Livnat slams Barenboim for refusing interview with IDF radio

Oh here we go again, everytime someone doesnt agree with the policies of the Israeli goverment they are branded "Anti Semitic" If Daniel Barenboim decides to makes a personnal descision not to give an interview to the an israeli soldier as a form of personal protest that is his right. Maybe Limor Livnat should face reality and realise that most of the world does not approve of the Israeli goverment and the occupational army! Shouting "Anti Semetic" is merly a tactic to divert peoples attention to what is really happening here!

.....what a wonderful human who a makes beautiful music and wants to share it with the world.....but....doesn't he make a living of sharing his music with the rest of us. He chose that to be his job, or am I wrong. Otherwise I also think that this incident was over the top. Mr. barenboim could rethink his action and say, "I was wrong" - not a single gem would fall off his crown. And Mrs. Livnat of course is her very self...she can't help it. Be patient with her. shalom

Thousands of Humans are dying in the US and the only thing Haaretz cares about is the lives of Jews ? Former rabbi will visit NO, all Jews were evacuated? Please let me know who is insensitive about human suffering here? Instate of bothering a good guy like Barenboim please start looking the world from your Jewish castle and destroy the wall because mixing with others (goyim) will teach you some good lessons of live, for example how to open your mouth about the suffering of the Palestinians oppressed by a state called ISRAEL.

Let us for a second forget that Minister Livnat is a politician trying to score some points. Let us also forget that Daniel Barenboim is a prima donna who needs a Palestinian cause to show off. If there wasn't one, he would move on to another cause. If I read the article correctly, Barenboim verbally assaulted this female IDF soldier who was doing her job reporting for Army Radio. That is assault. He then placed his hands on her without permission. That is battery. Mr. Barenboim should be immediately arrested, held for 15 days without bail (as the State is intitled to do) and given a court date. Oh by the way, reporters regularly wear uniforms if they work for Armed Forces publications. Just ask any reporter who serves for publications like the old American "Stars and Stripes".

Ernst, do you mean to tell me that in the Holland, Dutch history isn't taught? Every country teaches their children in the history or myths of that country and culture. And yes Haaretz's focus is on Israel and Jews, so what! Thats why I read it. If I want non-Jewish news I'll go to another site.

Livnat knew what Barebboim's attitude to Israel has been so why did she sign on the recommendation to give him the Wolf prise. She behaved the same way re. the granting of the Israel Prise. Such complaints after and not before, when she could prevent it, is typical of her behavior as a minister, e.g. re. the Gaza expultiohs. Not praisworthy! Zvi

As a musician, I know firsthand that conductors can be swell-headed and manipulative. The heat of the spotlight seems to warp their brains and sensitivities...since when does a conductor--however good he may be, get off publicly promoting his personal political agenda? When he's given a stage. Silence him. Ban Barenboim.

From Yoram: "Asylum`s post makes me recall the sheer arrogance of the man Barenboim, to insist on playing the music of Wagner in a country whose citizens still include death camp survivors" What's the relevance of death camps to Wagner? Little if any. The only relevance is that many Holocaust survivors associate Wagner - and not composers who were living in Nazi Germany at the time like Richard Strauss or Franz Lehar or Carl Orff, nor other long-dead composers whose music was played at the command of the Nazis like Liszt, Beethoven, or Mozart - with the Third Reich. Be that as it may, I don't see how anyone could do anything other than to respect the feelings of survivors of an unspeakable horror. But is anyone forcing them to listen to music they'd rather not hear? I don't think so. Rather, some would like to establish a ban on "politically incorrect" music in Israel. I don't think the list of regimes that have previously banned music for political reasons - most notably the USSR under Stalin and Nazi Germany itself - includes any systems many Israelis would like to emulate.

That said, I think the term is way overused.

Why do there seem to be no self-hating Muslims or Christians? I think you're asking maliciously, but it's actually interesting. Both Islam and Christianity are systems in which identity is faith-based. Lose the faith, lose the identity. You're a Christian and you find yourself hating Christian teaching, culture, and history? Throw away your New Testament and stop believing in Jesus and - shazzam, you are no longer a Christian. You're a Muslim and you hate everything having to do with Islam? Throw away your Koran, stop practicing Islam and - boom! you're no longer a Muslim. Jews are a different case. We are not so much a religion as a people, and therefore not so easy to opt out of. You're a Jew and you hate everything Jewish? Stop practicing Judaism and - ththththpttt! you're just a "bad Jew", and a self-hating one at that. Even antisemites think you're still Jewish. Even converting to another religion won't completely opt you out of the tribe, technically, and certainly not in the eyes of the antisemites, as events in 1930's Germany proved.

The real point is that Daniel Barenboim has time and again acted with arrogance and shown insensitivity to the feelings of Jews in Israel, whether they be survivors of the Shoah, or simply decent patriotic Israelis who care for the good- name of their country. This is a case of a very swollen head and a very small heart. A pity, but he is not the first extremely talented person to be what in Russian is called a 'svoletch'

briliant idea

Barenboim's behavior is a disgrace. I cannot understand why Israel would have given him the Wolf Prize. He's just a turncoat who damages Israel and the Jewish people constantly.

You know that the PA ARABs were victimized by the Arabs but you do not cry about it.Just looking at the 1.3 million Israeli Arabs should tell you that those who stayed and did not participate in the war of 1948 or fled ,benefitted a great deal.This is when the Pals were victimized the first time .Since then every war started by the Arabs - made the Pals victims yet again.The loss of homes and land are the result of wars started by the Arabs wanting all of Israel to themselves.I told you that the Pals are victims together with the Israelis.BTW,the lands in GAZA were empty desert when the Mitnachalim came in ,and anyway it is all gone now.We can give the Pals more and more of whatever and we will get nothing but more demands.Just listen to the cacaphony of demands laced with threats of terrible violence AFTER ISRAEL EVACUATED GAZA.There is no willingness to make peace now.This generation is a basket case that was poisoned severely by ARARFAT'S jihadist education and simply cannot understand the concept of peace. the arab league doen help either.It could be nice if there were among the Arabs people like you who will scold them for what they have done.As things are there are many peaceniks on the Jewish side and not a one on the Arab side.The Pals deserve pity-from the other Arabs who just refuse to free them from the chains of perpetual victims.

ok he is a pacifist and the uniform issue is a bit over the top. however what a wonderful human who a makes beautiful music and wants to share it with the world including his enemies. pity there are not more people of his courage,his enemies respect him and invite him to be with them. how is this spirit anti-semetic? i am proud to be a jew when hear of this type of jew, a light unto the nations.

Asylum's post makes me recall the sheer arrogance of the man Barenboim, to insist on playing the music of Wagner in a country whose citizens still include death camp survivors. Barenboim, if he is a champion of peace and as concerned about human suffering as he seems to make himself out to be, need be on the next plane to New Orleans, doling out millions of his dollars to charity. I am sure he was there on Rawanda too, (was he?) where there was actual genocide. Surely his voice was raised the loudest at that time! The Palestinians are merely a small drop in the bucket of world peace I am sure, so he has much to say and do in a number of countries. I await his flight to Teheran on behalf of human rights in Iran. Of course, we won't hear from him for a good 10 years while he wastes away in jail there. Better to stay in Israel and pontificate in a free, democratic country I guess Daniel?

Barenboim was wrong and also illogical. He should have no problem about giving an interview to the IDF radio station. If the IDF are as bad as some would say it might be as well to educate its listeners. Equally if he objects, whether rightly or wrongly, in principle to the IDF then either refuse the interview on ideological grounds or give it. The fact the interviewer is wearing the IDF uniform comes with the territory. I don't agree with his views but he's entitled to them. However he has simply demeaned himself particularly by assaulting the female interviewer. Equally Livnat has behaved badly. Comments like hers minimise true anti semitism. Or put it another way Barenboim may be an arse and unfriendly to Israel but that does not make him antisemitic. He has a perfect right to hold these views without being defamed in this way.

"Why are there no self-hating Muslims, or self-hating Christians?" - Peace Sucks Because Muslims and Christians don't think accusing any Musilm or Christian they disagree with "self-hating' automatically wins the argument?

I now that the Palestinians have been cruelly used by their Arab brothers, no discussion about that. I do not maintain that the Palestinians and their leaders are particularly enlightened. That is not a justification for our actions concerning the occupation of the territories. What we have been doing since 1967 is in absolute terms WRONG. We (Medinat Israel) did not send the settlers there for security reasons. WE DID SEND THE SETTLERS WITH THE BASIC INTENTION OF EXPANDING THE BORDERS OF ISRAEL WITHOUT ANY REGARD TO THE PEOPLE LIVING THERE). That was a mistake from our side. As long as we do not correct this situation we will not have peace. Tell me how would you react if your neighbor decides to take over your garden, put up a tent and establish himself? After a month you will not be throwing flowers at him, it will be stones or worse?

