I was clearing brush for my mother this morning when I realized I have had a more intensely Jewish life in the last couple of days than in years. Two nights ago I was up till 2 a.m. at an outdoor vigil/seder run by non-Zionist Jews on the street in Philly. Last night it was more of the same, with a couple of non- and anti-Zionists. First hanging out at a big bourgeois seder at a relative's, then scooting off on our own to a bar till late at night to talk. One of us had been at a seder at the Four Seasons. I didn't get to bed till 3:30, and that feeling I have tried to express before, that anti-Zionism is the new Zionism-- that all the excitement that Zionism had intellectually, politically and socially 100 years ago, as a liberation story-- now that feeling surrounds anti-Zionism, post-Zionism. The feeling that the best of the next generation of idealistic Jewish intellectuals are drawn to this idea, because it will liberate us from the misery of the Israeli apartheid experience done this morning and yesterday and tomorrow, in our name.
Here are some random quotations, who knows how accurate as to fact, culled from a night of red wine and spring:
--Roger Cohen is taking over from Jeffrey Goldberg as the most important Jewish journalist in the American press. Did you see his latest great piece on the Iran hysteria yesterday? Well he called Goldberg Netanyahu's "stenographer." (Hey, and I called Goldberg Netanyahu's amanuensis, a more pretentious way of saying the same thing.)
--That Jeremy Ben-Ami of J Street is very very smart. J Street knows just what it is doing. Did you see how he challenged Rabbi Steve Gutow at the 92d Street Y? No, you didn't-- oh, he said to him, we are happy to co-sponsor a poll of Jewish attitudes with any leading Jewish organization. And Gutow demurred. You know why, because the Jewish organizations are afraid of popular Jewish opinion, they know that most American Jews are for talking to Hamas.
--Oh J Street is smart. And the Obama administration is counting on them to build a base inside Jewish life. Obama who is the first Jewish president, after Clinton was the first Jewish president, having a seder in the White House tonight.
--Jim Lobe of Interpress, the leading critic of the neocons, is like an oracle.
--We have to be like the neocons. We have to find each other and gain support and talk up our ideas together. They had a lot of stuff we didn't have-- money, institutions. But we have a humanist idea. Oh but how do we find one another? My whole process has taken place in my own head, for years... They had all their clubs and treehouses...
--What is it with Lieberman. Do we have any idea here who he is? You should see the way that the Russians in Israeli society are drawn to him. A lot of them aren't even Jewish. They want civil marriage. Because they're Christians! Can you imagine if there was real journalism in our country about who this guy is? A
--And American Jews know this. A lot of them do. They are sick about what is happening. Sickened and scared. That is J Street's power...
--Did you see the Judea Pearl piece in the LA Times, responding to the Ehrenreich piece on anti-Zionism? Well Pearl said that anti-Zionism is worse than anti-Semitism. Did you see that? Do you understand what that means? Flip it around. He is saying that Zionism is more important than Semitism! He is saying that a 100-year-old ideology started by a journalist is more important than the first monotheistic religion that is 2000 years old! Do you understand that??
I imagine I will have to fact-check this later. I am trying to convey the spirit of the night. Now I'm hung over. How exciting to feel a sense of actual Jewish community after alienation from the pugnacious Jewish nationalism that has prevailed most of my life.
And I'm sorry if this strikes some readers as exclusive. It's not, it's all about a new relationship between the Jewish idea, in a word, an idea of intelligence, and the Other. All are welcome.
Slightly O/T:
George Galloway to organise a Viva Palestina YS convoy of aid to Gaza
‘We aim for $10 million in aid and 500 vehicles for Gaza’,
say George Galloway and Ron Kovic (via subscription email).
Fresh from the success of the Viva Palestina aid convoy which took over 100 vehicles to Gaza from Britain, George Galloway MP has linked up on his US tour with the Vietnam veteran and peace campaigner Ron Kovic to launch a similar, but bigger venture from the States.
Galloway announced the initiative at a 1000-strong meeting in Anaheim, South California, rounding off a packed-out, coast to coast speaking tour highlighting the Palestinian cause. (You can watch youtube video at www.vivapalestina.org )
“There’s a new atmosphere in the US over Palestine,” says Galloway, “the phenomenal response to this tour demonstrates that.”
Ron Kovic, whose story was immortalised in Oliver Stone’s Born on the Fourth of July, will be the co-leader of the convoy, which will form up in Egypt and make its way to the Rafah crossing and into Gaza.
