He basically says the actions of the Nazi Party and Hitler against the Jews were justified, excusing the mass murder of millions of civilians. This gem is proceeded by a summary that could be Cliff notes for the infamous forgery The Protocols of the Elders of Zion.
In fact, it's so 'out there' that it may well be illegal under Oman's famously pro-free press laws...
I would say its covered under several clear injunctions:
1/ that newspapers not publish anything that is politically, culturally, or sexually offensive;
2/ not to publish anything that ... creates hatred toward ... any ethnicity or religion;
3/ not to publish anything that ... promotes religious extremism;
4/ not to publish anything that ... insults other states.
It's perhaps the most disgusting, bigoted, conspiracy theory crap ever to grace the front page of an Omani newspaper (no, really, these days he modestly puts his weekly opinion piece on the front page, above the fold). Its quite unbelievable.
It would seem Mr Al Zedjali is now acting as a defacto-national spokesman for the wacko Iranian President's point of view of such things. Great!
Viewpoint this week
How Israel became a terrorist state
Essa bin Mohammed Al Zedjali
Sunday, January 04, 2009 12:37:52 AM Oman Time
...
It is illustrative to browse through the relevant pages of history to know the real history of the Jews in Germany. You would then come to know why Hitler had taken harsh measures against them. The entire economy of Germany, including banks, publishing houses, jewellery stores, light and heavy industries and almost all economic organisations of consequence, was under the total control of the Jews.
They muddied every aspect of the economy by perpetrating fraud after fraud on common people. This unprepossessing situation annoyed the German citizens no end and impelled Hitler to punish the Jews for their bad deeds.
He then goes on to say how the press in the USA are totally controlled by 'The Jews'...
Viewpoint (cont.)
...The United States today finds itself in the same predicament as Germany back then. Now in the US, the Jews wield enormous control over all important decisions, whether they relate to politics, economy or media. No American citizen is free today to utter a single word about international or even national issues. This is the reason the American views on various issues being relayed to the world through the media are in fact the views of the Jews.
...
Perhaps his reading hasn't covered such US publications as the controversial book published in 2007 by two US academics, John Mearsheimer of the University of Chicago and Stephen Walt of Harvard University,'The Israel Lobby and US Foreign Policy'. See the wiki link for an extensive example of freedom of debate in action in the USA, even over a topic as supposedly controlled as the role of the Jewish lobby in the USA.
In fact, in my opinion the best place to get top flight intellectual criticism of the USA is ... from within the USA.
It's ironic that Essa, editor of a newspaper in a country where the publication of almost anything - from photos of traffic accidents to any criticism of a Government Minister - is illegal, has the gall to accuse the USA of not having a free press.
A great Omani intellectual? LMAOFOFL.
Oman, you deserve so much better than this drivel. By publishing such idiocy, he helps make real and deserved criticism of the bombing of Gaza by Israel seem synonymous with antisemitism. This is of great assistance to those who do accuse any critique of Israel as being racist.
Meanwhile, Israel has commenced its invasion of Gaza using tanks and troops. Its going to get pretty messy.
I wouldn't go as far as to say that the US mass-media is controlled by the Jews. Yet I would state that it is controlled by the corporatocracy serving the interests of the American empire. Those interests include the existence of an allied Jewish state in the lands of Palestine, though admittedly this ally is for the most part a liability.
ReplyDeleteThen again, no self-respecting intellectual in the USA listens to or reads mass-media.
Read "Manufacturing Consent" by Noam Chomsky or "Confessions of an Economic Hit Man" by John Perkins for some eye-openers.
It's a shame about the invasion. Everyone was expecting Israel to nuke Iran before Bush was out, but this is just as bad.
UD- I think Ole Ami Essa speaks for many Omanis on this one. At least many of my Omani friends express some variation of this opinion- but that is hardly scientific data. I grew up close to the 'buckle' of the USA Bible Belt. I was taught from the Primary Class of Sunday School on that the evil Jews crucified my 'Lord and Savior' Jesus Christ. Then one day a new boy came to our school. Whispers flew around "Ronnie is a Jew!" I looked at him a saw that he could not even crucify my neighbor's cat, let alone the *son of God.* The point is, that with Ronnie, Jews had a face and there was really nothing to fear or hate. Unfortunately for many Omanis, Jews do not have a face, and are easy to hate and blame for all the evils of the world. But its open discussions like this that will start the solution- one face at a time.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete"make real and deserved criticism of the bombing of Gaza by Israel seem synonymous with antisemitism" ????
