Saturday, April 21, 2007

Using the wrong tactics: JDLers attack teacher with links to deniers and white supremacists

In yet another example of short sighted thinking, a group of JDLers [who knew they were still around] attacked a Canadian teacher who was attending a disiciplinary hearing because of his links to White supremacists and Holocaust deniers.

This is the kind of stupidity and idiotic behavior that serves the deniers' and racists' cause. Note how what the Globe and Mail wrote in describing the teacher's response to the attack:
After arriving at the site of the proceedings, Mr. Fromm entered an elevator along with a few people attending the Jewish Defence League demonstration. A struggle ensued -- the protesters say Mr. Fromm pushed one of their group, Mr. Fromm says an activist lunged at him -- and police arrested two demonstrators, charging one with assault and the other with obstructing and assaulting a police officer.

"It's this sort of violence that is very distressing. Some people feel they have the right to take the law into their own hands when they see people's views they don't like," Mr. Fromm, who is soft-spoken and got teary when describing his parents' Second World War service, said in an interview.
"Soft-spoken"... "teary eyed..."

The extremist becomes the victims and wins the sympathy of those who might otherwise have complete revulsion for him.

I don't care about the JDLers. Most of them are frustrated boys with toys. But when they engage in this kind of behavior it's a real setback for well meaning people.

I hope they are thoroughly condemned by all.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Of course, just like the JDL actions against the Soviets were "misguided" and "hurt Soviet Jewry". But while at the time they were condemned by all the establishment Jewish groups their tactics worked, and nothing has changed.

Deborah Lipstadt said...

What makes you think that the JDL's actions brought about the release of Soviet Jews? You are living in dreamland.