Cecilie Surasky
Several times in the last year this site has mentioned a speech on messaging by Cecilie Surasky at the Jewish Voice for Peace conference in Philadelphia because it was so inclusive, aimed at growing a movement by helping people to change their positions on the conflict, even Zionists. Phil Weiss asked her for the speech, and she passed along the notes she'd made for her powerpoint presentation. Surasky has added an introductory paragraph, and a postscript.
How you use language should be driven entirely by your strategy of change. Jewish Voice for Peace's strategy for change requires growth and building a movement so we can pressure gatekeepers. My talk below reflects that approach. But other groups have a different approach to change. Growth may not matter at all to you, for example. Aggressively using language to challenge the Israel lobby, for example, might be your key strategy. So this talk may not apply. The important thing is that you have a clear strategy for your role in making change and that your use of language backs that up rather than sabotages it.
Process
Who in this room is not in process? Who has not changed and is not changing all the time? We all are. We're grappling with so many deep questions about identity, ideology, history, the law, morality, politics and activism. New information and experiences impact us regularly.
I'd much rather do that work inside of a community where we trust each other enough to have these deep debates. That's one of the reasons Jewish Voice for Peace doesn't have an ideological litmus test to join it. What we all share in common is a belief that all human beings are born equal-- that my child deserves no more and no less than my Palestinian friends' children.
The rest--how to get there--is in process, and we need to recognize that everyone we talk to is in process as well. It might have taken me five years and two trips to the West Bank to get to where I am. How can i expect someone else to get there in a moment, from reading, or from a conversation? We have to understand communication as a catalytic act- a moment in which we can help the wheels to start turning in someone's head and heart.
Some people look on personal communication as a mini-battle, to be won or lost. an interaction with another in which you get to prove you are right and they are wrong. That's not often particularly helpful. There are public debates or political forums where that kind of interaction makes sense. But not in our lives or in personal interactions—and not if our goal is to grow a movement.
We have found that the most effective way to trigger the process of change, for us, is speaking in terms of core values: equality, human rights, fairness, opportunity, self determination. The right to live, to eat, to protect one’s family, to go to school. These ideas are all so powerful, they have the potential to cut through all of the trigger language and surface political differences, and forge connections with people who seem like the opposition.
We must not forget that many (though not all) of the people who support Israel do so within a framework of universal fairness and equality. They were raised on myths of an ideal and just Israel. In fact, they often become its most vociferous critics once they realize that the reality of Israel is not that myth they were presented. That would describe many people in JVP: we have a special anger of the betrayed. Our love of humanity and trust in the collective was abused. And now we have to take action.
There are two liberation movements. There is a Palestinian led liberation movement that we support as allies. And there is a Jewish liberation movement that we are leading. We have to liberate our own community from growing bigotry and empty nationalism and Jewish exceptionalism. Jewishness contains many threads and traditions-both good and bad—but we are voting with our feet for the tradition we cherish, universal justice.
International Law
JVP views the current injustice and the solution to the conflict through the lens of international law. It's the legal framework through which we express a universal value and non-exclusive Jewish value: that all life is created equal, regardless of skin color or religion or ethnicity or language. We all have the same rights and deserve the same opportunity for self determination.
We find this framework to be much more compelling than the frame of Zionism, which is one we don't use. The problem is that when you ask 100 people how they define Zionism, you get 150 answers. So it's counter-productive and it can turn into a distracting debate if you start there. Like Judaism, there has never been one Zionism, only Zionisms. Some people think of a Zionist as literally the person who holds a gun to someone's head at a checkpoint, or takes a family’s home, or ethnically cleanses Palestinians. Others think of Zionism as the liberation movement of the Jewish people-- and the oppression of Palestinians as a violation of that spirit of Jewish liberation.
Besides, fewer and fewer young Jews even use the word Zionist. It's becoming an extinct and increasingly unuseful term. Polls show that fewer people identify with the word and so it generates an increasingly alien discourse. (We have colleagues who did focus groups with voters and found that the word Zionism for most people registered as a big HUH? There was no good messaging to build off of the word.) And In fact, increasingly, Jewish identity doesn't pivot on Zionism one way or the other.
