disproportionate. Because the truth always prevails in the end.Peace and humanity will always over come all evil that wishes to destroy it
I don’t think there is antisemitism nowadays i think people are just uniformed. He does not say that Israel isn’t doing its best to defend the Gaza civilians. but rather that the fight is not Proportional. If i may get a little sarcastic it sounds like James O’Brien is siting in some high up office watching Israeli politics and eating popcorn and saying this fight is not proportional (sorry for the sarcasm hopefully everyone can take a joke). We have to remind ourselves that Israel is dealing with terrorist. If someone would say that when America was fighting Al Quada… Read more »
Mr James O Brien Is definitely NOT antisemitic!!!!!!!!!! as an extensive listener of his show ,I can testify that he is not antisemitic . He is just a critic of Israeli policy .Us jews argue with our hearts not always with our head ,thats why he wipes the floor with everyone of us that argue with him ,Thats not his fault thats our fault . Ps:he mentioned Rabbi schochet letter on his show today But dismissed it because Unfortunately Rabbi schochet Mocked him by seemingly being not interested in his opinion, then asking him to reply . Instead of engaging… Read more »
I think, it is time for some leaders of Chabad to come out open and call for a “ONE STATE SOLUTION”.
A one state solution will not only be a solution which is good for Jews. It will be a solution which is good for Arabs as well. Because Arabs themselves know that they live better under Israeli rule than under Arab rule.
Well said no.16!
Theres no way that he is going to get any feed back from COL, he HAS to be addressed on the radio, in person, by someone like Rabbi Shochat, who like, he said himself, could give him a better run for his money! Please do that!
Could anything be done about it at this stage?
Maybe LBC should be contacted, and an official complaint issued against him?
Its surely time that he is made aware of his unjust, totally uncalled for remarks and comments for 2 long broadcasts! The second time he came on again with along the same vein, i actually turned it off half way through, it was disgusting! more than disgusting, and it bothers me that he should get away scot free!
Well Said!!!!!! Beautiful article.
Well written. However, what is the purpose of writing articles to COL, get out there, pick up a phone and speak to HIM!! To COL you are only writing to yourself and to people who agree with you!
They talk as if it’s a basketball game, if any side is stronger it is unfair. This isn’t a basketball game, ITS WAR!
Proportion has no relevance here.
Brilliant!!!
1/1027
If Gilad Shalit is worth 1027 prisoners than 25 israeli solderies = 25675 arabs. I think Israel is a bit too nice on this one.
Very well written!!
It only seems that way because of the Iron Dome. Israel is defending itself disproportionately better, BH!
If you count the rockets and bullets that each side has shot I wonder which side has shot.
absolutely brilliant article.
As for Israel responding disproportionately, the proof is in the pudding, rockets are still being fired. So the only thing that’s disproportionate is that Israel isn’t responding enough.
And the only war crime Israel might be committing is that it hasn’t responded in a much stronger and decisive way and therefore its citizens are still under attack.
You should just ask directly: does that mean you would like more Jews or Israelis to be killed (chas vesholom). War means killing as many people as possible to get a piece of land or water rights or world domination, etc. This isn’t a war. It’s a response to terrorism. Terrorists have decided that killing and dying is what they’re all about. They show again and again they don’t value our lives and they don’t value their own. The only reasonable response to “people” like that is to beat them down until they can’t get up again. You don’t have… Read more »
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Rabbi Shochat, thank you for this; We were praying that someone, somewhere would say something! Unfortunately though, its more than highly unlikely that James O’Brian tends to follow COL, and as such , theres very little chance of any of us, who were totally dismayed, discouraged and saddened by his 2 previous broadcasts, where he absolutely wiped the floor with us, no matter who it was who called in and tried to clarify his arguments and enlighten him about the situation, literally reducing us all to stupid ignoramuses, which was his very goal! Im not sure if you are aware,… Read more »
Simple. Send in a rocket into Gaza indiscriminately every time they do. That is proportionate.
good work
Why oh why do we ALWAYS have to stress these people are “nice guys”? Why are you apologizing? It’s about time articulate, smart people like yourself speak openly & honestly, without bending over backwards to be “fair.” Is O’Brien fair to us? Tell it how it is. Say based on your performance, you come across as anti-semitic AND anti-Zionist. And you only have yourself to blame.
at least someone can tell him something
I disagree with R Shochet. However nice O’Brien may be in person, he clearly is antisemitic. He undoubtedly believes that it is acceptable for a nation under attack to go to war, in the full knowledge that this will inevitably mean the death of many civilians. He probably supported the invasion of Afghanistan after 11-Sep-2001, and he probably supported the bombing of Serbia in the ’90s. Even if he didn’t, he surely thinks the UK’s actions in WW2 were at least mostly justified; he may cavil at one or two incidents, such as the bombing of Dresden, or of Tokyo,… Read more »