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In August 2006, author Jostein Gaarder created a controversy in Norway after publishing an op-ed "God's chosen people" in the ''Aftenposten'', one of the country's major newspapers, in which he compared Israel to the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, and declared that Israel has lost its right to exist.〔Gaarder, Jostein. "("God's Chosen People )." Retrieved on 2006-08-25〕 The text is perceived by some as attacking not only Israel and Israeli policy, but also Jews and Judaism in general, and as an example of New antisemitism.〔(Interview in Klassekampen with Yehuda Bauer )〕 Subsequently Gaarder clarified his views on Israel. Specifically, he said that he does not question the Israeli right to exist, "but not as an apartheid state".〔 Gaarder repeatedly dismissed suggestions that his article was anti-Semitic. In 2011, he wrote a new piece in Aftenposten where he regretted that he had used some thoughtless phrases that could be misinterpreted as anti-Judaistic. ==First op-ed== The piece, titled "God's Chosen People" and written in part as a response to the Israel-Lebanon conflict, claims that Israel's policies are founded on a religion that is "archaic" and "warriorlike". The op-ed, which Gaarder, in an 7 August 2006 NRK Channel 2 radio debate said was read by "countless people" and "Middle East experts" prior to publishing, is written in the literary form of a biblical prophecy, believed by some to be inspired by the Book of Amos. Gaarder maintains that the predictions in the piece do not reflect a course of events he would desire, but rather how it might turn out unless the state of Israel changes its political course.〔(Gaarder condemns Israel )〕 Among other things, Gaarder wrote:
In the article, Gaarder contrasts the use of religious legitimization of war and occupation with humanistic values, quoting Albert Schweitzer: "Humanitarianism consists of never sacrificing a human being for a cause." The article described Judaism as "an archaic national and warlike religion", contrasting it with the Christian idea that "()he Kingdom of God is compassion and forgiveness." Furthermore, he claims that many Israelis celebrate the death of Lebanese children, comparing this behavior to the Biblical story where the Israelites celebrate God's plagues against Egypt. He states: "We recognize the State of Israel of 1948 but not that of 1967. It is the state of Israel that fails to recognize, respect, or defer to the internationally lawful Israeli state of 1948. Israel wants more; more water and more villages", adding that Israel already has ceased to exist. He maintains he is a friend of Jews, and finishes his article by envisioning another exodus of Jews from Israel but hoping that: "() not one Israeli child lose its life. Far too many civilians and children have been murdered already." The op-ed was published together with an interview of Gaarder where he explained the thoughts behind the op-ed. When asked about what he wanted to achieve, he answered that he actually wrote it as a wake-up call to Israel. The state of Israel, he says, is the one state not respecting Israel as it was originally "created by the United Nations."〔 When ''Aftenposten'' asked him if he went too far by not recognizing Israel, he answered: The op-ed is a judgement prophecy. Of course I don't mean that Israel has no right to defend herself. What I say is no different from what the world community has been saying through the UN resolutions. Again and again we see Israel overreacting, says Gaarder, and stresses that he is not against Israel as such, but that he distinguishes between the Israel of 1948 and the one of 1967.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「God's chosen people (Jostein Gaarder op-ed)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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