My mom and dad came through on the weekend. We had a good visit. I was wondering how Gaza would come up. My mother read my blog a little during my trip to Gaza earlier this month. It troubled her but she doesn't have the information to counter it. She defers to people who know more than she does about the Situation. Still, it puts us in a funny position because she's not deferring to my knowledge, but to pro-Israel friends.
We had ravioli on Saturday night. After dinner, my wife got down a box of Trader Joe's cinnamon grahams off the fridge. She said, "These are the best cookies I've ever tasted."
My mother said, "Oh I like Trader Joe's. I just found out, They're one of the few companies not to bend to the pressure to boycott Israeli goods."
I said, "Oh boy. That's the last time we shop at Trader Joe's." And smiled at my mother.
"I didn't send you that email," she said.
"No, you were wise not to," I said.
Later I was pleased by the exchange. My mother and I know where the other stands, and we're not going to waste good emotion arguing about it. I can joke about it. I think this is an effect of visiting Gaza: I feel so secure in my view of the situation–it's racist persecution–that no one is going to tell me otherwise. While I'm angry about this, I feel a sense of calm power about it too.
-
-
- Tadamun: Israel detained student because of computer engineering graduate project 0
- The nonchalant, flippant, and nostalgic judges who put the occupation … 0
- One State, Two States: Who is the subject of Palestinian … 1
- Food journalism has played insidious role in disappearing Palestine 2
- My life without a title 0
- ‘NYT’ gives Israelis its magazine to make an attack on … 9
- Dennis Ross Redux: Haaretz reveals White House – WINEP hotline 6
- Israel shuts down charitable organization, kindergarten and soccer club in … 2
-
- Breaking: Israeli bulldozer, soldiers destroy entire Bedouin community near Anata … 761
- Report: Israel to give US only 12-hour warning before attacking … 411
- Israeli soldiers drive tractor over worker’s legs to stop Palestinians … 289
- In the last 24 hours an orgy of land theft … 239
- Why Christian Zionism is nothing short of outright heresy 167
- Adelson’s millions come tipped with missiles aimed at Iran 159
- New book Palestinians in Israel explores the contradiction of the … 147
- After its diplomats slam Israel’s illegal settlements, can EU continue … 117
-
- New additions to the Mondoweiss comments policy 333
- Israel is at the heart of Jewish identity, Gorenberg says 136
- Report: Israel to give US only 12-hour warning before attacking … 134
- Chris Hayes stunning ‘Story of the Week’ featuring Sheldon Adelson 101
- The antiwar movement must rise again. Now 100
- Video: Atlanta Jewish Times publisher’s tearful anti-apology 98
- ‘Tablet’ says writers who talk about Israel Firsters are channeling … 88
- Iran sanctions backlash– oil buyers ditch dollar 78
-
Recent Comments
click link to see last 100 comments- Zygmunt Bauman: Palestinian persecution echoes the Shoah, which began with discrimination, ghettoes and pogroms (23)
- Philip Weiss: there are no tall buildings where i live and the techno infrastructure is appalling. though you do hear...
- Shaktimaan: What are you trying to say? Israelis are less afraid and therefore less intelligent? The world’s...
- One State, Two States: Who is the subject of Palestinian liberation? (1)
- Dan Crowther: You guys posted this the other day…….
- ‘NYT’ gives Israelis its magazine to make an attack on Iran ‘normal’ (9)
- dimadok: Kurdistan alleged involvement of Israel was a small payback for the ’91 SCUDs fired on Tel Aviv....
- Dan Crowther: If Israel did attack Iran, which I don’t think it will – it will be because that is what...
- Newclench: I read it as confirmation that attacking Iran was stupid and that Barak/Netanyahu are insane AND out of...
- Food journalism has played insidious role in disappearing Palestine (2)
- dimadok: Maybe I’m slow but what is the connection between Mr. Marks and removing Palestine from the food books?
- GalenSword: It appears that stomach Zionism has replaced stomach Judaism.
- Security expert formerly in Bush I administration says Holocaust rationalizes Israel’s nuking Iran (51)
- Shaktimaan: And the Jewish Law of Return is indeed unfair and immoral. Yes and no. It is unfair. It’s not...
- Opponents of Penn conference say: BDS bad, war good (17)
- Kathleen: And folks can help. Pick up literature from If Americans Knew and BDS and drop this literature off on your...
- Zygmunt Bauman: Palestinian persecution echoes the Shoah, which began with discrimination, ghettoes and pogroms (23)
Our Writers
- Philip Weiss
- Adam Horowitz
- Jeffrey Blankfort
- Anonymous
- Bruce Wolman
- Ahmed Moor
- Scott McConnell
- Anees of Jerusalem
Blogroll
=) Thanks for the heads up…I won't shop at Trader Joes now either.