Two other ideals for us about language and ideology. First, it's important to us that we maintain a welcoming space where people can debate these issues and become life-long learners but don't feel they have to pass an ideological litmus test for entry or will be called names because they aren't sufficiently pure, one way or the other. That closed ideological tent is precisely what we’re fighting in the institutional Jewish world, and it doesn't look that much prettier when it’s embraced by the left. In JVP's idea of a movement for justice and equality, there is room for Richard Goldstone, who calls himself a Zionist, and Omar Barghouti, who clearly isn't. They both have taken actions that honor the sanctity of human life and core values of democracy and equality for all people. [Note to reader: This speech was given before Goldstone's reconsideration of his landmark report in the Washington Post in April 2011, as well as his October 2011 op-ed in the New York Times of last fall saying it was a “slander” to accuse Israel of apartheid. ]
Secondly, It's critical if we want to grow the movement and catalyze change that we find a way to talk to people not by starting with trigger words that have all sorts of emotional resonances and meanings, but with core values of equality, democracy, opportunity and self-determination. We've seen over and over again how this language resonates powerfully with Palestinians living in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, liberal Jews in the US, Christians and everybody in between. It's the universal language of values. That is how we build a movement for a truly just peace for Palestinians and Israelis.
Tough words
We never ever shy away from the terrible truths. We are morally bound not to sugar coat the Nakba, ethnic cleansing, the torture of Palestinians- whatever the conditions.
If you think it's apartheid, then call it that. But unpack the phrase. don't just use it as a weapon. Be very specific about the separate and unequal societies: 96% of land reserved for Jewish use only, unequal distribution of resources, and so forth. If you start by using apartheid as a hammer word, without context, people who don't share that understanding but could be your allies just become defensive and angry. If you spell out exactly what is factually separate and unequal, point by point, and ground it in a commitment to fairness, then by the end of your talk, the chances are good that the person you are talking to will think of apartheid on his or her own.
JVP's political analysis involves growing the movement, and that means constantly bringing in people just to our right. Who among us is in the same place they were on this issue five years ago?
P.S. Try this exercise someone in one of my workshops shared with me: Write down on a piece of paper everything you are fighting against: racism, apartheid, torture etc.. On a separate piece of paper, write down everything you aspire to: peace, freedom, justice, laughter etc.. Now look at the two pieces of paper. How do those clusters of words make you feel? What happens to your body with each group? Next time you make signs for a protest, try drawing from the cluster of words that make you feel good. They may connect to something deep in the audience of people you are trying to reach. There is a reason that militant pro-settler groups like standwithus have appropriated the language of peace to the point where we can't use it without saying justice.
“What we all share in common is a belief that all human beings are born equal– that my child deserves no more and no less than my Palestinian friends’ children.
The rest–how to get there–is in process, and we need to recognize that everyone we talk to is in process as well. It might have taken me five years and two trips to the West Bank to get to where I am. How can i expect someone else to get there in a moment, from reading, or from a conversation? We have to understand communication as a catalytic act- a moment in which we can help the wheels to start turning in someone’s head and heart. ”
Wonderful, uplifting.
At the same time folks who have been silent need to cop to being complicit through their silence. Some folks for decades. And examine (as Phil has done) why knowing about the injustices going on why it took them so long) I have really noticed amongst the youth in this movement this huge need to elevate themselves instead of honoring all of the folks who have been out on the front lines on this issue for decades. Dangerous territory, dishonest territory.
At the Occupy Aipac conference I did hear Rae start to integrate this awareness (new) into what she had to say. Awareness rising!
“I have really noticed amongst the youth in this movement this huge need to elevate themselves instead of honoring all of the folks who have been out on the front lines on this issue for decades. Dangerous territory, dishonest territory. At the Occupy Aipac conference I did hear Rae start to integrate this awareness (new) into what she had to say. Awareness rising!”
Kathleen, can you expound on this? It feels important and I’m not quite following what you’re saying. Thanks!
