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Quote;in newpaper
I am a Zionist, a proud Muslim Zionist, and I love Israel, but this was not always the case. In fact, for many years I was quite the extreme opposite. I experienced the high levels of anti-Semitism and anti-Israel activity taking place on British university campuses, because I was the anti-Semitic, anti-Israel activist.
Growing up in the Muslim community in the UK I was exposed to materials and opinions at best condemning Israel, painting Jews as usurpers and murderers, and at worse calling for the wholesale destruction of the "Zionist Entity" and all Jews. In short, there was no accommodating a Jewish State in the Middle East.
My father, however, was much more brazen in his hatred, boasting of how Adolf Hitler was a hero, his only failing being that he didn't kill enough Jews.
By the time I had reached 18 I was completely indoctrinated to the fold of radical Islamism. My hate for Israel and for the Jews was fuelled by images of death and destruction, set to the backdrop of Arabic melodies about Jihad and speeches of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah or Osama Bin Laden.
These views were reinforced when I attended Nakba Day rallies, where speakers predicted Israel's demise as Hezbollah flags were waved proudly in the centre of London. I found myself in the Israel and Palestine section of a local bookstore and picked up a copy of Alan Dershowitz’s The Case for Israel. Given my worldview, the Jews and Americans controlled the media, so after brief look at the back, I scoffed thinking "vile Zionist propaganda."

I did, however, decide to buy it, content that I would shortly be deconstructing this propaganda piece, showing that Israel had no case and claiming my findings as a personal victory for the Palestinian cause.As I read Dershowitz’s arguments and deconstruction of many lies I saw as unquestionable truths, I searched despairingly for counter arguments, but found more hollow rhetoric that I’d believed for many years. I felt a real crisis of conscience, and thus began a period of unbiased research. Up until that point I had not been exposed to anything remotely positive about Israel. When it comes to Israel, the truth is not being heard, the ranks of those filed with blind hatred continue to swell, yet many have not been exposed to the reality, away from the empty rhetoric and politically charged slogans they are so fond of.Kasim Hafeez is a British Muslim and former Islamist who is now a proud Zionist and stands with Israel. He runs www.theisraelcampaign.org

pappidopoulos wrote:just look at the anti-israel campaigners, they all seem to have a nasty chip on their shoulder.

Interesting viewpoint.

Does anyone who opposes the ongoing Military Occupation of land captured in 1967 (and isn't part of Israel - but under millitary rule) is 'anti-Israel'?

Are all the Israelis who are against the on-going occupation and speak out against Human Rights abuses - such as the B'tselem in Israel - are they all anti-Israel?

As for Kasim Hafeez - good luck to him, he makes his case well in his blog. But I didn't immediately see what his stance was on the Military Occupation and the Palestinians.

However, he credits Dershowitz's book, 'A case of Israel'. That's a great book to read to see the pro-Israel argument. Then, for balance, one should read Finkelstein's critique of the arguments in that book - including the charge of plaguiarism. (He covers this in 'Beyond Chutzpah' but I found it detailed and not a great read, to be honest.. Finkelstein's anger comes through strong, and this spoils the book, but his points are factual and devastating for Dershowitz.)

This debate between the two is on the book - and for me Finkelstein wins this hands down - and thus Hafeez seems to be on shaky ground if his faith in zionism is based on the book:





Cheers,
Shafique

As for the ongoing Military Occupation of the desert land in 1967, as far as Israel concerned it part of Israel....... they need it for the Greeks who are moving to Israel - shame on them

LOL - well, given that the land captured in 67 is under Army rule and not normal Israeli laws etc, it isn't considered as part of Israel by Israel. But thanks for the laugh.

(The bits illegally annexed - such as Golan and East Jerusalem are the exceptions - the international courts and UN don't recognise this land grab, but Israel does want to pretend it is not illegal).

As for the Greeks - well the Jewish Greeks could do worse than go to Israel. No problems with that at all - but let's hope they go to Israel and not the Militarily Occupied lands captured in 67.

Cheers,

Shafique