ReplyDeleteAntisemitism??? it's really funny that most western media use antisemitism whenever anybody says anything about Jews or Israel. They say Arabs are full of antisemitism, how can that be? when Arabs are themselves semitic.
What Israel does is not justified, the only argument they have is "we are protecting our people !!!" we bomb, invade and destroy other countries in order to achieve peace????
I have nothing against Jews "or any other" as long as they respect other humans and treat them as equal. Jews should read history well and understand that what goes around, comes around and i believe Jews witnessed that first hand in Europe (not only during WW2).
If Israel is planning on surviving and living with its "anti-semitic enemies", maybe it "and the enemies" should do more peace talks and less wars. Peace is the only solution to all these problems.
its not anti-semitism to be anti-Israel. In fact it is against the Jewish faith to establish the state of Israel before the coming of the Messiah....as explained by Rabbi Weiss here:
ReplyDeletehttp://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=M9OIqy6md9w
and here...
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=M9OIqy6md9w
its not anti-semitism to be anti-Israel. In fact it is against the Jewish faith to establish the state of Israel before the coming of the Messiah....as explained by Rabbi Weiss here:
ReplyDeletehttp://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=M9OIqy6md9w
and here...
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=M9OIqy6md9w
UP fuck off and shut up.
ReplyDeleteBack on topic.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to mention this gem known as Outfoxed that gives a true portrayal of how really free the press is in the US.
In UD's defense, I must say that even though the American mass media is controlled by corporate interests, alternative media is not persecuted or suppressed as much as it is in say, Russia - a country that is one of the most dangerous places for investigative journalists.
This is on topic too
This is not a viewpoint its a mouth piece for a bigot. If he's not grovelling to the Sultan he's having a go and solving the worlds problems ignoring Omans problems in the process.
ReplyDeleteLet him carry on as he just makes himself and his rag even more hideous.
My Omani friends, in particular those who have traveled and are well educated are embarrassed by his so called viewpoint. He does Oman no favours when he is let loose on a keyboard.
Lets hope normal people don't view this as Omani opinion and just the opinion of and old man with dates views and bigoted grudges.
I think you are all off topic. The "Essa Rant" is illegal in a lot of countries, not just Oman. Nearly 6 million Jews were killed by the Nazis - try and understand that number for a moment. While this should not be an excuse for what is going on in Gaza, it puts into context the Israeli paranoia, and Brit / French guilt with regards to the subject. With regards to US / Western media, of course it is all biased and from a specific viewpoint (sorry about that tainted word). The beauty of the imperfect free press system is that as an individual you have access to ALL of the viewpoints, and it is up to you to make up your own individual opinion, and express it - and no one minds, even though they may disagree.
ReplyDeleteAll in all though, this diatribe ensures we are not blogging about low oil prices, traffic accidents, unemployment, corruption etc etc and therefore it meets its aim in its entirety.
We said Rjay. We all have a point of view in a free world and free country but Oman is not a free country, it's a police state had Issa written that in UK he would have been arrested. Free speech is one thing but ignorant offensive bigoted comments like his have no place in a civilised society.
ReplyDeleteJust try critisising or even commenting on Islam, even in your own country and the masses go bananas!!!
I am an American and I happily divide my time between New York and Muscat. When in New York, I expend much energy trying communicate to my American (especially Jewish) friends that Oman is a wonderful, peaceful, tolerant country. But, when bigoted opinions such as Zedjali's are written and allowed to be published, I am forced to call into question my own judgment of how I represent Oman.
ReplyDeleteZedjali's opinion is offensive--to both Oman and Jews-- and is, of course, completely baseless. Is ask, is it true that a bunch of America-hating terrorists who keep their women locked up control all the oil in the world?!?! NOOOO! This is NOT true. In the same way, it is UNTRUE that Jews control the US media, foreign policy or banking, etc.
