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eumeliaI don't.
Last week I wrote about the new testimonials from Breaking the Silence, which garnered no comments on the entry itself.
I suppose it can be a bit overwhelming to talk about. Or simply not interesting for most. I don't know what to say really, it could just be a boring topic.
Yes, we know, Occupation Bad, Liberty Good, move along.
The thing is this isn't a given. Until four years ago, I was sure I understood the reality of where I lived and I was sorely misinformed, or in denial, depends what period of time we're speaking of.
Over the past years, as I grew more informed and actually took the time to understand the reality of what it means to be an Occupier, along with seeing through the veneer of democracy we supposedly live in (it's not a democracy when one group is privileged by law above all others), it seems that I've radicalised.
I suppose that's true, I've always irritated family, some friends and acquaintances with being vocal over the notion that all people are, in fact, human. Going to university has enabled me to articulate my points in a far more coherent and lucid way - rather than simply rant and point while saying: "But, but... you're doing bad things!".
But what bothers me the most is the Antisemitism (actual vile Jew hatred - disguised as anti-Zionism - from outsiders and internalised from other Jewish people - disguised as criticism of critics) I've encountered ever since being "out" regarding my politics.
I've written before about how the entire notion of "self-hating Jews" is Antisemitic, seeing as by declaring that one Jew is better than another, you [editorial] are saying that there is a Jewish Essence that some Jews have more than others, or something insipid as that.
By conflating a loyalty to a nation state (Israel) and belonging to a diverse ethnic, religious and cultural group (Judaism), you make it impossible to criticise the very real problems that exist within both those categories.
If I, as an Israeli, cannot criticise the policies of my own country for fear of being called "Bad Jew" what kind of protection against Antisemitism does living in the Jewish state accord me?
Or when Alan Dershowitz accuses Judge Richard Goldstone of betraying the Jewish people?
Carte Blanche for persecution, you say?
I speak of this now, because last week a smear campaign against The New Israel Fund (one of the largest social justice organisations in Israel) brought about by a neo-Zionist group called "Im Tirzu" (אם תרצו - If You Will It), which I'm not linking to as I'd rather not give a proto-fascist group more traffic than necessary.
The campaign included this "lovely" picture:
Picture depicts a caricature of Naomi Hazan (as Naomi Goldstone-Hazan) who is the current chairperson of the "New Israel Fund" with a horn on her head that bears the initials of the org. Below the picture there is text that reads: "FACT! Without the New Israel Fund, there could be no Goldstone Report, and Israel would not be facing international accusations of war crimes".
"Im Tirzu" are a vile reactionary bunch. I've encountered them more than once on my campus (university campus' are where they generally operate because they are bastions of anti/post-Zionis/Israel Hating/Loony Left Politics). They wear t-shirts depicting Theodore Herzl, Moshe Dayan, Menahem Begin and Golda Meir.
They call themselves politically centre.
A bigger bunch of racist chauvinists you'll be hard pressed to find.
Not only do they get venerated by the local press, I heard one of the activists speak on the radio regaling accusations of "delusion", "self-hatred", "victim blaming" (Israel being the only victim to be found), "anti-democratic" and the radio jockey was going along with it!
I fairly sure I burst a blood vessel somewhere.
One of the fine things of living in a democracy is that the state is not infallible. That the institutions that run it and are run by it can be scrutinised and spoken about critically.
When NGO's that try to promote equality and challenge the inequity of ethnocentric, militaristic and chauvinist Israel are under attack and accused of the very things they stand against and tactics used by our "enemies" are copied by the so-called "defenders" of Zionism, what exactly are we supposed to find agreeable about a nationalistic, supremacist and Antisemitic organisation? Accusing those who defend human rights and/or criticise the state as being enemies of the state sounds like The Crucible.
I'll conclude by saying that Umberto Eco defined 14 characteristics of Eternal, or Ur-Fascism, some of them being:
Last week I wrote about the new testimonials from Breaking the Silence, which garnered no comments on the entry itself.
I suppose it can be a bit overwhelming to talk about. Or simply not interesting for most. I don't know what to say really, it could just be a boring topic.
Yes, we know, Occupation Bad, Liberty Good, move along.
The thing is this isn't a given. Until four years ago, I was sure I understood the reality of where I lived and I was sorely misinformed, or in denial, depends what period of time we're speaking of.
Over the past years, as I grew more informed and actually took the time to understand the reality of what it means to be an Occupier, along with seeing through the veneer of democracy we supposedly live in (it's not a democracy when one group is privileged by law above all others), it seems that I've radicalised.
I suppose that's true, I've always irritated family, some friends and acquaintances with being vocal over the notion that all people are, in fact, human. Going to university has enabled me to articulate my points in a far more coherent and lucid way - rather than simply rant and point while saying: "But, but... you're doing bad things!".
But what bothers me the most is the Antisemitism (actual vile Jew hatred - disguised as anti-Zionism - from outsiders and internalised from other Jewish people - disguised as criticism of critics) I've encountered ever since being "out" regarding my politics.
I've written before about how the entire notion of "self-hating Jews" is Antisemitic, seeing as by declaring that one Jew is better than another, you [editorial] are saying that there is a Jewish Essence that some Jews have more than others, or something insipid as that.
By conflating a loyalty to a nation state (Israel) and belonging to a diverse ethnic, religious and cultural group (Judaism), you make it impossible to criticise the very real problems that exist within both those categories.
If I, as an Israeli, cannot criticise the policies of my own country for fear of being called "Bad Jew" what kind of protection against Antisemitism does living in the Jewish state accord me?
Or when Alan Dershowitz accuses Judge Richard Goldstone of betraying the Jewish people?
Carte Blanche for persecution, you say?
