This astonishingly mean-spirited book makes it appear as if all of Jewish history is a tragedy that has led Jews to commit the Crime of creating a state that permits Jews to have human rights in their homeland.
While Cragg admits that modern Zionism has major secular aspects, it is no surprise that as an Anglican Bishop, the author dwells on religious themes. And there are some comments about perceptions of antisemitism. Even here, I think Cragg sometimes is way off base. For example, he claims that Shakespeare's play, "The Merchant of Venice" is pro-Semitic because Shakespeare gives Shylock some lines. I think that's silly of Cragg. The play is, in fact, casually antisemitic, written for an audience known to be unsympathetic to Shylock's lines, and it agrees with that audience via Shylock's daughter.
Cragg has an interesting comment about a fascinating quote from Martin Luther: "'We let them eat and drink with us ... we do not kidnap their children nor poison their wells,' making a virtue of habits of hospitality Christians found no occasion to exercise while being libellous as well." Fine words! Unfortunately, Cragg has his own set of libels about Zionism in store for his readers. Whether he is writing about the noble Zionist refusal to commit the, um, ultimate crime of destroying the Dome of the Rock, or about Israelis seeing "land or peace" as a false choice, or about Ed Said's view of the "peace process," or about the Hebrew language, or about love of land, or about the United Nations, Cragg has something stunningly misleading and counterproductive to offer us.
The author implies that the land of Israel is a beautiful bride, but she's married to another man (not to the Jews, but to the Arabs). But anyone can see that Israel has been the most populous and prosperous when Jews have been the majority. If any people husband her, I guess it's the Jews.
If one started by knowing nothing about the Middle East and read this book first, one would never guess that Israel is a land-poor little nation and that the Arabs have a vast Empire. Instead, one would think that Israel is a major power of enormous independent importance. And rather than realize that Arab terrorism and propaganda are serious crimes, one would conclude that they are a simply a predictable reaction to the unfairness of Israel's existence. Cragg not only presents this misinformation, he also implies that it is unchallenged.
I think this book reflects very badly on the Anglican Church.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
