Harry’s Place

(Hat tip: Flanker)

Har

“It should surprise nobody that President Hugo Chavez has ordered the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador to Venezuela in response to the current conflict with Hamas.” Good. I hope Britain, and many other countries, follows suit.

The sad fact is that when Chavez declares all Jews must wear yellow stars or what the modern day analog to that is, the leftists and ‘progressives’ will either ignore it or quietly cheer. And we already accept that the UN will be mute, at best. A new pogrom is coming and everyone will be as shocked this time as they were before. We learn nothing.

Oh Chavez, just because you emulate HP’s bizarre line of thinking won’t make them like you. Hehe.

BTW a funny anecdote, Venezuela has no ambassador in Israel, he was recalled during the Lebanon war, Israel is so desperate for recognition they did not truly reciprocate (the recall was only brief), so their ambassador stayed up until today.

BTW a funny anecdote, Venezuela has no ambassador in Israel, he was recalled during the Lebanon war, Israel is so desperate for recognition they did not truly reciprocate (the recall was only brief), so their ambassador stayed up until today.

Heh heh. Bet that has them rolling in the hallways at Miraflores.

Sorry, but aren’t you guys always calling for “Muslims” to speak out against Islamist terrorism?

Israel is so desperate for recognition they did not truly reciprocate (the recall was only brief), so their ambassador stayed up until today.

What an absolutely bizarre interpretation of international diplomacy. Keeping an ambassador is desperation for recognition? You’re really not playing with a full deck are you?

Sorry, but aren’t you guys always calling for “Muslims” to speak out against Islamist terrorism?

President of a country>political blog

No, I specifically do not, and I have argued against such calls frequently.

“Sorry, but aren’t you guys always calling for “Muslims” to speak out against Islamist terrorism?”

Islamic terrorists live amongst Muslim communities, and claim to speak on behalf of Islam, therefore some people call on Muslim communities to condemn those who commit atrocities in the name of their religion, and who on occasion live in their midst.

The aim is also to halt the spread of the ideology that leads to acts of Islamist terror.

The case of Israel is different. Irrespective if you agree or disagree with Israel’s actions, the State does not claim to be representing Judaism, and Jews living around the word should not be expected to to demonstrate views either favourably or negatively against the state of Israel.

Dont you always demand Muslims condemn acts of terror done by unelected fringe groups?

Seems in criticising Chavez you are criticising yourself

‘Good. I hope Britain, and many other countries, follows suit.’

TheHeilie, fuck right off.

‘Dont you always demand Muslims condemn acts of terror done by unelected fringe groups?

Seems in criticising Chavez you are criticising yourself’

That logic only follows if you’re brain-dead.

Incidentally, Chavez has sung the praises of a regime that follows apartheid against its female population, and racist and repressive policies against Ahvaz Arabs, Kurds and Baluchis. So he is actually a two-faced cunt. No surprises there.

Incidentally, Chavez has sung the praises of a regime that follows apartheid against its female population, and racist and repressive policies against Ahvaz Arabs, Kurds and Baluchis. So he is actually a two-faced cunt. No surprises there.

Ahmadinejad was given a hero’s welcome in Baghdad in march 2008.

I’ll be waiting, but not holding my breath, for the pro-war gang to denounce the US for having installed a government in Iraq that, unlike Saddam, sings the praises of a regime that follows apartheid against its female population, etc., etc.

What will be more worrying is if the Jewish community there do as Chavez
demands. I doubt they will, but I know that around the globe, Jews in general are feeling edgy, to say the least.

“I doubt they will, but I know that around the globe, Jews in general are feeling edgy, to say the least.”

Very true. Not surprising really when you see “Jihad in Palestine, Kill the Jews” scrawled in graffiti around your neighbourhood.

The Irie: “Good. I hope Britain, and many other countries, follows suit.”

Hold your breath, Irie.

As a supporter of the Venezuelan revolution, i absolutely condemn these comments.