ARE you sure you did not make a mistake when you wrote that ARAFAT wanted peace with Israel? This is too funny for words. Arafat never wanted peace.He wanted to destroy Israel and then inherit it. furthermore,a PA state scared him half to death. All this terrible responsibilty and no one to blame for the FASHLAS...OSLO was a Trojn horse,who does not know that by now?That ARAFAT KILLED JEWS is known to the world but not everyone knows what he did to the PA ARABS. HOW MANY OF THEM HE KILLED.THOSE HE DID NOT LIKE,THOSE HE WAS AFRAID OF ,THOSE WHO DID NOT CONFORM TO HIS PHILOSOPHY OF ENDLESS AND FOREVER INTIFADA...Being corrupt and a first class liar are just more things he exelled in.If you managed to grow up strong and free and able and wanting to say out loud what you think ,then there is hope that there are others like you and these will be the people to make peace with,eventually,someday.

Hey El-Birawi! What do you call a Palestinian who disagrees with Hamas?- Dead

CLEARLY,WE SPLIT ON SOME VERY IMPORTANT POINTS.I think that both the Israelis and the Palestinains are victims of the ARAB LEAGUE.It was the ARAB LEAGUE that forbade the Palestinians to make peace with Israel however small or big were the concessions.The PA Arabs were given the job of being the irritant in the side of Israel,the ongoing victim to Israel's supposed cruelty.They suffer a great deal--- from their own corrupt and cruel rulers,the criminal gangs,the terror groups,the teachers who teach them to die for ...and on and on.While I agree that Israel should have built the GALIL ,AT THE SAME BREATH YOU CAN SAY THAT THE 7 AND A HALF BILLION DOLLARS THAT WENT TO Arafat SHOULD HAVE BUILT PALESTINE.HOW MANY shalom songs were written and sung in Israel? How many in the west bank and GAZA.?They are singing alright ,songs of death for all the Yahood...and how wonderful will it be to be a SHAHEED.Once up there they will know what to do with 72 virgins.Children learn fast.As for artists-anyone famous can do a lot of good or a lot of bad with his/her celebrity status.I have yet to have heard BERENBOIM saying one comforting word to the victims of the PA terror or their devastated families.Not a shekel went to help.Frank sinatra helped both Jews and Arabs.Berenboim is no Sinatra.

I could argue that , maybe there's less to hate, but that would just sound too racist. Or maybe its because , we don't rely on the old "You are an anti-Semite !" defense when we are faced with legitimate criticisims

Harris all you do besides harrising us REAL ISRAELIS is "second other people". Refer to your postings @ #'s 91 & 149 on this topic alone, let alone ALL the others. Ever had an "original" thought in your life? Ever wanted to be a leader instead of a crummy follower (seconder)? NAAAH didn't think so. You don't have the balls for it!! I notice you don't have the guts to stand up to a real ISRAELI JEW who questions your crap. Much the same as franazi & yankele really! You actually are no better than them. You claim to be a GOOD JEW, so what are you doing living as a brit, when the Jewish State, Medinat Yisrael, has been around for 57yrs. And you the grandson of one of the founding fathers of ZIONISM. Cut the crap & the Bull SH1t. You are a brit & always will be, that's OK Just accept it & leave us alone. We can live with it. Can you??

Yair, Salam/Shalom. The problem is that if one criticise or challenge certain premise, one is called a traitor or commiting blasphemy. When I criticise certain Palestinian actions or certain behavior or criticise the leaderships, I am not less of a Palestinian than the rest of the Palestinians. I took a very strong and open exception to Arafat, not because he wanted peace with Israel, but because he was incompetent and corrupt leader. I took open and public exception to suicide bombing because I felt it was morally wrong and against Islam. I also too strong stand against those who challenged my right to disagree. As far as I am concern, when I was born, Allah did not appoint a guardian on me. I make my own mind and I am as a good Palestinian or Muslim as the next guy, perhaps better. Amen.

not only yehudi menuhin isaac stern ,fritz kreisler ,ostraikh but a wealth of others ,

Yair you ar absolutely correct, one should be able to freely criticize Israel's policy. The difference is we are not Canada or France. You may not have noticed, maybe due to your naivete, that on this site and in the world, there are acutally many elements that are not simply criticizing Israel and her policies. they are not ashamed to question its existence. Everything that takes place here, from a large scale robery or a case of corruption becomes a reason for bringing an end tho the state. Much of the world is fixated on this place, whether they are the Left-Lite or relgious left that view us as colonialist and puppets of American Imperialism to the far-right which simply hates jews. To be blind to this reality is naive. tonite I watched the game between Sweiz and Israel. A few idiots with "Free Palestine" signs ran onto the field. this is part of the fixation. When France plays nobody runs on with flags qustioning their actions in Africa and the diamond trade, nor when England plays do they run onto the field calling for a Free Falklands, or Scotland or Northern Ireland. but Israel only sixty years after the holocaust is still open for questioning. Which only gives strength to my understanding of the need for this country to exist and be strong. The forces that have lined up against us for centuries may have changed their names but still have the same goals. Enjoy Barcelona, and keep questioning, but please be aware of certain realities. thanks

We were privileged to greet Daniel Barenboim in Birmingham, U.K. earlier this year when he brought the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on a European tour. Their performance of the Mahler Ninth was inpressive through its cool-headed approach and the hushed closing bars had the large audience totally silent. After the performance the then Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Cllr Mike Nangle, presented Barenboim with a token of appreciation of his efforts towards peace in the Middle East. Mike is no stranger to divided communities cominmg from Portadown in Northern Ireland, another place where there is division and ignorance between communities. The small mindedness of politicians is shown for what its is by Barenboim's courageous stand against the petty vindictive ways of so-called leaders. The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra which he and the late Edward Said set up has made its mark. I had not appreciated how so much Jewish feeling there is that the present Israel has failed to meet the promises made with a state that has no future other than division and violence if present policies are continued. I met a group of Orthodox Jews in London recently who expressed strong views about Israel being an anti-religious state and who believed that Palestinians had a right to live peacefully on land they had inhabited, along with Jewish people, for many centuries. The atrocities that citizens of Israel and Palestine face daily need to be seen for what they are. I was in Jerusalem last year when a bus was blown up. I saw the remains. I also saw a house in Bethlehem, blown up as a result. A total tragedy for everyone concerned. The spiral of violence is not going anywhere. Those, like Barenboim, who insist on speaking out with integrity deserve recognition. The problem is that anyone who speaks out against the government is in danger of being accused of anti-semitism. Crimes against Jewish people cannot be forgotten, but it will never be an excuse for inflicting violence and suffering on anyone else. I'm appalled at the ignorant and abusive comment that this incident had elicited. They reflect on the writers not the subject matter of this debate. I know nothing about Livnat. She's a politician parading in uniform? I think there's even more to this than meets the eye. Yours sincerely, John Tyrrell, Birmingham U.K.

Although I do not belong to the camp of Livnat, I have had to agree with her regarding Barenboim opinions. Barenboim suffers from an acute anti Jewish disease. In addition, he must be a political idot if he collaborated with Said. His attitude to an IDF soldiers is only a symptom of his naïveté.

"It is so interesting that any one, any one who disagree with any policy of Israel is labled an anti-semite, and if they happen to be Jewish, they are labled "self hating Jews" and traitors." AMEN! I'm sick and tired of being called a self hating Jew because I criticise certain Israeli policies. I love being Jewish, and exactly for that reason I'm embarrassed by the acts of these individuals that are supposedly 'my brothers', who mar the beauty of Judaism. It's healthy to be auto-critical! On a slight tangent, sometimes I'm accused of being too naive with my compromising views... Very interesting... So what are these right wing hawks that unquestioningly defend their country without accepting any criticism? The attitude is: my country's great! We are right and they are wrong! AND THEN I'M NAIVE? Never seen anyhing more indoctrinated, unrealistic, and babyishly naive in my life than this way of thinking. Time to go back to kindergarten! We've all made mistakes: just accept it and fight for a better future for both sides! Yair PS for the sake of equilibrium, the same criticism can be applied to Arabic (or any other) extremists as well.

"Typical performing arts Star arrogance." - Mark I disagree Mark. I think it was out of sensitivity as Barenboim said "I just thought that in this place, discussing a book written together with a Palestinian, it shows lack of sensitivity." To Palestinians, the Israeli army uniform represents the occupation of their land and the ethnic cleansing of their people. Given the well-documented war crimes in the occupied territories, many Israeli officers and soldiers serving there would be facing trial in the Hague, if international law were to be applied. I think Barenhoim showed remarkable courage, moral character and sensitivity. I wouldnt be too quick to attribute this to arrogance.

"...Israel is the only country in the world where a uniformed soldier is accepted as a bona fide journalist who can just conduct an interview. Anywhere else, a soldier is a representative of the armed forces." Adam Keller Adam, every branch of the United States military has its own "news division," print and electronic, and members of these branches act as reporters and writers, just like in the civilian world. They are, I suppose, as full of "bona fides" as the Israeli journalist in question and interview who their editiors and superiors tell them to, which could include both civilian and military types. Are you saying that an Israeli journalist is viewed as something more than what she is, i.e., someone who works for the Israeli military? How do Israeli military reporters and journalists differ from U.S. military reporters and journalists?

Any arrogant person has the potential to become an antisemite. Daniel was, is an allways will be an arrogant and very far from being a mentch.

