The Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists is sponsoring notorious anti- Semite and holocaust denier Gilad Atzom on June 8 . According to their website, BFUU is model of social justice activism and economic diversity within the Unitarian Universalist movement.


Atzmon is a former Israeli Jew who has renounced his membership in the Jewish people and now supports the far right where it meets up with the extreme left-- at the intersection of paranoid schizophrenia and Jew-hatred known as Holocaust denial.

It's not enough that Atzmon has come up with his own gems such as “American Jews do try to control the world, by proxy” ; “There is no such thing as anti-Semitism”; and
“Why is it that the Jews who repeatedly demand that the Christian world should apologize for its involvement in previous persecutions, have never thought that it is about time that they apologized for killing Jesus?” He also is a strong supporter of the Swedish fascist who goes by the pen name of Israel Shamir. Shamir has written that “we need the voices of David Duke…and Pat Buchanan”, and has claimed that Jews have indeed slaughtered Christian children for their blood (the infamous “blood libel” now being vigorously promoted in some Arab countries), and claimed that “Auschwitz was an internment facility, attended by the Red Cross”. Shamir is so toxic that even extremist Israel-haters such as Ali Abuminah, Sue Blackwell and Jeff Halper dissociate themselves from him in their embarrassment at sharing the same agenda. But Atzmon consistently defends Shamir and calls him "a unique and advanced thinker".

Atzmon is also a fan of one Paul Eisen, a far right ideologue in the UK who wrote an article promoting the Holocaust denial revisionism of Ernst Zundel. Atzmon circulated and promoted the article. Atzmon defended his decision on his own website as follows (T is Tony Greenstein, a Marxist anti-Zionist from the UK-- Atzmon is also too far off the grid for him):

"T: By your own admission you are distributing Eisen’s holocaust denial text.
G: Holocaust Denial is in itself a Zionist terminology and I refuse to accept it or to use it.
T: I understand that you have been distributing Paul Eisen's most recent The Holocaust Wars which denies, in the course of defending Ernest Zundel, that there ever was a holocaust or extermination of European Jewry by the Nazis.
G: Mr Greenstein, True, I circulated Paul Eisen's paper. I do believe that argumentative texts must be circulated as widely as possible."

The Unitarians guiding principle is

Let love be the spirit of this congregation
And service its goal.
This is our living covenant:
To dwell together in peace,
to seek the truths in life,
and to help one another.

Can someone please explain to me how sponsoring a holocaust denier and racist is keeping with that goal?

Please email or call the Berkeley fellowship of unitarian universalists and tell them that hate speech is not free speech.

510-841-4824
office@bfuu.org

The unitarians are supposed to be the peace and justice people. Even if they want to use this as an arguement about free speech- its still wrong. Would they invite the KKK also?
The BFUU should learn that ALL voices do not need to be given a soapbox.
This is really embarrassing.

I had no idea that the great Gilad Atzmon was going to be playing in town. Now I'll be sure to attend, and bring along as many of my friends as I can. Not only are Gilad's politics right on, but he's a superb musician, and sure to put on a wonderful show.

Thanks again. If it weren't for you, I might have missed this landmark performance.

I'll be sure to let all my progressive friends know that the Berkeley UUs have invited a guest speaker who goes around saying "Protocols of the Elders of Zion" is basically true.

On LA Indymedia, calling someone a Holocaust denier is a complement.

...it's also something of a resume' enhancer

Irony is simply wasted on some people.

Hell, my leige- oxygen is simply wasted on some people.

Well,don't tell that to 'PrionPartyy'....he's liable to put 2 and 2 together and realize that inhaling oxygen causes him to exhale carbon dioxide and that he is contributing to 'global warming'...and since we both know how intellectually honest the boy is, he's just liable to decide he has to do the right thing...kill himself.

Irony?

I find it ironic that you make a joke about how tyrants punish people who don't bow down to the tyran's idols. Nope, evil people sure haven't changed much since biblical times.

Oh, don't do anything radical like actualy coming up with any actual evidence supporting the holocaust allegations. Just fall back on the old tyrant act. If you can take pride in making your offensive joke, fine with me. I see it as an oportunity to trash your evil offensive ideas and you along with them.

And it is especialy funny to me to see you run away run away from my posts by creating an idiot PrionPartyy that you can compeat with. Kill myself ... ha ha ha, yes, it sure is funny to see someone as evil and offensive as you falling to pieces and being limited to tactics that only showcase your limitations.

