Jack Ross is taking me to task over my enthusiasm for the new group International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network:
This is just a silly anarchist undertaking, not a Leninist one as I
possibly feared but mired in a lot of peculiar hard left obsessions.
Why so much of their rhetoric gives them an appearance of being broad
based on this issue I think only speaks to how far the issue has come.
The left-anarchists have had a rough go of it for years now, first
seeing the left-wing antiwar movement be totally taken over by the
ultra-Stalinist Workers World Party, then seeing the next big thing be the Ron Paul phenomenon, so now they're desperately trying to grab on to something.
Having said all that, it may work up to a point, and I'll be fascinated to see what follows. But you seem to give these types a lot more credit then I would, so I'm willing to hear you out. I'm curious in particular about Joel Kovel, who you've historically propped up as a significant voice of Jewish anti-Zionism but I've never been inclined to take seriously. Your view?
Jack, you're an intellectual, I'm just an intellectual in drag, as we established when we had pastrami at Junior's in Brooklyn 2 weeks ago. I like story more than abstract ideas, you like intellectual battles. So you see all these doctrinal currents in there. While I just think, More guys coming into the non-Zionist room! Yes!
But let me be a little serious. I don't see them as anarchist, but leftwing. I love that liberation rhetoric. Are they opportunistic? They've thought this thing through. I believe more than anything that the Palestinians should have the right of self-determination, as the Pakistanis and Indians and Israelis all got in the Year of Partition, 1947, the Arabs getting bupkus. I'm an old lefty. And these guys actually remind me of Neturei Karta in their intensity.
As to Kovel, yes I agree, I get a little sick of the corduroy jackets and the left rhet, but these guys are principled and untribal on the right of return, and they're cold and honest about apartheid. That's important. And if they are opportunistic, great, that means there's an opportunity! In the end I'm pleased, here's another website, here's more people speaking out, here's an active discourse. That's why I'm enthusiastic.
But let me be a little serious. I don't see them as anarchist, but leftwing. I love that liberation rhetoric. Are they opportunistic? They've thought this thing through. I believe more than anything that the Palestinians should have the right of self-determination, as the Pakistanis and Indians and Israelis all got in the Year of Partition, 1947, the Arabs getting bupkus. I'm an old lefty. And these guys actually remind me of Neturei Karta in their intensity.
As to Kovel, yes I agree, I get a little sick of the corduroy jackets and the left rhet, but these guys are principled and untribal on the right of return, and they're cold and honest about apartheid. That's important. And if they are opportunistic, great, that means there's an opportunity! In the end I'm pleased, here's another website, here's more people speaking out, here's an active discourse. That's why I'm enthusiastic.
After reading the subject Network's web site, I think it's hard to
characterize it's substance/posture or world view as anarchic; it's
clearly and most consistently leftist. As a Ron Paul supporter, I agree with the Network's take on the roots of world discontent.
Hmmm? This sounds interesting:
"Israel: … A digital storytelling project to document Mizrahi history and experiences of Israeli Apartheid to be used for a popular tribunal in Israel and also as testimony for tribunals in other locations…."
From here bridges could be built if no anti-Ashkenazim prejudice develops.
What are the ultimate aims of anti-Zionism, does its logic lead towards a one state solution? Has this vision place for the demands of a Jewish society? e.g. holiday work …