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Monday, May 04, 2009

Anatomy of a fake Ben Gurion quote

The Pakistan Daily today "quotes" David Ben-Gurion:
“It is essential that we strike and crush Pakistanis, enemies of Jews and Zionism by all disguised and secret plans,” - David Ben Gurion, first prime minister of the Zionist entity.
Since this quote sounds absurd, I did a little research.

The full "quote" seems to have originated in an article from the anti-semitic Rense.com from April 1, 2001 (sorry, I will not link there):
If there is still any doubt as to the real intentions of Israel, then please see this statement issued by David Ben Gurion, the first Israeli Prime Minister. His words, as printed in the Jewish Chronicle, 9 August 1967, leave nothing to imagination:

"The world Zionist movement should not be neglectful of the dangers of Pakistan to it. And Pakistan now should be its first target, for this ideological State is a threat to our existence. And Pakistan, the whole of it, hates the Jews and loves the Arabs.

"This lover of the Arabs is more dangerous to us than the Arabs themselves. For that matter, it is most essential for the world Zionism that it should now take immediate steps against Pakistan.

"Whereas the inhabitants of the Indian peninsula are Hindus whose hearts have been full of hatred towards Muslims, therefore, India is the most important base for us to work therefrom against Pakistan.

"It is essential that we exploit this base and strike and crush Pakistanis, enemies of Jews and Zionism, by all disguised and secret plans. ____
Wow, a real date and source for this supposed quote! Now we just have to find The Jewish Chronicle.

While there are lots of small Jewish newspapers called The Jewish Chronicle, it seems unlikely that Ben Gurion granted an interview to the newspaper in Pittsburgh or Wisconsin. The only reasonable candidate would be the London Jewish Chronicle, which has been published since 1841.

Well, it has been published every Friday since 1841. Unfortunately, August 9, 1967 was a Wednesday.

The fake quote itself is all over the Internet - in literally hundreds of websites. Intrepid blogger Solomon's House noticed it last December and proceeded to demolish it, even going through the JC archives looking at every mention of Pakistan. He then went on to confront the Islamists who believe the quote, to predictable results.

One unassailable fact is that it takes seconds to make up a fake quote and it takes much effort to disprove one. Even after it is shown to be false, it will be believed by the people who want to believe it.