Credit: Jewish Voice for Peace
Many American Jewish organizations claim to be staunch supporters of civil and human rights as well as academic freedom. But when it comes to Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel, they make an exception. In their relentless opposition to BDS, they leave even core principles behind.
The Palestinian-led call for BDS, which began in 2005 in response to ongoing Israeli government violations of basic principles of international law and human rights of the Palestinian people, is a call of conscience. It has strengthened markedly over the last few years among artists, students, unions, church groups, dockworkers, and others. Media coverage of endorsers of the boycott has gone mainstream and viral. Recent examples include Stephen Hawking’s refusal to go to Jerusalem for the Presidential Conference, the successful campaign surrounding Scarlett Johansson’s support for Soda Stream and its settlement operation, and the American Studies Association (ASA) resolution that endorsed boycott of Israeli academic institutions.
Alongside BDS’s increasing strength have come increasingly virulent attacks on, and campaigns against it. These attacks tend to employ similar language and tactics – as if the groups are all cribbing from the same talking points – including tarring BDS supporters as “anti-Semitic” and “delegitimizers.”
These attacks simply don’t address or grapple with the core aspirations or realities of BDS. As described by Hanan Ashrawi, executive committee member of the PLO, in a recent letter in the New York Times, BDS “does not target Jews, individually or collectively, and rejects all forms of bigotry and discrimination, including anti-Semitism.” She goes on to explain that “B.D.S. is, in fact, a legal, moral and inclusive movement struggling against the discriminatory policies of a country that defines itself in religiously exclusive terms, and that seeks to deny Palestinians the most basic rights simply because we are not Jewish.”
The use of name-calling like “anti-Semites” and “delegtimizers” is problematic for a number of reasons, not only because its claims are untrue, but also because it takes the focus off the real issue at hand – whether and how Israel is, in fact, violating international law and basic human rights principles – and, instead, recklessly impugns the characters of those advocating for Israel to be held accountable.
Criticisms, even extremely harsh ones, of the Israeli state or calls to make a state democratic and adhere to equal rights for all its citizens are not anti-Semitic. Rather, anti-Semitism is about hatred of, and discrimination against the Jewish people, which is not anywhere to be found in the call for BDS, and these kinds of accusations also serve to trivialize the long and ugly history of anti-Semitism.
Most recently, the anti-BDS effort has moved to the legislative front. A bill, introduced in the New York State Assembly last month, would have trampled academic freedom and the right to support BDS in its quest to punish the ASA and deter any who might dare to emulate its endorsement of the academic boycott. Those supporting the bill were opposed by a broad coalition of education, civil rights, legal, academic, and Palestine solidarity organizations, as well as Jewish social justice groups. The bill was withdrawn, but a revised version has been introduced that is designed, like the original, to punish colleges that use public funds for activities related to groups that support boycotts of Israel, including mere attendance at their meetings.
The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) worked closely with the sponsors of the New York bill.
Like the JCRC, rather than engaging in substantive debate about the issues raised in relation to BDS, the Israeli government and many Jewish communal organizations choose, instead, to try to discredit and derail the efforts of those supporting BDS.
For example, as recently reported by Ha’aretz, the Israeli Knesset is debating how to continue to counter BDS efforts across the globe, that is, “whether to launch an aggressive public campaign or operate through quieter, diplomatic channels.” It is also considering what the role of AIPAC might be in introducing anti-boycott legislation and how to best bolster military surveillance–which has significant funding behind it–against supporters of BDS.
American Jewish communal organizations have also expended massive resources and energy in their campaigns to demonize endorsers of BDS. The Israel Action Network (IAN)–which describes itself as “a strategic initiative of The Jewish Federations of North America, in partnership with the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA), created to counter assaults made on Israel’s legitimacy”–has funded the anti-BDS effort to the tune of at least six million dollars over a three-year period.
The IAN website characterizes supporters of BDS as “delegitimizers”and says that, in order to gain support from “vulnerable targets,” which include “college campuses, churches, labor unions, and human rights organizations,” delegitimizers utilize Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) tactics, “the same tools used to isolate and vilify apartheid South Africa, Iran, or Nazi Germany. BDS activists, IAN continues, “present distortions, fabrications and misrepresentations of international law in an attempt to paint Israel with the same brush.”
In another example of name-calling without any substance, the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL’s) July 2013 report attacked Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), featuring ad hominem accusations (JVP “intentionally exploits Jewish culture”), rather than discussing JVP’s actual positions. (A JVP report on the ADL points out that the ADL not only targets JVP but is well-known for its long history of spying on Arabs and supporters of the Palestinian movement.)
On the charge of anti-Semitism, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, in its call to fight the BDS movement, urges it supporters to “learn the facts behind this hypocritical and anti-Semitic campaign,” and the ADL’s Abe Foxman echoed those same sentiments: “The BDS movement at its very core is anti-Semitic.” And most recently, in his speech to AIPAC, Prime Minister Netanyahu, after shamelessly drawing upon classic anti-Semitic imagery of Jews to speak of supporters of BDS, says: “So you see, attempts to boycott, divest and sanction Israel, the most threatened democracy on earth, are simply the latest chapter in the long and dark history of anti- Semitism.”
