middle east history

Matt,

Have you read his book? What makes you think he is not objective?

Joseph Botwinick

 

I certainly think Dershowitz would fit that description. Don't you?

Joseph Botwinick

 

Okay, then:

- Yasser Arafat, January 30, 1996, (Speech) "The Impending Total Collapse of Israel", Stockholm, Sweden


See Video "Seeds of Hate"

 

I'm not commenting on who's right or wrong, or who's unbiades or biased. I'm simply making a comment about the original purpose of the post. Quite honestly, I haven't read the book in question, so I wouldn't be able to comment on it. My view is that, if it's got a spin based on the theological POV of the author, or based on a pro- or anti- Isreal POV of the author, then it would have a bias to it. How much bias, I couldn't tell you, assuming it's biased at all. Perhaps I'll pick up a copy and peruse for myself.

In an effort to answer the original poster's questions, I posted the objective information in the following post:
http://www.baptistboard.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/62/170.html#000011

 

John,

Do you know who Alan Dershowitz is? There is not much of a theological view at all. There are some instances where he points out the faults of Israel. But, he shows also how Israel is not the great satan that many anti-semites in the world want to make Israel out to be.

It is a very good book. I would highly recommend that you read it. I got my copy at Barnes and Noble (The greatest bookstore in the world).

Joseph Botwinick

 

I will consider picking up a copy. Thanks.

 

Alan Dershowitz is, I believe, either an agnostic or atheist. Can't remember which. So no theology there. In fact, I would view him as a bonafide liberal on the political spectrum.

 

Matt,

Have you read his book? What makes you think he is not objective?

Joseph Botwinick </font>[/QUOTE]Joseph, I haven't read it,no. But the title alone suggests it is about as unbiased as a book entitled "The Case for a Palestinian State", and this suspicion has been borne out by your subsequent commentary on it.

Yours in Christ

Matt

 

THE CASE FOR ISRAEL,
By Alan M. Dershowitz

Reviewed by Bernard J. Shapiro

Alan Dershowitz is widely respected as one our nation's most brilliant Professors of Law (Harvard University) and defense attorney. His has a resolute and unshakable belief in the liberties granted to Americans in the Bill of Rights and is ready to defend them. These qualities make him an ideal defender of Israel.

Israel faces an onslaught of anti-Semitic propaganda generated by the Islamic/Arab nations and joined by both the Fascist Right and Extreme Left in Europe, the US, the UN and many other nations from Africa to the Far East. Dershowitz organizes his book like a good defense attorney organizes his case. There are 32 chapters in his book representing the 32 major accusations or slanders against Israel. He presents each in the following order: the accusation, the accuser, the reality and finally the proof. This format is easily understood by any reader and performs an immeasurable service to the defense of Israel's reputation in a world full of hostility and distorted hatred toward it.

There are many places in the book where Dershowitz interjects his own philosophy and conception of what is best for Israel and the prospects for "peace" in the Middle East. Examples of this can be found in his acceptance of the following:

1. That a two-state solution is good.

2. There is a real possibility for peace in the Middle East.

3. That nations like Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia have accepted Israel in their region.

4. Israel must help create a Palestinian State by withdrawing from the "occupied" territories.

5. That Jewish residents of YESHA (Judaea, Samaria, & Gaza) are extremist because they oppose withdrawal from their homes and the creation of a Palestinian State.

Each of these positions could be soundly be rejected in an honest debate based on intelligence/strategic analysis, geographic/hydrological analysis and a study of Islamic/Arab history and psychology. This, of course, is not the purpose of this book review. Despite differences, I still believe that Dershowitz's book is extremely valuable and should be on every bookshelf of persons interested in separating fact from anti-Semitism and Arab propaganda from the history of the Arab-Israeli Conflict.

The chapters include detailed discussion and analysis of history and international law. Some examples are listed below:

1. Is Israel a Colonial, Imperialist State?

2. Did European Jews displace Palestinians?

3. Have the Jews Exploited the Holocaust? Or did the Arabs Join Forces with the Nazis to Exterminate the Jews of Palestine and Europe?

4. Was the U.N. Partition Plan Unfair to Palestinians?

5. Did Israel Create the Arab Refugee Problem and Who Has Prevented Its Solution?

6. Did Israel Start the Six-Day War?

7. Has Israel Engaged in Genocide against Palestinian civilians?

8. Is Targeted Assassination of Terrorist Leaders Unlawful?

9. Is There a Moral Equivalence between Palestinian Terrorist and Israeli Responses?

10. Why Do So Many Jews and Even Israelis Side with the Palestinians?

Remember there are 32 (not 10) of these chapters and this is what makes this book so unique in its defense of Israel. Dershowitz concludes with a concept that the Israel is "the Jew among the nations." In other words the anti-Semites look at Israel as a macrocosm of "the Jews" they hate, fear and wish to destroy. Other writers have used this analogy, but Dershowitz carries it much further with his astute analysis and historical presentation.

I hope readers of this review will look past any ideological differences with Dershowitz and take advantage of this excellent book as a necessary preparation to defend Israel against its many accusers.

- www.freeman.org/m_online/sep03/shapiro.htm

 

Perhaps we should start a BB book club

Of course, it's gonna have to wait until I've finished re-reading "Fellowship of the Ring", which I'm about 1/3 of the way through.

 

Matt,

Have you read his book? What makes you think he is not objective?

Joseph Botwinick </font>[/QUOTE]Joseph, I haven't read it,no. But the title alone suggests it is about as unbiased as a book entitled "The Case for a Palestinian State", and this suspicion has been borne out by your subsequent commentary on it.

Yours in Christ

Matt </font>[/QUOTE]Matt,

1. So, are you prejudging a book by its cover?

2. What part of my commentary has borne out this suspicion?

Joseph Botwinick

 

Joseph, forgive me, it was Ken's review of the book to which I was referring - if I wrote that people should read a book entitled "The Case for a Palestinian State" and in so doing look beyond their "ideological differences" with the author and see the many "anti-Arab" prejudices against the Palestinians, you would rightly raise the accusation of bias. That said, I WILL read the book, and I hope to be pleasantly surprised...

Yours in Christ

Matt

 

Matt,

If you willl re-read Ken's post, you will realize that it was not Ken who was reviewing the book. When the review author talks about ideological differences, I believe he is talking about the fact that Dershowitz does throw in some of his liberal views about affirmative action, and other issues. He also talks about different things that he believes Israel has done wrong throughout the book. But he also puts it in perspective to show the anti-semitic bias that usually pervades those who try to paint Israel as the world's great satan.

Please do read the book, hopefully, with an open mind.

Joseph Botwinick

 

http://www.baptistboard.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/32/1741.html

 

Will do Joseph!

Yours in Christ

Matt

 

Found this site on the web. I enjoyed it. Unbiased? I don't know, but it sure was easy to read.

How Israel Was Created


This site gives the history of Iraq in the form of a british comedy. In four parts of 10-15 minutes each. Unbiased? Nope


Between Iraq And A Hard Place

 

LOL! Rory Bremner & Co are well-established popular satirists over here. I hadn't quite twigged that this was the 4th time we Brits had invaded the country...who knows, one day we may do it right?

Yours in Christ

Matt

 

Four times seems a bit much doesn't it. Hey you guys wouldn't happen to have a lame horse you'd trade for a slightly used president would ya?

 

What about a lame duck?

Yours in Christ

Matt

 

Got plenty but okay, lets shake on it...deal?