In case you were wondering, why is it that LA Indymedia's discussions of Israel and Palestine are always so antisemitic, Prion's presence here gives you a good clue.

......and after I went out of my way to tell everybody how intellectually honest the boy is,too.

do you have a website or blog where i can read up on your info?

this is the ONLY place where i've learned of such things

The Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists (BFUU) plans to host notorious hate-monger Gilad Atzmon. The event in question will a be a charity performance on behalf of the Free Gaza and International Solidarity Movements, co-sponsored by Bay Area Women in Black.


Gilad Atzmon: Themes from Palestine
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/06/01/18599860.php


Apparently the BFUU decided that sponsoring a person like Gilad Atzmon trumped all pretense at decency and responsibility.

A brief review of Gilad Atzmon's writings, while nauseating, is instructive.



JEWS ARE RACISTS

Quote: "It is indeed pretty puzzling that the only people who managed to maintain and sustain a racially orientated, expansionist and genocidal national identity that is not at all different from Nazi ethnic ideology are the Jews "

A man who can write that is by no means neutral. Nor balanced.

Quote: "The Jews who had now managed to kill their God learned to believe in themselves."

No, he isn't voicing the ancient Christian anti-Semitic slur, despite what it looks like. He is instead asserting, I believe, that Jews are irreligious and cynical. And somehow not, or no longer, really Jewish.

[Source: http://www.gilad.co.uk/html%20files/thewanderingwho.html]



GAZA EQUALS AUSCHWITZ

Quote: "I see the necessity to suggest that in spite of the liberal claim for peace seeking, liberal societies in general and the Anglo-American ones in particular are currently involved in crimes against humanity on a genocidal scale. "

I had heretofore not thought of Darfur as an Anglo-American liberal society. Nor Chechniya and Tibet.

In the same turgid article, he concludes: "I would argue as forcefully as I can that if the Palestinians are indeed the last victims of Hitler, then the holocaust and its meaning do belong to them more than anyone else."

Got that? Not to Jews. Not to Rwandans. Not to Cambodians. Not to Bosniaks and Kosovars. The holocaust belongs to a group that has continually insisted that it will drive the Jews into the ocean, and has praised mass-murderers and psychopaths.

Quote: "Bearing all that in mind, equating Gaza with Auschwitz is the right and only way forwards. Questioning the holocaust and its meaning is what liberation of humanity means today and in the near future. "

The comparison is obscene. Only someone who is devoid of all decency and balance could conceive of it.

[Source: http://www.gilad.co.uk/html%20files/the%20right%20to%20equate.html]



JEWS ARE EVIL

In one of his articles he calls the Israeli Government a "rabid right wing Zionist organization", and Israeli society 'clever, sinister, and calculating'.

One statement is particularly telling: "I assume that Jews, once left to themselves, happen to ask many questions they would avoid engaging in, in an open public discussion. ".
[Source: http://www.gilad.co.uk/html%20files/Sabrashatilaamnesia.html]

He assumes? Has he so put himself outside of normal human relationships that he has no way of knowing? What is this but an oblique accusation that Jews are secretive? And is that not precisely what some of his most anti-Semitic friends among the European left and the Arabs assert? Clearly, the company of apologists for torturers and terrorists is more gemütlich to Gilad Atzmon than that of decent people.



There is more, much more, on his website. He is not unshameless in trumpeting his faux intellectualism, and there is far too much of his spew to catalogue in what is meant to be a short, angry post. This is after all merely a personal opinion piece. And while Gilad Atzmon represents a foul intellectual pretentiousness, he is fairly transparent, and does not hide his loathsomeness.

All of his venom is proudly displayed here: http://www.gilad.co.uk/politiks.htm
The internet is full of his bloviating, by the way - you do not need me to guide you.


"I’m not going to say whether it is right or not to burn down a synagogue, I can see that it is a rational act."
-----Gilad Atzmon



THE BERKELEY FELLOWSHIP OF UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS

What is truly reprehensible is that the Unitarian Universalists in Berkeley have jumped on the anti-Semitic bandwagon. Hosting Gilad Atzmon cannot be seen as anything else. Gilad Atzmon is opposed to the existence of Israel, in the same way as the Women in Black, in the same way as ISM, in the same way as so many groups in the Bay Area. It is an instinctive, culturally sanctioned, and utterly ideological hatred of Jews and of a predominantly Jewish state.
It represents a complete rejection of Jewish values, Jewish identity, and Jewish worth.

The Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, by hosting this event, prove themselves worthy heir to every tyrant and depraved ideologue in the pantheon.
It was probably too much to ask that they take a stand against socially approved politically correct bigotry - it would be so very un-Berkeley and far too decisive.
One just can not expect that of them.


BFUU

Meeting address: 1924 Cedar Street (at Bonita Avenue), Berkeley
Office and Mailing address: 1606 Bonita Ave., Berkeley, CA 94709-2022 (open 11-5 M-F)
phone: 510-841-4824 * e-mail: office bfuu.org * internet: http://www.bfuu.org/ - http://www2.blogger.com/www.bfuu.org


If you decide, AGAINST your better judgment, to write or telephone them, please be gentle and courteous. You represent all that is decent and noble, and while the other side cannot possibly ever understand any of that, they will be quick to pick up on an abrasive quality to your discourse, and reject everything else you say in consequence. Do not insult them, do not raise your voice. They are simple people, and many of them are old.
And they do so strive to fit in with the general comforting hatefulness of Berkeley. They cannot help themselves.

=================================================

NOTE:
An article on Bluetruth also discusses Gilad Atzmon:
http://www.bluetruth.net/2009/05/bay-area-women-in-black-they-hate.html

Quote: "Atzmon has come up with ( ) gems such as “American Jews do try to control the world, by proxy” ; “There is no such thing as anti-Semitism”; and“Why is it that the Jews who repeatedly demand that the Christian world should apologize for its involvement in previous persecutions, have never thought that it is about time that they apologized for killing Jesus?” He also is a strong supporter of the Swedish fascist who goes by the pen name of Israel Shamir. Shamir has written that “we need the voices of David Duke…and Pat Buchanan”, and has claimed that Jews have indeed slaughtered Christian children for their blood"

Regarding Israel Shamir: "even extremist Israel-haters such as Ali Abuminah, Sue Blackwell and Jeff Halper dissociate themselves from him in their embarrassment at sharing the same agenda. But Atzmon consistently defends Shamir and calls him "a unique and advanced thinker"."

Truly Gilad Atzmon and the BFUU represent Berkeley values.

This article (http://la.indymedia.org/news/2009/05/227598.php) and another (http://la.indymedia.org/news/2009/05/227564.php) make the claim that the BFUU is sponsoring holocaust denier Gilad Atzom.

However, no proof is provided in either article to substantiate this claim. A glance at the church's website reveals no indication that Gilad Atzom is appearing at the church or at any function sponsored by the church, neither on June 8 nor on any other date.

No performance appears on the calendar (http://www.bfuu.org/calendar.html), nor on the upcoming events page (http://www.bfuu.org/events.html). A site search of www.bfuu.org for "Gilad Atzom," "Gilad," or "Atzom" produces no results.

Try finding performances from Gilad Atzom's promoter, or his website, or any of the numerous ticket brokers. You find nothing.

What is missing from these articles is information about how the author found out that this alleged performance was taking place. The lack of disclosure implies no source. No source, no fact!

All this is is an attempt to defame the Unitarian Universalists. While I do not know why this defamation is taking place, my speculation is that the BFUU, or an individual or individuals involved with them, has dared to criticize the policies of the Israeli government.

Some people and organizations take their "defense" of the Israeli government a little too far, and I suspect this is a case in point. The problem is that slander and defamation are illegal, and this should be investigated.

"What is missing from these articles is information about how the author found out that this alleged performance was taking place"

Not to mention where and at what time the alleged performance is taking place. Maybe it's not taking place at all?

The concert is scheduled for June 8. BFUU is neither welcoming nor hosting Atzmon because this is not a BFUU event. It is not even an event produced by BFUU's Social Justice Committe. It was other organizations that reserved the BFUU Hall and publicized the concert. Dozens of organizations contract for building use at BFUU but have no connection with BFUU. Most of the events that happen on BFUU grounds are not BFUU events.

I have never known BFUU to cancel a building use contract. Doing so may require a majority vote at an emergency Board meeting. It is unlikely a majority of the Trustees would come to an extra summertime meeting that is called on short notice, though I did inform them as well as Jewish BFUU members.

