Rating: 
Summary: An excellent work of scholarship, but does not go far enough
Review: "Everywhere the Jew is hated," Hertzel observed. "Either he is too wealthy or too indigent, too industrious or too lazy, to intelligent or too naïve." His answer to the conundrum of the oldest hatred that despises the Jew for being anything, was to blame it on the Jews stateless status and propose the creation of a state as the cure. So one wonders what irony Hertzel would find if alive in the fact that his People, whom he observed as hated for being stateless and are now just as reviled for now having one of their own?In his book, "Never Again?" Abraham Foxman does an admirable job documenting how the hatred of the Jew transcends politics, geography, and race. Politically, Jews are hated from the right and the left, both in North America and in Europe. Indeed, most striking is how these adversaries find common ground in opposing the Jewish state. In Europe, where the political extremes disagree on everything else, they work together to plan demonstrations condemning Israel. American White Supremacists seek legitimacy within the larger political circles by taking up the Palestinian cause. Nor is this the end of the strange bedfellows the oldest hatred makes, as liberal on college campuses receive generous funding from some of the most repressive misogynist regimes on earth like Saudi Arabia, bonded by nothing other than their desire to see the destruction of the state of Israel. Foxman's work examines what he terms the "New Anti-Semitism" that condemns and attacks Israel in the most strident terms, yet recoils when accused of hating Jews. On the left, the rhetoric is couched as anti-Americanism and anti-imperialism, on the right realpolitik. The author deftly argues that it is this very singling out of the Jewish State for criticism, as well as the claim that Jews are alone among the nations in not deserving a state (an argument that recently appeared in a no less a pinnacle of American intellectualism as the New York Review of Books) an be called nothing other than anti-Semitism. Why else does the world ignore repression the world over, much of it in the nations fastest to criticize Israel, and leap to attack the Jewish State? Why has the UN almost never condemned any nation for their policies internal or external, while skewering Israel on a near monthly basis? When the world exists with two standards, one for the Jewish state and one for all other nations, how can one describe it as anything other than traditional anti-Semitism moved from the level of the individual to that of international diplomacy? "Never Again?" succeeds admirably for the author's careful examination of the history of anti-Semitism examining subjects such as Jewish Catholic relations and the Muslim world's increasing usage of ancient European bile such as blood liable and the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Foxman also tracks how traditional anti-Semitic charges continue to evolve to fit into newer models. As the head of the ADL, Foxman knows of what he speaks and marshals a powerful case to describe how the hatred of Jews is currently spreading like a wildfire. Nor does he simply rely on the ever growing list of hate crimes now spreading through Europe instead looking at his subject from a historical point of view. The only failing of this otherwise excellent book is Foxman's failure to postulate why the Jews are singled out among all the people for a hatred that has spread across the globe and goes back over 2,000 years. While one can understand the authors nervousness at a subject where theories range from genetics to metaphysics, his lack of a theory appears as a glaring omission amongst his considerable data. Further, while he gives a great deal of space to his sadness at how the murder of Six Million Jews failed to quench the fire of this hatred, he does not give enough credence to the idea that the hatred of the Jew is apparently mankind's normative state. Despite these failing, Foxman deserves credit for a thoughtful and well-written examination of the oldest hatred. Of course many will dismiss this work outright, repeating the old canard that they Israel and not Jews, a strange position espoused by many Arab terrorists who in their hatred of Israel blow up Kosher restaurants in Paris and Synagogues in Istanbul. The best refutation of that rather cowardly position remains the words of Dr. Martin Luther King. "You declare my friends that you do not hate the Jew, but are merely 'anti-Zionists.' And I say let the truth ring forth from the mountaintops. When people critisize Zionism they mean Jews. And what is 'anti-Zionism?' It is the denial to the Jewish people of a fundamental right that we justly claim for the people of Africa and freely accord all other nations of the globe."
