Confessions of an Accused 'Self-Hating Jew'

I have attempted to make two posts to your pieces, yet neither has appeared. Any idea why my comments haven't been allowed? They were not inflammatory. Although I did point out that you defended the indefensible comments of Helen Thomas. So this is a test to see if the editor will allow you, Helen Thomas, and the anti-Israeli group to be critized.

I don't know how ANYONE (other than someone in the media) could defend such comments. Funny I didn't hear bonnie goldstein defending Don Imus when he called the women basketball players "nappy headed ho's"? Helen thomas has made several comments over the (many) years which could be called "anti-semitic"; however only because of the internet were these comments known. These comments showed how ugly she is on the inside and she shouldn't have been forced to retire she should have been FIRED. Shame on you bonnie goldstein for defending helen thomas.

I think it's commendable that you admit that you may and will work on educating yourself. I'm not Jewish, but I and millions of other Christians support Israel and do all we can from here in America because we know the truth as the other bloggers have stated & know that God has said that those who bless Israel will be blessed and those who don't will be cursed (Gen. 12:3). For the whole reason why we have been seeing wars there, see the story of Abraham's sons Ishmael (Arabs) and his half brother Isaac(Jews),Genesis 16, 17 - jealousy about God's "contract" with Isaac & prophesied trouble until the end of time.
Many were amazed that you seemed unaware or didn't acknowledge truths before writing an article that is read all over the world on such an emotional and important issue. Many other newspeople reported that they've always known about her views....she let it be known clearly for many years. FYI also, we have a President now that is anti-Israel. Indeed, a very dire time......

I read your comment about anti-semitism in your article:

"Anti-semitism was at the root of the worst human atrocities in the history of living generations and, like any form of xenophobia, feels very personal to members of the targeted group. Being critical of Israel is not ipso facto anti-semitism but if you are anti-Semitic, you probably don't like Israel much, so the two perceptions often overlap."

Please note that within Israel itself, one can express their opposition to a government opinion. In fact, after the flotilla incident, several editorials were highly critical of the incident. The people who wrote these editorials aren't anti-semtic--they're Israelis. In contrast, all you have to do is listen to Helen Thomas' comment in real time and realize that she is anti-semetic--she's against the very existence of Israel. I recognize that Bonnie Goldstein might feel some connection to Helen Thomas as a woman journalist, but I think your respect is misplaced. Respect isn't just about holding your own in the professional arena--respect is earned by the way you live your life. Helen Thomas wouldn't be allowed to express her opinions in the Gaza, but then again, with opinions like these, she would probably be allowed to express this one opinion. Perhaps her next job will be as press attache to Hamas... Bonnie--i know that you think that in some way, Israel isn't moral--that you see it as an oppresser, but what you're missing is that some people wish you ill just because you're Jewish. You don't have to know the Talmud to understand that. People like Helen Thomas wish Israel ill--do you think she's okay with you because you live in Minnesota and not Tel Aviv? No one hates you Bonnie--thanks for admitting your ignorance on the subject. But you need to recognize that the so called "oppressor" isn't the enemy--it's your friend. If you don't believe me, go to Israel and then go to Gaza. All fair minded people dislike bigotry. Is Israel perfect? No. But at least you can express that there. You can't do the same in Gaza. You would think that a journalist like Helen Thomas would get that--would value that, but she's too busy being a bigot. No one hates you Bonnie, but bigotry is bigotry. People are reacting to this--and confronting it. To quote Ruth Wisse-quit having such an obsessive regard for your own moral performance and complete indifference to the performance of those who wish you ill.

Next MAJOR conflagration (possibly nuclear) will originate in the Mideast. The whole problem stems from the fact that all the Jews are not ready to all die and disappear into the Mediteranean like the Arab world would appreciate. Go figure.

bonnie, i think you need to live in gaza for a few weeks. lets see if your position on palestine changes with hamas firing off rockets over your head. and why did you put terrorists in quotes when you mention arafat? amazing........

Blacks, whites, Jews, Muslims, Christians, whoever........everyone needs to get over themselves. No one person or group is that important to the big picture. We are a collection of human beings, and we had better all learn to tolerate our differences if there is ever to be peace on this earth. There are many more things to agree on, than to disagree with........why not put those things up front, rather than trying to force-feed the rest of the world with your own personal beliefs. I do not care where you go to practice your religion, or find your entertainment, or what kind of food you prefer. I don't care if you practice any religion, whatsoever. Just keep your personal preferences out of my face.

Look, I'm a Jew and I think Thomas was just speaking cavalierly to someone with a camcorder. It was wrong and dangerous when spoken by someone as esteemed as she but I think the woman has genuine remorse and I don't believe her long career should have been ended by this.

Ms. Goldstein, on the other hand, seems to think its a good idea to write opinions -- intentionally -- even when she knows she has no basis in knowledge to support those opinions. Her "poor, little me, I don't know nothin' but I'm tryin' awful hard" stance is embarrassing. And perhaps she, in truth, deserves Ms Thomas' fate. To lose her undeserved (in this case, anyway) forum.

again you are incredulous,your statements were soft against mortal enemies and harsh against your co-religionists. you don't have to be vulgar to be distorted
just listen to obama defend his anti-israel positions while bowing to thugs and former slave state kings. yes slavery was permitted in saudi arabia until recently.
defending someone for calling the Biblical land palestine and telling the people to go back to poland where 90% were murdered is being either naive,insensitive ,stupid or all three. We Jews know the inner meaning of buzz-words.go back to poland is tantamount to saying commit suicide.i suggest to ms.thomas to go back to the heaven created by muslims in her native lebanon.let her live there for a year and see the reality of whom she favors. at least she has a good chance of surviving far better than her suggested targets.

You really do not get it! Being Jewish or not has nothing to do with it. The idea that the jews of Israel should go back to Poland or Germany is rediculous since there was something called WWII where the vast majority of jews from those countries were killed just because one of their grandparents were Jewish which if you were alive then would have meant you. Many more jews came to Israel from arab countries from which they were expelled after 1948. So if Helen wants to send them back they have to go back to Yemen, Egypt or other arab countries that may not want them back. I do not care about your political or personal beliefs but you have no "historical grasp" Why are there no second generation jewish palestinians on the dole from the UN but hundreds of thousands of second genetation Palestinians that have not been integrated into Arab countries. Why were their no countries willing to accept jews from Europe during WWII Israel at that time did not even exist so that was not an excuse. Had Israel existed in 1939 millions of lives would have been saved, Once you get "educated" you will find that Helen Thomas's remarks were idiotic and only if she were drunk or otherwise impaired should she maybe not have been fired. I actually really do not understand if you are defending Helen or just her right to be an idiot. If you really believe if Israel disappeared the middle east would be a safer place you really do need to get a much better "Historical Grasp" and then write another coulumn. I do understand though that almost everyone on the left is Anti-Israel although I am not exactly sure why.