“Venezuela has no ambassador in Israel, he was recalled during the Lebanon war, Israel is so desperate for recognition they did not truly reciprocate (the recall was only brief), so their ambassador stayed up until today.”

I’m sure that the Jews of Venezuela were grateful for that.

Perhaps the Jews of Venezuela feel more threatened than the Venezuelans in Israel?

The venom that equates anti-Israeli with anti-Jew is not exclusive to Venezuela, it has surfaced a lot closer to home too - Gaza conflict spreads to Europe with Jews attacked

I cannot believe the animosity directed to Israel for doing what any civilized country would do - protect its own citizens. Why is it that there is no mention of the barbaric practice of terrorists to use Human Shields and private homes and schools as launching pads for rocketing Israel? How come they know but you all do not know that the terrorists value the propaganda value of seeing innocent Palestinian children killed? How sick does our society have to become? Israel evacuated all of Gaza 3 years ago, left behind the means for Palestinians to make a life for themselves - greenhouses, industrial parks, etc. Yet, what have they done in 3 years? No industry, no greenhouses, no businesses - only rockets to be use against innocent Israeli citizens. 6,000 rockets in 3 years is enough. It is enough. If Chavez wants to act like a fool, let him. Kicking out the Israeli embassy denotes a deranged person.

“I cannot believe the animosity directed to Israel for doing what any civilized country would do - protect its own citizens.”

Mark Steyn:

I notice in the pictures of demonstrations in western cities many of the protestors appear to be Muslim. There is a crude arithmetic logic about European antipathy to the Zionist Entity: For your average finger-in-the-windy politician, there is simply no electoral upside in being pro-Israel, and quite a lot of potential downside. If you think Europe is soft on Israel’s “right to exist” now, just wait another ten years.

For your average finger-in-the-windy politician, there is simply no electoral upside in being pro-Israel, and quite a lot of potential downside. If you think Europe is soft on Israel’s “right to exist” now, just wait another ten years.

Our Father, who art in heaven, give us this day our daily dose of victimhood.

Europe has:

1) Upgraded its relations with Israel.
2) Stated Israel is not the aggressor in the Gaza conflict.
3) Voted for rabidly pro-Israel leaders like Berlusconi.
4) Modified the definition of antisemitism so that it now includes attacks on Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state.

With enemies like these, who needs friends…

“Perhaps the Jews of Venezuela feel more threatened than the Venezuelans in Israel?”

Perhaps Palestinians in Gaza are actually threatened, not feeling.

I don’t call on Muslims to denounce Islamic terrorism either. I consider the vast majority of Muslims who I believe are moderate to be the first victims of Islamic Fundamentalists. That is to say, they know better than anyone that if they speak out they are in imminent danger. That makes the Muslims who do make anti-Islamist statements (in Canada that would be Tarek Fateh and Irshad Manji) very brave. Most ordinary people, myself included, feel the same way but wouldn’t take the risk. I don’t blame them.

Israel has to practically beg for recognition, they know they cannot survive long if the international community turns their back on them. If a trade embargoe ever occurred their economy would look like Cuba’s.

The pro-war gang to denounce the US for having installed a government in Iraq

How desperate for an analogy do you have to be to make this wacko statement. The U.S. didn’t install the Maliki shiite government. It was elected. The U.S. made it plain it would have much preferred its man, Allawi to stay in power.

I do note, however, that HB is willing to denounce Iran for gender apartheid. However, if the analogy involved Iran/Israel relations, i doubt we’d be hearing about gender or any other type of Iranian apartheid. Still i suppose we should be grateful for small mercies, HB has denounced an enemy of Israel.

Mark Steyn:

mesquito, the last thing we need here is another edition of Mark Steyn’s “Eurabia” scare stuff.

“Flanker 7 January 2009, 12:52 am
“Perhaps the Jews of Venezuela feel more threatened than the Venezuelans in Israel?”
Perhaps Palestinians in Gaza are actually threatened, not feeling.”

Why that has any relevance to the question of embassies, only you can tell us.

