News item:
A South Korean publisher agreed Thursday to withdraw a best-selling children’s book from stores after meeting with a prominent anti-Semitism watchdog group that accused the author of spreading messages echoing Nazi propaganda.
The series of comic books, titled “Meon Nara, Yiwoot Nara,” or “Far Countries, Near Countries” and authored by visual arts professor Rhie Won-bok, purports to teach children about the world and has sold more than ten million copies since the first volume was published in 1987.
One of three books on the US initially published in 2004 contains a chapter claiming Jews were the driving force for the hatred that led to the Sept. 11 attacks, that they exert control over all US media and also prevent Korean-Americans from succeeding in the United States…
[Rabbi Abraham] Cooper [of the Wiesenthal Center] said the author’s responses were inadequate and that he did not expect him to play a role in resolving the issue.
“The net effect of what he’s done here is a disaster and he just doesn’t get it,” Cooper said. “I hope he will someday, but in the meantime this book’s got to go.”
Rhie could not be immediately reached for comment. However, he had earlier maintained despite the criticism that his depiction of Jews in the book was accurate and insisted he was not anti-Semitic. — AP (YNet) (my emphasis)
What is so chilling to me is the way the antisemitic “memes” spread, become part of the collective conventional wisdom of human society, and become so deeply embedded that they are no longer recognized as hateful. Scotsmen are frugal, elephants never forget, Americans are loud and rich, and Jews are devils.
There are strong Anti- Semitic elements in Christianity, Islam, and even Enlightentment Thought. The vicious Radical Left Israel- hatred of Chomsky and company can look with perverted pride to a predecessor in Voltaire.
But that said it is important to remember that there are well- funded vicious anti- Semitic campaigns presently operating. One such is Saudi Arabia’s intense work is spreading the ‘Protocols of the Elders of Zion’ throughout the Middle East and Third World. Another is the incessant hate which emanates from Islamic media in general, demonizing the Jews.
The only answer to this as I understand it is providing solid information which can counter the demonizing myths. However as we know all the solid information and evidence in the world will not change the opinion of those who need to hate, and find a scapegoat for their own ills in hating a small people, who( pound for pound) have contributed more to the well- being and benefit of mankind than any other.