Rebecca Vilkomerson at Jewish Peace News reports that Naomi Klein's June visit to the West Bank and Israel had a "galvanizing effect" on the boycott movement, including the movement within Palestine. And that Klein called for "the
right of return for Palestinian refugees [to be] fully realized under
international law." More:
I attended her events in Ramallah and Jaffa, where hundreds of people
gathered, largely supportive, to participate in a conversation that
felt historic. Klein spoke clearly as a Jewish activist, though she
acknowledged that that was a new role for her. In Ramallah, apparently
near tears, she told us, "I come to you with humility that I didn't
heed the call sooner. It was purely because of cowardice."
This admission was complex and powerful, because it juxtaposed the
clarity and simplicity of her reasons for supporting BDS with an
acknowledgement that supporting boycott, perhaps especially for Jews
and Israelis, requires a psychological leap out of our comfort zones.
I realize we posted audio of Klein's Ramallah speech; I didn't listen to the whole thing. But here's the windup of the June 27 speech we posted:
We need to put really radical solutions out there [in the discourse]. What about a one-state solution? What about no settlements? Let’s get out there and make a lot of noise and build a mass movement that doesn’t cater to the racists, that doesn’t apologize for itself….
Beautiful. Then this:
In closing, I don’t think it’s brave that I supported the BDS [boycott, divestment, and sanctions] call in 2008 when Gaza was being attacked and children were dying. The call was made in 2005. I’m ashamed that it took me this long. I’m not being humble when I say that I'm sorry. That it was nothing but cowardice, it was nothing but cowardice. But I ask all of you out there who are on the fence–
Klein's last words were drowned by applause. She seemed to be urging those on the fence to join her.
I don’t think Klein is being completely intellectually honest when she attributes her previous silence to cowardice. I think the whole truth is that as a committed left-liberal, she was silent on the Palestinian issue for the same reason that most left-liberal Democrats continue to remain silent to this day: doctrinaire solidarity for partisan gain. Left-liberal Democrats understand that Jewish Zionists are an integral component of their coalition, in terms of money, activism, and intellectual energy. Most left-liberals don’t want to pick fights with Zionists because apparently they hate Republicans more than they hate politically correct fascists; in fact, they partner with the latter. It is this kind of soulless realpolitik from both parties that has destroyed America.
This raises a powerful question: If Jewishness has been defined (by many) as support for the Jewish state of Israel, then at what point does a call for the right of return of refugees, which would change the nature of that state, require that they give up their 'Jewishness'? Or should all 4-6 million return only to the WB. I appreciate Ms. Kein's honesty, and invite her to define her vision: one or two states? Where do the settlers go, and the Israeli Arab citizens? We don't have all the time in the world to wait for people to get outside of their 'zones of comfort'
ed, klein is a canadian, she doesn't vote here and is not a part of an american political party.
BTW, I know Klein is Canadian, but her stances are in line with those of the left-liberal American intelligentsia — or at least they were until she took a stand on behalf of the Palestinians. Now the American limousine liberals will likely ignore her, at least on this issue.
RE: " The Jewish Fast for Gaza…" ***Conference Call for Fast Participants and Supporters*** We have organized a conference call for all participants and supporters of the Fast, on the day of the Fast, Thursday July 16 at 2 pm Eastern Time. This will be a time to share our experience of the fast, to discuss our plans and to learn together. We have invited Dr. Sara Roy, a senior research scholar at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Harvard University to teach us about the issues in Gaza and to answer questions. Trained as a political economist, Dr. Roy has worked in the Gaza Strip and West Bank since 1985 conducting research primarily on the economic, social and political development of the Gaza Strip and on U.S. foreign aid to the region. Dr. Roy has written extensively on the Palestinian economy, particularly in Gaza, and has documented its development over the last three decades. She is an expert on Gaza, a committed Jew and and has been an eloquent moral voice for justice for many years and during this crisis. (If you are unfamiliar with Sara Roy's work, click here [ http://fastforgaza.net/node/21 ] to read an incisive article she wrote for the Harvard Crimson last month. You also may want to read an extraordinary reflection on the relationship between her personal family history, her Jewish values and the Palestinian issue. [ http://fastforgaza.net/node/21 ] *** To participate, sign up using the form at – http://fastforgaza.net/node/21 PS. Sara Roy is phenominal!