Flanker: Only in your fond dreams would Israel’s economy look like Cuba’s. By the way, the only country that boycotts cuba is the U.S., it has trade relations with most or all others, including canada.

“”Venezuela needs to choose which side it is taking in this war. It must choose between those who fight terror and those who support it. It’s not surprising that Venezuela is once more clarifying to the world which side it is on.” (Roni Sofer)”

What a bunch of weak smack, retaliate (ooops no ambassador) then escalate: break off diplomatic relations.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3651846,00.html

“mesquito, the last thing we need here is another edition of Mark Steyn’s “Eurabia” scare stuff.”

Right, Gene. I agree. A substantial, and growing, minority of the population of Europe is zealously and irrevocably oppposed to the very idea of Isreal, but that does not affect those countries policies in the slightest.

“Why that has any relevance to the question of embassies, only you can tell us.”

Because you are using the same bait and switch cannard, Lands under Israeli occupation: Gaza ergo lands under Israeli responsibility: Gaza soooo any Venezuelan living in Gaza is under a DIRECT threat from Israel as opposed to the imaginary threat posed above.

“Flanker: Only in your fond dreams would Israel’s economy look like Cuba’s. By the way, the only country that boycotts cuba is the U.S., it has trade relations with most or all others, including canada.”

Has anybody ever taught you geography? Israel’s main trade partners are close to it. That is why no-trade is crippling for Cuba, they are next door to the US, while the rest of the world is far away. (that and that it is more like a blockade since no foreign company can do trade with Cuba and do trade with the US).

The IDF needs to bomb them all so people don’t nitpick and say oh you bombed a school- people don’t understand that terrorists can be all ages
It’s better that Israel wipe out their terrorist scum bag society so people can’t be so selective in their critiques. Did American’s not bomb the Germans and German schools? Did the British not take over New Zealand and kill the natives. Israel is different because Israel is protecting itself against terrorists that come in all sizes, ages and sexes.

“Israel’s main trade partners are close to it.”

Perhaps Flanker should learn some geography himself:

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/is.html

Exports - partners:
US 35%, Belgium 7.5%, Hong Kong 5.8% (2007)
Imports - partners:
US 13.9%, Belgium 7.9%, Germany 6.2%, China 6.1%, Switzerland 5.1%, UK 4.7%, Italy 4.1% (2007)

You made my point numbnuts, only 35% of exports and 14% of imports goes to the US, if the rest of the world were to boycott them they would be driving old Ladas or some such.

That is why they crave recognition and fear the SA under apartheid treatment, not that I myself care about boycotts…

“They are cowards,” he said. “It’s as though a boxing professional were to come here and challenge you to box. Well, how courageous! How courageous is the Israeli army!”

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/06/venezuela.israel/index.html

Why does Chavez automatically make a connection between Venezuela’s Jews and Israel?

Its something that HP does all the time - linking Jews to Israel. In the a discussion of the rights and wrongs of the war, Jews are always brought up. Not by me, but by those defending Israel’s actions.

I guess Chavez has simply concluded that some Jews are concerned about Israel. Which seems an entirely reasonable assumption to make, since Israel is a self described Jewish state, and many Jews have at least an opinion about it.

Of course, it is possible to disagree with Chavez asking Jews in Venezuela to take a stand against Israel. But to get worried about the assumption behind it is frankly absurd. Gene’s entire post is seeped in paranoia. He asks what would happen if they don’t condemn Israel. Is there any evidence at all that Chavez has ever tried to harm the Jewish community in Venezuela?

But Flanker, you said

“Israel’s main trade partners are close to it.”

This is a factually incorrect statement. It’s main trading partners are actually far away, as the statistics show.

Not only that, but amongst that list only Italy is closer to Israel than Venezuela (the largest trading partner of Cuba) is to Cuba.

Considering that the biggest synagogue bars Chavez from even setting foot in it, the real question is whether the Jewish community is persecuting huguito.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3369330,00.html

“This is a factually incorrect statement. It’s main trading partners are actually far away, as the statistics show.”