In light of what Gert says above, and of Carter, M & W, etc, when Phil says, "…it's all about a new relationship between the Jewish idea, in a word, an idea of intelligence, and the Other. All are welcome." he does not mean to discount any intelligence on the part of the Other. It just seems so?
Accorodng to Phil, the Jewish idea is an idea of intelligence; Phil doesn't say whether his existing and future goyim helpmates ("the Other") have any intelligence–but he praises only Jews with this attribute
by juxtiposition.
Am I being too sensitive? Seems to me all the early attacks on the negative impact of the Israel Lobby were by goys. Somehow, this does not suggest to me what Phil says–perhaps he means,
as between Jews only, his followers are more intelligent. Phil, who do you mean by the Other in your article commencing this thread?
Dershowitz, for example, or Ron Kovic?
Phil, this is a beautiful and moving post in the spirit of Passover. To you and your family, Chag Pesach.
Great stuff – it's really encouraging to read that.
I think it helps to understand the pressures that jews face from their tribal leaders and community. For this goy I find this type of talk and association amongst non-zionist jews helps me believe that there can be a peaceful way out this mess.
There are other ways – but all of us should be focused on this one that includes jews and goy. Amd I think for non-zionist jews it's much much more potentially damaging to fight within. Hence the need for support for non-jews for their fight, too….
Phil, kudos to you for being right on the zeitgeist of your community…you polarized yourself to this issue before anti zionism wasnt cool.
you were country when country wasnt cool….
american.
how could an american jew not turn on israel (zionism-bad) …a nest of spies and they pretend to be our friends….a trojan horse.
http://antiwar.com/radio/2009/04/08/grant-f-smith-2/
Grant F. Smith, Director of the Institute for Research: Middle East Policy, discusses Steve Rosen’s lawsuit against AIPAC, the increasing political stakes in the upcoming Rosen/Weissman espionage trial, the questionable determination of Attorney General Eric Holder and the possibility that AIPAC’s function as a foreign agent will be openly discussed.
Grant F. Smith is the author of Foreign Agents: The American Israel Public Affairs Committee from the 1963 Fulbright Hearings to the 2005 Espionage Scandal. His article “The Samson Gambit: Why Steve Rosen is suing AIPAC” is on Antiwar.com.
"Am I being too sensitive?"
Phil has been writing on this subject for more than three years, so there is a record you can check. Unless you think that this record has been exclusionary and supremacist, then you are being too sensitive.
The way to build neocon type networks institutions is to found a magazine. At least it used to be. Neoconservatism started with The Public Interest, and Norman P's evolution at Commentary. That was the base, before the Willi Munzenburg tactics and the creation of 200 satellite organizations. Magazines don't seem viable anymore, but I'm not sure websites have the same heft.
Gert, that's great news. I recommend everyone catch Galloway's announcement–
Santa Clara, April 5
Thanks, D. I am over it. I do know Phil's record you refer to…stevelieb, thank you too for your explanation. I apologize for my insinuation against Phil. It was not warranted.
I think all the energy of the new-found Jewish-American consciousness should be directed towards ramming through the two-state solution. Don't get too drunk on left-liberal anti-Zionism or post-Zionism the way the Communists got drunk on post-Christianism, or the Neocons got drunk on Zionism.
Swinging back and fourth between bi-polar extremes isn't healthy for any individual or group. Keep your eye on a reasonable prize, not some nutty, ecstatic utopia. Remember, this isn't just about Jews, but Palestinian lives and a larger Middle East peace, and also the West. The slow snuffing of Israel could set off all kinds of other very unpleasant, unintended consequences.
Thanks, D. My post now includes the video.
Re the video: urges 500 trucks flying the American flag to enter Gaza for relief. Says this is an American responsibility and an English one (Balfour is mentioned), the spokesperson says an orphanage for 400 Palestinian kids was measured, and intentionally struck by 7 specifically guided Israseli missiles, and everyone of them, on their remains, were embossed with "made in the USA."
I'm reminded of the trucks coming from the Darfur region struck by Israeli jets (paid for, and made in the USA), who left from USA held territory in the Middle East.