Do you think your mother believes the stuff you right? Does she think its all lies? I'm really curious how it works. Sometimes I wonder if pro-Israel people know what they are doing is wrong, but its okay for whatever reason (some of which is answered by your blog on Naomi Klein)
right = write…
haha I feel so embarrassed for that!
I am pro-Israeli and I KNOW what Weiss is doing is wrong. I am also convinced that deep down he knows that he is doing something evil as well, but doesn't care who gets hurt in his misguided crusade. Even the people that know him intimately understand that his judgment is flawed beyond reasoning. Bravo to his mother for not being sucked in to the lie her son lives. I'll be shopping at Trader Joes now because the boycott is wrong, cowardly, and evil.
Say hello to your mom for me. I think you may derive the wrong attitude about how you posture "its racist persecution" and "no one will tell me otherwise". That is the same language that people that hold differing views from you state, "no one will tell me otherwise". What I consider the important part of your trip was that you saw for yourself, spoke to people yourself. I wish that you had taken the time to go to Sderot, or to ask more difficult questions of Hamas, or to speak to proponents of liberal Zionism, and/or proponents of even likud Zionism. You have an argument to make, not just a repetition. I'm curious as to how you will present yourself with Medea Benjamin and Norman Finkelstein. I hope that you will provide a distinct witness to theirs, not just repetition.
Just to clarify. To go to Gaza and communicate what you observed IS important. I hope your mother respected your courage, which I'm sure that she did.
One last point. I think you should take great care in understanding what the education process is. It seems obvious to me that education is the name of the game. And, to be effective it takes two characteristics: 1. Thorough self-examination of exactly what your thesis is, the math of it, how you came to understand things as you do, and humbly, noting that you might not see the complete picture, that your understanding of what is the "greater good" may be an understanding of the "slightly greater good" (or it may be right on the money). 2. Recognition that the people that you are speaking to have different formative experiences, that if they had the same as you, they would already conclude the same. Persuading others is more respectful and clear. There is a mediation technique called paraphrasing, in which you could paraphrase a debaters thesis, as accurately and respectfully as you are able, then describe how your reasoning incorporates that possibility, but that your math and experience ends at a different conclusion. Its not a sure thing. But, if you only succeed at convincing of who is demon, or to join the cadre, that can be said to almost a fashion, thin, and morally questionable.
What companies gave "bent" Phil? Yeah, you're changing the world!!
RE: "While I'm angry about this, I feel a sense of calm power about it too." MY COMMENT: Is this Kafkaesque, or the antithesis? Might it be Kaufmanesque? We miss you, Andy! (Well, perhaps not Lorne Michaels.)
I had a similar experience when posting on the boycott issue on my anti-divestment blog http://www.divestthis.com, only in my case my mom provided me some couscous recipes to share with all of those who bought out Trader Joes last week (it turned out to be the most popular landing page for my site yet – thanks Mom). I'm in a similar position to you in that my loved ones do not always see eye to eye with me politically, although none are actively hostile to my politics (at least face-to-face). My attitudes towards the conflict are probably diametrically opposed to yours (which is why we maintain blogs from opposite perspectives), but it is interesting to note how the family dynamics created by people having strong opinions are similar across politics and geographies. I have avoided conflict by choosing not to "educate" my friends and family unless they ask, and even if they did I hope I would come at it from a perspective that I don't have all the answers and my job is not to simply get those "blind fools" to come around to my way of thinking. But that's probably just a matter of personality and temperment.
RE: "Oh I like Trader Joe's. I just found out, They're one of the few companies not to bend to the pressure to boycott Israeli goods." A RELATED POST : "MILITANT HOMOSEXUAL TERRORISTS TO ATTACK TRADER JOE’S!!", by Richard Silverstein, 06/18/09 (EXCERPT) …So I’ll merely quote this astonishing bit of tomfoolery. But before I do I simply must note that this is from Beytzim.com, which roughly translates as Balls.com. Yes, you read that right: Please! This is urgent. Contact your local Law Enforcement and notify them of a planned TERRORIST ACTIVITY from a self-hating HOMOSEXUAL GROUP. The group calls itself “Queers Undermining Israeli Terrorism”…. ….Anyway, they’re planning to “deshelve” Israeli products at Trader Joe’s stores tommorrow [sic]. They won’t do this by buying the products; they plan to tamper with, vandalize, or steal the products…. ENTIRE POST – http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/page...
Witty, I agree with you rhetorically but there does happen to be truth in between various perspectives. Phil's comments about 'racist persecution' are accurate and refer to Israeli State policy.
