"Anti-Semitism Denial"

A growing phenomenon?

Back in 2004 Edward Alexander wrote in Anti-Semitism Denial:

But of course the advocates of disinvestment in Israeli companies took a less benign view of [then Harvard University president Lawrence H.] Summers' position. Amidst the numerous wails of outrage Summers provoked, one, because of its great length and still greater indignation, stands out as a classic utterance of what has come to be called "antisemitism denial": Judith Butler's essay in the LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS (21 August 2003) entitled "No, it's not anti-semitic." [emphasis added]

From divestment to Mearhsheimer and Walt. Gabriel Schoenfeld writes about how David Remnick of The New Yorker defends them as serious scholars, victims of ugly attacks--while yet admitting:

Mearsheimer and Walt’s argument has been “badly undermined” by their depiction of Israel as a “singularly pernicious force in world affairs.” Although they “have not entirely forgotten their professional duties,” they come close to such dereliction, especially when they assert that “Israel and its lobbyists bear a great deal of blame for the loss of American direction, treasure, and even blood.”

And the ultimate for Mearsheimer's and Walt's excess: the evil Bush presidency. Yet when the smoke clears, the question still remains--as Schoenfeld makes clear:

But Remnick’s explanation just raises another question. Why should these two “serious scholars” seize on the “Israel Lobby,” of all things, as the all-purpose source of this lamentable mess?

David Remnick--and other defenders of Mearsheimer and Walt--are in denial.

Technorati Tag: Israel and Israel Lobby and Mearsheimer and Walt and David Remnick.