Rating:
Summary: An excellent work of scholarship, but does not go far enough
Review: ?Everywhere the Jew is hated,? Hertzel observed. ?Either he is too wealthy or too indigent, too industrious or too lazy, to intelligent or too na?ve.? His answer to the conundrum of the oldest hatred that despises the Jew for being anything, was to blame it on the Jews stateless status and propose the creation of a state as the cure. So one wonders what irony Hertzel would find if alive in the fact that his People, whom he observed as hated for being stateless and are now just as reviled for now having one of their own? In his book, ?Never Again?? Abraham Foxman does an admirable job documenting how the hatred of the Jew transcends politics, geography, and race. Politically, Jews are hated from the right and the left, both in North America and in Europe. Indeed, most striking is how these adversaries find common ground in opposing the Jewish state. In Europe, where the political extremes disagree on everything else, they work together to plan demonstrations condemning Israel. American White Supremacists seek legitimacy within the larger political circles by taking up the Palestinian cause. Nor is this the end of the strange bedfellows the oldest hatred makes, as liberal on college campuses receive generous funding from some of the most repressive misogynist regimes on earth like Saudi Arabia, bonded by nothing other than their desire to see the destruction of the state of Israel. Foxman?s work examines what he terms the ?New Anti-Semitism? that condemns and attacks Israel in the most strident terms, yet recoils when accused of hating Jews. On the left, the rhetoric is couched as anti-Americanism and anti-imperialism, on the right realpolitik. The author deftly argues that it is this very singling out of the Jewish State for criticism, as well as the claim that Jews are alone among the nations in not deserving a state (an argument that recently appeared in a no less a pinnacle of American intellectualism as the New York Review of Books) an be called nothing other than anti-Semitism. Why else does the world ignore repression the world over, much of it in the nations fastest to criticize Israel, and leap to attack the Jewish State? Why has the UN almost never condemned any nation for their policies internal or external, while skewering Israel on a near monthly basis? When the world exists with two standards, one for the Jewish state and one for all other nations, how can one describe it as anything other than traditional anti-Semitism moved from the level of the individual to that of international diplomacy? ?Never Again?? succeeds admirably for the author?s careful examination of the history of anti-Semitism examining subjects such as Jewish Catholic relations and the Muslim world?s increasing usage of ancient European bile such as blood liable and the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Foxman also tracks how traditional anti-Semitic charges continue to evolve to fit into newer models. As the head of the ADL, Foxman knows of what he speaks and marshals a powerful case to describe how the hatred of Jews is currently spreading like a wildfire. Nor does he simply rely on the ever growing list of hate crimes now spreading through Europe instead looking at his subject from a historical point of view. The only failing of this otherwise excellent book is Foxman?s failure to postulate why the Jews are singled out among all the people for a hatred that has spread across the globe and goes back over 2,000 years. While one can understand the authors nervousness at a subject where theories range from genetics to metaphysics, his lack of a theory appears as a glaring omission amongst his considerable data. Further, while he gives a great deal of space to his sadness at how the murder of Six Million Jews failed to quench the fire of this hatred, he does not give enough credence to the idea that the hatred of the Jew is apparently mankind?s normative state. Despite these failing, Foxman deserves credit for a thoughtful and well-written examination of the oldest hatred. Of course many will dismiss this work outright, repeating the old canard that they Israel and not Jews, a strange position espoused by many Arab terrorists who in their hatred of Israel blow up Kosher restaurants in Paris and Synagogues in Istanbul. The best refutation of that rather cowardly position remains the words of Dr. Martin Luther King. ?You declare my friends that you do not hate the Jew, but are merely ?anti-Zionists.? And I say let the truth ring forth from the mountaintops. When people critisize Zionism they mean Jews. And what is ?anti-Zionism?? It is the denial to the Jewish people of a fundamental right that we justly claim for the people of Africa and freely accord all other nations of the globe.?
Rating: 
Summary: Eye-opening and explosive
Review: Abraham Foxman presents a brilliant catalog of worldwide perniciousness. Even though I read this book a while ago, when it first came out, and just seeing it listed here makes me want to take it off the shelf. Excellent resource!
Rating:
Summary: A Prescient View of the New Anti-Semitism
Review: Foxman sheds light on the conservative christian right in America and its suipport of Israel. He declares that Israel should not shun this support. The Christian right supports Israel because it is the only democracy in the middle east and it safeguards the holy land for Christians who wish to travel there. Foxman goes furthur in documenting the rise of Islamic hatred and propoganda against Israel and the Jewish faith. He shows how the massive immigration of Muslims to Europe has helped foster an anti-semetic attitude in France and Germany. This is a wonderful book, a very prescient work that mirrors those of the 1930s who warned of impending doom. Foxman knows what he is talking about because every year his organziation compiles a report of all anti-semetic attacks worldwide. A must read to understand the new anti-semitism and also understand how 'hatred of Israel' is the same as being anti-semetic. Israel and the Jewish people cannot be seperated and Foxman explains this in a concise and understandable manner.
Rating:
Summary: Compelling and Important
Review: Foxman shows, clearly and compellingly that the title isn't hyperbole but that a new and dangerous wave of anti-Semitism threatens Jews today -- and that the stakes for not challenging and defeating it couldn't be higher. The book's well-written survey of the domestic, international, political and religious environments in which the new anti-Semitism operates is especially effective. It's an excellent book for those who don't know much about the issue -- especially young people -- who may not even realize the urgent dangers that Foxman describes and who might become energized and engaged by the specific ideas and approaches he outlines for fighting back.