I asked the opinion of a trusted Rabbi who has been affiliated with BFUU who replied:
"I would not invite him to speak in my synagogue. But he is not worth getting worked up about--he doesn't order troops to Afghanistan, he doesn't order drones to Pakistan, he doesn't threaten countries with 'all options on the table,' he doesn't commit war crimes in Gaza or Lebanon or Tibet or Iraq or Chechnya, he doesn't deny women the right to drive in Saudi Arabia. He is, in short, a minor irritant."

Nevertheless, I requested that the Social Justice Committee withdraw co-sponsorship of the concert without even considering the controversial merits--of which we only recently became aware--but in sensitivity to the feelings of some community members. Unreasonable messages like some above that seem "over the top" and threatening make it harder to convince a majority to withdraw co-sponsorship. There is much discussion. Feeling bullied makes some want to dig in their heels.

I write as an individual BFUU member, not as a representative of BFUU nor of its small Social Justice Committee. Thank you to the many people who are taking the time to weigh in thoughtfully and truthfully. My experience is that people at BFUU do care, passionately, and do try to make a positive difference.

"Social Justice Committee"

Sounds pretentious, like schoolgirls trying to sound geekily important.

What is "justice"? Is it what Mother Gaia metes out to tsunami "victims"?

Be specific. Give examples. And please, no "justice is the quality and consequence of truth" bullshit which you heard from some unbathed back alley maharishi.

Sounds like you're having a bad day, "just wondering."
I hope lashing out made you feel better. Is trolling fun?
Got tranquility? Got joy? Got a spiritual community?
Leading a meaningful life? Blessings to all who read this.
Keep shining!

We got psyvhobabble from "me again", as if we noticed it the first time?

People who orgasm by rubbing against trees are always suspect.

Now, back to the question asked: what is "justice"? Can any of the unbathed truly answer it?

If an asteroid is discovered and verified that it will take out Earth, meaning of course that homosexuals and women and other protected classes will be hardest hit, then who should the unbathed amass in the streets and (as usual, ineffectually) protest against?

http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/2805460/

Gilad Atzmon: Themes from Palestine
Monday June 8, 2009 at 7:00pm
Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists Hall;

1924 Cedar (at Bonita)
Berkeley, California Get Directions
Gilad Atzmon is fearless, both on the jazz saxophone and in defense of human rights in Palestine. The renowned expat Israeli musician, composer, educator and writer will be accompanied on piano by Daniel Raynaud.

All proceeds benefit the Free Gaza and International Solidarity Movements. Donations are 501(c)3 tax exempt.

Co-sponsored by Bay Area Women in Black.
$20 admission, no one turned away.
Wheelchair accessible

Contact: 510-236-4250
solidarity@norcalism.org
www.norcalism.org

For occasional email notices of peace/eco/social justice alerts and related events at BFUU, send any email to:
bfuusjev-subscribe@lists.riseup.net

For weekly notices of BFUU services etc. go to:
www.bfuu.org/signup.html

Ticket Info: $20 admission, no one turned away

http://norcalism.org/Gilad4web.pdf

“Gilad Atzmon, the expat Israeli saxophonist/ clarinetist,
combines thrilling jazz musicianship with a maverick
political intelligence” - Guardian
“One of the finest alto players” - BBC Music Magazine
Gilad Atzmon is fearless, both on the jazz
saxophone and in defense of human rights in
Palestine. The renowned expat Israeli musician,
composer, educator and writer will be accompanied
on the piano by Daniel Renaud.
Sunday, JUNE 7, 7:00PM
First Presbyterian Church, 1140 Cowper, Palo Alto
$20 admission, no one turned away for lack of funds
Monday, JUNE 8, 7:00PM
BFUU Hall, 1924 Cedar at Bonita, Berkeley
(Berkeley or North Berkeley BART)
$20 admission, no one turned away for lack of funds
Sponsored by BFUU Social Justice Committee
Co-sponsored by Bay Area Women in Black
For more info: 510-236-5338
solidarity@norcalism.org
www.norcalism.org

The concert is scheduled for June 8. BFUU is neither welcoming nor hosting Atzmon because this is not a BFUU event. It is not even an event produced by BFUU's Social Justice Committe

This is not true. The flyer that went out says it is co-sponsored by the BFUU. I will try and attach it to this post. And the listings at yahoo events and on craigslist all support that this is a BFUU event sponsored by th peace and justice committteee. I hope they are not lying to you

. It was other organizations that reserved the BFUU Hall and publicized the concert. Dozens of organizations contract for building use at BFUU but have no connection with BFUU. Most of the events that happen on BFUU grounds are not BFUU events.

