Saying "I'm not going to be attacked" doesn't accomplish much
Reader comment on item: How Central Is Muslim Anti-Semitism?

Submitted by Gamaliel Isaac (United States), Jun 26, 2002 at 10:10

Dr. Pipes:

I wonder how effective repeating over and over "I'm not going to be attacked" is. It didn't stop you from being attacked. I think it would have been more effective if you had said something like:

"Notice how Ms. Eltantawi is shifting the conversation to personal slander against me. When losing a debate my opponents often resort to personal attacks against my character. The facts are that (Here you could list a series of events that demonstrate the widespread antisemitism of the Arab masses). This has nothing to do with my character. These are facts reported widely in the press. The Arabs speak with two tongues one to the West (to whom they wish to appear moderate and reasonable) and the other to each other. If you want to know what the masses of Arabs think I suggest you visit the web site of MEMRI which translated the interview we are discussing and which has translated many many more disturbing examples of Arab antisemitism."

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