Actually, now that I think about it, perhaps "cowardice" does explain Klein's failure to speak out. That means most establishment left-liberals continue to be cringing and groveling cowards; twitching sycophants tiptoeing around their Zionist colleagues like a sneaky and scheming Peter Lorre. No wonder Klein couldn’t stomach any of it any longer. C'mon, Thom Hartman and Ed Shultz. Where are you on this issue, you groveling rodents.
well for one, two years ago it meant your career was over.
RE: "She seemed to be urging those on the fence to join her." SEE: "U.K. hits Israel with partial arms embargo over Gaza war" – By Barak Ravid, "Haaretz", 07/13/09 (EXCERPT) Britain has slapped a partial arms embargo on Israel, refusing to supply replacement parts and other equipment for Sa'ar 4.5 gunships because they participated in Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip earlier this year. Britain's Foreign Office informed Israel's embassy in London of the sanctions a few days ago. The embassy, in a classified telegram to the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, said the decision stemmed from heavy pressure by both members of Parliament and human rights organizations… ENTIRE ARTICLE – http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1099701.html
'Left-liberal Democrats understand that Jewish Zionists are an integral component of their coalition, in terms of money, activism, and intellectual energy.' interesting…just like US congress and amny gobvyts which epende on jewish money…but i doubt this is true of Naomi…a mor pertinent one is that she is jewish and still felt the zionist tribal pull..Jared Israel is a nortorious eg.
I disagree, Ed. I'm inclined to think of secular messianic movements (like leftism, universal human rights, and wars to spread freedom) as modern substitutes for formal religious beliefs. Nearly everyone, even the most confirmed atheist, seems to possess a fundamental need to believe in an absolute good, and a hope in some form of redemption. The traditional Western religions share a view of human beings as fundamentally flawed and inherently unable to bring about an ideal state of being through their own efforts. Redemptive hope is directed to an ultimately unknowable God. Doing good consists in living in accordance with a revealed law and moral system–one which applies to everyone in the society regardless of social status. (cont.
(cont.) Most secular humanitarians and liberals like Klein truly believe what they say; their good will is genuine. The problem is that they have invested their ideals in political systems, which are inherently hypocrytical and injust to greater or lesser degrees. Their desperate desire to "fix the world" is easily manipulated by a media or government that simply shows them whatever they think "needs fixing" while hiding anything that they don't want "fixed."
Again, in the absence of proposal, BDS is a blunt and collective punishment attempt. There are things that can rationally be the object of BDS, but that is NOT the manner that the campaign is being organized and agitated for currently. Currently, it is proposed in the context of general adoption of the solidarity definition of "international law" by frankly gullible individuals that have not addressed the means by which international is actually international law. And, the negligent and now habitual renunciation of criticism of Hamas, and renunciation of the importance of Hamas in the definition of what is possible, is horrid. Klein has just entered the morass of issues, and WILL end up apologizing for her advocacy of a single-state for example, when she realizes that that solution is also not a solution, but an oppression. She is pursuing the political path to dealing with social problems. A single-state for example requires some willingness at integration, and then integration into what? Arab society? UNLIKELY that Israelis will consent to that. Zionist society? UNLIKELY that Palestinians will consent to that. Civil society? Where is it? Where are the civil non-revolutionary non-radical parties? Where is the urge for acceptance of the other that will yeild confident civil norms, rather than civil war? Naive, without follow through. Fighting RATHER than constructing, as frustrating as constructing is.
Naomi wanted to make sure which way the parade was going before she jumped on the band wagon.
True, but she is a world citizen (as defined by our President) and therefore feels obliged to comment, it's also good for book sales.
Klein doesn't need any PR for book sales. But it is obvious this argument pops up.
sneaky and scheming Peter Lorre. hmmm? I love Peter Lorre. But who is sneaky and scheming? Peter Lorre or the characters he played? Can you give me a couple of examples?
Everyone needs PR for book sales. Which publisher do you know that doesn't think it's a requirement? Many authors would be interested in your list.
Naomi Klein's "cowardice" highlights the courage of those who did speak out much earlier, including Phil and Adam. But as "Casablanca'"'s Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid) says to the once-neutral Richard Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) at the end when Rick finally joins the cause, "Welcome to the fight. This time, I know our side will win." This time, BDS will create reform non-violently.