I like your point, Witty. Now let's take it to you: Do you have any objection to the use of the word "occupation" in news dealing with the I-P conflict? And do you agree that contextual word should always be given when the conflict comes up on TV? Similarly, don't you think the word Nakba should be used whenever Holocaust comes up in the TV news about the I-P scene? "No one will tell me otherwise" differs how from "never mention it?" I'm talking about the whole public, not a kitchen chat with my mom.
And what role does mass news media have to play in the education game, Witty? Isn't what's not said as important as what's said? You know, context? Do you think USA MSM has been showering the ignorant masses with educational context regarding the I-P conflict? Everything you say on this blog is just standard media fare, but those here who criticize you–how often our their voices heard in the MSM?
I don't know how you draw such grandiose conclusions about internal family conflict on foreign policy. My experience is not the same, although I take the same approach you do when there's conflict.
I use the term "occupation" to refer to Israel's presence as a military in the West Bank. I mean it in the sense of a "temporary administrative occupation", NOT in the sense of foreign power stealing another's land. International law on occupation refers clearly to the "temporary administrative occupation" status. Once annexation has been firmed, it enters a different status. The nakba is its own experience. Its ill-served to habitually refer to it as parallel to anything.
Yummy, those Trader Joe cookies are good! They taste like crap, but it's good for the Jews to buy them there.
Mass media exists. If you expect social change to come from the opinion that mass media presents, then you remain passive or passifying. A right-wing dominated mass media is debilitating propaganda. A left-wing dominated mass media is debilitating propaganda. Face to face is the name of the game. If Phil really wants to confront the power of the mass media, he would empower other personal media (the blogosphere is nearly as impersonal as the mass media).
My sense is that political discussion is already part of Phil's relationship with his parents.
Good for you Phil. Your mother probably wouldn't have given up buying her Rosenthal China in the 1930's either until she found out it was Jews they were rounding up.
Laurie, You say more about your willingness to demean someone that you don't know in the slightest, than by any content.
I don't know if you're referring to me or the creator of this blog, but I assure you I draw no grand conclusions other than the fact that people on opposite sides of a volitile issue (the Middle East conflict) have managed to find ways to maintain their passion in the subject without letting it dominate all other aspects of their lives, including relationships with friends and family. I have found my politics to be an important part of my life which has helped build bridges with people with similar opionions that have become close friends. At the same time, because my beliefs have outlets (like my anti-divestment blog), I don't feel that everyone I know must conform to my passions (no matter how much satisfaction I get out of them).
As it is with mine. On this subject, there is not that much difference between us (just a desire that I don't harangue people on the topic, which I don't do anyway). My family and I did have a debate during the last election, even though we both ended up voting the same way (long story). But on the subject of the Middle East, we have a very constructive relationship (including my mom providing those fighting the boycott with some tasty couscous recipes – sweet and savory – to do with their Trader Joe's swag).
They're one of the few companies not to bend to the pressure to boycott Israeli goods." – His mother demeaned herself, I simply pointed it out with a apt example. With her remark, Arendt comes to mind, "the banality of evil"
Boycott Trader Joe's! Fight Zionism!
Phil's mother's favorite movie is the Neil Simon Elaine May version of The Heartbreak Kid. When I learned that Spielberg gave direction of the remake to most wrong possible team of the Farrelly brothers, I put together my own update on the basis of a couple I knew in Jerusalem. I call it Devorah's Two Weddings. Pamela Berger, who directed The Imported Bridegroom, thought it was great. The movie could prove the perfect foil for Phil's mom's pro-Israel friends.
You demeaned Phil's mother, whom I know personally. Phil and his mother are NOT enemies. I think Phil shouldn't talk about his family here, at least not without their explicit permission. They should not in any way be implied as a target for the likes of you.
Of course you know them personally, that's why your stupidity is tolerated and your feelings are looked out for. And again, she demeans herself as you do.
I've never seen the movie. But one I have just seen is "Herb & Dorthy". It's actually a documentary and it's great. http://www.herbanddorothy.com/
And, why is your stupidity tolerated?
