Author: AJDS

A Puzzling Report from the Anti-Defamation Commission

by AJDS on

This was published as an opinion piece in the Australian Jewish News (2 April 2009) The AJDS is puzzled that the Australian Jewish News (26 March 2009) regards as front-page news an Anti-Defamation Commission report by Dr Phillip Mendes about events that took place nearly a decade ago.

 

Debate within our community on Arab-Jewish dialogue is always important, but a particular person’s anecdotal experience with a now defunct academic organisation in which two out of three of his adversaries were Jewish, provides no basis to conclude that dialogue is worthless.

Undermining the Progressive Left

by AJDS on

This is  my personal take on Philip Mendes’ recent report for the Anti-Defamation Commission of Bnai Brith. Not only is it an attack on intercommunal dialogue, but a not-so-subtle attempt to discredit the AJDS and the Palestinian intellectual class (who should not be put into the same basket).  It is reflective of the type of argument used by many on the right to discredit all critics of Israeli policy

It is intellectually, a flawed and disingenous piece of writing.  The blog is my personal opinion.

 

Closed Zone: A new video about Gaza by Yoni Goodman

by AJDS on

Yoni Goodman, one of the creators of “Waltz with Bashir”, which won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Academy Award, today has launched a new animated short film entitled “Closed Zone”. He created the short for “Gisha – Legal Center for Freedom of Movement”. The 90-second film mixes animation with realistic shots to depict the closure imposed on the Gaza Strip by Israel for more than 1.5 years.

An Unhelpful Discourse on Israel

by AJDS on

Jeff Halper, the Israeli anti-demolitions activist, gives his account of the campaign of censorship by the ‘Lobby’ in Australia.  To its credit, the Australian Jewish News ran it as a letter as well.

It appeared on Anthony Lowenstein’s blog (and we don’t endorse a lot of what Anthony says), but at least he has given Jeff the space to make his case).

New Israel Fund

by AJDS on

The New Israel Fund (NIF) is the leading organization committed to democratic change within Israel. Since 1979, NIF has fought for social justice and equality for all Israelis.  We believe that Israel can live up to its founders’ vision of a state that ensures complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants, without regard to religion, race or gender.