Oh boy don’t bother me with definition of “close”… lets just agree that relative proximity is vital for trade between nations since shipping costs puts goods at a disadvantage.

Also trade with Cuba is mostly political, they could be in the artic and it would still be the exact same amount.

Chavez is probably taking a leaf out his buddies from Iran’s playbook. Suggest to the local Jewish community that they need to denounce Israel. If they don’t, trump up some espionage charges, interrogate them (without “coercion” of course…), get their “confessions” and throw a few of them in prison and/or execute them. Set’s the community straight quick smart.

So much for caring about poor folks:

State-owned Citgo Petroleum Corp., which is based in Houston and distributes Venezuelan oil in the U.S., suspended a free heating oil program for poor Americans this week, according to Citgo’s nonprofit partner Citizens Energy.

And in the middle of winter, too. The bastard!

Link

Looks like home boy bit off more than he can chew. :D

Flanker, you fucking twat, the reason Israel did not withdraw its ambassador to VE is that Jews in Venezuela are more in need of consular services nowadays, not less.

Venezuelans in Israel, on the other hand (Catholic pilgrims, mostly) know they can go to almost any other Latin American consulate if they get in trouble.

Boogski,

Yes, because oil prices have fallen. However, whether or not you agreed with the programme, it undoubtedly helped the 200,000 poor folk in America who used it, who curiously did not refuse the help, despite the fact that Chavez is supposed to be sworn enemy of the US. Of course, that may be something to do with the fact that the US govt is not known for its generosity towards the poor in America, to put it mildly.

I’d like to point out that for many years there was a complete Arab trade boycott on Israel, including a secondary boycott. If a company traded with Israel, that meant it could not do business in Arab countries. As far as I know, the boycott has mostly broken down (certainly the secondary boycott has). But even when it was in full force, Israel had plenty of trading partners aside from the U.S.

As a supporter of the Venezuelan revolution, i absolutely condemn these comments.

Thank you.

Flanker: “… the Jewish community …”

Given your obvious concern for the “Jewish community”, can you remind HP readers whether you think President Ahmadinejad is an antisemite or not?

Well, at least Chávez is a Venezuelan asking other Venezuelans to take a stance.

But former Israeli ambassador to Argentina, Rafael Eldad, once asked an Argentinian journalist not to identify himself as an international analyst — unless he said things favorable to Israel. Here’s the quote (translated from Spanish):

He maintained that “what Brieger does is, in my view, mislead, I would even say deceive the public” and asked him to “refrain from describing himself as an international analyst, and make it clear he has very well-formed anti-Israeli opinions, and always anti-Israeli ones — never from the other side.”

That a diplomat should blunder thus is truly amazing.

Yet I don’t recall Harry’s Place publishing an indignant post about this open attack on freedom of speech.

Flanker

Please, cut the crap. Evidence of homophobia and antisemitism has been largely collected from many followers of chavismo, including the big boss (never mind machismo and racism). Support to terrorist from chavismo is also amply documented, and includes much more than just the FARC who Chavez vocally supported until he could not do it publicly anymore (Piedad does that for him today).

But Chavez s just one big fat cowardly slob who at no single point has been willing to consider seriously to do what it takes to put his money where his mouth is: oil keeps flowing to the US while US allies oil keep flowing to Israel.

Meanwhile it is the Jews that are emigrating from Venezuela and terrorists that are moving in. Slice it and dice it as you wish, it still remains a one way street under chavismo.

Yes, because oil prices have fallen. However, whether or not you agreed with the programme, it undoubtedly helped the 200,000 poor folk in America who used it, who curiously did not refuse the help, despite the fact that Chavez is supposed to be sworn enemy of the US. Of course, that may be something to do with the fact that the US govt is not known for its generosity towards the poor in America, to put it mildly.

Prices go up and prices go down, Benjamin. What bothers me is that at the first sign of trouble, Chavez tucks tail and runs. The pussy. He’s nothing more than a fair weather champion.