The USA needs to be more in a needed civil war apropos whence USA foreign policy and foreign aid? Don't look to the government or MSM. Look to your fellows who look for news beyond the (Dare I say it, ZOG) filter, that is, look on the internet–especially before it is politically closed under the guise of anti-porn legislation to protect our children
anti-Zionism is the new Zionism– that all the excitement that Zionism had intellectually, politically and socially 100 years ago, as a liberation story– now that feeling surrounds anti-Zionism, post-Zionism. The feeling that the best of the next generation of idealistic Jewish intellectuals are drawn to this idea
PLEASE take the "outside view" and consider whether that might be a bad sign!
I don't think there is any comparison between the comprehensive development of Zionism, resulting from commitment to a positive goal, pursued by decades of work and sacrifice; with political agitation stated as "anti".
The qualitative distinction is astounding.
If you were committed to Palestinian nationalism and development with the same zeal that Zionist Jews were committed to settling in and establishing Israel, then that might have merit.
You've not articulated a thesis, ONLY an anti-thesis.
And I'm sorry if this strikes some readers as exclusive. It's not, it's all about a new relationship between the Jewish idea, in a word, an idea of intelligence, and the Other. All are welcome.
It doesn't sound at all exclusive to me. It sounds like a percolating re-interpretation of Jewish social, religious, and political culture, affirming core values whilst coming to grips with changing times. I think it's awesome! :)
'Exclusive' has such a binary, either-or meaning. I like to think of relations between groups as being a graduated or continuous set of varying personal connections. I think a new 'group' relationship with the Other can be had without sacrificing the 'Jewish idea', which I interpret to mean Jewish identity. I think that the conservatives fear that Judaism will wither away if there is not rigid adherence to the old ways. Their prescription for continuity is failing miserably, in no small part from corruption by the occupation. "A new relationship between the Jewish idea, in a word, an idea of intelligence, and the Other" will undoubtedly entail disassociation of varying degrees by some from the Jewish community. But, akin to a self-fulfilling prophecy, isn't that exactly what is happening right now anyway? It's better to forge a solid foundation for the future, and have what disassociation that occurs be amicable. If the Jewish idea gives more positive value to people's lives, then more will stay and grow with it.
@ Witty
"If you were committed to Palestinian nationalism and development with the same zeal that Zionist Jews were committed to settling in and establishing Israel, then that might have merit."
And you would be known as HAMAS.
@ Colin Murray
I wish you and Phil would explain your use of the phrase "an idea of intelligence" and why it is conflated with "the Jewish idea" in juxtaposition with all others, i.e., "the Other." I've tried, but I guess I still don't quote this use of language. Thank you all for your anticipated replies.
"an idea of intelligence"
Citizen, try reading the phrase as AN idea of intelligence, i.e., a particular interpretation of that rather vast and nebulous concept. A cultural tradition of emphasizing some aspects and neglecting others. It doesn't have to mean "I'm smarter than you."
(Like you, I have developed an allergic reaction to supremacist aspects of Jewish identity and am constantly trying to draw attention to them. But that doesn't mean that all group identity must be eliminated.)
.ignored passover with a few friends over a delicious bottle of non-kosher wine.
Phil, I hope you will join me and many other Jews next year by just saying NO to the whole idiotic, embarrassing, xenophobic, racist cult meeting called the seder.
We don't need it any more.
J Street??!?
Is that clowning organization still around??
Isn't ONE american-israel public affairs committee enough?
Before getting hung up with the comments: I'd like to say welcome home to someone as American as apple pie (the kind made from green apples with peel included, not the post-"American Pie" type.)
The "jewish experience," like the "black experience" is inseparable from what I consider "the American experience."
Slap down J St. Go ahead! They dared put the Nadia Matar tape on-line, and that woke up many minds among previously comfortable folks. Even made it into Commentary for a day or so!
J Street and mondoweiss proved to be a potent combination, so the slap down makes no never you mind, far as I'm concerned.
Truth set free speaks loudly.
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/greenwald/60151#comment-3561091
Thanks, D. You make sense.
Margaret
J Street's disgusting declaration concerning the Gaza massacre put them permanently out of the running as an organization representing Jews of conscience.
"Pro-israel and Pro-peace" is their MOTTO! That is no less preposterous than "Pro-Nazi and Pro-peace." We must reject it root and branch.
One is either pro-israel OR pro-peace. To claim to be both is exactly the sort of cynical lie J Street's front organization AIPAC is famous for. J Street's tactics are utterly diversionary. Who cares about this crackpot Matar spewing her filth in some dumb synagogue? At this point, it's irrelevant. Where are J Street's statements on achieving peace..namely "Israel..get the fuck off other people's land. NOW" ?? Instead.."Let's have a DIALOGUE." As soon as I hear the word "dialogue" I know these people are cynical phonies.
r – Our perspectives differ; my concern is not with the conscience of Jews.