Flower, I appreciate artists that involve themselves in any kind of public activity including politics. Because of their stature they are able to influence more the public opinion and politicians as well. They can be much more effective that Joe Smith, who cannot more than vote for this or the other party. So far so good.. I despise Richard Wagner for his ideas but, he did compose beautiful music that I like. Why shouldn?t I enjoy it? And Hitler in his madness built upon two millennia of anti Semitism, and applied the power of the industrialized 20th century to it. But Hitler and his dream are no more and the Jewish people flourish in Israel and the world. Whatever he tried to achieve by promoting Wagner did not succeed, and the music is still beautiful. Daniel Barenboim has been promoting the name of Israel for the last 50 years across the world and he speaks for peace for both People living here. We take care of our own victims, but on the Palestinian side the situation is not so good because even their own ?brothers? have not much interest helping them. Finally do not forget that we ourselves are greatly responsible for the terror. If instead of the West Bank and Gaza had we settled the Western Galil and south of Gedera the picture would have been very different today? Regards

In my experience, the best way to treat this pompous and sanctimonious musician is to boycott his concerts and generally ignore his outbursts. Musicians feed on public recognition. Make him into what he actually is: a non-persona.

Personally, I can't stand limor Livnat, becasue of her political stance, her aggressiveness and the harm she has done education in Israel. That being said, I share her sentiments towards Daniel Barenboim, because the IDF reporter was interviewing him in the line of duty. Therefore she had every reason to wear her uniform and, if Barenboim actually tried to tear off her epaulets, he should be arrested and tried for assault and battery, at least, not to speak of whatever accusations could be levelled against him for defacing a uniform or whatever. Whether one agrees with Barenboim's politics or not, his behavior is certainly unbefitting a law-abiding person.

Barenboim is a credit to the Jewish people and to humanity. His attempts to bring about peace and understanding through music, which he launched with his Pelestinian friend the late Edward Said, are rays of hope in a rather dark Israeli scene of right-wing fascism and religious extremism. The use by Ms. Livnat of "anti-semitism" shows the extent to which this term has been overused and abused (Dee also Paul Harris' postings where he deals anti-semitism accusations left, right and centre to anyone who dares criticize Israel). This overuse of the term has reached the point where peace-loving Jews, let alone peace-loving gentiles, are made to suffer the intimidating "A" word. This is very unfortunate as it cheapens the term and contributes to real anti-semitism.

with all the serious issues facing israel, the world, and minister livnat, i think we can ignore mr. barenboims prima dona outbursts. there is a point, tho, to his refusal to deal with a reporter in uniform. take it or leave, but lets not waste more space. one prominent black american asked how israel could have so quickly and successfully air evacuated the ethiopian refugees en masse , while the americans created a total mess in new orleans. now thats worth discussing.

he is great musician and his anti israel passages are yesteryears news. many of them hold weird views, that are no concern of mine. It happens, some of the antisemites where and are great artists and performers, so i suggest to enjoy their talent and spit on their views.

" The fact that Barenboim was interviewed by a correspondent on Army Radio and he disagreed with her wearing a uniform is ludicrous. She was interviewing Barenboim in her line of duty. His demand that she change her uniform for the interview is illogical." - Shimon Z. Klein Typical performing arts Star arrogance. Don't you know that if people pay to see you perform, then the world must revolve around you?

Mr. Lowi's observation that 'Israel' is hasty in labeling as 'antisemite' any one who dares criticise its actions is too limited in its scope. That attitude is all too pervasive where the Jewish leadership establishment seized control of the agenda; the ADL, the Wiesenthal institute and so forth. If there is any question about what is it all about, read the just published, extremely well researched and documented book by Norman Finkelstein "beyond Chutzpa" (California). Neither Mr. Barenboim nor any one else should pay attention to what this ignoramous political hack mascarading as an 'education minister' spouts.

Every word tried and true.We wish our artists will be just artists without political involvements but it is naive to even hope for that.However ,some artists used their fame to cause a great deal of harm.Everyone knows that VAGNER was a malignant antisemite and an inspiration to Hitler.Berenboim who used to be YELED PELEH,a vunderkind when a child ,grew up to be a fine musician .I have no problem with his " pain" for the Palestinians and I agree with him that music is ,could be,a healing force,but I despise his ongoing criticism of Israel and never giving his music,the speaking and donating money kind, to the Israeli victims of the awful PA terror.

Foxie, one of the clearest symptoms of ignorance is the rejection of whatever you do not understand; but pay attention: During Beethoven?s lifetime there were no recording devices. Do you think that anybody would know Beethoven today, admire and enjoy his music but for gifted interpreters or conductors like Daniel Barenboim? Music is an accomplishment of both, the composer and the interpreter, any kind of music. And by the way, not liking some kind of music doesn't automatically mean that it is not good, it means only that: you do not, like it but somebody else does. By the way I do not like Schoenberg myself (the Sheonenberg you mention in # 106 does not exist). Moreover the kind of expressions you use. hemroidal (should be hemorrhoidal), shake your tushie, are the most clear display of ignorance and bigotry. I have more news for you my man, it does not matter what is the origin of the music, whether it was commissioned by a despot or church music. Music goes in through your ears and then it becomes feelings. That's it. My best whishes for your son and his piano lessons, hopefully he will be more open minded that his old man. You can send me his application for the conservatory here in Givatayim, I will do my best .Cheers

Having read the fuller report of the incident it appears he actually physically assaulted an Israel Army woman soldier,who was only doing her job,by grabbing at her epaulettes. Apparently he doesn't deny his actions. Anywhere else in the world he would probably be arrested and tried. Why not do it? And then remove his citizenship and declare him personna non gratia, as should be all who confuse honest criticism with their own brand of bigotry and hatred of Jews.

One might recall that great Jewish violinist, the late Yehudi Menuhin, as a shining example of Jewish musical talent in the last century. If you haven't heard of him, check out this web page and find out one of the possible reasons why you haven't: http://www.washington-report.org/backissues/0796/9607018.htm

In my opinion, Mr.Barenboim is a real kappoo. The corupt mass media, including a part of Haaretz staff fabricates his cheap publicity.

Where is the anti-semitism? Livnat may not like Barnboim's action, even very much dislike it. She can say that the action insulted the IDF, even that it insulted the State of Israel. OK. But where is the anti-semitism? By the way, Israel is the only country in the world where a uniformed soldier is accepted as a bona fide journalist who can just conduct an interview. Anywhere else, a uniformed soldier is a representative of the armed forces, and a peace activist like Barnboim does not automatically grant interviews to a representative of the armed forces. So OK, we know that Galy Tzahal is a fine radio station and that it is not truly part of the army. But why should we demand that a person who does not live here should be aware of such nuances?

Anti-Semitism exists here and there around the world, there's no doubt about it. I believe that it's a phenomenon of dwindling importance, but one should always be on the alert for it (and that goes for those of us who defend the Palestinian cause as well). However, by comparing Daniel Barenboim to an anti-Semite, Limor Livnat is guilty of serious inflation and "crying wolf". The danger with such stupid language is that it distracts from real existing anti-Semitism in the interests of mere abusiveness and slander.

There have always been anti-semitic Jews and Barenboim is one of today's most glaring examples. What makes this Jew?s behaviour particularly galling is that his motive is not the usual one - that is currying favour with gentiles - but simple, unabashed publicity seeking. The episode with the army radio journalist happened because newspapers were not talking enough about him and his 'peace orchestra'. The most effective punishment for men like Barenboim (though 'man' is perhaps too strong a word) is to ignore them.

Paul your pride in your yiddishkeit is commendable. I too am Proud, not only just in being Jewish but also at being an ISRAELI for the past 46yrs, something which you too could have been. Your rubbing peoples noses in the dirt as to how many Jews out of .00001% of whatever categorie have done such & such, merely fuels Anti Semitism. BTW still waiting to hear more on your Zeida, the "father of Zionism" Personally I would have shown more proud & NOT cowtowed to the brits & anglicised the name from HERZL to HARRIS. Just a thought really!!!!!!!!

How come you don't post things right away like the Yahoo does? If you have censorship here I ain't posting here no more, LOL.

It is so interesting that any one, any one who disagree with any policy of Israel is labled an anti-semite, and if they happen to be Jewish, they are labled "self hating Jews" and traitors. While every one who disagreed with and stood up to Hitler Germany is labled a hero. Frankly I don't see any difference. Those who stand up and speak out about what is wrong wth the country should be heros. I am sure many all of us wish there were more Germans who stood up to Hitler.

It is sadenning in the extreme to see a Minster of the State of Israel engage in such hyperbole against a well respected artist, or against any citizen. Israeli politics has enough to contend with, but stooping to the level of accusing Barenboim of being anti-semitic is both absurd and demeaning of a political leader. Livnat forgets the prime tenants of Israel's constitution including the right to hold political opinions and air them without immediately being labelled anti-semitic simply because one disagrees with some, many, or most of a Likud led government's policies. The level of civil discourse has to improve otherwise society implodes when faced with such pround political issues every day of the year. Put simply Minister Livnat "Grow up"!

hey bain in the neck. What about "the little pianists" much publicised meeting & photoshoot resplendent with friendly kiss, NO tongue, with the little despot arafat, whilst he, arafat, was wearing his toy soldier outfit. Or doesn't it count when it's NOT a REAL FIGHTING ARMY but just Purim outfits from "Jews R US" Actually your being in Paris & all that perhaps you could ask Suha arafat about the kiss, though it was probably a long time since she had kissed old yasser. Berenboim was probably one of the last to kiss him. But then who would want to. Though having said that, Chirac may have been the last, & even he, now that he has examined the photo under a magnifier, admits that his sight has deteriorated. All this time & He thought that Bill had sent Monica over to Paris for a check up.