Price of oil up = ‘See how good socialism is, people?’

Price of oil down = ‘Sorry. Can’t help you.’

” Israel is so desperate for recognition they did not truly reciprocate (the recall was only brief), so their ambassador stayed up until today.”

Another dumb comment by Flankey. The Israeli Ambassador is there to serve the Jewish community and not Chavez.

Hungry for recognition from an Jew hating megalomaniac?

I don’t think so.

“Meanwhile it is the Jews that are emigrating from Venezuela and terrorists that are moving in. Slice it and dice it as you wish, it still remains a one way street under chavismo.”

Chavismo will go the way of Sovietismo only sooner.

The Soviets too broke relations with Israel persecuted Soviet Jews.

So where are the Soviets today?

What about the Nazis?

Flankey is looking for them. Thinks he found them in Chavismo That’s the pathetic joke around here.

Russian fighter bombers are quite expensive. Il Hugo needs to husband his cash so he can pay for the arms race he’s started in South America. Never mind that unemployment and inflation are around 30% and the rural poor are as bad off or worse than they were 20 years ago. Blame some Jews!!!! Blame the Gringos!!! But here is a guy who pays gangs to beat people up in the streets so that his political party mostly wins. Don’t discount a new pogrom starting in Venezuela. Chavez is a thug.

Chavez has a long history of making antisemitic statements and alluding to conspiracy theories so beloved of the far-left, far-right and Islamo-Fascists. When he refers on his own TV show to ;

“minorities, descendants of those who crucified Christ” and those who had “grabbed all the wealth.”

I wonder who he could be talking about. Just another power mad bigot looking for scapegoats to cover up his own incompetence. Isn’t it amazing how those despots who seek to gain absolute power for themselves always make up enemies who they claim are trying to gain the same thing.

Oh and fuck Livingstone and Galloway. They support this loathsome little Hitler as well as Hamas.

Er.. at the risk of returning to the point, in what respects does Chavez’s comment go further than things said by, e.g. Alexei Sayle?

Patrick Gray,

Is there any evidence of the Chavez govt actually persecuting Jews in Venezuela?

Just another power mad bigot looking for scapegoats to cover up his own incompetence. Isn’t it amazing how those despots who seek to gain absolute power for themselves always make up enemies who they claim are trying to gain the same thing.

Ah yes, a “power mad bigot”, a “despot”, seeking to “gain absolute power” who curiously holds elections, has a democratic constitution, allows national recall votes, and nation votes on changes to the constitution, allows ex-ministers to campaign against him, and stubbornly refused to persecute those that tried to overthrow him by force in 2002.

Interesting “despot”, that.

Daniel Duquenal

Some people have left Venezuela because they rather bizarrely think its some sort of nascent communist state where they can’t make any money, or won’t be able to. Very odd.

If its true that Jews are leaving, do you know why? Is it because Chavez’s government is actively persecuting them? Or is it because they just don’t like the govt more generally? Is it because of the economic climate? I suppose the last two are pretty run of the mill reasons (can’t please everybody), but the first one is rather more serious.

Daniel Duquenal

I am sure you are very disappointed with the last referendum (blimey, how many referendum does Venezuela have, the last one the UK had one was 34 years ago), which you won (I presume you voted No). Since you think you are living in a dictatorship (I think it was you who described Chavez as a fascist, or it could have been someone else), I assume you think the vote was rigged in some way. Perhaps Chavez rigged it for the No campaign to make things more exciting.

ChrisC
“Er.. at the risk of returning to the point, in what respects does Chavez’s comment go further than things said by, e.g. Alexei Sayle?”

Last time I checked Alexei Sayle was not the president of any country. Chavez, unlike Sayle, has the power to do a lot more than just saying things.

Off topic - “France’s Channel 2 have once again shown their true colors” (via http://www.israellycool.com/ ):
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1053225.html

ChrisC
7 January 2009, 6:04 am

“Er.. at the risk of returning to the point, in what respects does Chavez’s comment go further than things said by, e.g. Alexei Sayle?”