I can't see where your confusion comes from. she supports the destruction of Israel to be replaced by another Arab State. The Jews living there will either be killed or become dhimmis. Dhimmi status or treatment like the Coptic Christians in Egypt is about the best the Jews could hope for in a Naomi Klein state. Fortunately her dream will never happen. Perhaps a few thousand Arabs that left in 1948 will "return". Millions of Arabs "returning" will never happen.
She mentions her books on every interview. Klein dropped the Palestinian cause when it didn't help her career and will do so again when the Palestinians become unpopular.
You might be right, but that would be a pity. Jews and Arabs might be locked into these psychological attitudes: they can only believe the worst about the other, they can be permanent victims. Or they can be Switzerland, or at best, Belgium. Those are choices, are they not?
There was an official petition to Downing Street calling for a complete arms embargo. The reply they came up with was that their weapons aren't used anywhere other than Israel proper, they weren't used in Gaza and Lebanon, and aren't used in the West Bank. And finally, that any future weapons sales would be assessed on a case-by-case basis. I suppose this is their case-by-case basis.
I meant the type of character he played. Funny how the groveling Zionist goy of both left and right has now supplanted the old stereotype of the cringing, scheming Jew. When I look at a guy like Harry Reid, I see Peter Lorre in character.
I completely agree with your analysis, but I would argue that it extends to Statist evangelists of the Right like Bush and his supporters as well, who also have invested their ideals in profoundly flawed political systems. All of this goes against the separation as envisioned by the Founders, and of course the restraints they wrote into the Constitution, which is why I believe we need to strip government back to its bare minimum and return society’s moral authority to the spiritual realm. Klein probably was a “true believer,” and she probably didn’t want to see that her Church of Leftism was on the wrong side of this issue in part due to large tithing from Zionists, and yes, her own Jewishness. Apparently she’s leaving the church.
Just another angry, dysfunctional, childless Jewish woman abandoning her heritage to join the worldwide revolution to kill all the rich people. Her haircut costs more than some of the homes she visits.
Dhimi, did it ever occur to you that one reason you Israelis get so much flack is because you rely in perpetual welfare from the West, which undermines the case for your own legitimacy and Israel’s validity? It also implicates Americans in everything you do. Since you have nukes for national defense anyway, why don’t you go to underwriting from the Zionist Diaspora instead, which will keep both you and them out of so much trouble. Half the modern Jewish problem has been that it has too much money to throw around.
Rachel Golem would prefer Jews stick with the worldwide Zionist revolution to kill all the Muslim people.
Spoken like a true angry tribalist who thinks her people are superior to others.
For the israelis, this is not a choice. Nazism is baked into their soul. They are totally incapable of living in peace alongside ANYONE, much less, the Palestinians. Nor do I think the Palestinians, given what has been done to them, should have to have the israelis maggots as their neighbors. The israelis have to go. Peace and israel are utterly incompatible concepts.
Bravo Naomi. Death to Israel.
You are definitely right about Bush and the neocons. It was remarkable to see how openly religious Bush's "war against evil" rhetoric was. Did you see the "holy warrior" Biblical quotes Rumsfield put on the Daily Intelligence Briefings? Unlike the left, the neocons and Zionists have adopted the more recognizeably Christian/Jewish heresy of seeking to perfect (i.e. democratize) the world through holy war.
Learn English.
Ask questions about what you don't understand.
Golem defines 'Jews' as those who do not deviate from the tribe. More proof that Zionism is a cult.
I see we have the new three stooges.
You're so boring. I doubt you know all of Lorre's films. It's actually rather typical for not so well known actors to have to play evil parts. That is never a job for a star. What about Humphrey Bogart's early films, to choose just one? Lorre obviously became know through Lang's "M", playing the hunted child murderer. I don't think his role in Casablanca was especially evil. But Hitchcock obviously hired him with "M" in mind. How does the Charlie Chan series fit into your perception of the "cringing, scheming Jew"?
"kill all rich people", how utterly silly. But a little control of the gray and seemingly overlapping field of criminal activities in the economy or the world of big money surely wouldn't be bad.
Learn anything. Forget college, at least get a high school diploma. You'd need help, but maybe you could do it.