Comments on: Update from New Profile: our ‘criminalization follows a fault line that has long been quaking beneath the surface of Israeli society and is now visibly cracking open’

By: Sin Nombre

Sin Nombre — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:40:49 +0000

You know despite reading what I'd regard as a fair amount about modern political ideologies and socialism and communism and fascism and etc. and their natures and differences and etc. I don't think I've ever seen as keen an observation about fascism as yours that it is so "highly pragmatic." Everyone always talks about how hard it is to define, but nobody I've read at least got to the heart of why that is the case. Just so unprincipled that … nobody could ever define their principles, huh?

By: edwin2

edwin2 — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:16:58 +0000

Since Fascism is a highly pragmatic philosophy perhaps there is no such thing as a "classically fascist state" – though the desire for loyalty oaths really struck home to me.

By: Sin Nombre

Sin Nombre — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:30:36 +0000

In response to my post edwin2 wrote: "You are foolish…." Well it won't have been my first time, edwin. Otherwise, I don't know that I'd characterize what Netanyahu is doing as trying to create a "classically fascist state." And I wouldn't exactly sign on to the blanket statement that Israel is a "racist" state either, not least because it has always struck me that Israeli jews—especially sabras—have a much deeper, richer and more complex view of their standing and relationship with the arabs than the usual "race" language encompasses. Indeed in some ways it can even sometimes strike me as being somewhat familial even. I would say though that I think the way you are perceiving things in terms of Israel facing some huge internal contradiction is a very astute one for sure. More complex than just "racist v. progressive" as I said, but as you note a very very deep and fundamental one for sure. Excellent observation worth a lot of thought. Would like to hear from some thoughtful Israeli on same.

By: thedhimmi

thedhimmi — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:50:55 +0000

The problem is Israel worries too much about these silly groups. If they are guilty of getting fraudulent exceptions in the army put the people responsible in prison. I can't understand this delay in sentencing Ezra Nawi. The man was convicted of violent acts and needs to be restrained in a penitentiary.

By: safiyya

safiyya — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:31:44 +0000

Jake when is enough, enough? Pull your head out of the sand. Isreal is becoming know in the WORLD as IsreaHELL!!!

By: Jake in Jerusalem

Jake in Jerusalem — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:13:34 +0000

NO, actually, a hyperactive and rabid hate-site called MondoLies has tripped on itself. And true to form, MondoLiars are blaming the Jews and Israelis for everything. What a laugh!

By: Psychopathicgod

Psychopathicgod — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:40:48 +0000

Who and where are the American heroes? Iranian students took center stage to display their courageous willingness to put their lives on the line to speak truth to power; A precious few Israelis are likewise speaking truth to the power in a regime that uses torture, uses the legal system like torture, uses ostracism (that's what the charge of "antisemitism" or "self-hating Jew" amounts to: isolation from the group, an act intended to threaten one's very survival), and has the endorsement of the US. Where are the Americans of the same courage and intent? Go Ron Paul.

By: edwin2

edwin2 — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:56:45 +0000

It looks quite like Netanyahu is extremely popular with the Jewish Israeli public. The "Feeling the Hate" series shows the level of popularity – both in direct terms, and in indirect terms by the reactions to his video. Netanyahu provides simple answers to what has become an extremely difficult problem. It provides a means for Jewish Israeli society to avoid critically examining itself in favour of blaming others. Israel was formed as a colonialist state. Groups like the Jewish Colonial Trust sill bear witness to this legacy. Throughout its entire history its existence has required the acceptance of racism. There are lots of racist countries. There is only one where if it stops being racist it will cease to exist. The internal contradiction between racism and acceptance of "progressive" values of Israel must come to a head at some point. The existence of Israel requires it. Under Netanyahu it has come to a head. Netanyahu has offered to remove the contradiction in favour of a classically fascist state. As can be read in this comment thread – and as is well known from history – that means the attack and probable liquidation of the left. You are foolish to underestimate the popularity of such a state, in the same way as the Germans, Spanish, etc. were foolish to underestimate the popularity of such a state.

By: Sin Nombre

Sin Nombre — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:00:15 +0000

Strikes me that this isn't just one more piece of evidence of a real sea-change in Israel to the Right, but also some kind of opening up of those on the Israeli Right to do and say things that were just simply verboten before. I mean, in years past generally speaking Israel and Israelis seemed to recognize certain limits before, such as banning the Kach party and tolerating even the most Leftist elements in its society. Now though you got Lieberman, that Housing Minister spouting off the other day about seeing his job as holding back the spread of arabs and using the Haredim as some sort of ethnic cleansing shock troops, and etc. and so forth. And it isn't even limited to some of their governmental officials "opening up" on the arabs. In an interview with Haaretz just the other day there was Netanyahu's chief national security advisor just casually saying apropos of his reputation as a tough, angry guy "I prefer to direct the brute-force energies within me at the goyim." (" target="_blank">http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1099064.html) (With this being a guy who used to advise the U.S. government on its nuclear arms doctrine and strategy!) Is an interesting phenomenon that leaves you wondering just how far it can go. Can't be popular with the general Israeli public I shouldn't think; makes you think the shelf-life of Netanyahu's government may be quite limited.

By: edwin2

edwin2 — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:48:23 +0000

A little bit of criticism is ok, but this is too much. People must learn that there are limits to what is acceptable. We have a right to defend ourselves against the pacifists and human rights anti-semites. It is especially galling when they hang our dirty laundry out for the public to see. Something must be done. Executions probably would be in order. Do you think we should remove their fingernails with pliers, crush their testicles, gouge out their eyes first, or is that a bit too extreme?