Treat others as you wish to be treated. And stop this offensive nonsense.
Nobody agrees with what Mr. Essa wrote, that's his opinion. What was done to the whole world (not only Jews) during WW2 is inhuman period.
ReplyDeleteBut, I still disagree with the people who say that any country has "free" press. Free press is your ability to express whatever you want no matter what, and that is not the case anywhere. You could argue that it's more free here and there, but every country puts in place its own definition of "free" press.
Go to any part of the world and just say i wanna count how many Jews really died in WW2? and you will will be bombarded with antisemitism slogans. Why can't we just be given the right to count or doubt the number? is it 1, 6 or 10 million?
You can ask or inquire into the death toll of any other nation, race or ethnic group, but not Jews. They died in an inhuman way, it's very emotional to discuss or it ruptures a healing wound is always the argument. Why? did the 28 million Russians, 40 million Germans or the other millions die while they were sleeping, laughing or did they just commit suicide???
Devils Advocat: I know you can write in the UK, that you think the 28 million Russians deserved to die because they were cowards and could not defend themselves. Would you be arrested? No. But I'm sure that you will be arrested if you wrote the same comment about the Jews. Free press in the UK???? Yeah right!!!!
Stop giving us crap about free press, it is a fantasy. WAKE UP.
common man, isnt it Obvious that jews are hated here in gulf. I support what he said. They are a few but see how much damage they cause.
ReplyDeleteiran president was right.
Zedjali is a source of comedy for me. I have to say water came out of my nose when I read his nonsense earlier.
ReplyDeleteWith regards to the situation going on over in Gaza, well it's just clearly insane.
Some boys with some pipes launching rockets into Israel is clearly something that needed to be addressed, but by killing 100's of innocent civilians, and by using phosphorous shells to cover their troops advance, Israel is, in my personal opinion, using a sledge-hammer to crack a nut. Send in sniper teams to snipe the people launching the rockets - yes you need to know where they are being launched, that's what spies and informers are for. If the people that are ordered to launch rockets keep getting killed, then surely such attacks would slow down, no?
I cant really see how Israel can justify such a violent response, but I do agree that some sort of response was warranted because of these rocket attacks.
And I saw on the news the other night that Ehud Olmert (the prime minister) said he wouldnt allow a humanitarian crises to develop in Gaza - so what do you call No water, No power, Raw sewage in the streets, bombing of Mosques and universities and so on... Surely that's a humanitarian crises, no?
A few points of clarification.
ReplyDeleteWhat Essa said to me seems indeed illegal not just in Oman but maybe elsewhere. I wonder if anything will happen? Perhaps its time for a senior, pioneering and internationally respected Omani media champion to hang up his pen and just do conferences?
Boxster
Hamas, as a tool of Syria and IMHO fascist Iran, I think deserves to be called IslamoFascist. We'll have to agree to disagree.
And thanks for the comments all.
Elise, welcome! Remember there are nutcases everywhere, including Oman.
Oh and Mr T.
yeah... like, coal isn't exactly black is it? And snow isn't exactly white is it? So yes, even with coal and snow one can talk shades of grey. If that makes it possible for you to think you have freedom of press and speech in Oman when compared to some few other places in the world (like USA or say, Denmark), no worries.
Any discussion of the Holocaust, and the fact some minor laws in Europe make some too specific protections (laws that I think should be repealed, along with laws against blasphemy), is a total and utter diversion.
What counts is how we move forward to best improve the short and long term human condition. Not squabble about history, superstition and race.
Sadly Mr Essa, I think it is time you resigned from your position. I will NEVER buy a copy of the `Times of Oman' again! You are inciting racism in a peaceful country where I have lived for decades. There were Jewish communities here. In fact I have known Omanis who have been married to Jews. I can remember when we had a Jewish Information Office here in the 90's. What would happen I wonder, if a terrorist organisation such as Hamas launched rockets into Muscat? Would we standby and put up with this behaviour or would we call the GCC into action?
ReplyDeleteThere are two sides to every story:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sott.net/articles/show/172252-The-Other-Side-of-the-Story-
horrible photo's from any conflict or war from Iraq to the Falklands, none of them are pleasant.