Rating: 
Summary: Bile Again
Review: Foxman's thesis is (among others) that anti-Semitism is the canary in the coal mine. When societies tilt away from prosperity and democratic, egalitarian ideals, and toward instability, chaos and its consequent suffering, a scapegoat seems always to be needed -- so the hostility or even hatred toward Jews that resides latent in the human heart all too often comes to the fore. That canary, says Foxman, is now singing, louder in recent years than previously in the past couple of generations, and definitely loud enough that the unthinkable once again must be discussed. Anti-semitic signals are worldwide and resident in the least suspected of places. Foxman pieces them together into a pattern that cannot be ignored. He reasonably convincingly induces the causes, which seem to be the same, in era after era of history. He has the astuteness to tread lightly in sensitive areas in which he seems to know that his points need to be precisely articulated into order to generate understanding rather than misunderstanding. But he also hammars on points that need it, and that score telling blows in favor of his thesis. While the organization of the book and its points, and its trajectory, are adequate rather than perfect, Foxman has performed a public service in both making data available that is hard to find in conventional media, and reasoning from that data to social changes with disturbing aspects. This book is a must read for those who want to stay on top of current events, and who want to know the many-splendored truths of the world around us.
Rating:
Summary: The canary is singing -- and the rest of us need to hear it
Review: Foxman's thesis is (among others) that anti-Semitism is the canary in the coal mine. When societies tilt away from prosperity and democratic, egalitarian ideals, and toward instability, chaos and its consequent suffering, a scapegoat seems always to be needed -- so the hostility or even hatred toward Jews that resides latent in the human heart all too often comes to the fore. That canary, says Foxman, is now singing, louder in recent years than previously in the past couple of generations, and definitely loud enough that the unthinkable once again must be discussed. Anti-semitic signals are worldwide and resident in the least suspected of places. Foxman pieces them together into a pattern that cannot be ignored. He reasonably convincingly induces the causes, which seem to be the same, in era after era of history. He has the astuteness to tread lightly in sensitive areas in which he seems to know that his points need to be precisely articulated into order to generate understanding rather than misunderstanding. But he also hammars on points that need it, and that score telling blows in favor of his thesis. While the organization of the book and its points, and its trajectory, are adequate rather than perfect, Foxman has performed a public service in both making data available that is hard to find in conventional media, and reasoning from that data to social changes with disturbing aspects. This book is a must read for those who want to stay on top of current events, and who want to know the many-splendored truths of the world around us.
Rating:
Summary: Bile Again
Review: I have to agree with Foxman's statement in his "Source Notes" that this is not a work of scholarship. Rather, it is a tedious description of the organizations and individuals that he has decreed to be anti-semitic for some reason or another. The book is long on name-calling, and distressingly short of any sort of analysis of causes. His line, as far as I can make it out, is that anti-semitism is a causeless pathology, inexplicable and evil, which makes for a rather shallow and uninteresting treatment of the phenomenon, and the book is weakened considerably by it. It is essentially data-free when it comes to making the case for the "new anti-semitism" of the title. What he describes as "new" sounds pretty old to me; he uses "new" in the sense of "recent " rather than "different." How a few complaints by actors about the ethnic predilections of Hollywood can be sandwiched between a semi-hysterical accounting of scrawled swastikas and cemetery desecrations and then blown up into something new and dangerous comes across as really pretty silly. The name-calling favored by Foxman in labeling organizations and people is also pretty offensive to me. His free and frequent use of hate epithets other than "anti-semitic, such as "bigot" and "neo-nazi," is surely another symptom of the deliberate deficiency of scholarship in this work. His unrestrained attack on the Catholic Church will also be offensive to many, and is hardly in the interests of those seeking toleration and reconciliation. Foxman's description of the repulsiveness he feels toward the cross which serves as a monument at Auschwitz and his tortured reasoning against the "universalization" of the holocaust is nothing short of astonishing and filled with an ill-concealed hate. Worse, is the self-aggrandizement that comes across as the real message of the book--each of his meetings with the famous and the politically connected satraps is lovingly portrayed as testaments to his power. Abe's public humbling of the deviants by his accustomed demands for apologies and mea culpas is, no doubt, repulsive and tactless, at least to the civilized. The shear repetitiveness of his complaints and "worries" is mind-numbing and boring. I was also astounded to read of the credit Abe takes in the Oklahoma bombing that "helped lead to McVeigh's capture by law enforcement authorities." McVeigh was arrested within hours of the bombing because his car had no license plate. The ADL had nothing to do with it, and this egregious Wiesenthal-like claim serves further to discredit his work. The language used in the book is, it seems to this reader, strikingly impoverished in vocabulary, and is quite reminiscent of the fourth-grade language used in the newspapers of our time, and which serve as the bulk of his sources. In the same vein, the piece is completely devoid of any trace of humor, new ideas, or revelations of the foibles of an imperfect race. Only bile awaits you here. Foxman is apparently unacquainted with the work of Kevin MacDonald, whose three volume series has a penetrating and honest analysis of anti-semitism and its historical manifestations that are as far beyond Foxman's name-calling, as astronomy is from astrology.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful, important but not perfect. Also - test yourself!
