Comments on: The Jewish Experience

By: Edwin Pell

Edwin Pell — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 00:34:24 +0000

The should read “is long over”

By: Edwin Pell

Edwin Pell — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 00:33:01 +0000

The time for European colonization are no over. It is time for the zionist to return to Europe and return Palestine to it’s rightful owners the Palestinians.

By: Lloyd Rowsey

Lloyd Rowsey — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:15:56 +0000

Thanks, thecutter. Here at DV, the posted articles are increasingly numerous and accordingly increasingly uncommented upon or simply forgot. And the much-commented-on articles are mainly commented on by DV “regulars.” A sad state of affairs. Which would be at least somewhat relieved if a new commentator or two put up excellent recommendations, with a click-on http.

By: hp

hp — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:34:40 +0000

“Since the vast majority of Israelis are confused by the notion of Zionism, most forms of criticism that would label itself as anti-Zionist would have hardly any effect on Israel, Israeli politics or on the Israeli people. In other words, in the last sixty years, those who have been using the paradigm of Zionism and its antipode have been preaching to the converted.

A total review of the amalgam formed by Israel, Zionism and Jewishness is now overdue.”

Paradigm? That’s being generous and somewhat misleading.
I’d say “mass psychosis” is closer to the truth.

By: Giorgio

Giorgio — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:18:44 +0000

“In fact, not many Jewish parents would stop their son or daughter from joining the IDF, why should they? The IDF is a very safe army to be in, it avoids ground battle, it kills from afar, it values its soldier as much as it loves inflicting the ultimate pain on others….
….Unlike the shockingly under-equipped Palestinian warriors who die in vast quantities on a daily basis, the Israeli soldiers hardly risk their lives…. ”

Well put Atzmon. They much prefer that the risking is done by their counterpart, the American ‘goyim’ soldier, who is their favorite source of cannon fodder. This explains why AIPAC frantically tries to suppress any anti-war feeling in the U.S..

By: thecutter

thecutter — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:03:26 +0000

Here is the first of a series of commentaries by writers and activists on this paper by Gilad:
http://palestinethinktank.com/2008/06/12/gilad-atzmons-jewish-experience-time-for-a-paradigm-shift/

By: DavidG.

DavidG. — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:16:35 +0000

Merciless and Murderous. Yes, judged by the actions of the IDF, these two words are entirely appropriate.

When Israeli snipers have a Palestinian child’s head in the cross- hairs of their rifle scope, I wonder that they think as they pull the trigger. I wonder do they watch the child’s head explode, watch as the body falls, cry out loudly, “I got one!”

Probably they thank their God for guiding the bullet and wonder if they’ll get a promotion.

P.S. Should the three wise monkeys be taken down? Check my blog for answers.

By: Giorgio

Giorgio — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 23:03:30 +0000

What Atzmon is saying in this long operatic rendition is in a nutshell and to quote his own words that “Zionism is a ‘lucid’ World Order, unfortunately it is merciless and murderous as well.”
As for its ‘lucidity’ it’s as clear as a psychopathic mind can be: crammed with toxic sludge.

By: bozhidar balkas

bozhidar balkas — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 20:10:11 +0000

it seems to me that gilad is predicting evanescence of israel/jewish state or a state for jews only or mainly.
so do i. at least, it won’t be ever accepted by ab 80% of world pop.
what the 80 or 90% of world pop can do to render jewish state a pariah, i do not know.
but people r inventive. they’l make sure that jewish state disingrades by the end of this century. thank u

By: Deadbeat

Deadbeat — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:54:18 +0000

Since Jews do not form a race but largely succumb to some different forms of collective, racially orientated politics, we shouldn’t be afraid of touching the matter. Once we take it as a given that Jews do not form a race, the study of Jewish identity and politics is neither racism nor essentialism. It is actually the very opposite, it is in fact a critical reading of racist ideology and its inherent supremacy.

It was this very excellent observation by the author that led to the dismantling of the anti-war movement and created the political vacuum now being filled by Obama that has annoyed the “left”.

The “left” is in absolute denial regarding this facet and why any attempts to throw stones at Obama just bounces off especially to member of the African American community. When members of the African American community spoke out about Palestinian oppression (re: Andrew Young and Jesse Jackson in the late 1970’s or during the anti-apartheid movement) and the U.S. support for Israel they were labeled as “anti-Semites” or even worst label as “racists”. Which is a major reason why you see little outreach from the “left” to communities of color.

It is my contention that until the issues mention by the author are appropriately addressed you will not see a vital and solid coalition constructed on the “left”.

I agree with Lloyd that Jews have been in the forefront of progressive changes and they still are. Yet when it comes to this reality mentioned by the author there is a tendency of REACTION and FEAR.

It was that very reaction and fear that permitted the disengagement of the best opportunity in years, even stronger than the “anti-globalization movement” just prior to 9-11, to build the kind of grassroots oppositional coalition to challenge the current trajectory of the U.S. It hasn’t recovered since and IMO it won’t because to reengage means having to honestly deal with the issues mention by the author.

I thank the author for his astute analysis and contribution.

By: Lloyd Rowsey

Lloyd Rowsey — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:34:33 +0000

Thank you for this, Gilad. Here at Dissident Voice, it’s not been easy to argue that Jews always have been and still are at the forefront of progressive change the world over, which includes Israel and Palestine.

A recent article here recommended Ilan Pappe’s “A History of Modern Palestine - One Land, Two Peoples”. It’s now my go-to reading, and it is incredibly informative.

I recommend the book to those of DV’s readers who have read and enjoyed this article — “The Jewish Experience”.