The promotional materials sent out do not support your claim. Would BFUU host David Duke for a poetry reading? If not, then why is this acceptable?

This was posted by a shitferbrains sloganeering Scientologist neoNazi going by the name of Andrew. 

Blessings
by me again Wednesday, Jun. 03, 2009 at 8:09 PM

The Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists (BFUU) is neither sponsoring nor co-sponsoring nor endorsing Gilad Atzmon. Publicity saying that BFUU's Social Justice Committee is sponsoring the event was not put out by anyone at BFUU and was in error. However, the building use contract is being honored (1st amendment right) and the event is still happening in the BFUU Hall.

Publicity was in error?
Or is it last minute damage control?

BFUU- you still can redeem yourself.
Make a public statement. Denounce Gilad Atzmon and his record of hatred and anti-Semitism.
Express regret having reglected the oversight of your "social justice " committeee.
Explain you made a bad decison. Apologize to Berkeley.

You can do this at the demonstration tonight.

http://la.indymedia.org/news/2009/06/228079.php

For photos pf the protest at the berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists on June 8

This photo is of Berkeley attorney Stephen pearcy, sporting a jaunty Nasrallah t-shirt and holding a Hamas flag in front of the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists.

This is horrifying, even by Berkeley standards.
Nasrallah has callled for the genocide of the Jewish people.

The Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists just sponsored the ever repulsive Ken O'Keefe.

From a local blog:

Ken O'Keefe is current touring the US on what he calls his "F**k the TSA/Homeland Security tour". He was introduced by Vic Sadot of the BFUU Social Justice committee. His talk at the BFUU was laced with unfiltered profanity

The Unitarian Universalists in Berkeley have jumped feet-first into the anti-Semitic swimming hole with this action, and are now find themselves complicit in the promotion of abhorrent blood libels, conspiracy theories, and pure unadulterated hate.

At the event, Ken O'Keefe proudly declared "I'm honored to be labeled a terrorist by Israel. I'm honored to be labeled an anti-Semitic by the ADL.",and expressed his disappointment that no one came to protest his event.

Early in the talk, O'Keefe stated "If there's one group on the planet you really can't criticize its pretty damn obvious. I'm sure everyone is just waiting for that word to come out", before launching into his tirade on the parallels between Jewish and American supremacism.

From his abashed support for the misunderstood and misrepresented Nazis to his admiration for the Syrian Butcher Assad who "did his job admirably", Ken O'Keefe's hate flowed with ease. "We can't use certain words. Language has become manipulated. Political correctness is the order of the day and people like me are supposed to be vilified because I'm anti-Semitic... My problem with Judaism is based on my anti-supremacist perspective", adding "the people I'm allegedly against aren't even Semitic They don't come from that region. They don't even speak Hebrew. Ashkenazi Jews come from the Caspian basin"

His vile unhinged and unsubstantiated accusations were met by an appreciative audience, which included his fellow traveler on the 2010 Gaza flotilla, Paul Larudee

Spoken by Ken O'Keefe, at the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists:

"Those that are effectively running the world primarily through the financial system are psychopaths, sociopaths. Many of them, if not all of them are pedophiles. Many of them are involved in something as nasty sadistic and untouchable as f**ing little boys and little girls before they sacrifice them."

"The system is almost totally controlled by Jewish bankers"

"The Jewish supremacist state of Israel largely adheres to Talmudic Judaism and boy oh boy lets get into some religious texts that are obscene as you could imagine".

People who don't understand that "the power structure within Israel is operating largely within Talmudic dictates are naive"

These "Talmudic dictates" are " the authoritative document for the Jewish supremacists who are running the country" according to Ken O'Keefe. O'Keefe included a sickening array of lies too vile to be repeated.

Lest you assume he distinguishes between "Jews" and "Zionists", O'Keefe added "The Jewish people are collectively responsible for the Jewish state".

That Ken O'Keefe is capable of spewing such venomous hate and lies is unsurprising. What is shocking, however is that the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists would promote it and give it legitimacy.

Let the BFUU know how you feel. Leave them on a comment on their Facebook page, give them a call at (510) 841-4824 or write them a note at 1924 Cedar Street, Berkeley, CA 94709.