ReplyDeleteThere will always be civilian casualties of war, always has been and always will be.
The people of Gaza voted democratically for terrorists so now they will realise exactly what they have done.
If someone attacks my family (and it has been done to me in Oman) then I will take any steps necessary to stop and prevent it happening again.
The soon the good innocent people of Gaza realise this the better.
Does anyone want to see photographs of 9/11...the London bombings, Bali bombings? Not nice...women and children!!!
ReplyDeleteThe simple fact is innocent people have been killed. They should not have been. If Hamas wanna play dirty with people lives and like all terrorists hide behind civilians as all cowards do then they must should a majority of the blame and responsibility for this.
Maybe ‘Devils Advocat’ has a suggestion for the people of Palestine on VIABLE alternatives for fighting their occupiers? The Palestinian army (which?) fighting the Israeli army? Diplomacy? Via the UN? Any maybe ‘Devils Advocat’ can also explain the difference between resistance/freedom-fighters and terrorists?
ReplyDeleteEvery `normal' human being - every family in the world has a desire, I believe, to a peaceful existence - wherever they may live. Everyone has a right to live in peace. We all have the same needs ie: to be healthy, live peacefully and get on with our lives. This situation is SO fragile - I really cannot see an end to the crisis. The world is big enough to support every human being. If only this area of the world did not have any religious significance, maybe another country (Saudi Arabia?) could house either the Jews or Palistinians to secure World peace and prevent a 3rd World War. They have a vast area of land. Alas, in this world GREED is the key word. I am deeply saddened by the loss of life of innocent Palistinians but at the same time I wept as a young girl hearing of the plight of the Jews. I cannot bear the thought of innocent people being hurt. The Hamas deliberatley played with fire by continually taunting the Israelis KNOWING that they were putting their own people at risk. KNOWING that there would be a heavy loss of life, KNOWING that they would have the sympathy of the world. POLITICS! A dirty word indeed! Every war, no matter how horrendous, has to end at the negotiating table which makes the loss of life pointless. My Dear Omani Friends, please do not take Mr Essa's article to heart. There ARE two sides to every story. This country is 2nd to none as far as benefits are concerned. I feel gratitude to Omani's, gentle of nature, hodpitality 2nd to none! Gratitude towards His Majesty who is a wonderful, benevolant leader. I do not think for one minute that the Gulf States should become embroiled (with the exception of aid) in the Plastinian crisis as long as HAMAS exist!
ReplyDeleteMay God Bless ALL those who are suffering.
Every `normal' human being - every family in the world has a desire, I believe, to a peaceful existence - wherever they may live. Everyone has a right to live in peace. We all have the same needs ie: to be healthy, live peacefully and get on with our lives. This situation is SO fragile - I really cannot see an end to the crisis. The world is big enough to support every human being. If only this area of the world did not have any religious significance, maybe another country (Saudi Arabia?) could house either the Jews or Palistinians to secure World peace and prevent a 3rd World War. They have a vast area of land. Alas, in this world GREED is the key word. I am deeply saddened by the loss of life of innocent Palistinians but at the same time I wept as a young girl hearing of the plight of the Jews. I cannot bear the thought of innocent people being hurt. The Hamas deliberatley played with fire by continually taunting the Israelis KNOWING that they were putting their own people at risk. KNOWING that there would be a heavy loss of life, KNOWING that they would have the sympathy of the world. POLITICS! A dirty word indeed! Every war, no matter how horrendous, has to end at the negotiating table which makes the loss of life pointless. My Dear Omani Friends, please do not take Mr Essa's article to heart. There ARE two sides to every story. This country is 2nd to none as far as benefits are concerned. I feel gratitude to Omani's, gentle of nature, hodpitality 2nd to none! Gratitude towards His Majesty who is a wonderful, benevolant leader. I do not think for one minute that the Gulf States should become embroiled (with the exception of aid) in the Plastinian crisis as long as HAMAS exist!
ReplyDeleteMay God Bless ALL those who are suffering.
Hamas is bad, no disagreement here, but did you ever wonder who created HAMAS?? Its Israel.