Oof, I thought you were totally closed to music, regarding your posts.. Now I see you play some instrument, maybe yukulele? ;) Plz don't come back with hitler loving classical music, what will it change? Hating somthing just because he loved it makes you react like him, which means in an uncoherent way. By the way, if you take the risk and send your boy to classical piano lessons, he might become openminded (yes, classical music is not elitist, au contraire) and not share his dad's opinions on many points. Imagine having a Bainem at home within few years! Too bad I'm not there, I would have gladly been a piano teacher for your son. Regards ps: seriously, what kind of music do you like Fox?

What a sad punk he is! He doesn't even know about he own name - it supposed to be Birnboim(a pear tree in Yiddish). People, learn Yiddish for god sake, if you in America at least, LOL!

Hey greenPIECE the Chayelet was wearing her military uniform coz those are her "workclothes" & also because she is PROUD to serve her country. A concept you no doubt find difficult to comprehend. Perhaps you would like to now try to justify "the pianists" not only granting an audience to, but even kissing arafat who was dressed in khaki, a sort of military uniform, notwithstanding the fact that it wasn't the uniform of the armed forces he served with, he served in the Egyptian services, but rather the uniform of "toy soldiers". I note from your last posting #64 that like "New York, New York,so good they named it twice" you felt it was that good you should post it twice. IT WASN"T so if you can come up with justification for the pianists meeting with the midget despot arafat in khaki, just one posting will do fine. We would hate to suffer reading your crap twice.

Sure you're the best. A little more attention to the spelling & you might become famous in cultural milieux.

joe go back and sleep.if something important happens i will wake you.

The spokesperson for the Israeli state demonstrated what many of us know, namely, Israel doesn't know antisemitism. By branding as antisemitism anything that makes them uncomfortable, they display their inability to discern antisemitism from anything else. This is only one of the ways Israel has become the leader in world antisemitism.

Livnat should show up to one of Barenboim concerts wearing a uniform. I an sure that Barenboim won't take a walk seeing her at the Audiance. Would that make him Kosher?

I loved your remarks, they made me smile.. thanks.

also look up the worlds composers try the % jews represent 0.001% of this world

My interpretation of this spat is that the IDF was trying to use Mr Barenboim to improve its image, but the man does not think that the IDF deserves this. Perhaps carrying out the Gaza evacuation wasn't enough to right decades of wrong, and the IDF is still seen as more part of the problem than part of the solution in terms of peace. Personally, I think it needs to purge itself of racists before trying another interview.

the guy is unable to make the grade at the piano anymore, ratings are going down for his trade, so the man does what he can...what a pitty that so many ppl are concerned. that's his game in the first place.

Shalom to both of you. I think my blood pressure surged to high levels, reading those nonsense postings backing Ms Livnat's address to Mr Barenboim's behaviour. I am really perplexed with my mixed reaction to what is going on in Israel, and with Israelis. At times I feel contend and rather happy with the mean and low standards of reasoning coupled with bias and hatred towards the other, including great achievers and even prominent Jewish figures, if and when they seem to oppose the Israeli politique and policies. It conforts me, because it ruins World support to my occupier, and because it will, ultimately sicken all those who back Israel's wrong doing, who have long treated Israel like a spoiled child, beyond any reproachment or reprimand for its misdemeanour. As a counter reaction, I feel appalled and scared if this scenario prevails, and the like of Ms Livnat, continue to lead Israel, with all the blood spilling and wars that will ensue as a definite result. That is why, I hope and pray, that people like you will gain ground, and work harder towards "PEACE", a term that is missing from Israeli dictionary.

Johanes, I felt sick this morning -is it because I am pregnant or is it because of Israel exist?

Does you tresure chest of classical music contain the bag-pipers of the Royal Joradanian Marching Band? Fanaticism? did you learn this word while you away from the computer? It seems to be your new hook. Fanatic, I roll it around in my mouth, trying to find comfort in its stucatto resonance. From you it is like pablum. You never fail me. Your poison is honey-suckle to the happy sucker of a pollen-induced bee. "Flight of the bumble-bees" see I ain't as ignorant as you think. I have suffered through Sheonenberg as well, enjoying his creative aspect, bored to tears at it's manifestation. but like Mussolini, Stalin and Europe's other great facist leaders, I am not surprised that a fly on the wall of culture is so impressed by this music of patronists and colonialists. Give me the animals and Dr. John. You can have Birenboim as well. He is much too Jewish for me. You can use him as a cultured and respectable excuse for your Jew-baiting and racist attitudes. But as member of the Far-Right he is up your alley. Bainem-ubber alles, my FANATIC friend, wow that rolled so easily off my "Requim for another Dead Guy" lips.

Please inform me as to why my ignorance of another classical pianist is such a loss. It is not as if we are discussing a creator of classical music here, we are discussing the works of a player of other's music. I am not a classical music fan, for the same reason that I do not busy myself watching paint dry. There is plenty of music in the world to keep me happy. As a musician myself, rather than listening to Birenboim plough his way through a bit of Mozart, or dressed like a penguin guiding some youth through the classics with his magic wand, I prefer to play, enjoy the act and the art of making music. But you are hooked on Birneboim, you enjoy listening to his tappings, which is good for you, enjoy. But leave your elitist and patronist views of music at the door, it is a bore. Hitler loved his classical music, hated jazz and everything else that made you shake your tushie, instead finding rapture in the hemroidal non-beat of the classics. It is also alarming that Birenboim would play music that on the most part was comissioned for the church or some plump despot in need of some marching tunes for the soul. Well I am off to find a piano teacher for my son. Who knows he may grow up to be an actual creator of classical music rather than a parrot. I am aware that there exists a conservatory of music in Givatayim. Got any piano teachers thar?

well said.

oh maestro bainem the only lover of culture. thy idol is displeased.thous hath spellest his name wrong.he will be displeased.you dare spell the idol's name wrongly. the great idol is with an "a" not berenboim but barenboim. i fear thy culture is without substance oh idol worshipper. down with barenboim

What the hell is "Jewish" musical talent?!?! What is wrong with you people?

oh maestro bainem the only lover of culture. thy idol is displeased.thous hath spellest his name wrong.he will be displeased.you dare spell the idol's name wrongly. the great idol is with an "a" not berenboim but barenboim. i fear thy culture is without substance

The heroic efforts of Jewish fighters during the Warsaw Ghetto uprising in April 1943 and the later uprising in the Bialystok Ghetto uprising in August 1943, shows that Jews are perfectly capable of defending themselves and did not go docilely to their deaths. Perhaps the exception rather than the rule, some will say, nonetheless, these actions still stand out in history as examples of armed Jewish resistance against a murderous enemy.

The fact that you "never heard of this piano player until he became political" reflects very badly on yourself, nothing else. Do not take all the people in this planet, but only those on the industrialized nations and you will see that Daniel Barenboim is a very well known figure, as a musician and not as a political person. That you are not a big fan of classical music is your loss, nobody else. Not liking classical music doesn't sanction being ignorant. You should read beyond the sport pages of you newspaper...

Yeah Fox, it has been a while since I haven't seen your poison on the talkback! well.. I could easily imagine that you know nothing about classical music. But it's allright, fanaticism prevent ears from listening to the others, even when it's just music they play. There is no such thing as worship for Berenboim, I, as a classical music lover just love his work and appreciate his efforts towards mutual understanding through music (actually one of the less polluted fields where channels of communication still exist). Now if you people share the same views (blind actually) as Livnat, brother, or other narrowminded fools, then welcome to paranoia land, that one people like Berenboim & Edward.W. Said used to fight with comprehension & a mind wide open.. but this you can not understand, because you're a fanatic. Anyways, nice to see you again Fox from Karkur.

You are absolutely correct. Judaism has long been a home to pacifism. the problem is it didn't help. When the third Reich came along, instea of attempting to fight, we walked to the gas chambers. simple of that. It does not work, when you are facd with true unabashed evil. Self defence baby. It is better than being slaughtered. As for Berenboim he would hav had more credit in my eyes if his pacifism wasn't so one sided. Self-promotion is his game, and he does it well.

Bainem you is back, and I thought you had gone of to Afghanistan to participate in some trianing camp. Well since you are with us I must state that it is fitting that you worship humans with more talent than you. Whcih means you worship most of mankind, I guess. Unlike you because a man plays a mean piano, does not make him bigger than life, or brighter than the average mutt. I personally am not a big fan of classical music, and am dismayed by the calling of an interpreter of great music and genius. Like most people on this planet, I had never heard of this piano player until he became political. Now nearly everyone in Israel knows of him. He has made himself into a celebrity, the Cze Gevera of classical piano. How boring! Now if he would hve come up with a music style that was reminiscent of the music of the area, combined with tired classical tunes then that may have been interesting. One thing I can say is that any of the youth that take up with this Svengali will have a good future in the classical music biz due to his unadulterated self-promotion.

the point is Barenboim is firmly lost up his own pretentious backside

with respect barenboim can now do as he pleases - as a struggling artist he did as all artists do and that is what is required barenboim is the jane fonda of the music world fabulously wealthy and allowing his vary ample bank balance to speak for him. sorry i beleive you to be wrong

Michael says it all as far as conductors and composers are concerned. (Ha'aretz, get your act together on classical music!). The rest is Livnat's quest for votes. Barenboim is an artist who tries to look things squarely in the eye, popularity be damned. Banning Wagner and hesitation about committing ourselves to such basics as our country's size and location are maladies. These need attention, not denial. But bugbears continue to be such convenient distractions, don't they?