Review: Summary of the book: Foxman uses the common comment that the world has learned its lesson during World War II and will "never again" let hate do what it did to the Jews in World War II. He uses a question mark because he points to some rather depressing trends in this well-researched book that mark a rise of anti-semitism throughout the world, even in Japan. (reviewers note: How many Jews actually live in Japan? How many Japanese actually know what the Jewsish religion is? I'm assuming this is just a nutball group that hates just about everybody and just threw the Jews in too). Foxman is the head of the Anti-Defamation League, a group based in New York City that monitors Anti-Semitic activity throughout the world. My review: Foxman is a bit too sensitive (something that he admits he is trying to avoid), but he's right,there are terribly disturbing anti-Semitic trends, especially in his chapter 7 concerning very popular Muslim beliefs concerning Jews (he quotes opinion polls and continuing attacks that come from mainstream Muslim newspapers. Unfortunately, from an editing standpoint, he ends up with Chapter 8 - a chapter about anti-Semitism in Hollywood and popular entertainment. It is by far his weakest chapter, a point he virtually concedes because this is where he makes his comments about not wanting to appear too sensitive. Foxman has an anti-Semitism quiz developed by the Anti-Defamation League. He says you qualify as "most" Anti-Semitic if you agree with six or more of the following: 1) Jews stick together more than other Americans. 2) Jews always like to be at the head of things. 3) Jews are more loyal to Israel than America. 4) Jews have too much power in the U.S. today. 5) Jews have too much control and influence on Wall Street. 6) Jews have too much power in the business world. 7) Jews have a lot of irritating faults. 8) Jews are more willing than others to use shady practices to get what they want. 9) Jewish businesspeople are so shrewd that others don't have a fair chance at competition. 10) Jews don't care what happens to anyone but their own kind. 11) Jews are not just as honest as other businesspeople. I scored a zero out of 11 on this test. However, Foxman would still consider me an anti-Semite. He has 2 long chapters on Jewish-Christian relations (one for Catholics worldwide and one for American Protestants) and since I am a Christian that believes that Christ is the only way to heaven, I am an anti-Semite. Oh, well. No matter Foxman's opinion, I will continue to consider myself not anti-Semitic, especially in light of some of the absolutely ignorant comments coming from some of my rural Indiana students. I do believe that I am the only one that has ever confronted some of them. Here's what they were doing: they were using the word Jew and Jewish as an insult term - meaning stupid. So, when someone would say something stupid some others would say, "That's so Jewish!" or "You're such a Jew!". So, anyway, I'd boot their asses out to the hall so fast that their heads would spin and we would have a lo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-ong talk. I can tolerate a lot of ignorant things but racism is not one of them. I've had this conversation about 5 times in the last two years, but not for the last 5 or 6 months. Maybe it has stopped or maybe it has just stopped around me. To sum up: This book receives a "4 stars". It would have received a higher grade except for the relatively weak chapter at the end that takes away a lot of its punch. Still, it is an important book and it helps you see the world
Rating:
Summary: Zero stars! A racist diatribe against the truth
Review: The head of a totally reactionary and racist organization, the Anti-Defamation League (more properly called the Defamation League) tries the big lie canard of trying to say that to be anti-Zionist and anti-Israel is anti-semetic. As the grandson of four grandparents who died in Hitler's concentration camps, I forcefully reject that. The zionists are the Nazis of today and "israel," the racist theocratic entity currently occupying the nation of Palestine, is committing genocide against the Palestinian people, just as the Nazis committed it against my family. The whole world is uniting to support the just struggle of the Palestinian people, which must be waged by any means possible, and must have the aim of total victory and an end to "israel" and zionism, which is a form of racism. Zionists engaged in collective punishment of the Palestinian people, bulldozing the homes of the families of Palestinian freedom fighters who strike out against the zionist racist child murderers. This book and its vile author and the totally evil organization he heads must be denounced, criticized, and ostracized, and the growing movement on U.S. campuses to divest investments from racist israeli companies (and from any entity that invests in them) must be supported. Companies that invest in israel, like coca cola, starbucks, and mcdonalds must be boycotted. The Palestinian people, who are justly waging a war without terms against the zionist racist nazis of today will win. No Justice, No Peace, zionists out of the middle east and off of humanity's planet!
| 