ReplyDeleteIsrael will win the war against Hamas, but it can never defeat the will to create another one (Hamas 2.0), unless it's wiling to let the Palestinians have their own state.
I think most Jews themselves are tired of fighting, but i don't think the Israeli government is. Once they realize that it's time to live and let live, the region will have some peace and countries like Iran will have less ears listening to them. Thanks
Its all just more of the same. On the political side its just more fudge, fudge, fudge from the 'West', along with evermore Israeli creep, creep, creep. Its all true to form. They all just can't help/stop themselves. Its remorseless. Basically, the Jewish Zionist's are a Western-Christian problem that is manifested by a people who make it the basis of a religious virtue to not to WANT to fit in with anyone, and so if the West doesn't want them best just dump on someone else. Certainly the US doesn't want them - as they also proved after WW2. The Zionist's (the anybody-world-collective peoples with a chip on both shoulders), should all give it up as a very, very bad idea and go back home to where they came from.
ReplyDeleteIf any people were pushed like the Zionists have pushed the Palestinian people (who are in fact very, very decent peoples) you would only ever get the same result.
Most Israeli's are not really religious (I know I lived there), and most are not the semetic Hebrews of ancient time, but a mixed collective of wandering ex-Khazars and ex-Berbers fixated on an impossible dream.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article21020.htm
Willie Dryer
Were talking about freedom of speech here, at least to an extent. It's ok to have a go at Israel whether it's justified or not but what about here? Thousands of Muslims leave Islam every day but you will never read about it - not allowed is it! I know many Omanis who have left Islam but their friends and families still think there are in!
ReplyDeleteEssa 'uses' the word Jew as if it was a venomous swearword. I've heard Arabs shout 'Jew' at a friend of mine because he lost the argument.
All information should be open to scrutiny, comment and critisism but Omantel ban anything that remotely comments on Isla.
www.faithfreedom.org
http://www.prophetofdoom.net/
Whether you like it or not, agree with it or not you should at least read or listen to another or alternative point of view!
Zedjali has always been afraid of the Jews and blames them for all the world's problems. This is a man who quotes David Duke, former Grand Imperial Wizard of the KKK in Louisiana, when going off on one of his "Yikes, it's the Jews!" tantrums. Of course, the KKK and Hitler have a lot in common. I am sure that before going to bed each night, Zedjali looks under his bed to make sure no Jews are hiding there. You know......"THEY" are everywhere..........
ReplyDeleteI'm beginning to think that what really, really pisses the Zionist's off is that the Palestinian people are making a better fist of sticking up for themselves than the Jews ever did - that is until the US gave them the OK, the money, and the kit to try to do so.
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel-United_States_military_relations
Willy Dryer
This dude is whack but I'm okay with his expressing his opinion, so long that other opinions are heard too.
ReplyDeleteHe didn't go about it in the most diplomatic manner, but his sentiments are not unique, be it here or in Iran or in Europe or in the USA.
As far as I am concerned, the paper does not go to print without an editorial review. The papers here are controlled, hence their publications have been approved and express the views of the governing/censoring bodies.
He's not getting fired so just get over it. Go donate some money to the red cross/red crescent instead.
If you're an American then do what I did: write to your elected officials and demand that they intervene into Israel's atrocities, no matter how convenient it is to blame Hamas or the people that voted for them (though most people in Gaza are not of voting age). Two wrongs don't make it right.
This video is an excellent examination of the strength of Israeli propaganda in dictating how their side of the story is portrayed in US media. time well spent.
ReplyDeleteEssential viewing: Peace, Propaganda and the Promised Land: Media and the Israel-Palestine Conflict
You mention Stephen Walt and John Mearsheimer. Great! And Carter too! What has been the reception of these people in the US media? Vilification, illogical diatribes against them, and character assassination.
ReplyDeleteThe same media that forgot its duty on the Iraq War and the financial debacle. The same media that is ignoring oversight of the trillion-dollar bailout.
Having lived in US, Canada and UK, it is with great sadness that I say that among Muslim countries, the Irani, Egyptian, Pakistani, Turkish, Emirati and possibly Omani media are more truthful and more free than the corpo-media of the United States.
It is time to wake up and smell the coffee folks.