Caption top photo: Book Display at Chatham Community Library (left) and examples of propaganda materials that the Arab Caucus plans to “donate” (right)
The word “Palestine” has been repeated so often that most people believe that such a place exists. It does not. While there was once a Palestine Mandate, and Jews were called Palestinians, the mandate ceased to exist when Israel became a state in 1948. So, if there is no longer a Palestine, why do we hear the word so often?
The answer lies with those who are determined to destroy Israel and Jewish sovereignty. They have reintroduced the word “Palestine” as a way to erase Jewish history and Jewish rights. It is a manifestation of antisemitism. “Palestine” and Israel are mutually exclusive. We refer you to our NCCI article in the Jewish News Syndicate, Is ‘Palestine’ Antisemitic?
Chatham County Community Library
NCCI recently learned of a program at the Chatham County Community Library billed as a Family Cultural Festival which would “explore global cultures with food and crafts from Costa Rica, Syria, Palestine, Egypt and more” scheduled for January 25th. NCCI and others wrote to the library staff with questions about including “Palestine” in the program. Fortunately, the word has been removed from the posting. On the other hand, the antisemitic propaganda materials persist—materials that spread lies about Israel, demonize and dehumanize Jews and more. It is clear that there is a need for education regarding antisemitism and Jewish/Israeli history at the Chatham library.
The problem isn’t just in Chatham County. Many NC libraries including Charlotte, Durham, Chapel Hill, Wilmington and others carry antisemitic material and anti-Israel propaganda. The NC Democratic Arab Caucus plans to contribute to the problem by donating more blatantly antisemitic materials (examples above) to libraries in Raleigh, Charlotte and “other communities.”
Antisemitism is a serious problem in our schools, media, government bodies and corporations. Unfortunately, our public libraries are also on this list of shame.
What Action Can You Take to Address this Issue?
Regardless of the state you live in, we recommend that you check your library’s online catalogue by typing in the word “Palestine.” You may find a number of antisemitic anti-Israel propaganda volumes using this search, like the ones you find on this page. If you don, please contact your library and let them know that they are holding books that are based on ideology rather than historical accuracy. Ask them to purchase alternative materials. Here are some suggestions:
- The Anti-Israel Agenda: Inside the Political War on the Jewish State by Alex Ryvchin
- The Palestinian Delusion by Robert Spencer
- The Legacy of Islamic Antisemitism by Andrew G Bostom MD
and pre-order:
- Antisemitism—History and Myth by Robert Spencer
- On Democracies and Death Cults, Israel and the Future of Civilization by Douglas Murray
