Activism

Barghouthi and Erakat can reach young Americans

Omar Barghouthi
Omar Barghouthi
Noura Erakat
Noura Erakat

Noura Erakat and Omar Barghouthi spoke on “legality and morality” at Israeli Apartheid Week last night at NYU.

They are an excellent one-two combination. Both are young and very well-spoken, both smiling, insistent and unflappable. Their poise alone makes you cringe–how can people this rational and composed have emerged from the horrific mess we have wrought?

Her presentation on the legal differences between Palestinian and Jewish ‘citizenship’ is totally devastating (she has a job at Georgetown but wants to be teaching at a law school–will any hire her?).

He’s urbane and witty, with a slick, designy powerpoint–I think good for reaching young people. They really seemed effective and appealing to me, capable of changing minds. Who else young and Palestinian, or Palestinian-American, is out there doing a better job?

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Sarah Schulman, at the recent PennBDS meeting, said that in order to popularize the BDS movement in the States, Omar Barghouti should be highly promoted on a nation-wide “rock star” type of tour. Looks like he should be teamed up with Noura Erakat on that tour!

“Barghouthi and Erakat can reach young Americans”

Get ’em on YouTube, get ’em on Facebook, get ’em on Twitter, if you want to have a chance…

Who does Israel have to counter them?

Danny Danon.

http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/talktojazeera/2011/08/201185103022120129.html

He is very wooden.
What young Jew can make persecution sexy ?

Why do young americans have to be reached? Why can’t they find?
What happens to all the kids who go to university ? Don’t they learn anything about how the world works ?

Barghouthi, the tone deaf.

Almost 48 hours after hearing Barghouthi speak at the kimmel center Monday night, the most “offensive” slide (from his slideshow for freedom) came to mind. A cartoon of the crucified Jesus kicking an Israeli soldier out of Bethlehem (?) The fact that I had blocked the image out of my mind I take as significant. When recounting the performance to a friend and to myself the most offensive slide that came to mind was of Bush Jr. and his closest advisers with a photoshop of skulls decorating the frame.

But 42 hours later at home listening to music led to dancing led to outstretched Jesus nailed hands and Barghouthi’s slide came back.

To a Jew who winces at “Christkiller” any unessential use of Jesus to comment on the I/P conflict is stepping on my toes. I realize that I sound censorious and unreasonable and I will discuss this aspect with my therapist next Monday. But leaving me aside- How tone deaf is Barghouthi? How is a Jew supposed to react to this image? Isn’t he inviting the antiZionism = antisemitism equation? He certainly is not shying away from it.

So before I compose myself and possibly compose a fuller response to the gestalt of the issue and of Barghouthi’s presentation, I’d like to send a shout-out to Mr. Barghouthi. In the shape of one raised finger. Even the deaf know sign language and certainly the tone deaf Barghouthi understands this sign as well.