A few weeks ago I published a post about a girl, named Emily Schrader, who was shown on a Youtube clip breaking into tears after reading that Ron Paul believes Israel is an apartheid state. The clip went viral, caused quite a lot of commotion on the web, and has since been removed (most probably for damage control reasons).Yesterday, I got an email from someone claiming to be Emily Schrader, yet I have no way of verifying if it is really her. Nonetheless, her address and blog do seem to be authentic, so I’m pasting it here below:
Hello Ami! In response to your blog post about the Ron Paul video, I would like to personally send you my response, as the video really didn’t have anything to do with Ron Paul or Israel:..Furthermore, I am not a Christian, I am Jewish. I have been involved with CUFI and growing Christian support in campus and around the world for some time. But it was fun to read your followers (and your) speculations.🙂.Thanks for the laugh!..– Emily Schrader
I have to say: I’m extremely proud my Christians United for Israel (CUFI) radar is working so well. Here’s Emily’s post:
After a video of me was released on YouTube where I appear to shed tears over Ron Paul’s stance on Israel, it would seem as though everyone now knows I am not the biggest fan of Paul. I do indeed have major reservations when it comes to his foreign policy towards any country and yes, Israel too. That being said, I find it necessary to address the video that was published last week without my knowledge or consent, and point out that it is of grave concern that Paul fans, who are supposed to be staunch supporters of constitutional rights, are so intent on using tactics and language that hinders discussion..Regarding the video, it’s important to note two things. First, it was not staged. Second, while the video indicates I became visibly upset to the point of tears by Ron Paul’s words which called Israel a state with “apartheid policies,” the fact of the matter is that this video is completely out of context as I was upset from ongoing events that had begun earlier that day that were unrelated..I’m terribly sorry to disappoint folks, but I’m just not as exciting as you think I am!Regarding the aftermath, what I find far more disturbing than anything I said in the video is the fact that Ron Paul’s supporters seem so intent on heckling anyone and shutting up those who dare oppose Ron Paul’s isolationist foreign policy proposals.In skimming through comments and various articles about the video, I was thrilled to discover that I went to high school in Florida, I work for the Prime Minister of Israel’s office, the Media Research Center, and a number of other organizations with which I have no affiliation..Apparently I also deleted all my social media networks and changed my name on Facebook, none of which actually occurred.One of Paul’s fans was so desperate that they published my email address and went through google cache of my LinkedIn profile (which has been private for sometime) and copy/pasted everything on it, as if that was somehow pertinent to video. I then received hate mail from numerous Paul supporters similar to the following email from a charming fellow named Joe Dunn:.“Look little Jewish girl. Dr. Paul doesn’t hate Jews but I do. You people are disgusting maggots! Please go away. Go to Israel if you love it so much. Just get the hell out of America. Hitler so was right. God Bless him.”.Do these Paul supporters really expect to be taken seriously?.Regarding the debate, let’s assume for a second that I did cry for no other reason than that Ron Paul called Israel an apartheid state. Is it not rational to be disturbed by callous accusations that misuse language like apartheid in an attempt to delegitimize the arguments of the other side?.This dismissal of opposing viewpoints by labeling something is the same as when the left dishes out baseless accusations of racism in an effort to delegitimize any opinions contrary to their own. I find it incredibly offensive that anyone would insult those who actually lived under South African apartheid by calling Israel an apartheid state.In understanding any controversy, it is critical to examine the facts, and the fact is that Israeli Arabs have full and equal rights to Jews in Israel. They share roads, hospitals, schools, and vote in elections. Furthermore, the state of Israel bends-over-backwards, sometimes at the cost of innocent Israeli lives, to make life as prosperous and free for the Palestinian people as possible, despite the fact the Palestinians have their own government that is internationally recognized. Does this sound like apartheid to you?Israel is by no means perfect and like all democratic countries can be criticized when necessary, but the word apartheid is seldom used in an effort to improve Israel. It is instead used by those who believe Israel ought not to exist, to brand Israel in a way that at the very best promotes intolerance of an alternative viewpoint.
Given that just last week one of Paul’s former staffers reported that Paul believes Israel is “more trouble than it’s worth,” and that we “ought to give all the land back to the Arabs,” it would seem as though Paul’s viewpoints are perfectly aligned with those who call for the destruction of Israel and slander opposing viewpoints with terminology like apartheid. I encourage all of you to consider the motivation behind words like this before you criticize people who are truly on your “side,” for lack of abetter term.
This article is my personal opinion and not that of any organization with which I am affiliated.
Right back at ya, Emily: Thanks for the laugh!