JVP is the biggest gatekeeper of all. The curious may find answers, or more (useful) questions, at
Liberal Citizenship, not ‘Jewish Identity’
link to questionofpalestine.net
The problems are two: [1] how to gain access to talk to the people who need information and [2] how to provide them that information.
Cecilie tells us, beautifully, how not to “press peoples’ buttons” (as it is sometimes said) but rather to enlist their most generous and universal impulses to see the changes that are needed in their own beliefs and behaviors. She does not help so much with the question of how to get access to talk to people.
My late wife was a member of a women’s Jewish-Arab dialogue group in Boston (1980s). One of its activities was to have a Jewish member get a pair (one Palestinian, one Jewish) invited to a local synagogue to talk to people interested in hearing from a Paletinian — but it was CRITICAL that the Jewish member get the ball rolling and accompany the Palestinian so as to make the audience feel safe. THIS WAS A LOT OF WORK just to achieve “access”.
Talking to AIPAC members — and appealing to their better and universal impulses — might be harder. On the other hand, the students at Brandeis seem to have been getting good results inside a Jewish academic community.
At all events, gaining “access” and securing audiences for “education” is a big problem. It may have been the besetting problem in the Park Slope food co-op election — because far too few people showed up to vote and “enemies” of fairness for Palestine are always/often more energized than friends.
Kids dont have to use the word zionist, because its been completely internalized (as evidenced here) — I gotta say, I think Atzmon has a point about Anti Zionist Zionists – So, the ol’ two “peoples” need to be “liberated”? WOW. Just. WOW.
I suppose if I am going to read criticisms of others, which is basically what this piece is — listen to “us,” we’re serious (and jewish) and know stuff about the law and what upper crust people (like us) will accept and what they won’t accept in “polite” company– I guess I will offer a couple of my own. (1) Who uses THIS kind of language? “In process” — Haha. I mean, you pretty much have to be a Sarah Lawrence undergrad to even think that a phrase like this has ANY meaning.
(2) Not everyone feels a need to be protected or to be in “safe” environments before they state how they fee,l and frankly, after decades of koom-baya circles and “how does this make you feel” Drivel from “the left” maybe the thing we need most is some unmitigated Honesty, regardless of the present company. I’ll start: I find those who offer “advice” to others in this arena self indulgent in the extreme. In the context of what is taking place in Palestine, to use the phrase “become a life long learner” says it all. It really does. Spend your entire life discussing and debating the best way to discuss and debate the horrors taking place in Palestine, within the koom-baya circle approved by JVP.
(3) They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result; well, I think this applies to “the left” and long time activisits. You lost. It’s time to change up, or step aside. Its really as simple as that. Whatever small gains have been made in regards to justice in Palestine can only be thought of real victories if we view them in a vaccuum. The US is now a post constitutional dictatorship in waiting, Europe is ruled by unelected bankers and their henchmen, Africa is being re-destroyed, Central and South America are back in the sights of the state dept and the CIA, to say nothing of the on-going wars and the wars on the way; We are witnessing, right now the world over, the greatest paradigm shift in generations, for the worse, by a whole lot, and we’re here talking about how to get your point across with out offending people. It would be funny if it wasnt so tragic.
From Max Blumenthals blog:
Update/correction: I received the following note today from Peter Beinart explaining why his East Bay appearance was cancelled: “[The East Bay JCC] pulled out because a JVP person was moderator and then when there were no sponsors who were Zionist and anti-full BDS, I pulled out. I did that sadly–cause I agree with JVP on the awfulness of the occupation–but given my strong opposition to BDS targeting all of Israel, it didn’t make sense for me to speak to a forum in which there was not one anti-BDS organization sponsoring.”
—————————————————-
“I’d much rather do that work inside of a community where we trust each other enough to have these deep debates.”
Same thing.
“The US is now a post constitutional dictatorship in waiting, Europe is ruled by unelected bankers and their henchmen, Africa is being re-destroyed, Central and South America are back in the sights of the state dept and the CIA, to say nothing of the on-going wars and the wars on the way; We are witnessing, right now the world over, the greatest paradigm shift in generations, for the worse, by a whole lot,…”
Quite so.
