DOC Jews Against Themselves by From Edward Alexander in History

Review

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful. Jew hatred by JewsBy Lawrence W. WhiteThere is a large crowd of politically active cognoscenti who make it their business to criticize Israel at every turn. These are the folks who blame Israel for fighting back against their attackers; whether Hamas rockets or Palestinians wielding knives. Of great interest and concern is the fact that many of the Jew haters who participate in these activities are themselves Jewish. This is not surprising; since there is a long history of this sort of behavior; often referred to (inaccurately) as self-hating Jews.In describing this phenomenon; Edward Alexander has combined extensive and important scholarship with an engaging style. His book is destined to be the definitive word on this subject; as he takes on the more mainstream anti-Israel groups such as J Street; as well as the boycott. delegitimize; and sanctions (BDS) crowd of Jewish Voice for Peace (a misnomer; since most of its "voices" do not identify as Jewish; and certainly do nothing to promote peace.One of the most interesting targets is so-called "Rabbi" Michael Lerner; a self-styled modern prophet whose chief goal is his own aggrandizement. . Professor Alexander exposes Lerner's earlier days when he was a left-wing violent agitator; as well as a bully who threatened law suits against any opponents; He follows his career to the present; when under the guise of a "sadness on both sides sanctimony;; heaps scorn on Israel.This book deserves to be widely read by anyone interested in the Middle East conflict; and in particular anyone wishing to understand the critical domestic lobbying against Jews and their concerns; frequently used by Jews themselves. These nefarious folks use the media to join in the dishonesty of the various anti-Israel actors. Further; the frequent refrain; "As a Jew; I particularly deplore the actions of Israel …." is understood for what it is; moral preening by some Jews; who are neither factually correct nor engaged in moral speech and actions. Hopefully this book will be widely read by both Jews and non=Jews.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. This should be obligatory reading for all decent people and ...By Margalit FliegelmannThis should be obligatory reading for all decent people and those who have a sense of justice. You do not need to be a Jew to have to read this book.Very clear and well researched; it takes on all those that I; for one; have simply dismissed as cranks so far. They are too many by now to be dismissed and much as some of their arguments are unpalatable to the point of being nauseating; this book respectfully and without name calling addresses all points for what they are; rather then who writes them. I am going to buy a few copies (I myself read the Kindle version) to hand out to people I care about. I can only thank the author for having gone to such length and employed such elegant scholarly rigor to research and write this indispensable book19 of 22 people found the following review helpful. Edward Alexander's Jews Against ThemselvesBy Abigail L. RosenthalEdward Alexander has put together the indispensable map of contemporary Jewish self-betrayal. This is the source book; the "who's who" or rogues gallery of fashionable "anti-Zionism." Their roguish strategy is to summon the sole Jewish state to a purity of conduct incompatible with real life in any possible world. Edward Alexander's intellectual precision and moral fearlessness makes it possible for the reader to look directly at a subject as disturbing and disorienting as any in the landscape. The book has another virtue. Essay after essay is a model of English prose. Walking unsullied through a landscape of marsh; quicksand; bad faith; opportunism and evasion; Alexander the writer manages never to sound a false note.