You dismiss lethal bigotry as merely 'crackpot' thinking and, by doing so, give prejudicial discrimination lots of room in which to grow. Matar's bigotry, and the comfort she felt in calling for the death of another because of political affiliation, is primary to my concerns about Israel. I'm don't know why Israel lacks your support. My rejection of Israel comes from observation of the actions taken by the State.
Our perspectives differ also in that I have found the habit of thinking in absolute terms to be a barrier to understanding, as is discussed by others in the comments preceding yours.
Margaret
My point is that it was not "courageous" for J Street to condemn Matar. I would expect the same of J Street's umbrella association, AIPAC.
Matar is a nightmare for the Israeli status quo of racism and land theft which relies on never revealing your hand–especially in earshot of the goyim. Talk instead about the roadmap, reconciliation, an end to violence, but keep the anti-Arab racism and Nazi mentality under wraps.
There is nothing special about Matar's mindset. In this, she is indistinguishable from every other supporter of Israel and from every Israeli leader. It's her style which makes her a public relations disaster.
Unlike Matar, J Street understands the CORRECT way to call for the expulsion of the Palestinians and the seizing of their land. They are so diplomatic. That makes them far more dangerous than Matar, in my view.
MERE IDLE TALK of assassinating Abbas, this collaborator of the occupation, gets everyone stirred up while the routine assassination of civilians by Israel is just business as usual and provokes no media outrage whatever.
That's the whole problem with this Matar sideshow! It's not serious. It's not ABOUT anything.
"routine assassination of civilians by Israel is just business as usual and provokes no media outrage whatever."
rykart has a good point.
I was right, at least according to Lustick, that Israelis are nothing but East Euros: the same kill thy neighbor impulse to quell your fear of your own smallness….wailing over your victimhood at the hand of your fellow East Euro neighbor in his also tiny country with no accepted borders (eg. Romania and Hungary) who does onto you what you do onto him….and finally, the same regional sense of doom– that God meant us to kill each other for His amusement– and in the end He will just wipe us ALL away when he is bored. Israelis, like East Euros– disguised in their Holocaust Industry– are prognosticators of their own doom and want to go down fighting. Yet young Sabras, as did East Euro youths, can and did expand their minds immensely going to Western schools, but then they ran away to the West for new lives. At bottom the stubborn Zionists who stay put, are prisoners of their limbic brains: fear–>kill to quell fear—>fear that you will be killed in retribution–>so, kill more to survive….In the end, we are all alike, victims of God that need to die on this miserable earth suffering so we can go to Paradise, rewarded by Him with all the joys we always wished for but never got on Earth, through our faithful entertainment of Him. Modernity does nothing. Look at how Ashkenazim abused the Mizrahis. It's all a race issue, as for example we Romanians consider Hungarians a different RACE, and vice-versa. A very interesting anthropology study I read proposed that to the human brain ethnicity is like species is to the lower brains. That's the key to this East Euro, Balkan and Israeli murderous lot. Sabras look up to America and England, as did we to Germany and France, and America is, in a brilliant analysis by Rutgers' Lloyd Gardner, a schizoid idealist-predator with two Janus faces and minds. Perhaps the Israeli vulnerability complex in the face of Arab fertility needs to be restated to the Sabra so they don't feel like they will be eaten by a cannibal mob. I am always driven to hope by the Israeli poem about the old man spending all his days weeping at the grave of his fallen IDF hero son. The son responds from the grave: weep not for yourself, father, but weep for me; for I am here under to dark, cold, damp ground because you sent me to fight for all your ideologies. I could have become something; I could have fulfilled all my dreams, all my potentials, but for your notions I had to die. Sabras want Greater Israel no more. They want an integrated Israel where the young speak the language of their young neighbors and together modernize the region out of its untenable one crop (oil) banana republic economies. We must all find a way, I think, to offer them alternatives to this East Euro tragic scenario that is today making animals of the people of that part of Europe– WHATEVER THE COST!. Everyone in charge there is a know- nothing thespian who plays his bit part assigned by the script and then steals the props from the stage. Israel is the next East Euro state and doesn't have to die in such a sense of avarice mixed with doom.. Please read the article below, pass it around, and let's get a good discussion going on it. Thanks Daniel link to mepc.org