“The US is now a post constitutional dictatorship in waiting, Europe is ruled by unelected bankers and their henchmen, Africa is being re-destroyed, Central and South America are back in the sights of the state dept and the CIA, to say nothing of the on-going wars and the wars on the way”
And the good news is
“and we’re here talking about how to get your point across with out offending people. It would be funny if it wasnt so tragic.”…Dan
Yea, it is ridiculous.
The US is now a post constitutional dictatorship in waiting, Europe is ruled by unelected bankers and their henchmen, Africa is being re-destroyed, Central and South America are back in the sights of the state dept and the CIA, to say nothing of the on-going wars and the wars on the way; We are witnessing, right now the world over, the greatest paradigm shift in generations, for the worse, by a whole lot, and we’re here talking about how to get your point across with out offending people.
Under the circumstances, what are the reasons you are all spending so much of your time here at Mondoweiss? Seems like a very big waste of your valuable time, unless you are looking for a “safe” environment which allows you to self-indulgently express in comment-after-comment your own favorite analyses. If JVP is wasting its time – and perhaps it is – what are you doing here at Mondoweiss? At least they are out there.
Bruce — first let me say, you have no idea who I am or what I do. We can go back and forth all day asking “who do you think you are” type of questions. I myself am at work – and in between demo’s of my businesses software with prospective clients, I post comments at MW – mainly because I find the content interesting, comments included.
When Im not at work, I’m also “out there” — tonight for example, I’ll be going to Copley square in boston to commemorate land day in palestine. probably followed by a “rally” of sorts. After the rally, I will probably head over the VFW on Tremont street for a cheap beer with some friends – one of the very few privileges of being a veteran.
My comment was merely to highlight the EXTREME detachment from the greater world evidenced in this latest bit from JVP. But that’s typically what happens to Identity Politics Cats – they cant see the forest for the trees. Fah-Q Bruce.
“If JVP is wasting its time – and perhaps it is – what are you doing here at Mondoweiss? At least they are out there.”
Very patronising, Bruce. I’m like Dan. I have an interesting job too and I like the Mondo comments. Over the last 2 years I have come to the realisation that Israel is headed for the cliff. The sociopaths in charge don’t listen to well meaning but powerless groups such as JVP.
The only Israelis who can see what’s coming are way off the radar- people like Gurvitz and Shir Hever. All even remotely relevant institutions in Israeli society have been co-opted by the settler-IDF -government – machine . There is no alternative power structure in waiting.
Bruce,
I thought there was wisdom that Dan provided. Perhaps Cecilie knows her target audience better than Dan, but I think Dan’s point is effective and sugar coats nothing in the process.
I don’t believe that positive language will change those that are in the wrong place with their ideology. I’ve seen many Zionists with a closet like jekyll & hyde complex when Israel comes into discussion. I don’t see them feeling empathy for anyone during this metamorphosis. I’ve seen them shut down in a tantrum. I don’t believe that people so committed to this pattern of ethnic nationalism will stop and change course because they are hearing some positive language in nearby circles. It doesn’t square with me, but Cecilia may have a target audience in mind different from the rest.
messaging is an excellent lesson because it shapes the debate. zionists have been very adapt at messaging and they have been way ahead of the game for a long long time by ‘owning’ keywords, phrases and ideas.
it’s a two way street, owning the message and clearly breaking down the distorted messaging from the other side.
Haneen Zoabi thinks she needs to oppose Zionism, but she hasn’t heard JVP. When will she wise up?
The question applies with equal force to the US, where the Zionist conceit of “Jewish peoplehood” drives everything from Palestine policy to complicity in Israel’s drive for war on Iran.
Thursday, March 29 2012|+972blog
MK Zoabi: Struggle for democracy is a struggle against Zionism
Haneen Zoabi, an MK from the Balad party, speaks to Elsa Rassbach about Land Day and her relationship as a Palestinian to Zionism and citizenship.
