69 million page views

Geller's people stir up controversy -- perhaps to avoid a deeper controversy

Reader comment on item: That Failed Philadelphia "Islamic Jew-Hatred" Bus Ad

Submitted by Michael S (United States), Jun 1, 2015 at 16:18

It looks as though Pam Geller is behind the ad. I am certainly not a follower of Pam; but thought this statement of hers was interesting:

The Southern Poverty Law Center has named SIOA an anti-Muslim hate group,[13] calling it a "propaganda powerhouse" that paints moderate Muslims as radical terrorists.[10] The Anti-Defamation League also lists it as a hate group, saying that it "promotes a conspiratorial anti-Muslim agenda under the guise of fighting radical Islam" and "seeks to rouse public fears by consistently vilifying the Islamic faith and asserting the existence of an Islamic conspiracy to destroy 'American' values."[7] Geller has described the SPLC listing as a "badge of honor"[14] and in 2015 stated to CNN, "Who designated the SPLC as a legitimate authority? They are a radical leftist group who targets patriots, vets and even GOP presidential candidates. They have never named a jihadi group as a hate group."

-- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stop_Islamization_of_America

It is understandable that some Jews, perhaps including Pam (whom I know little to nothing about) to "strike out" against perceived enemies with ads such as this. As you note, Daniel, this sort of thing carries a chance of backfiring.

For my part, I have little confidence in blatantly anti-Islamic (that's -ic, not -ist) propaganda, in helping the Jewish people -- in and out of Israel. Judaism is a religion founded by the King of the Universe; and the Jewish people are chosen by this God. Those who are against the God of Israel, therefore, for whatever reason, do and will hate the Jews and Israel alike; and Israel is promoted by promoting its God. This, of course, leads to conflict; and perhaps Pam and others like her are trying to avoid this conflict (based on Jewish identity with their God) by promoting a "straw man" conflict against the Muslims. She thus promotes her and hers as heroes; yet the motivation for what they do may be based on cowadice -- ironic.

I don't think This ad, and others like it, have garnered much real support for Israel. That support comes, for the large part, from simple, sincere belief in the Bible.

Submitting....

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".

Submit a comment on this item

Reader comments (22) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
2Husseini was not just a voice in a hurriicane [158 words]walter BensonJul 9, 2015 12:49224122
2A question in reguards to the Arab involvment in world war 2. [28 words]Brian HockersmithJun 21, 2015 19:40223891
5I know my 1st response was too long to be posted. This one will be a better fit for the topic & space provided [131 words]DrRJPJun 3, 2015 12:04223658
2Envy: the basis of Jew-hatred [331 words]Michael SJun 13, 2015 04:43223658
Team Spirit [167 words]Michael sJun 1, 2015 21:21223617
Geller's people stir up controversy -- perhaps to avoid a deeper controversy [354 words]Michael SJun 1, 2015 16:18223615
3A different composition of the ad copy [59 words]PezDispenserMay 29, 2015 07:20223585
2Today is farhud day [130 words]DrwillyJun 1, 2015 06:21223585
14Moderate Islam [144 words]Sister of Wafa, Nonie, and AyaanMay 28, 2015 18:13223576
1Islam needs a Reformation [44 words]GuestJun 8, 2015 22:38223576
3Moderate Islam is a mythical concept and doesn't exist! [120 words]JaladhiJun 16, 2015 16:52223576
1What will moderate Islam look like? [314 words]PrashantJun 18, 2015 14:31223576
struggling for a better advertisement [177 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
George KeselmanMay 28, 2015 13:19223572
4Husseini Was Not Marginal [108 words]DaveMay 27, 2015 18:39223565
Impact on the average American.... [210 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Jon LoewMay 27, 2015 09:40223555
5Based on a false premise [101 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
PattiMay 27, 2015 08:50223554
I agree but... [30 words]BernardMay 26, 2015 22:56223543
6Moderate Islam? [254 words]Boston Tea PartyMay 26, 2015 22:44223542
3The goals of the campaign. [71 words]Januk36May 26, 2015 21:56223540
3It is no surprise [158 words]PrashantMay 26, 2015 20:04223537
To Ad Or Not To Ad? [233 words]YonasonMay 26, 2015 19:36223536
no chance to sway minds that are determined [13 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
AlanMay 26, 2015 17:57223532

Follow Daniel Pipes

Facebook   Twitter   RSS   Join Mailing List

All materials by Daniel Pipes on this site: © 1968-2024 Daniel Pipes. daniel.pipes@gmail.com and @DanielPipes

Support Daniel Pipes' work with a tax-deductible donation to the Middle East Forum.Daniel J. Pipes

(The MEF is a publicly supported, nonprofit organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Contributions are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Tax-ID 23-774-9796, approved Apr. 27, 1998.

For more information, view our IRS letter of determination.)