To bin the latest Sally Rooney?

[JumperandJacket]

Genuinely shocked by the news she has banned the translation of her book into Hebrew. I can see no reading of this that isn’t straightforward antisemitism. She may claim it’s a protest against the Israeli government but to equate Hebrew speakers with the government of Israel is in itself deeply racist. The only other writer I know of to have done this is Icke-fancier, Alice Walker.

Plus the book is boring as shit.

Has she refused to have her novels published in Mandarin or Arabic? Plenty of human rights abuses perpetrated by China and Arab states.

Why only single out Hebrew/Israel?

@lonelyapple

Has she refused to have her novels published in Mandarin or Arabic? Plenty of human rights abuses perpetrated by China and Arab states.

Why only single out Hebrew/Israel?

She's boycotting a single publisher. Not a language.

@Clawdy so do you think that everyone boycotting Chinese goods right now should also boycott Israeli products to keep parity?

[quote Porcupineintherough]@Clawdy so do you think that everyone boycotting Chinese goods right now should also boycott Israeli products to keep parity?[/quote]
Exactly!

But we all know it's not really alleged 'double standards' that people are bothered about here. None of them would be making a fuss if she boycotted a Chinese or Iranian publisher. They'd probably be praising her.

Amazing how many people are willing to are willing to jump on a bandwagon without fact checking first.

Legitimate anti semitism is all too often ignored, because people are too busy lapping up salacious journalism like this.

@Porcupineintherough

Well its already been suggested on this thread that criticism of Israel is anti-semitic unless one also and simultaneously critises a whole list of other countries for human rights offences. A splendid piece of whataboutry.

Exactly this!!

@lonelyapple

Has she refused to have her novels published in Mandarin or Arabic? Plenty of human rights abuses perpetrated by China and Arab states.

Why only single out Hebrew/Israel?

Except she hasn't done this but isn't accusing people of anti-semitism something of a past time nowadays.

Isn’t crying out “antisemitism!!” in response to just about anything to do with Israel a bit of a pastime these days?

Oh sorry, @VladmirsPoutine. I misread your comment. We are making the same point. Apologies.

Couldn't agree with you more, @MRex and @EishetChayil.

As for this: I choose not to acknowledge their non legally binding, working definition. Ridiculous to think that any criticism of the state of Israel is antisemitic.

Firstly, the IHRA explicitly states that criticism levelled at Israel of the same standard that is levelled at any other nation cannot be regarded as antisemitic. Your claim that anyone who criticises Israel legitimately is accused of antisemitism is factually incorrect.
Secondly: You choose not to accept it? Just as well that it's acceptance by various institutions, nations and political parties, and the fact that it is agreed upon by the majority of Jewish people (between 88% and 95%, according to CAA) is out of your hands, then. How Jewish people define prejudice shown towards them and the ways to protect and make them feel safe is not, and never will be, your decision to make.

@Littleheart5

She’s Irish. Irish people support the rights of the Palestinian people and are against the human rights abuses committed against them by the state of Israel. Having been an occupied state ourselves we have understanding for those in the same situation.

Absolutely.

@Littleheart5

She’s Irish. Irish people support the rights of the Palestinian people and are against the human rights abuses committed against them by the state of Israel. Having been an occupied state ourselves we have understanding for those in the same situation.

Exactly!

Nothing to do with anti-semitism and everything to do with the unlawful occupation of land.

I don't see that she's done anything wrong. She's allowed to decide what publishers she does business with, surely.

Just as consumers are allowed to decide whether to buy/read her books or toss them theatrically in the bin. It won't make much difference to her though.

@IcedPurple 🤣🤣🤣Perfect! The number of people who get that little fact wrong...

Firstly, the IHRA explicitly states that criticism levelled at Israel of the same standard that is levelled at any other nation cannot be regarded as antisemitic. Your claim that anyone who criticises Israel legitimately is accused of antisemitism is factually incorrect.

What is the relevant authority which gets to define 'legitimate' criticism of a nation state? If someone criticises China, Iran, Venezuela, the US or any other nation, do they have to satisfy olhers as to the 'legitmate' nature of their criticism? And do they have to ensure that they simultaneously criticise other nations, perhaps including Israel?

The Irish, like the Scottish and Welsh nationalists, think of themselves as victims of English colonialism

That's probably because they are.

I'm Irish, not particularly nationalistic actually, but it's hard to exaggerate how much people here have been impoverished societally, financially, culturally and emotionally by 800 years of British interference.

Good for her! She doesn't appear to be anti-semitic, just not wanting to work with an israel publisher, and frankly, given the disgusting regine in Israel, i don't blame her.

[quote JumperandJacket]@NothingSafe That's interesting- not what I had heard so I'll try and find out a bit more. The story as presented in the press today is shocking.[/quote]
and this is why it's always good to do your own research instead of relying on the headlines...

I listened to an Irish man speaking very compellingly on the radio the other day about the four years he spent as a voluntary human rights observer in Palestine and the parallels with the famine. It was appalling what he witnessed and his account will stay with me for a long time. I understand "boycotting" originated in Ireland, when the local community used social ostracisation rather than violent means to force fairer terms from occupying landlords (freezing out the hired hand, Captain Boycott). Seems fair game to me!

@peruse

Your OP isn’t correct - she has refused to work with an Israeli publisher, for obvious reasons. Good on her!

Agree

In Ireland we stand in solidarity with Palestine

@TheKeatingFive

The Irish, like the Scottish and Welsh nationalists, think of themselves as victims of English colonialism

That's probably because they are.

I'm Irish, not particularly nationalistic actually, but it's hard to exaggerate how much people here have been impoverished societally, financially, culturally and emotionally by 800 years of British interference.

Oh I'm Irish too, I get it. But this making out were all antisemitic because of it is such bollocks and being stirred up now.

But this making out were all antisemitic because of it

Supporting Palestinian rights isn't being anti Semitic

I know Keating, I'm agreeing with you but probably not phrasing it well.

How do all of you know that she hasn’t refused any other translations? Nobody might have approached her.