Tales of Right-Wing Ignorance

Well, it was to be expected. No sooner had I posted on the comments made by Ahlmadinejad, good old no_slappz reliably stepped in with wild accusations and weak arguments (all sadly disproved if you actually bother to click on the 'Iran', 'Ahmadinejad' labels, not to mention the banner in my sidebar for Ten Percent's Blogapalooza). Sadly, I have deleted and banned him (something I am loathe to do, as you know from the Tim Blair saga) as once the argument reduces to unfounded accusations and slander, I have to take appropriate action. I tolerate reasoned debate, I do not tolerate unfounded insults. However, I feel it would be foolish of me not to share one of the comments that were made, as it goes a long way to explain the lack of understanding of some of those on the right (you can read the actual email here).

Without wishing to go over the Ahmadinejad speech again, our trusty commenter referred to my previous statement that Ahmadinejad never actually said that Israel should be 'wiped off the map.' His argument frequently twists to interpretation but never addresses the point that those words were never said. To further the argument, no_slappz insists that the meaning is obvious (although the meaning has never been in dispute). He reasoned:

Perhaps it's news to you that the government of Israel is headquartered in Tel Aviv, not Jerusalem. Meanwhile, the religious heart of Judaism is found in Jerusalem.

Thus, the "regime" identified by the imam is not the political regime governing Israel, but the religious and cultural "regime" of Judaism that is identified with Jerusalem.

The Judaic "regime" comprises every Jew. Therefore, if the Judaic"regime" were to "vanish" from the pages of time, the act of vanishing would require the deaths of all Jews.

Perhaps that is worth quoting again:

Perhaps it's news to you that the government of Israel is headquartered in Tel Aviv, not Jerusalem.

Note the patronising tone. And then note the content. Apparently, unknown to most of the world (including the Israelis), the seat of government has moved from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv. I do hope someone told the members of the Knesset, the Supreme Court, the President and the Prime Minister, they will be mighty confused when they turn up to do their work. Still no_slappz makes a common (if schoolboyish error) error believing that Tel Aviv is the capital. Tel Aviv is where many embassies are based as Jerusalem is not widely recognised as the capital by the International Community (see United Nations Security Council Resolution 478). It is, however, by Israel. Furthermore, East Jerusalem is occupied by the Israeli State.

So, to reiterate, he said that the regime (Israeli government) occupying Jerusalem must vanish from the page of time, not that Israel should be wiped from the map. Although Ahmadinejad is clearly hostile towards Israel (only a madman or an anti-Semite would claim otherwise), that is not what he said. If, no_slappz, you would like to explain why you believe Tel Aviv is the capital, please email me and I will publish your response (providing you do not resort to vulgar insults).