Dear Editor, firts of all: Richard Wagner was not Hitler's favorite conductor. Richard Wagner, the composer died a long time before the Nazis made him their musical hero. Secondly, I agree with Daniel Barenboim's remark that his refusal to be interviewed for his book with Said by an army reporter in uniform, is not anti-semitic, it might be impolite, unreasonable, but not anti-semitic.I do think it was rather insensitive of him to yell at the reporter, but Barenboim's feelings of appreciation for his late Palestinian friend Edward Said run deep, and this was a joint book project. Did the reporter hae a choice?I remember in 1999 I was present when Maestro Barenboim auditioned young Israeli musicians in a Tel Aviv auditorium in uniform for the West-Eastern Orchestra project.They left their weapons at the entrance check in, and played Mozart in their IDF uniforms.At that time it seemed rather strange to me, a soldier playing Brahms in uniform, so I pointed this out to Maestro Barenboim . His responses was very matter of fact: "all the young Israelis at one time or another wear uniforms, that is daily life in Israel".The difference between the audition and the booksigning:one was purely musical and the other rather political. Barenboim showed respect for the army and music in the first incident and respect for Edward Said, whose friendship and wisdom, thinking of clarity was dear to the Maestro's heart. Lighten up, Madam Minister of Education, anti-semitic the Maestro is not!

THE LAST PREMIER WHO WAS PIANIST WAS PADEWRESKI IN POLAND . BARENBOIM IS JUST A PIANIST

barenboim is a gifted musician and a talented orator and somebody who only looks after his own interests. his version of peace - spoken from the comfort of his own luxury is somewhat audacious,he fits well into the frame of those glorious jews who want the world to love them at any price there are in the uk several of these jews - to name sir gerald kaufmann as one or harold pinter to name another - there are more - prof. stephen rose etc the usa has their fair share and there are more - we even had the so called jew israel shamir so loved by the left until it transpired he was as jewish as the pope you like barenboim good for you - i enjoy his music and his talent,his politcal grand standing is sickening bm

bainem from what i could understand of your english your position regarding barenboim and yourself is that of idol and worshipper. good musicians are however just that- good musicians.not necessarily to be worshipped. your views on hierarchy viz flies,worshippers and finally the idols is not you will find something most will agree with. meanwhile down with barenboim.

Can't you see guys, Barenboim is an Argentinian. Jew or not they're always like that. Ask any Brasilian. We are well accustomed (and tired) with the nice moods of our charming neighbours.

Barenboim is a veritable scum.

i do remember that recently barenboim was at the receiving end of anti jewish remarks.by someone in in the orchestra he is involved with. (berlin philharmonic ?) is he trying to make himself popular with his new buddies?who knows. down with barenboim.

Mr. Barenboim: Will you ever learn??? Do you have to be remembered: 6 million jews have been exterminated only 60 years ago! I?m the last survivor of my family! I respect you as a world class orchestra conductor, but you don?t even know how to conduct yourself! If not this girl in uniform and all other girls and boys in uniform defending the country you would not even be able exist 1 minute. Don?t you know what the final goal is of our enemies? Where would you runaway? To Argentina?... We owe respect to the army, not only in Israel but from the whole world. They are giving their blood to defend you! They are defending a democracy and you are taking advantage to behave like an idiot! Try to make peace but please respect the people who are defending you and the other ones who gave their lives for you!

mark i could not disagree with you more but there you are! we cannot all be of the same mind.i for instance see barenboim as a poseur.and as rich said he is what- a pianist and he is entitled to be listened to by all? i of course respect your views and with your permission: down with barenboim.

It is time to start treating self-hating Jews like anti-semites they truly are.

i have to say i am amazed that this supercilious man had the audacity to tell the idf lady she had to change her clothes if she wanted an interview. what a pompous individual!

"barenboim is a pianist conductor which means what exactly?" quite so.

Sorry antoine, but I have heard him play, and he plays very nice. H has learned to play what geniuses write, very well. But a man who simply plays what others create is not a genius, he is very good at best. Genius comes in creating. there are many artists who could paint the Mona Lisa, probably even better than DiVinci himself, but this does not make them geniuses, it makes them very good painters. Only the creator should be afforded genius. And Benrenboim ain't no Mozart, even though he plays Mozart very nicely.

people get a little too full of their own importance....barenboim is a pianist/conductor which means what exactly ? he's the extra soft type living in a very unreal world. which explains why he has become a pompous self appointed XXXXXX.

LIKE SO MANY OF YOU JEWS BARENBOIM HAS JEWISH SELF HATRED. THE COLLECTIVE SELF-Hatred can only once again bring doom to Jewish born people. Why not be proud like we FRENCH?

Iam thing some minister in the goverment in israel are very racist,iam jewish and iam live in santiago .the great problem in israel is all primer minister are militar is no good ,the militar is for war .

exactly Alain..in addition Barenboim knew he was going to be interviewed by Galei Zahal(army uniform) and is enough informed to know that the interviewers wear uniform. He really should not be so petty. He is a brilliant performer.

Staff on Israeli Army Radio have to wear uniform when they are on duty. The fact that Barenboim was interviewed by a correspondent on Army Radio and he disagreed with her wearing a uniform is ludicrous. She was interviewing Barenboim in her line of duty. His demand that she change her uniform for the interview is illogical. It is the same as telling a surgeon not to wear green sterile uniform when he is in the operating theatre performing an operation. Many places of work involve wearing a uniform.

Barenboim has his opinions & principles, & that`s 'part & parcle' of democracy. If he didn`t agree to 'the uniform' thing, that`s his perogative. He`s cool!

well this is just getting beyond ridiculous! Not only is it supposedly anti-semitic to criticise Israeli government policy now its anti-semitic to say you don't want to be interviewed by a soldier in uniform!! Isn't it strange, how when anyone is critical of their own or other countries governments, other then Israel, they are usually credited with generally engaging in democratic discussion or debate, but oh no, when you the same is done in regard to Israeli govt policy, suddenly your an anti-semite - what a load of bunkem. If I was living in Pakistan and I refused to be interviewed by a soldier in uniform, does that make me anti-Muslim (of course not!). Just as refusing to be interviewed by a soldier in uniform in Spain does not make me anti-christian, neither does refusing to be interviewed by an Israeli soldier in uniform make a person anti-semitic or a "self hater". Its time zionists grew up and relied on rational argument rather then hystical emotionalism. Stop accusing anyone who disagrees with their ideology as being anti-semites or "selfhaters", it does nothing except reveal you are incapable of engaging in a rational argument or debate. If you disagree with those who disagree with you, then have the debate, have the discussion and stop crying wolf (or victim) every single time. Calling anyone who simply has a rational disagreement with zionism or Israeli policy anti-semitic, only discredits your argument, not the person you are trying shut down.

I would appreciate it greatly if you post my 'talkback' to the 'Livnat article' and not arbibtrarly censor it as you had done on several previous occasions.

Berenboim is the best ambassador Israel would dream of.. proof: what was he doing in the knesset and why is he considered so highly by israeli authorities? it's quite simple: because he is a genious that Israel would have wanted to have as representative. Berenboim did well by refusing the interview. In a normal democratic country, the greatest Maestro would never be interviewed by a person wearing a uniform, unless if it's in a dictatorship such as 80's Argentina or Pinochet Chile. It's simply not acceptable. What were they waiting for? a full support of Berenboim not only to Israel but to the IDF??? What a stupid behaviour and a stupid idea. Now we can see here and there little flies and ants bashing this great man (both in what he does and what he believe in) and this is the funniest part of the ludicrous movie Livnat is acting in. Normally, someone like her wouldn't dare talking about such a man in such terms, as if she was judge, as if she have had the ability (intellectually and ideologically) to speak about him.. but it seems things are easy for antisemitism prospectors. Livnat is one of the worst ministers Israel have ever had, one which will surely forgot quickly by the history of the state. Why backing her?? unless you're just as superficial and tasteless as her. Maybe that's why fanatics hate Berenboim so much: because his talent is too high and their knowledge too low to match.

Daniel Barenboim is not a little guy taping b&w keys : he is a genius.

Mr. Barenboim may well be a great musician but he is not much a thinker. Perhaps if he deigned to visit some of the widows and children or those who survived Palestinian terror attacks he might have given some thought as to why Israel has to have a defence force. He might also have given consideration to the fact that while he was alive his very good friend Said the Egyptian never lifted a finger during his lieftime to do something about stopping Palestinian attacks on Barenboim's brothers and sisters among the Israeli civilian population.

"as far as your negative comments about our lovely country..." If it's so lovely, why don't YOU live there?

"Richard Wagner, Adolf Hitler's favorite conductor"? I think that "composer" was intended (whoops!), but I understand that Hitler preferred lighter music like Lehar. He also was fond of Beethoven. In point of fact, the great majority of German, Austrian, and Russian composers - including Beethoven - were to some degree or other bigoted against Jews. The reason that Wagner is such a lightning rod is that he expressed his bigotry loudly and publicly in pamphlets, rather than privately in letters or comments to friends. But none of that has much to do with his music. As for who Hitler's favorite conductor might have been, perhaps Herbert von Karajan would have qualified. Is there a controversy about von Karajan's recordings in Israel today?

