The Circle of Strife

For every over the top offensive reaction, somewhere there's an equally offensive counter-reaction, and then a just as offensive counter-counter reaction will happen somewhere else.

Paris, for example.

Eighteen people were arrested for attacks on shops, including a kosher supermarket, a Jewish-owned chemist and a funeral home. Rioters, who carried batons and threw petrol bombs according to eyewitnesses, were yards from the synagogue when they were driven back by riot police who used tear gas.

“They were shouting: ‘Death to Jews,’ and ‘Slit Jews’ throats’,” David, a Jewish sound engineer told The Times. “It took us back to 1938.”

And about every year before that one too.

plus ça change.


[cross-posted at Firedoglake]