Who said it did ChrisC?

Although some naive souls might think that the comments sound different from a Leader of Country Vs Not very widely known jewish comedian.

For fucks sake im not sure that the likes of Hong Kong Benji, The Iriot or this bloke actually think before they type.

MattG

Sorry, don’t know if this has been covered.

What other community groups or organisations in Venezuela have been asked to denounce Israel?

I object to such calls out of principle. If Mr. Chavez, whose adviser was for a long time an extreme right wing Holocaust denier, is asking a special gesture of Jewish citizens of his country, this is wrong. After all the Jews of Venezuela have no right to vote in Israel.
In Venezuela there is a blooming left-wing antisemitism and Chavez’ call fits into that.
His call is an attack on equal rights.

“Of course, it is possible to disagree with Chavez asking Jews in Venezuela to take a stand against Israel. But to get worried about the assumption behind it is frankly absurd. Gene’s entire post is seeped in paranoia. ”

Yes. Jews are paranoid.

Its good to know that a non-jewish gentile who doesn’t appear to get out very much or have a great deal of insight about anything understands every threat to jews highlighted on this website as a ’storm in a teacup’ a ’smear’ or ‘paranoia’.

Im sure the worlds jews are very comforted.

MattG

I mean, if it’s that important what people think about a particular political issue, then they should ask everyone. Like a referendum. That would cost a lot of money I suppose, so there’d have to be a point.

The point of a referendum is to find out what the public think is right, and then the government does that. (Sort of). In this case, the government knows what is right, and merely wants to find out who doesn’t agree so that they can er… sorry erm…

What should happen to the people who vote the wrong way?

They could have poo dropped on them ha-ha!!!11!!

Hmm. Probably best to only ask people you already don’t like.

“non jewish gentile”

perhaps ‘gentile’ will suffice.

MattG

Has-been comedan or about-to-be-has-been head of state, hot air is hot air. Please let’s not assume Venezuela’s jews are subject to persecution when there is not one iota of evidence to substantiate such a claim.

His call is an attack on equal rights.

Except its not really. Because he actually has to do something more than just ask Jews to denounce Israel, for it to be an attack on equal rights.

In my opinion its inappropriate for the President to say such a thing, but barring more evidence that Chavez’s govt actually does anything more than that, I won’t put it stronger than that.

There are two pro-Israel demos in London coming up. One is tonight in Kensington High Street, 7.45pm

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=68300403624

The second is on Sunday at 10.40 am for 11am in Trafalgar Square

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=59114330154

Yes. Jews are paranoid.

Fascinating. I actually said Gene’s post is “seeped in paranoia”, not “Jews are paranoid”. The post rather gives that impression when Gene imputes some malign intent towards Jews in Chavez’s cited comments, and the fact that Chavez “made a connection between Venezuela’s Jews and Israel”, and the curious question at the end. All this without providing any evidence that Chavez has or does engage in any actual persecution of Jews.

Do I have the right to have the head of state ask me to denounce Israel?

That’d be exciting. I’d feel special.

Chaves is doing the usual Arab ruler stuff. “Jews! You march with these flags denouncing Zionism! Or else…”

ChrisC
7 January 2009, 8:01 am

“Has-been comedan or about-to-be-has-been head of state, hot air is hot air. ”

Errr no, what crap. Aside from which, I pointed out that no-one has/had actually stated there to be a difference between the two quotes.

Thus your question itself was ‘hot air’.

MattG

So Benjamin thinks that Chavez has in no way acted dictatorially.

Aside from shutting down independent media stations, paying armed thugs to beat up political opponents, packing the courts with this flunkies, taking part in a coup in the early 90’s.

There are many countries that hold “elections” that are in no way democratic. I’m sure that were Benjamin alive in 1933 he would be saying ” well Hitler won the election so we should give him the benefit of the doubt until he really does something “.

