Of course all religions have a capacity for violence and yes, I agree, Israel is the horror that it is because not only Jews but many others have enabled and encouraged it to be and never held it accountable. Partly because of the power of Zionism and the influence of Jewish money, but that is an excuse, not a reason.

The targeting of Jews in Europe was complicated and never universal. One strain of my family was Jewish and they lived peacefully in England for the three centuries I have traced them back. Then they lived and live peacefully in Australia for another 170 years. Jews were certainly persecuted in some parts of Europe but it has all been propagandised to make people think Jews everywhere were always targeted and persecuted when they were not.

What is also ignored is the impact the Jewish created and led Bolshevik Revolution in Russia had on people in many parts of Europe. They were terrified the same would happen to their country. That is not to excuse but to explain.

And the other reality is that any group which sets itself apart and yet has a parasitic relationship with a host community will be a target when times are tough. Again, not to excuse but explain.

You said:. Jews are no more vulnerable to cult like behaviour than anyone else.

Not sure I agree. The victim mentality of Judaism and the belief in superiority as humans taught by the religion, does, I believe, make people more vulnerable to cult formation.

When I stood above the Wailing Wall, in Palestine, refusing to go down because women were discriminated against, and did not have free access like males, the guide translated for me, what was being said.

I must admit I was shocked - There were Jews in the 21st century wailing and railing and moaning about wrongs, real and imagined, done to Jews thousands of years in the past. That is not psychologically healthy.

I have lived in Belgium, UK, Canada, India, Angola, Zambia, South Africa, Malawi and spent long periods in the US and Russia and the worst racism I have ever encountered was in India although the Israelis are far worse because they use massive military force to maim and murder those they consider to be inferior.

You said:. I think, Roslyn, your analysis is shallow and antisemitic in this instance.

It would be good if you could explain what is shallow about it and what represents a hatred of Judaism and Jews?

The facts are that most Jews have supported, funded, enabled and promoted Israel regardless of its atrocities and facts may be unpleasant but they are not anti-semitic, i.e. hating the religion and its followers.

In truth I find those who promote the idea that Israel represents Jews to be a true hatred of Judaism and Jews because that says the atrocities Israel has committed for 76 years, worse in the last 17 months, represent Jewish values and practices and I totally reject that.