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This thread has proceeded in a different direction, however I will clarify myself in response to the disagreement Amith has expressed with my earlier post: At 11:27 04-03-15 -0500, A.R. G via Marxism wrote: > >Hi Jeff, > >Thanks for your input. I do, however, take issue with this particular >paragraph: > >"It is inexplicable that they would see the suffering of Palestinians >and be morally outraged while having no such reaction to the Nazi >holocaust. You cannot find in their writings solidarity with >anti-imperialist struggles in general or defense of minorities in European >countries. Or support for any other struggles by Arabs where Israel isn't >involved. The only possible explanation for their "solidarity" with >Palestine, having internalized the mainstream narrative of a "Jewish-Arab >conflict" in the middle-east, is anti-semitism." > >See, I don't see Palestine as just another human rights struggle. I think >there are obvious elements of the Zionist colonization of Palestine that >are distinct........ > I can >think of plenty of reasons, then, why someone would particularly single out >Israel while not being very aware or supportive of other Arab causes. Well I absolutely agree that the state of Israel and its actions represent an extreme case in a number of respects. If we were giving out academy awards for the most egregious actions by a capitalist state, then Israel would walk away with the most awards, no sweat. So yes, there are plenty of reasons a non-activist would see the plight of the Palestinians and be motivated to action (thus "singling out Israel") for the first time. But all that isn't relevant to my point. I wasn't talking about individuals who become outraged about Israel without "being very aware or supportive of other Arab causes," or even being aware of the Nazi holocaust if they haven't learned much history. I was talking about right-wing ORGANIZATIONS and published WRITERS who cannot claim such ignorance. I was saying that if a KNOWLEDGEABLE person or organization were simply reacting to the moral outrage of Palestinian oppression, then they would undoubtedly take a position (even if no action) in response to other terrible violations of national or human rights currently taking place or recorded in history. Mentioning the holocaust was just one particular example, but a very pertinent one in relation to some fascists, since it is universally denounced by almost everyone except for fascists who trace back to the Nazi's. I concluded that their concern for Palestine and insensitivity to (or knowing denial of) that historic crime, could only be a sign of their antisemitism. I couldn't possibly give them credit for compassion in the one case and not the other. They choose to support Palestine, and no other Arabs, because they DO believe that anti-Zionism = anti-semitism and realize they can make more friends using the former terminology. Having them on "our side" is toxic; they aren't on our side just because we share a common enemy, and we are wise to disassociate ourselves from them whenever that would be in question. Again, I'm not talking about ordinary people who are politically naive. The fight against anti-semitism doesn't focus on what I would call "ignorant anti-semitism" disconnected from a political outlook. So suppose apolitical John Doe has a bad experience with his bank, and decries "all those Jewish bankers" that screwed him, because he's heard that the world is controlled by Jewish bankers. I might even express sympathy with him against the bankers, but try to explain that most bankers aren't Jewish, most Jews aren't bankers, and there is no widespread "Jewish conspiracy" beyond what Israel has created for its own purposes. If I fail then he may well go on to become a POLITICAL antisemite, but otherwise I just see him as being an example of ignorance. In an atmosphere of organized anti-semitism that could still make him dangerous, but in a liberal Western society if he doesn't have much power and isn't violent, then I wouldn't worry about him in particular. But again, an organization that is political enough to be called "right wing" cannot claim ignorance, and their adoption of the cause of Palestine cannot be seen as having anything in common with our positions. That is my point. Further: >I also worry that constantly trying to find & condemn "anti-Semitism" can >essentially function as a form of soft Zionism. Excuse me, but where did I say that I spend my spare time rooting out anti-semitism? I am much more concerned with Islamophobia affecting Europe. But the question Amith posed was how to explain and orient to fascists who claim solidarity with Palestine. So I answered honestly: they are anti-semites, and no friends of Palestine. - Jeff _________________________________________________________ Full posting guidelines at: http://www.marxmail.org/sub.htm Set your options at: http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