Richard, it's Phil's blog, he can talk about his family if he wants to. I think he raises an important issue, that is, how does one deal with the polarizing M/E issue with family and friends who continue to support Israel's claims, without it damaging the relationship. In my experience, this is a friendship imperiling debate, most people see dissent to be scandalous. That is a tribute to the comprehensive snow job effected on the public psyche by the Israeli propaganda machine. He suggests that agreeing to disagree and using humor to diffuse awkward moments is what keeps relations civil in his family. I don't see that his thinking out loud on the issue is disrespectful to his family in any way. Just the opposite, really. His mum comes across as a tolerant person, willing to suffer what she considers to be her son's wrong-headed ideas. P.S. I have never had the pleasure of ingesting Trader Joe's cinnamon cookies so I can't offer an opinion on the relative degree of sacrifice involved in boycotting the product. If I ever come across a box of the delicacies I may consider temporarily breaking the boycott just to see which of the above opinions about the cookies is kosher. :-)
If he wrote the post to me personally, I would find it insightful. When he writes it publicly, it evokes the judgement of bottom-feeders. His mother doesn't post here that I'm aware, and cannot defend herself, her positions, nor would I expect ever this nakedly, publicly confront Phil on these issues.
Jon, I liked the video link on your site "so you want to boycott Israel"…funny! And yep, it ain't easy! Ha! Try and keep my kids out of Disneyland! That's like telling someone in Hawaii the Jews own the beach so boycott! I didn't watch the video to the end. And I already know the Zionists are everywhere and own everything, I live in Ashkenazim land. If Charles Manson owned the world I would still try and put a stick in his eye. That's all it takes, you know. That's all it takes.
It's just Weiss showing his true colors.
The PI conflict is not an academic exercise were the nobility obliges tolerate diverse opinion. Children are dying and suffering everyday in Palestine because woman like Phils mom understand/tolerate the Israel point of view. Taking no action against oppression, when you have the opportunity, is the same as endorsing it. And Phil's mom doesn't get a pass. I should hope Phil's mom can defend herself because you, Dick, aren't doing a very good job of it.
She is not here to defend herself, and Phil doesn't bother so much. He's the story after all, not her. But, YOU are taking potshots at her.
I read an article in Haaretz once about an "Israeli" family out for a leisurely drive. They took a wrong turn and ended up in Palestinian territory and were frightened of being caught by an Arab and chopped up into pieces "as they had always heard about." Just frightened to death! They were so relieved when the IDF showed up and escorted them back to the safety of "Israel." So…the Israelis keep their population brainwashed and in fear like the U.S. keeps their population. I had never really thought about it before. So there we have Phil's mom. She stays sheltered in her world that was created by someone else. It would not benefit Phil to enlighten her or she would be shattered. And she knows it so she doesn't ask her son to enlighten her.
Except that she's not sheltered in her world, nor brainwashed. She has different formative experiences than Phil, which he notes as generational. But, from the same mold, he and I have different formative experiences, specifically relative to the language of the left about Israel. For the years when I was mildly critical of Israel, Phil was oblivious to the questions. Then in the same period when I got extremely irritated with being called racist for advocating a peace that was a mutual peace, Phil got religion relative to the Iraq war and his new awareness of the neo-conservatives. He MISSED the period when Hamas and others were blowing up civilians in bus stations, restaurants, hotels, school buses, and the radical left was accepting or applauding it. His mother didn't miss that period.
How can you possibly say that the truth is wrong LeFavour? Because the one thing that I have noticed above all else is that the Israeli government lies excessively and most blogs or writers that espouse anti-Israel/anti-zionist sentiments spend most of their time just weeding through the tons of lies that are told daily throughout the wars, settlements, torture, nuclear plants, spying, false flags, etc., etc. How telling the truth is wrong is beyond me. I assume you are claiming that Weiss is wrong because he doesn't blindly support fellow jews who are murderers, torturers, racists, war mongers, pedophiles, theives, etc.? After all, it is repeated over and over in jewish holy books who it is permitted for jews to lie to all non-jews when it comes to supporting another jew who may be in trouble. It even goes so far as to say that it is permissible for jews to molest non-jewish infants! How anyone can acknowlege holy books like this is beyond evil. Yet these same books are the only "proof" that Israel is a jewish state. No one has ever witnessed G_d say this. Only these books.
You and every other Zionist and pro Zionist conveniently miss the point that Hamas and Hizbolla and other Arabs are in their own homeland. Everyone else is a trespasser if not there by invite from the host country. Every action against the host is, by definition, terrorism. The host's every action against the aggressive trespasser is, by definition, self defense. Also, it's not written anywhere that the European Jews who are in Palestine today were there before their modern invasion, while it is written that these Arabs were. So your people are in a host country and the trespassers from hell!
You go Phillip. so many Jewish people my age 57 rolled over to their parents generation when it came to Israel. Most have turned a blind eye to the apartheid situation there. I have often been really annoyed and deeply disappointed in my Jewish friends my age. Too many just going along with the situation..uninformed and not wanting to be informed about the serious injustices and crimes there because it was ISRAEL committing those crimes..so they just turned their heads and look away