Chief Rabbi Dov Lior compared US President Barak Obama to Haman – an enemy of the Jews in the Book of Esther- during a conference in the West Bank this week, Army Radio reported Friday.
He also labeled the Obama a “kushi” of the West, a derogatory term used to describe people of African descent.
In the same speech, the rabbi branded the Europeans as “Nazi collaborators,” and called for increased settlement activity in the West Bank “to eradicate the jungle.”
In reaction to his comments, MK Zahava Gal-On (Meretz) called on Attorney-General Yehuda Weinstein to launch an investigation against the rabbi for incitement to racism.
“Rabbi Lior’s comments stink of racism. This does not surprise me from someone who started with incitement against Arabs, and now called the US president names taken from the era of slavery. The rabbi belongs in prison,” said Gal-On.
(Source: Jpost)
Well, it seems that “MK Zahava Gal-On” does not believe in freedom of speech, at least not for those who disagree with her leftist agenda.
“Kushi” is NOT a racist term, it simply means one from the land of Kush, which is Ethiopia. Since the natives of Ethiopia are black, it is a generic term for ‘black’. Is ‘black’ a racist word?
“Rabbi Lior’s comments stink of racism” she says.
I would say HER WORDS stink of anti-Jewishness.
Zahava, if you want to live in a non-Jewish socialist state MOVE to Cuba (or maybe wait another year or two and move to the U.S.)
Who is more dangerous, this ultra zionist extremist spewing his incitment against the nations, or neturei karta.
The nk are crazy but harmless, while this Rabbi Lior brings hatred, especially for Religious Jews.
most of the neturei karta ned a shower and a mental hospital.
most of the ultra zionists want security for eretz yisroel.
1. Don’t trust Jerusalem Post.
2. I doubt he ever met Obama, and perhaps not even an African American, but he has met Europeans and since we have long memories, prejudice against all Europeans, even if unfair and not reflecting the world today, is to be expected.
3. Note the “liberal” opposition politician who made clear her opposition to the concept of free speech and democracy.
4. If you want a free democratic country where all groups have an opportunity to live in peace, try America.
As far as Obama being compared to Haman that’s just false and invited. Haman tried to wipe out the Jewish people. Save Haman comparisons for Khomeini and Ahmadinejad.
As for calling Europeans Basically collaborators he is right that’s what they were and they would do it again. Abring Semites is quite alive in Europe. Google for incidents of anti Semites and you will see that there’s some pretty bad stories happening in every European country.
YW Moderator: Don’t YWN rules forbid name calling, especially of rabbanim?!? I think comment #2 by ‘sane conservative” should be removed.
MODERATORS RESPONSE: His comment hasd been edited.
@1:
Israel’s “freedom of speech” is not the same as the US.
Incitement and hate speech are handled differently in EY.
As for the comments themselves, I find them overwrought. Not everyone who disagrees with us is a Haman or a Hitler. Not ever political movement we don’t like is Naziism.
Where is our sense of nuance?
Rabbi lior’s comments are grotesque. They must be condemned. President Obama is president of the medinah shel chesed. He deserves our utmost respect. Racisim has no saction. Rabbi lior should apologize immediatley.
#1 “Kushi of the west” is a racist term.
It is a shame that only Zahava Gal-On of Meretz is expressing outrage at these horrible comments. Every sane individual should be outraged by Rabbi Lior’s horrible remarks.
Bear in mind that Rav Dov Lior is one of the greatest gedolei hatorah alive today. Even if you disagree with him, it has to be with kavod.
#8, where in halacha do you find such a term as “medinah shel chesed”? In what way does it differ from any other medinah, and why on earth do you imagine Rav Lior has a chiyuv to treat its despicable president with respect?
For that matter, in which siman in shulchan aruch will I find an issur on racism? When exactly did it become an avera?
PS: What I do, find, #8, is a CLEAR OBLIGATION to respect “man malki rabanan”, which you are blatantly violating.