I speak of this now, because last week a smear campaign against The New Israel Fund (one of the largest social justice organisations in Israel) brought about by a neo-Zionist group called "Im Tirzu" (אם תרצו - If You Will It), which I'm not linking to as I'd rather not give a proto-fascist group more traffic than necessary.
The campaign included this "lovely" picture:
Picture depicts a caricature of Naomi Hazan (as Naomi Goldstone-Hazan) who is the current chairperson of the "New Israel Fund" with a horn on her head that bears the initials of the org. Below the picture there is text that reads: "FACT! Without the New Israel Fund, there could be no Goldstone Report, and Israel would not be facing international accusations of war crimes".
"Im Tirzu" are a vile reactionary bunch. I've encountered them more than once on my campus (university campus' are where they generally operate because they are bastions of anti/post-Zionis/Israel Hating/Loony Left Politics). They wear t-shirts depicting Theodore Herzl, Moshe Dayan, Menahem Begin and Golda Meir.
They call themselves politically centre.
A bigger bunch of racist chauvinists you'll be hard pressed to find.
Not only do they get venerated by the local press, I heard one of the activists speak on the radio regaling accusations of "delusion", "self-hatred", "victim blaming" (Israel being the only victim to be found), "anti-democratic" and the radio jockey was going along with it!
I fairly sure I burst a blood vessel somewhere.
One of the fine things of living in a democracy is that the state is not infallible. That the institutions that run it and are run by it can be scrutinised and spoken about critically.
When NGO's that try to promote equality and challenge the inequity of ethnocentric, militaristic and chauvinist Israel are under attack and accused of the very things they stand against and tactics used by our "enemies" are copied by the so-called "defenders" of Zionism, what exactly are we supposed to find agreeable about a nationalistic, supremacist and Antisemitic organisation? Accusing those who defend human rights and/or criticise the state as being enemies of the state sounds like The Crucible.
I'll conclude by saying that Umberto Eco defined 14 characteristics of Eternal, or Ur-Fascism, some of them being:
4. The critical spirit makes distinctions, and to distinguish is a sign of modernism.
In modern culture the scientific community praises disagreement as a way to improve knowledge. For Ur-Fascism, disagreement is treason.
5. Besides, disagreement is a sign of diversity.
Ur-Fascism grows up and seeks consensus by exploiting and exacerbating the natural fear of difference. The first appeal of a fascist or prematurely fascist movement is an appeal against the intruders. Thus Ur-Fascism is racist by definition.
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no subject
Date: 2010-02-04 10:39 pm (UTC)I find it difficult to enter into any discussion of Israeli history or politics because so many people have extremely strong opinions and beliefs and I'm kind of conflict-averse. Also the media reporting about Israel and Palestine when I was growing up in America was/is slanted quite differently than it is in Britain, for many reasons. So when I watch BBC or Channel 4 reports, I do think about how the events discussed would be reported in America. It's an interesting exercise in comparison.
I really appreciate the information and perspective you're putting out there, I feel like I'm learning a lot. I guess I find it terribly saddening that the people that embrace this form of fascism seem to have completely disregarded or twisted 20th century history. And that extremism is present in every religion.
no subject
Date: 2010-02-05 08:33 am (UTC)I fear my existence (and indeed the existence of and for this country) when I read things like this: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3842437,00.html
no subject
Date: 2010-02-05 10:28 pm (UTC)Re the link: what the... Ok, I get, in the way of my limited understanding, how men and women are separated at Orthodox synegogues during services. But on buses? Just...I have no words. And I fear for America when I read there is only *one* doctor alive in the country who is openly willing to perform late-term abortions. Because they other, Dr Tiller, was murdered by an extremist.
*shakes head*
no subject
Date: 2010-02-05 12:53 am (UTC)I think this is one of the greatest things that has even been said on the topic. I will adapt and quote this to my own life. Thank you.
no subject
Date: 2010-02-05 07:50 am (UTC)But thank you none the less. It's something I've been thinking about quite a lot. When trying to battle the conflation of my political stance and my own identity - which are necessarily the same thing, ya know.
no subject
Date: 2010-02-05 04:32 pm (UTC)http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&gid=281202052260
i'm still working my way through the new breaking the silence book, but i did appreciate and read your post.
no subject
Date: 2010-02-05 04:49 pm (UTC)I'll check out the group, though FB is wonky at the mo'. Those testimonials are really heart breaking.
*sigh*
no subject
Date: 2010-02-05 05:55 pm (UTC)There is something you can do to help
Date: 2010-02-05 07:31 pm (UTC)Even ADL head Abe Foxman himself said in the New York Jewish Week that Im Tirtzu’s campaign is an "outrageous broadside...it is absurd to blame Goldstone on NIF.”
BUT there is something you can do!
We’ve asked all supporters of NIF and democracy to email Prime Minister Netanyahu to put a stop to the right-wing ministers trying to defund NIF in the Knesset. Please share this link far and wide: http://nif.org/bibi
Please also be in touch with me if you want to help us get out the word.
Ben Murane, New Israel Fund
benm@nif.org
no subject
Date: 2010-02-06 12:45 pm (UTC)If I, as an Israeli, cannot criticise the policies of my own country for fear of being called "Bad Jew" what kind of protection against Antisemitism does living in the Jewish state accord me?
Very well put.
The demands of militaristic societies - well, practically any society really - for citizens to rally round the flag when there's a conflict and condemn as traitors those who dissent is not peculiar to Israel of course - but the very particular history of Israel, the whole Antisemitism line, adds a toxic intensity: it is bad enough to criticize your country when it is strong, but far, far worse when not merely your country but your entire ethnic group is living under perpetual threat of annihilation.