Benji’s reasoning seems to be that nothing should be done before we see Jewish blood running through the streets. I would say that staying silent in the face of obvious and blatant antisemitic attacks emboldens those who make them to take things to the next stage.

Oh and still fuck Livingstone and Galloway.

Can anyone provide any evidence of Anti Semitic persecution in Venezuela?

ChrisC
“Please let’s not assume Venezuela’s jews are subject to persecution when there is not one iota of evidence to substantiate such a claim.”

Who’s assuming?!?

You should try google sometime. It helps.

http://daniel-venezuela.blogspot.com/2006/09/anti-semitism-in-venezuela-it-is.html

http://bsimmons.wordpress.com/2007/02/23/official-antisemitism-erupts-in-venezuela/

http://www.tau.ac.il/Anti-Semitism/asw2006/venezuela.htm

Need more? Goooooooogle!!!!!!!!

ChrisC and grrrrrr
Links coming soon. Comment in moderation queue, due to amount of links I guess.

ChrisC and grrrrrr
Links coming soon. Comment in moderation queue, due to amount of links I guess.
See above.

For your average finger-in-the-windy politician, there is simply no electoral upside in being pro-Israel, and quite a lot of potential downside.

And the same applies to journalists. No career upside in being pro-Israel (or even in being fair), but lots of downside.

A journalist prefers to abuse the English language with new one-sided understandings of “peace” and “ceasefire”, than to portray the situation in a way that might be positive to Israel.

Patrick Gray

Thank you for delightfully over the top comment - its what makes HP such a hoot.

I do not deny that Chavez does some objectionable things, I merely note the elections, and other behaviour etc., as evidence that he is not actually a dictator now. I think the elections were free and fair. Its always possible that Chavez may become dictator, but he hasn’t yet.

Benji’s reasoning seems to be that nothing should be done before we see Jewish blood running through the streets.

I will repeat what I said previously with the bit you didn’t register properly in bold.

In my opinion its inappropriate for the President to say such a thing, but barring more evidence that Chavez’s govt actually does anything more than that, I won’t put it stronger than that.

I hope that clears things up for you.

“Another dumb comment by Flankey. The Israeli Ambassador is there to serve the Jewish community and not Chavez. ”

Have some self-respect man, we yours out, you have to do the same. Seriously starved for attention, starting to think this whole military adventure is the same.

“Never mind that unemployment and inflation are around 30% and the rural poor are as bad off or worse than they were 20 years ago.”

Just like those 400 thousand killed in Gaza, silly neocons and your numbers out of your ass games.

” Don’t you strongly reject all acts of persecution?” Chavez said.”
That sod,Chavez.He is trying to start a Will-you condemn-athon! We are the guys who start Will-you-condemn-athons!We invented them!

I don’t believe the Jewish community of Venezuela has any obligation to denounce Israel. They’re Venezuelans, not Israelis.

However, when the opposition daily Tal Cual published a photo of Chávez with a Hitler moustache under the headline “Heil Hugo,” one would have expected Venezuela’s Jews to denounce the analogy, stating that nothing, nothing can be compared to the tyrannical regime that murdered 6 million Jews in cold blood. Did they?

Chávez has been subjected to Nazi analogies not just by extremist bloggers, but also by mainstream newspapers, by the Brazilian Congress and even by the Defense Secretary of the United States. But it looks like in this case such analogies suddenly cease to be wrong, and the Jewish community seems to be quite comfortable with them.

Ditto for Harry’s Place.

Benjamin

Do you think that your comments exempt you to reply to what I actually wrote? What has the 2007 referendum to do with the “Jewish question in Venezuela”?

At any rate your example was very ill chosen becasue indeed the 2007 result is not what it seems. Perhaps you might care to explain to us why is it that the complex 2008 regional results are known in full and yet the simple 2007 final results have still not been published.

Electoral fraud exists in Venezuela and it starts way, way before the first vote is cast in an election. In fact the pre-election fraud is so big that these days Chavez does not need to alter much the actual results.

Now, let’s go back to Chavez anti semitism, shall we?