The Presbyterian Layman in their article, “Report
asserts antisemitism references on IPMN’s Facebook page,” written by Nathan
Key, noted that “The NGO Monitor
issued a 69-page report
entitled ‘The Role of Antisemitism in the Presbyterian Church (USA’s) Decision
to Support Divestment.’”
In Key’s report and the original article the
Israel/Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church was highlighted for
its antisemitism. Having once removed its Facebook page, which was constantly
being used to promote antisemitism, IPMN evidently opened a new Facebook which
was closed to all but its members but according to The NGO Monitor not secret. [1]
In the report several instances of antisemitism were
highlighted. Some examples are:
“a. a “Zionist controlled America [has a] desperate lust”
for war with Iran
b. “Jewish interests” are “corrupting” the US government,
and the media is “owned” and “operated” by these same “Jewish interests.”
c. the “Christian Holy Land” is “occupied” by the “zionist
(sic) instigator”
d. Racial theories of Jewish origins claiming Ashkenazi Jews
are not racially “Semitic,” are actually “Khazars,” and therefore should not be
in the Middle East.
e. Israeli Jews
should be ethnically cleansed: “Helen Thomas was right, ‘Go back to Russia,
Germany…’ Just leave.”
f. “IRAN! Thank God for them! The only
Zionist-free land left on earth.”
I looked for the site, which seemed to be under the name “Friends
of IPMN-PC (USA) Israel/Palestine Mission Network,” but I did not find it. And
then I found out that after the NGO Monitor report, IPMN made their site secret.
And the question remains, “Should an organization of the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.) be allowed to have a secret Facebook?
Of course the bigger question is, “Should the PC (U.S.A.) be
allowed to have an organization that constantly spews out anti-Semitic rhetoric?
IPMN, as though to more thoroughly reveal their character,
on Twitter, tweeted:
“IPMN @IPMN · Jun 25
NGO
Monitor hacks into IPMN's private facebook group, accuses us of anti-Semitism
after losing divestment vote.”
I must say, after having written,
for many years, on the anti-Semitism of both the left and right, there is no
question about IPMN’s anti-Semitism. Look at the statements the MGO Monitor
reported. David Duke, Christian
Identity, the KKK, they would all agree with the points that IPMN are trying
to make.
And as for the NGO Monitor hacking into their Facebook page,
if it wasn’t secret they didn’t need to hack, they could just read. And if it
was secret IPMN was trying, as they are now, to deceive the PC (USA)’s
membership about who they really are.
No they are not servants of God, or even of the Church, and
they are not peace makers. They are PC (USA) members who hate all of those Jews
who seek to have a safe haven in a world that has through the centuries poured
out their blood without mercy. They are unrelenting anti-Semites who will stoop
to any act in order to have their own way. They are against the purposes of God
who called Abraham out of Ur that a people might be a blessing to the world.
[1] It should be noted with some joy that the PC (USA) will no longer be publishing IPMN's publication, Zionism Unsettled.
Just got through reading the report. PCUSA should demand that Framke open the Facebook page for inspection, and then de-certify IPMN as a mission network and scrub every hint of its existence from all PCUSA materials and web sites. It should also immediately demand an act of repentance from all IPMN leaders, and excommunicate those who refuse. Needless to say, I will not be betting my next paycheck on this.
ReplyDeleteDavid Fischler
Woodbridge, VA
Yes, David, and as you know, nothing happens without a motion. Did you or Viola bring forth a motion to the GA to do just what you suggested? How did it play out?
ReplyDeleteJodie Gallo
Los Angeles, CA
Jodie, only Presbyteries or commissioners can bring motions to the GA. David is not a member of the PCUSA as I think you know.
ReplyDeleteViola, do I remember correctly that there have been moves to de-certify IPMN, either at the last GA or before then, moves that were met with opposition from PCUSA leadership? I may be wrong, but I thought I recalled something like that.
ReplyDeleteDavid Fischler
Woodbridge, VA
David the only move I know of that barely resembles that was at this general assembly where Neil Zampella moved that their name be removed from an overture because of their troubling Zionism Unsettled. Then there was a lot of negative things stated about them. His motion passed, praise the Lord!
ReplyDeleteThe item can be found here: https://www.pc-biz.org/PC-Biz.WebApp_deploy/(S(v1d5p4trpdam33y5doptrv25))/IOBView.aspx?m=ro&id=5099
ReplyDeleteIPMN does not need to be "de-certified", as much as it can be simply dismissed. It is an advisory committee to the GA, and advisory committees can be formed and dismissed by simple motions to the GA. So the right thing to have done, or to do for the next GA, is to work through a presbytery to bring said motion the GA. Viola, I am sure your presbytery would endorse a motion like that, but even my own liberal presbytery would. We have very close ties with the Jewish community in Los Angeles, as well as world renowned scholars who would support and endorse any motions to suppress antisemitic vocabulary coming from advisory committees that are running amok.
ReplyDeleteJodie Gallo
Los Angeles, CA
Jodie there are presbyteries that would, you are right. I do not believe mine would. But it is something to think about.
ReplyDelete