Language:
German
Year of publication:
2013
Titel der Quelle:
Theologische Zeitschrift
Angaben zur Quelle:
69,4 (2013) 661-688
Keywords:
Braverman, Mark.
;
Christianity and antisemitism History 1945-
;
Antisemitism History 1945-
;
Anti-Zionism
;
Jews Election, Doctrine of
;
National characteristics, Israeli
;
State, The Philosophy
;
Israel History
;
Philosophy
Abstract:
Discusses the projection of traditional Christian anti-Jewish prejudice on the State of Israel as an expression of present-day antisemitism. Examines Jewish American psychologist Mark Braverman's "Fatal Embrace: Christians, Jews, and the Search for Peace in the Holy Land" (2010) and Palestinian Lutheran Pastor Dr. Mitri Raheb's views as examples of "secondary", "guilt-rejecting" antisemitism and anti-Zionism. Braverman and Raheb both use Christian anti-Jewish arguments to undermine the legitimacy of Israel. Braverman argues that Israel and the Jewish concept of "chosenness" is the source of the Middle East conflict, the Palestinians being mere victims. Stegemann criticizes Braverman for viewing the Jews as one entity, with supposed awareness of Israel's election. He also shows, refering to biblical sources, that Israel's chosenness is not connected to its characteristics, but to God's special relationship with it. Those who accuse Israel (both the biblical nation and the current state) of claiming exceptional status, tend themselves to use double standards with regard to Israel and its politics. The title of the German edition of Braverman's book, "Verhängnisvolle Scham: Israels Politik und das Schweigen der Christen", plays on German and Christian guilt. Braverman frees Germans and Christians from guilt by claiming that it enables Israel to continue its supposed crimes. Raheb, for his part, substitutes the Jews with the Palestinians and delegitimizes the State of Israel by referring to the Bible and to biological fantasies and projections.
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