Does Sarah Palin Understand Her "Blood Libel" Reference?
Perhaps You Should Just Be Quiet?
In Palin's close to 8 minute video to the public, as shown at Yahoo News, she finally addresses the accusations that she contributed to the violence in Tuscon with her map that targeted Giffords. Palin never apologizes for the map, which, as of January 12, 2011, can still be found on Facebook, but rather, accuses journalists and pundits of "manufacturing a blood libel."
What does "blood libel" mean?
"The allegations behind blood libel originate in the Middle Ages when Jews were falsely accused of ritualised murder, in particular the murder of children. The allegations were used to justify violence against Jews," as reported at the BBC.
Various Jewish officials have responded to the term, a term that is rarely used in the U.S. and that many Jews find offensive. Said Amy Spitalnick, a press secretary for J Street, a pro-Israel and pro-peace Americans group, "Essentially it implies that Jews murder Christian and non-Jewish children to use their blood in Jewish rituals and holidays."
Said Abraham Foxman, National Director of the Anti-Defamation League, "While the term 'blood-libel' has become part of the English parlance to refer to someone being falsely accused, we wish that Palin had used another phrase, instead of one so fraught with pain in Jewish history."
Jeremy Ben-Ami, J Street President, said, "We hope that Governor Palin will recognize, when it is brought to her attention, that the term 'blood libel' brings back painful echoes of a very dark time in our communal history when Jews were falsely accused of committing heinous deeds."
Sarah Palin, ever since she became a focal point of the media, has been accused of exhibiting stupidity. Although conservatives have blamed liberals for this, the accusations stem from remarks Palin has uttered out of her own mouth. They're out there, on video, available for anyone to see. And now we have the "blood libel" comment. Does the statement help her or hurt her?
We expected Palin to come out, at some time, to respond to the accusations that she contributed to the violence in Tuscon. We expected her to say that her map has nothing to do with such violence. However, should she be extra careful with what she says, especially if she wants to consider a run for president in 2012?
Palin has many conservative supporters, but she needs more than that to win in 2012. The website Obama London, a site for Barack Obama supporters in the United Kingdom, watched Palin's Facebook page to see if Palin was deleting negative comments directed at her regarding the map. She has received many such comments, and many of those same comments have been removed by Palin or her team, as shown at Obama London.
"The blood libel is something anti-Semites have historically used in Europe as an excuse to murder Jews - the comparison is stupid. Jews and rational people will find it objectionable," said Hank Sheinkopf, a New York-based Democratic political consultant and devout Jew. "This will forever link her to the events in Tucson. It deepens the hole she's already dug for herself....It's absolutely inappropriate."
Sources:
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords Talks Palin Cross Hairs, YouTube
Jennifer Epstein, Palin charges critics with 'blood libel', Yahoo News
What does 'blood libel' mean?, BBC
Sarah Palin, Don't Get Demoralized! Get Organized! Take Back the 20!, Facebook
Jolie du Pre, Arnold Schwarzenegger Disses Sarah Palin on Twitter, Associated Content
Inexplicable Edits on Sarah Palin's Facebook Page, Obama London
Published by Jolie du Pre - Featured Contributor in Arts & Entertainment
Jolie du Pre is a full-time freelance writer, a published author and editor and a Featured Celebrity News Contributor. Contact her at joliedupre@gmail.com. View profile
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24 Comments
Post a Comment@Some guy - I know a number of VERY CONSERVATIVE people who won't vote for Palin, if she were to run for president, SOLELY because she quit being governor. They don't like that. A lot of conservatives don't like that. They see her, as you indicated, as a quitter. It was a dumb move on her part.
I just can't understand her popularity. She's of bellow average intelligence. She blames all of her problems on "The Media", she quit her post as Alaska Governor when times got hard and she knows very little about world politics.
This woman is really doesn't get how silly some of the things she says are. On her show she stated to the kids, "What is the farthest EASTERN State?" and then said answer, "Alaska" now the woman doesn't even know East from West????? I think she needs some serious public speaking assistance and a script written for her that is accurate.
Palin use of the term"blood libel" was very appropriate;It exactly describe the type of false accusation by the leftist media and pundit.
This is definitely not the dumbest thing Sarah Palin has ever said. And like Sylvia said, I would bet that she didn't come up with this on her own.
...hopelessly benighted, irrational peoples who deny that the Holocaust ever happened, while at the same time admiring Adolf Hitler and wanting to finish what he started. Sarah Palin is an unmovable supporter of Israel. I like that she has the courage of her convictions, and I think her influence is needed, just not as president.
Maybe not. It's biblical in origin. But every English speaker uses it today without necessarily knowing ANYTHING about the Book of Leviticus.. In precisely the same way, "blood libel" is commonly understood in English to mean a "fall guy," or more accurately, ANY person "wrongly blamed for a murderous death." "Scapegoat" and "blood libel" are both vivid and useful English idioms (now) whose historical origins, as with MOST language idioms, are not commonly known. With apologies to Jews who take offense at its use outside of its original context and meaning, I don't think such "migration" of terms and wide adoption of them as graphic idioms can be prevented. In common parlance, Sarah Palin used the term appropriately, and people understood her meaning instantly.
I WOULD hold the line on the word "Holocaust," though, because Israel exists in the midst of murderous, hopelessly benighted peoples who de
Once again democratic bashing of a republican and once again most uneducated democrats will read this and enjoy it. Just once in my lifetime I would like to see the democrats say something positive about their own political party. They spend all of their time bashing republicans but never offer a solution or for that matter even say anything positive about themselves......It is sad how many people vote on politics because of the brainwashing by the media. Oh well I guess it will be the countries loss again if you continue to vote based on media coverage....If any of you ever want the unemployment rate to decrease you will put a republican back in the white house, but if you would like to continue to see our country rot and deteriorate to an inferior status as a 1st world country by all means continue with the current political agenda. Thank you democrats keep up the fabulous job you are doing!!!
The longer she leaves the map with the crosshairs up on Facebook, the more she can kiss any plans for 2012 goodbye.
She probably does not really understand what it means. And she was probably wearing that Israel pin she often has on while she said it. She has limited intellect and needs to fade away