This is the same Barenboim (a fellow Argentine Jew) who had no compunction in meeting with and praising Arafat, a genocidal terrorist militarist always clad in uniform. People like Barenboim make me sick to my stomach.

maestro barenbaum is a dedicated peace activist who has been highly pained and distressed by the barbaric and fascist behavior of teh idf in teh occupied territories which he believes correctly is a terrible stain on the jewish nation. when a female reporter whows up dressed ln military garb asking for an interview, he did the right thing and refused unless she changed to civil garb. anything else would be hypocritical. the israeli military conduct in the territories has shamed the jewish people and the maestro was not arrogant, he was being principled.

Daniel Barenboim is a highly respected human rights activist. His work speaks volume and his desire to see a lasting peace between Arab and Jew is well documented. His refusal to speak to a female journalist clad in an army uniform is totally justified. What on earth was the female journalist wearing that ridiculous uniform for while covering an event dedicated to peace? Both Daniel Barenboim and the late Edward Said worked tirelessly for peace and the orchestra which Daniel has put together is a monument to his human spirit and creative nature. While someone like Limur Livnat has done nothing but advocate racist agenda. She should be ashamed of her self. Daniel Barenboim is head and shoulders above her and her ilk. Daniel Barenboim is a highly respected human rights activists. His work speaks volume and his desire to see a lasting peace between Arab and Jew is well documented. His refusal to speak to a female journalist clad in army uniform is totally justified as a peace activist. What on earth was the female journalist wearing that ridiculous uniform for while covering an event dedicated to peace? Both Daniel Barenboim and the late Edward Said worked tiredlessely ly for peace and the the orchestra which Daniel has put together is a monumemnt to his human spirit and creative nature. while someone liek Limur Livnat has done nothing but advocated racist agenda. She should be ashamed of her self. Daniel Barenboim is head and shoulders above her and her ilk.

Livnat's remark is stupid. But do we know why Barenboim refuses to talk to a uniformed person ? Does he also refuses to talk to a policeman ? Or is he only looking for publicity ? By behaving this way he refuses promotion for his project on an israeli radio. Intelligent questions deserves an intelligent answer however the interviewer is dressed. How does he expects military personel to be dressed ? Like a clown ?

"However, Barenboim did show a severe lack of tact towards his interviewer on Army Radio by his attitude and rude behavior. He could have made many new friends as well as muster more support for his projects of good will." - Shimon Z. Klein I agree totally. "The reason given - the Israeli Army uniform that the interviewer wore - is pathetic and shows a certain immaturity on his part, if not spitefulness." - Shimon It was typical of the kind of arrogant behavior I associate with many performing artists.

minister livnat is a perfect example of what is wrong with the israeli politicxal system. a party operator with below average intellifgence who rose in the rank because of being a daughter to a revisionist activist in the pre-independence underground,a.k.a. likud princess, like our bibi, the former furniture salesman. no qualifications whatsoever to be any kind of minister, let alone education minister. half of the words coming out of her mouth are 'antisemite' which are directed toward any critic of israel's policy. this dull, unintelligent memorizer of revisionist sloagans dares calling a world renouned great artist who works for peace and reconcilliation an 'anti-semite'. the best this little, insinificant political opeator deserves is to stand in the corner for awhile.

" Or if you are referring to Jews who couldn`t care less about Jewish tradition but adopt whatever the Left is spouting at the moment, then I suppose you`re onto some tradition there too." - Emes No, I am talking about the preference for non-violence which most Orthodox Jews endorsed for centuries. I'll tell you something else that will blow your little mind into another ignorant rant. Back when Ben Gurion and other "liberals' were trying to found Israel, many Orthodox Jews opposed Zionism. "But the fact is that Jewish tradition does include the right to self-defense and other military activities (within certain parameters)." - Emes I am fully aware. I think the Assideans were too pious. "Barenboim is no pacifist - he simply denies Israel the right to defense itself." - Emes Twaddle

"Perhaps some will like saying anti-semite enough to make more posts than the failed Da Vinci Code article." - Sarah from Somewhere Controversy is good for business. Long, long ago, I did a weekly talk show on WKAT in Miami Beach. The listeners thought it was so that "Young Miami" could speak. I wasn't fooled, I knew it was to stir up the geezers listening so that Judge Ellen Morphonius could come on and sell them tear gas pens to protect themselves from young whipper snappers like me.

" If you`re anywhere near Houston, you can go to any synagogue or church or even directly to the Astrodome to drop off supplies" - Jake in Texas Not the Astrodome Jake. People taking supplies and clothing to where the need actually is are being turned away. Bureaucrats. ". . . the situation is way more desperate than even the horrifying pictures on TV." - Jake Amen.

Hi Tulip, Didn't many Dutch people try to save Jews during the shoah? I have never associated the Dutch with anti-semitism. Not like the Poles and the Ukies.

Mr. Berenboim is a typical liberal Jew! The history has seen a lot of these type in any country where they always tried to help to so called non-privileged people, usually non-jewish population, totally ignoring or sometimes hating it's own people. Thank God he does not live in Israel and does not have any influence in Israel's Politics. Ms. Livnat should have simply ignored this individual instead giving him publicity.

Lincoln - "Odd to think that once upon a time, not too long ago, and for a very long time before that, pacifism was a strong theme in Jewish tradition." Interesting how one so completely ignorant of Jewish tradition can so confidently post comments on the subject. If by pacifism in Jewish tradition you are referring to Jews historically being hounded and killed without recourse, then I suppose you're onto something. Or if you are referring to Jews who couldn't care less about Jewish tradition but adopt whatever the Left is spouting at the moment, then I suppose you're onto some tradition there too. But the fact is that Jewish tradition does include the right to self-defense and other military activities (within certain parameters). In any case, the very premise of your comment is misguided. Barenboim is no pacifist - he simply denies Israel the right to defense itself.

LET ME ADD-BERENBBOIM is an ongoing source of shame and embarrassment.I am still boiling over his playing of VAGNER in Jerusalem after he promised not to do it.I will never listen to his music,ever.

Maybe Barenboim behaved stupidly by not wanting to answer questions to a Galei Zahal journalist but for Minister Livnat to call him that he behaves like an antisemite show that her stupidity is bigger than his. I believe that Barenboim is a proud israeli, as proud as any other israeli; that he holds certain views regarding official israeli policies does not make him an antisemite. Minister Livnat apparently does not know how to differentiate between real antisemites and those citizens that show contempt to israeli policies. That does not make these citizens antisemites.

I laughed so at your response- It is funny but very true

Daniel Barenboim, in many ways, is to be admired for initiatiating joint music projects between Israelis and Palestinians. This is much needed for improving relations between two sides who have been victims of terrible tragedy.His relationship with the late Edward Said in this common endeavor is positive. There is nothing anti-Semitic about that at all. The contrary is true as any method used to promote peace and understanding between the two sides is to be lauded. However, Barenboim did show a severe lack of tact towards his interviewer on Army Radio by his attitude and rude behavior. He could have made many new friends as well as muster more support for his projects of good will. This is very unfortunate for a talented musician and humanitarian of his international stature. It has left a blot on his character. The reason given - the Israeli Army uniform that the interviewer wore - is pathetic and shows a certain immaturity on his part, if not spitefulness.

HIS ARROGANCE IS UNBEARABLE !!

"Seems Haaretz is having some trouble filling the third Talk Back slot today." I noticed that too. Perhaps an article about the book and its contents would hold more attention. Perhaps some will like saying anti-semite enough to make more posts than the failed Da Vinci Code article.

Leave it to our brilliant Israelis on this forum to refuse to acknowledge Barenboim's obvious anti-Semitic behavior. I used to think that one could be a Leftist, pro-Palestinian type and still have the common sense to see when one has crossed the line. I guess I was wrong. After all, what statement is Barenboim trying to make when he can't bring himself to be interviewed on IDF radio by someone in IDF uniform? How does this forward the cause of peace in any way? Like I posted earlier, I'm sure this "man of peace" would have no problem being interviewed on PA radio - even by someone in a PA security forces uniform. He is most definitely a self-hater/Jew-hater/anti-Semite - whatever the term du jour is. P.S. Interesting how the same Leftists who a week ago were so heatedly supporting the IDF when destroying Jewish communities are now on Barenboim's side when he slights the IDF...

You're right about NYT (Katarina), thanks for the advice.

My first reaction was that this is a bit of prima donna silliness-- probably uncalculated. He more than makes up for it by building bridges to the other side of this conflict. But it does point out something else even more offensive: Jews, the Education minister yet, call other Jews "anti-semites" for disagreeing with the government. Otherwise of course there is pride in his accomplishments. Why would Army Radio want to interview him otherwise?

When I lived in Hong Kong, I soon got used to the term "Gwilo," which Chinese people use when referring to caucasians. It literally means "White Devil," but over the years the intent has lost its sting and is now just a descriptor for us white folk without any negative connotation implied by the user. With so much indiscriminate use, perhaps "Anti-Semite" is going to suffer a similar fate as "Gwilo" and will morph, at some future date, into a less volatile term. I personally prefer "Jew Hater," since Arabs are also a semitic people and the now exclusive use for only one semitic people is somewhat unfair.

