David Stavrou, an Israeli writer based in Sweden debunks the idea that the Aftonbladet blood libel isn’t so serious because it targeted the IDF, not Jews in general:
The differentiation between Jews and Israel in this case, like in many others, is wishful thinking on the part of many. In reality, there is no differentiation. Like it or not, Israel and the Jewish people are intertwined, each paying the price when the other is attacked, each rising and falling with the others’ successes and failures. Aftonbladet knows this of course and takes advantage of it. They can make racist attacks disguised as legitimate political journalism.
Theirs isn’t traditional anti-Semitism based on religion (the Jews killed Jesus). It isn’t even modern anti-Semitism (the Jews are rich and control the world). This is post modern anti-Semitism. It’s all about ratings and it’s business orientated. It sells newspapers. Nobody cares about the truth because it’s subjective anyway, nobody has time for research and you can definitely count on it that no one will take responsibility. The writer gets his 15 minutes of fame; the paper makes millions. And damn the consequences.
Stavrou flies in the face of Seth Freedman, a frequent contributor to The Guardian’s Comment is Free section. Here’s how Freedman, who served in the IDF, inexplicably reacted to Aftonbladet:
However, bad journalism does not automatically an antisemite make, especially when the allegations were directed at the Israeli army, rather than at Judaism and its practices. Had the article claimed that Jewish teaching encouraged the killing of gentile children and the use of their blood for ritual purposes – the classic definition of blood libel, and the origin of the phrase – it would be another matter, but in this case the accusations are clearly made against a subsection of Israeli society, not against Israelis per se, let alone the worldwide Jewish community.
Memo to Freedman: Bostrom referred to the New Jersey scandal too, broadens the body-snatching to a global level.
