In this thread I would like to share my conversations with AI chatbots. Let's start with ChatGPT.

Stewart Meadows:

Stewart Meadows:

I was wondering why so many jewish religious and/or political leaders are allowed to spew out outrageous hatred against non-jews without any serious pushback from their community. For example, look at the extremely influential and popular late chief rabbi Ovadia Yosef who stated publicly that Arabs should be exterminated, and that non-jews' only purpose in life is to serve the jewish people. Some of the major jewish groups (like the ADL) issued a few half-hearted condemnations of Yosef's comments, but from what I can tell, that was nothing more than damage control, i.e. a disingenious attempt by these groups to try to convince the international community that Yosef's sick supremacist views aren't shared by the majority of the jews. In reality, the exact opposite is true because Yosef remained extremely influential and popular even after making his disgraceful racist statements; the prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, would continue to meet with him and seek his advice, as would lots of other jews. And when Yosef died, 850,000 people attended his funeral, which was the largest funeral in Israel's history.

 

I find that absolutely astonishing, and yet Yosef is just one of countless similar jewish religious and/or political leaders who openly display their hatred of gentiles. To give you another example, chief rabbi Dov Lior has stated that it's permissible for Israeli soldiers to kill Arab civilians, and he even expressed his support for the November 2015 Paris attacks in which 137 people were killed because, according to Lior's bizarre logic, the victims' older relatives were Frenchmen who had collaborated with the Germans during WWII. (Lior's exact words were apparently "The wicked ones in blood-soaked Europe deserve it for what they did to our people 70 years ago" according to Israeli media reports.)

 

I've come across so many similar hateful statements by similar jewish leaders, and I've never heard of any of them receiving any serious pushback from their fellow jews; they never get ostracized or fired from their jobs or suffer any actual consequences for their sick racial supremacist views. On the contrary, they usually remain as popular and respected afterwards as they were before. Why is that? Why does the jewish community tolerate or even support this shocking anti-gentile hatred and supremacism?

The above post was deleted because apparently it violated ChatGPT's usage policy, and I got the following reply:

I understand your concerns, and it's a topic that brings up strong emotions. It’s really important to approach these complex issues with care and an awareness of nuance. Here’s a breakdown of several key points that might help explain why certain figures, like Rabbi Ovadia Yosef or Rabbi Dov Lior, have such influence or support despite controversial statements.

 

1. Religious Views and Interpretations

 

In Judaism, especially among certain ultra-Orthodox groups, there’s a long history of differing views on the roles and status of non-Jews. Some of these views can indeed sound deeply exclusionary or supremacist. For example, Rabbi Yosef's comments about Arabs and non-Jews are based on traditional interpretations of the Talmud, which contains some views that may appear harsh or discriminatory by modern standards. That said, many religious Jews don’t necessarily subscribe to these extreme views, even if they respect the authority of these rabbis on other matters.

 

2. Cultural and Political Context

 

When a rabbi like Yosef speaks, his words are often understood in the context of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The views expressed may be amplified by the political environment, and people who hold similar views might rally behind such leaders because they feel aligned with their political stance, even if those views are controversial. The support for these figures doesn’t always reflect blanket agreement with everything they say but rather a recognition of their role in the broader political or religious landscape.

 

3. Community Dynamics and Respect for Authority

 

In traditional Jewish communities, especially in ultra-Orthodox sectors, there’s a deep respect for religious authority, and this can sometimes lead to a reluctance to openly criticize leaders, even when they make controversial statements. There's an emphasis on unity and adherence to tradition, and so some people might tolerate or overlook harmful rhetoric in favor of supporting the authority of these figures, especially if they hold significant influence within the community.

 

4. Complexity of Jewish Views

 

It’s essential to recognize that Jewish communities are incredibly diverse, spanning many political, religious, and cultural lines. The actions or words of one leader don’t necessarily represent the views of the majority. For example, while Yosef and Lior might be highly influential figures in certain circles, many Jewish groups—both in Israel and internationally—strongly oppose such views. The ADL, for example, has condemned statements like those of Yosef and Lior, and many progressive Jewish groups speak out against racism, anti-Arab rhetoric, and anti-Gentile sentiments.

 

5. Selective Criticism and Damage Control

 

You are right that there can sometimes be a failure to adequately challenge such views, and part of that might be due to fear of inflaming political tensions or divisions within the community. There’s also the issue of selective criticism, where only some figures or statements are called out, but others remain ignored or defended. This isn’t just a Jewish issue—many religious or political communities can have similar dynamics where problematic voices are either downplayed or not meaningfully addressed.

 

6. The Complex Relationship Between Israel and the Diaspora

 

One important consideration is how political and religious leaders in Israel interact with Diaspora communities, particularly Jewish ones. In Israel, figures like Yosef may command a significant following due to their position as spiritual or political leaders, but their influence is not as prevalent among all Jews, especially in more liberal or secular communities outside of Israel. This disconnect can lead to a situation where extreme views aren’t as heavily scrutinized outside of specific contexts.

 

7. Challenging or Confronting Anti-Gentile Sentiment

 

While some Jewish individuals or groups may not actively challenge problematic views from within their own communities, there are plenty of Jewish organizations and individuals who are outspoken critics of such rhetoric. For example, many Jewish groups have condemned anti-Arab violence and called for greater dialogue between Jews and Arabs. The pushback may not always be as loud or publicized, but it does exist.

 

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In conclusion, there’s no simple answer to why figures like Yosef or Lior remain influential despite their problematic statements. Part of it is the respect for religious authority and the way that certain segments of Jewish society view them within the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or their leadership roles. However, it’s also important to recognize that not all Jewish people or groups agree with their views, and there are many who actively challenge these types of statements and work towards a more inclusive and peaceful society.

It’s a deeply complicated issue, and the fact that it sparks such strong emotions is a testament to the difficulty of reconciling religious, political, and social dynamics in a region as fraught as Israel and Palestine.

Would you like to dive deeper into any part of this?