Kudos to Maestro Barenboim. Of course the usual nutters are calling him anti-semitic and self-hating. No matter; he remains one of the best that Israel has, as a musician and as a human being.

I am shocked by Ms. Livnat's comments. To describe his actions as antisemitic is an insult to all those who have experienced true antisemitism. How can an official representative of the Israeli government (let alone related to education which one would assume encourages critical thinking) make such a problematic and inaccurate comment. Obviously she is entitled to her opinion and her freedom of speech, but to make such a comment is to accuse Barenboim of being racist (which is far from the reality of his peace-promoting work). The fact that he did not wish to speak to a soldier in uniform at in this particular context makes a lot of sense. When will Jews and non-Jews who might have a critical opinion of the Israeli governments, particularly the IDF's, treatment of Palestinians stop being branded as anti-semites?! To critisize Israel's policys, as in any democratic state, is far from racist (anti-semitic) in fact it is closely tied to the Jewish scholary tradition of asking questions.

I would like to respond to your concern about Ha'aretz not covering New Orleans. I hope it's sincere. Here in Houston, we have already received tens of thousands of refugees, and expect tens of thousands more. Two stadiums are being filled, and everything from synagogues to churches, and even furniture stores, are being turned into shelters. Lots of families are simply taking people into their houses. For you all living in Europe, you can go to bnaibrith.org and click on "disaster relief" to donate. If you're anywhere near Houston, you can go to any synagogue or church or even directly to the Astrodome to drop off supplies and volunteer. These people be here for a minimum of six months. So please, everybody put your money where your mouth is; the situation is way more desperate than even the horrifying pictures on TV.

Barenboim far from being anti-Semitic shows that he is a real Jew. A Jew is a person who recognizes wrong and tries to correct it. It is Limor Livnat and her Sharon lead fascist government who are anti-Semitic. For if they will be allowed to carry on treating the Palestinians the way they do. They will bring about the end of the Jewish state, could any thing be more anti-Semitic than that?

Spank him and send him home with no super.Only a jerk with a serious power need issue would treat the soldier like that. Little precious trying to show is radical credentials like champagne radicals do, safely no cost or consequence and on a target that cant hit back. Like many in europe do on a larger scale with israel. they are cowards and not real men.

Obviously Barenboim has much to learn about the history of suffering of the Jewish people by the hands of the anti-semites in the diaspora. There is nothing more disgusting than a Jewish individual going out of his way to appease these very anti semites of the world whose main goal in life is the destruction of the Jewish people. Barenboim should either be committed or receive professional help to cure his inferiority complex which is manifest by his shameful behavior. He is the pagadigm of the self hater.

I very much appreciate what Barenboim did in connection with Palestinian-Israeli relations through music, but I am very disappointed for his pompous righteousnes and the way the treated the IDF reporter. Of course, he is not an antisemite, but he is a jew who does the utmost to please non-jews.

Mr. Franzen, Haaretz newspaper in Hebrew includes a wide range of news from abroad and of course, the New Orleans tragedy too. I assume that the English version, which is translated from the Hebrew newspaper is intended for readers from abroad who have other sources for international news, and who are interested in what happens in Israel.

I fully agree with you.

Only 1 word A BIG SHAME

I don't know anybody, who reads Haaretz for the international news. Your English language papers also concentrate on the local news, you just don't read them. Come to think of it, I don't read Haaretz for the Israeli news, either.

Here in Houston, we have already received tens of thousands of refugees, and expect tens of thousands more. Two stadiums are being filled, and everything from synagogues to churches, and even furniture stores, are being turned into shelters. Lots of families are simply taking people into their houses. For you all living in Europe, you can go to bnaibrith.org and click on "disaster relief" to donate. If you're anywhere near Houston, you can go to any synagogue or church or even directly to the Astrodome to drop off supplies and volunteer. These people be here for a minimum of six months. So please, everybody put your money where your mouth is; the situation is way more desperate than even the horrifying pictures on TV.

Franzen, you can send your contribution to help the New Orlean refugees to the Salvation Army or to the American Red Cross. By the way, how much did you contribute, so far?

"I think, Barenboim is a pride for Jews and Israelis. Well, this his remark is extravagant. But it is obviously about pacifism rather than antisemitism." - Shlomo Agreed. He is not a self-hating anti-Semite, he is a peace loving Jew. Odd to think that once upon a time, not too long ago, and for a very long time before that, pacifism was a strong theme in Jewish tradition. "And if you want to learn about Katarina disaster, read NYT. It is certainly the best American paper and its coverage of the disaster is much better, than anything Haaretz would want to have." - Shlomo The NY Times coverage has been excellent, much better than the Houston paper.

The term "anti-semite" has been used left right and center against anybody who gives the slightest negative opinion about Israel that it is becoming irrelevant and worthless. The term should only be used in the right place and against the true anti semites to make it worth something. Racists and real anti-semites are laughing today because they are being put on the same level with great people like Barenboim.

Leon:How much of this is taught in dutch schools today. Leon, this is not true. In my grammar school days, the seventies, we already learned who bad the Jews were persecuted. Then during high school, in the eighties, we were told that Israel and Holland are great friends. Remember the Euro Vision Song contest, where Holland and Israel always gave each other 12 points? In the nineties our Queen Beatrix addressed the Knesset during her state visit. She apologized for the many times the Dutch were not able or did not want to save Jews during the Holocaust. Today children hear both sides of the stories. It is the prejudice of many immigrants to Holland tha has made the public opinion more critical. Lately an Amsterdam high school group with 90% Moroccans and Turks went for a school trip to Auschwitz. We do try to educate our children, although it is not always easy and a good word for the Palestinians is needed to.

Hey Shlomo, From 10 postings yours is the first one showing common sense. We have a serious problem if 90% of the postings present such negative reactions. It is some kind of reflex refusing any negative opinion concerning the occupation. It is automatic: anybody who does not accept the "right" of Israel to occupy territories outside the green line is automatically an anti-Semite, and specially, if this opinion is professed by a Jew or Israeli the reaction is even more virulent. Without any regard to his opinion about the occupation policies of Medinat Israel Daniel Barenboim is a truly remarkable personality. Besides his stature as one of the most outstanding and gifted musicians today he is a humanist in the broadest sense. Even more considering his activities to promote the understanding between young musicians around the Mediterranean basin: Israelis, Palestinians, Egyptians, Lebanese, Syrians and Spaniards. It was a wonderful sight to see the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra with Daniel Barenboim some days ago in Ramallah, and the public there enjoyed Beethoven with the same gusto that we do it in Tel Aviv So what if Barenboim did interpret Wagner in Tel Aviv? Wagner composed some beautiful music. And Hitler also liked children and dogs besides Wagner?s music?.

"Or should it just be nonsense allowed to be discussed." - Johanes Nonsense sounds fun. Seems Haaretz is having some trouble filling the third Talk Back slot today. Perhaps we can swing it towards "Nonsense Songs". "Mare eat oats and does eat oats but little lambs eat ivy. diddly divy do."

Johannes on my first trip to Stockholm I must admit that I was shocked by the prevalence of alchoholism there. I spent an evening with a musician friend going from bar to bar, where he often played. In one night I witnessed three fights. Yha, that is right. Lovely pacisfist Swedes duking it out like a pack of red-necks, fat red noses stinking of alchohol. Later that evening I watched well-dressed middle aged couple leaning on each other, the male puking the wife doing her best from falling. I was shocked! maybe this could be a topic. It could be entitled "Are all Swedes Violent Drunks" or maybe "Is Swedish foreign policy a manifestation of alchohol abuse!" Drink for thought eh?

Emst. Haaretz online is "in my opinion" one of the best sources of obgective news about israel. my gess is that most people who read haaretz online do so in order to get news about Israel, Why would i want to read about the tragerty in New Orleans here when there are so many other sourses on line and wall to wall T.V. coverage of this terable event?

barenboim is unfathomable.the editor would not print my true feelings about this great musician.

Amid all the arrogant religious zealotry and the racist, nationalistic cant, that drones on like something from Orwell's nighmare, thank God we Jews have Daniel Barenboim. He, through music, has mended hearts and the shrill strident voices of tribalism are stunned into silence by it.

Strictly speaking there is nothing anti-semitic in Barenboim's behaviour and an education minister should give more thought to the words she uses. But Barenboim's behaviour is hateful : if he hates Israel enough to behave as he did to the female soldier who wanted to interview him, why does he stay in Israel ? I was also really shocked by his talk when he was given the price at the Knesset. He showed no respect to the country and I think he has none. The Wagner provocation is, in its context, ugly and other Jews might well ask themselves if Barenboim's attitude doesnt verge on a kind of anti-semitism due to his frustrated sympathy (too mild a word) for the Palestinian cause. His idea of a mixed orchestra was beautiful, but in my eyes he has spoiled it through partisanship and bias.