By Elsa Rassbach
link to 972mag.com
for many people changing from one who accepts the zionist myths to one who rejects said myths involves a process of transformation brought about by exposure to information that literally blows one’s mind. for me the mind-blowing experience was the openly racist mentality that prevailed among israel’s supporters after the ’67 war. so i’m wondering if the sugar coated approach suggested by the author will suffice to turn many fence sitters let alone israel supporters onto the righteous path of justice for palestine.
‘There is a Palestinian led liberation movement that we support as allies. And there is a Jewish liberation movement that we are leading. ‘
I often hear about ‘healing’ the Jewish community. Yet how can a movement that does not include those who are going through the MOST pain have any righteousness?
For example, do you see Khader Adnan, Hana Shalabi, and the many other Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike as allies, or are they a part of your struggle?
If the Palestine solidarity movement does not internalize the suffering of the Palestinians, then there will be no way forward for justice.
good point.
Great post, great strategy. Jewish liberation alongside Palestinian liberation.
Separate but equal liberation movements. JVP is not advancing but retarding Jewish liberation, which can be achieved, not on Jewish, but only human terms.
The modern period of Jewish history was brief and unrepresentative, lasting, symbolically, from 1789 to 1967. Then it was joyfully back to the ghetto, in the West no less than Israel. The classical liberal aims of emancipation and participation in liberal society are today simply opportunities to assert Jewishness. The spirit of liberalism has been abandoned for the spirit of the Jewish Volk, left right and center, as totally as the Germans abandoned liberalism for their Volk. Today most of the Jewish Volk uphold liberalism simply as a Jewish interest, outside Israel, while in Israel they insist on the opposite, in the same Jewish interest.
The Jewish left presents itself as a kinder, gentler Volk, and tries to oppose the majority Volk on that basis, rather than opposing it unequivocally, with the gentiles, its only possible, true allies, whom it instead manages and controls for its limited purposes. Zionism has made a total, unbelievable mess of the left just as it has the mainstream.
Again, some thoughts on this are at
Liberal Citizenship, not ‘Jewish Identity’
link to questionofpalestine.net
More to come. Stay tooned.
This isn’t “one size fits all”.
There is no single “right” way to do this.
Every approach has merit, except no approach at all.
I really like Cecilie and thinks she’s smart and makes good points.
But I stick to the ….”Aggressively using language to challenge the Israel lobby.” LOL
Because while Cecilie’s goal is actually ‘a process’ to mainly convert the Jews thinking on Israel, my goal as an American is to get other Americans educated on and pissed off enough to do some thing about Israel I/P and the “Lobby” sooner rather than later.
My For list is shorter and simpler than my Against list. I automatically assume Americans are For human rights for everyone and for the US. Don’t know anyone who would say they aren’t. I also automatically assume they are against bullies, stealing people’s land and property, killing children and defenseless people, cheating, lying, giving Israel 3 billion + a year, having their President even if they don’t like him humiliated by a foreigner from a US welfare state, and listening to politicians pledge their allegiance and US blood and treasure to a foreign country.
I find the Against works better than the For cause your average person says..’oh yea, ho hum, human rights yea, I’m for that, and of course I love my country’. What was the most famous picture of the 60′s that inflamed America? The picture on cover of Life of the young Vietnamese girl running down the road with her clothes burned off. That’s the kind of picture Americans need to see on Israel. But since the media and press won’t show those kind of pictures, you have to tell them or use a copy of MW’s pictures of the dead Palestine guy shot in the head or some 12 old child shot.
A picture like that is worth ten thousand words about human rights. What turned everyone I know in my town on Israel was when our local paper front paged a picture of a dead Gaza child in Israel’s assault on Gaza.
The approach is sensible and measured (and as she rightly points out is not necessarily “one size fits all”) and serves the long run well, while having the potential to be equally persuasive in the short run.
As my pal Bernie the Attorney observed, when people encounter ideas so at odds with their own, their typical response is to shut down and tune out.
Don’t confuse me with the facts and don’t make me do the time-consuming work to reassess my views!
True, the constant filtering can be hard work too, but at least affords them the excuse to retain their deepy help viewpoints, however lacking in support.