Posted at US News and World Report:
Hagee: We have established in America Christians United for Israel to make it possible for millions of Christians to stand up and sp eak up for the state of Israel . . . . Would you express your thoughts about Christians unifying and coming to Washington to speak to senators and congressmen on behalf of Israel?
Wiesel: My dear pastor, in the past—the distance past—whenever Christianity unified its ranks, it was against the Jewish people. For the Crusades and the pogroms—it was always like that. Now, when I hear that Christians are getting together in order to defend the people of Israel, of course it brings joy to my heart. And it simply says, look, people have learned from history.
We are seeing right now anti-Semitism exploding in America and around the world. Saudi Arabia is giving millions of dollars to American universities to hire Middle Eastern academic chairs to teach our children to hate Israel and the Jewish people. Do you feel that the new anti-Israel position that's developing in this country is nothing more than a new face of anti-Semitism in America?
I cannot say that I am against anyone criticizing Israel. I cannot do it. I simply cannot. I feel that my life has been given to me not so as I can criticize the Jewish land, Jerusalem, which is at the center of my life. I cannot do it. But I cannot censor anyone who says, "I want to criticize certain parts."
But if it goes beyond the pale, that anti-Zionism becomes so easily anti-Semitism, and therefore we must be so careful. Whenever anyone does that, criticizes Israel, I say, "What are your credentials?" Have you ever praised Israel? Have you ever defended Israel? Have you ever been on the side of Israel?.
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