Barenboim obviously craves attention and publicity, and never seems to get enough. He seems to be of the " it doesn't matter what I do as long as I get in the papers and you spell my name right" set.Maybe he regards himself as an insufficiently recognized musical genius but he is a true boor for his moronic reaction to the Galei Zahal interviewer. Perhaps he is now channeling Wagner as far as how he feels about his fellow jews these days, but I would suggest Barenboim convert to Islam, move to Gaza, and in that great intellectual and artistic environment of potential suicide bombers, form the Yasser Arafat Orchestra. That would be no great loss for the Jewish people in any event.

good heavens, he sounds like a left wing German green party world saving guru. He should stick to his music if he wants to be taken seriously.

"Mr Barenboim has shown EMPATHY to the Pals's side....and He is not the only one.....OH Yea ???..... Recently PM Sharon recognised that " The Pals' have suffered enough." or something of this effect.Does this then make him another EMPATHIZER?? The Educated Minister should appreciate the Good work of Mr Barenboim,(WHO is,by the way a well like person by MILLIONS in this world.) This gentleman, is dedicating his life works for the rapprochement of the Israelis/Palestinians, IS THAT A BAD THING ?? MR BARENBOIM should not be hit below the belt with such remarks...as "But this time has reached the heights that compare to the Major haters of Israel, to the real anti-semites" I think this is unfair.

Like the ill-fated assimilationist Jews of centuries past, Barenboim clearly believes that he is way above these notions of a Jewish state, a Jewish army and a sense of Jewish national pride. A "world citizen" par excellence, he seems to want to outdo other anti-Zionists in his disdain for the country in which he grew up and its most cherished national symbols, including the armed forces who sacrificed in order to give him as normal and secure a childhood as possible. As yet another Jew who has decided to try and solve Israel's ills - and there's no denying that there are many - from without rather than from within, it seems to me that we ought to view him as a stranger (and a spiteful one at that) rather than a caring member of the family. His blanket disrespect and disregard for the IDF and all that it stands for, embodied in his refusal to speak to a uniformed Galei Zahal reporter who was just interested in doing her job, leads me to believe that he is deserving of the same treatment: ignore him into oblivion.

"They have after all kept you Israeli floating for years and years." Franzen, name a nation that the American did not keep floating. Rest assured that Sweden is not one of them.

Jewish anti-semite,some of the worst are jews. Ignore him,he is not worth comenting about. I have just wasted space and time.

I think, Barenboim is a pride for Jews and Israelis. Well, this his remark is extravagant. But it is obviously about pacifism rather than antisemitism. There may be different opinions on pacifism, but where did mrs. Livnat find antisemitism here? Yes, this "iron lady" Limor Livnat is among the most pathetic of Israeli politicians. And to those, who are interested in Katarina disaster. Let me answer for Haaretz. I am a regular Haaretz reader and I believe Haaretz is the best media source on Middle East and Israel. If you want to learn about these topics, read Haaretz and not The Guardian, for example. And if you want to learn about Katarina disaster, read NYT. It is certainly the best American paper and its coverage of the disaster is much better, than anything Haaretz would want to have.

Haaretz is Israels Left wing newspaper, not an international newspaper, but a national newspaper. You know whats going on in NO, big hurricane, loss of life, displaced people from reading American news! If you want to know about Israel then read Israeli news if you want to know whats going on with America then read American news. If its the unlikely case that anything remotly important comes from the Netherlands or Sweden which I truly doubt, then I would read your respective newspapers. In regards to Barenboim, he hates the IDF and Israel and has been sucking the poisoned teet of the leftist establishment for so long that his Jewish blood has been soured by hate and misinformation.

ms.livnat is entitled to her opinion as you are to yours - the major difference is that a lot of people will listen to her and nobody will bother with yours the forums are about issues which surround israel today and if you cannot find anything which interests you,there are 2 or 3 things to do - - dont read the haaretz again - read an arab paper and try and find a similar paper with the ability for all peoples to interact as they do here (given that most here are raving mad) - look at the tv we are as a people prone never to agree with anybody - 3 jews and 5 opinions etc some on the left will agree with birenboim,i will stick my neck out and say the majority will not agree with him. playing mozart in ramallah will have the same effect as playing the rolling stones in mecca it is for birenboim personal politicking and ultimately getting nowhere it is a great pity the much loved arafat was not around to tap his feet to the music or open the ball with suha bm

Ernst , who hasn't the courage to include his family name,should beware of throwing stones. Holland's history is filled not just with fighting the nazis but of deeds that should shock any correct thinking person. How much of this is taught in dutch schools today. As to Israel's parochial attitude to the news thats slightly idiosyncratic but hardly a reason for condemnation. It should also be balanced against Israel always being at the forfront in offering disaster aid no matter where even if bigotry often leads to its rejection.

First of all, Berenboim is acting like a schmuck, not an antisemite; there's a difference. Ernst wrote: "Actually, Haaretz has also its fair share of one-sidedness. Where am I able to read about the horrors of New Orleans, the chaos that is happening AT THIS MOMENT? Haaretz only writes about Israeli and Jewish affairs (at least in the English language edition) and the fact that something is happening in New Orleans is only confirmed by the add of a Jewish relief organisation. Where can I read about international (non-Jewish, non-Israeli) events in Haaretz?" For that sort of coverage, you'd have to go to a paper I like a lot better than Haaretz: the Jerusalem Post.

ernest if you want to read about new orleans then you had best go to the new york times or the washington post.or the la times or the local papers in the new orleans area. haaretz serves jewish readers who want to know more about the blessed state. if you go to the hebrew version you will find news about new orleans.why would you want to read about non-israeli news in the english language version of haaretz? a little logic ernest wil go a long way. as far as your negative comments about our lovely country.we expect that sort of stuff from you. meanwhile down with barenboim.

Why does this classic hater of Jews and the State of Israel keep visiting? He should be ignored, in fact, boycotted by all self respecting Israeli citizens. This is way beyond the bounds of intellectual freedom- he is an anti-semite and should be treated as such.

These American taxpayers being hurled together in masses, starving, dying and recieving no aid at all, maybe they could be worth having a TalkBack about. They have after all kept you Israeli floating for years and years. How about it? Or should it just be nonsense allowed to be discussed. "Barenboim is acting like a Anti-semite" "Look what we found".

Birenboim is a piano player, and that is all, just the guy in the corner tapping on those black and white keys. Now most people take little notice of the fellow in the suit, so what to do? How do you make the act of playing piano exciting to the press, and get that attention that his ego so blatantly needs. Be Provocative! Now the problem with old Birenboim is that he is also a hypocrite. While he has problems with an Israeli woman reporter wearing an army uniform, even though she is in the army, Birenboim had no problem with shaking hands and kissing Yasser Arafat, the stout little vermin ugly "peacemaker" who also happened to be wearing an army uniform. Now he has and was never in an army, and was supposed to represent peace. How Birenboim does not see the hypocrisy in this action of his, can only come down to two things: He is either thick and quite stupid, or he has fingered the wind and realized that anti-Israel sentiment was a viable playing card at this time, and being the opportunist that he is, he jumpd on the "peace bandwagon and has been dipping into the vast funds available in Europe now for his like. Would go with a mix of the two. Piano player keeps his name in the press, assures himself air-play and government monies, yet is stupid enough not to see the larger picture. To quote Nathan Weinstock, author of "Zionism, The False Messiah" published 1979, "I have stopped publishing of the book, if I would have known it would have turned into a bible for anti-semites I would never have written it." this is wht he said in 2003, having looked back with hindsight at the political and racist ramifications of his authorship. We can only hope that Birenboim wakes up to the stupidity of his actions, and will not have to mourn his actions on his death-bed.

and what is she looking like? Mary the emaculate? Mrs. Stalina? or Perhaps like a barren fascist who hates humanitiy?

Livnat is one of those people that make you depressed about the future of Israel. If people with such tunnel vision opinions are the leaders of a country, one must weep for the nation. Livnat hasn't contributed one iota to the prosperity and peace of the nation, but still she utters her judgments like she is the moral high court of Judaism and Zionism. The ISraelis I know who are living here in Holland are ashamed about the poor quality of the history lessons they got at school. They never learned anything about things that didn't concern Judaism or Zionism. The history lessons in Israeli schools are shockingly political and people like Livnat are responsible for it. Actually, Haaretz has also its fair share of one-sidedness. Where am I able to read about the horrors of New Orleans, the chaos that is happening AT THIS MOMENT? Haaretz only writes about Israeli and Jewish affairs (at least in the English language edition) and the fact that something is happening in New Orleans is only confirmed by the add of a Jewish relief organisation. Where can I read about international (non-Jewish, non-Israeli) events in Haaretz? anyway (I lost track for a moment)Livnat is the best example of the paranoid, intolerant and twisted part of Israel.

Why be afraid to call Barenboim what he is, a consistent self-hating Jew (or anti-Semite, choose your term)? So what if the usual gang of Israel haters has a problem with that terminology, it seems very apt in Barenboim's case. Not only is he an anti-Semite, he's a pompous ass as well, giving a hard time to an IDF radio employee just trying to do her job. I wonder if this idiot would have a problem being interviewed on the same PA radio that extols terrorism and demonizes Jews and Israel.

Sartre said "You are what you do." Assuming, for the sake of argument that this existential formula is true, is "Behaving like an anti-semite" the same thing as being an anti-semite?

By his behaviour I wonder if Barenbolm has done his course more harm than good? Will young Israelis who play music with him realy want to continue now he has insulted the uniform of there country?