The demonization of BDS is not only the domain of the Israeli government and the mainstream Jewish community. The self-declared liberal J-Street, in its seemingly relentless quest to stay under the Jewish “tent,” has also jumped on the anti-BDS bandwagon, sometimes in partnership with the IAN, which (precisely because J Street is positioned as a peace group) proudly documents its relationship with J Street in fighting BDS. Discussing how J Street is gaining acceptance in the mainstream Jewish community, JCPA’s CEO Rabbi Steve Gutow points to “its role in pushing back against the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement…”
Further, the refusal of both liberal land mainstream Jewish groups to discuss substantive issues around Israel’s actions or BDS also reveals itself in language that admonishes BDS as being “beyond the pale.” Recently, for example, as reported by the director of JVP in an op-ed in the Forward, the director of the JCRC of Greater Boston, who has a history of involvement in liberal organizations, explained that “any organization that supports BDS…doesn’t belong at the communal table. In fact, he was referring specifically to Jewish Voice for Peace. He evenarguedthat opening the public conversation to BDS is roughly akin to welcoming the Ku Klux Klan.”
This attempted silencing of those simply discussing BDS plays out even in seemingly minor local skirmishes. For example, last year, the liberal rabbi of a large New York City synagogue cancelled the synagogue’s facilities-usage contract with a group of Jews who, he feared, might, on his premises, discuss BDS. That, he said, would be “beyond the pale.”
These attacks against BDS appear to be an almost desperate reaction to the increasing successes of BDS, not only in the world at large, but also within the broader Jewish community itself. Respected members of the liberal Jewish community as well as a few liberal Zionist groups that were vehemently anti-BDS are now calling for boycotts against products made in the settlements and are engaging with the issue publicly. Further, the mission and vision of groups like Jews Say No and Jewish Voice for Peace – “a diverse and democratic community of activists inspired by Jewish tradition to work together for peace, social justice, and human rights” – are resonating with increasing numbers of Jews who support BDS as a natural outgrowth of their commitments. And that movement is growing in partnership with the broader Palestinian-led movement for justice.
How should the rest of the Jewish community respond? Ad hominem attacks on BDS just will not do. It is time for BDS opponents to take a deep breath. Consider this: BDS is a principled response to Israel’s actions and behavior as an occupier. It is a profound call by Palestinians – and supporters world-wide–for justice. It is not BDS that should be opposed, but, rather, the very policies and practices that have made BDS necessary.
Donna Nevel, a community psychologist and educator, is a long-time organizer for peace and justice in Israel/Palestine. She was a co-coordinator of the 1989 landmark Road to Peace Conference that brought PLO officials and Knesset members together to the US for the first time. More recently, she was a founding member of Jews Say No!, is a member of the board of Jewish Voice for Peace, and is on the coordinating committee of the Nakba Education Project, U.S.
Conveniently left out of this rant is any mention of BDS dishonesty. Even Norman Finkelstein comes clean about the dishonesty of BDS.
http://youtu.be/iggdO7C70P8
BDS calls for an unlimited right of return: for Palestinian refugees, their descendants, and their descendant’s descendants, and so on . . . As Finkelstein explains, that is nothing more than a too-cute-by-half attempt at shading the fact that the goal of BDS is to end Israel as a Jewish state.
Moreover, BDS targets Jewish Israelis and their institutions, but exempts Arab Israelis and their institutions. Targeting Jews and exempting non-Jews from your target . . . call it what you want . . . it is very clear what that is.
BDS is dishonest in its rhetoric, it seeks to end Israel, and it distinguishes between Jews and non-Jews in its targets for boycott. It is no wonder that BDS turns off all but those on the fringes of the political spectrum.
Lauren, If Israel continues to be made ‘apartheid’ (‘separate’ & degrading life for all who choose differently with free conscience) into an institutionally imposed “Jewish-state”, then what kind of ‘religious’ (Latin ‘religio’ = ‘to-relate’) freedom does anyone have in Israel? BDS including Norman Finkelstein are rare voices ones standing up for the free-choice & right to be Jews. Where is your self-respect that; you would accept the imposition by a state on your supposed Jewish beliefs on others? In the most insidious way, you & your forceful violent imposition of supposed belief are the ones “Targeting Jews”. Do I have to remind you about the very spiritual tenets of the Jewish faith? If criteria for the right-of-return & immigration are based on these same imposed imposed system of ‘belief’ require that there be 7 million Palestinian refugees, are you living up to the ‘human’ tenets of your supposed faith or imposing a nightmare which is clearly anti-Jewish? & by the way completely anti-Semetic against your Palestinian compadre. I suggest you listen to these truly Jewish youth who are standing up to your institutional state violence under the banner of Shministim as well as standing up for Jewish conscience. http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2014/03/10-5
Not surprisingly, you failed to answer any of my points above. This is typical of BDS supporters . . . you all won’t answer these points directly and honestly. And yet you point your finger at teh Jooooz for not supporting your cause.
I watched as much of Finkelstein as I could stand — don’t understand why you say “even Norman Finkelstein” when he seemed to be a rightwing namecaller and not much else. You say “explained,” I say “claimed”. Doesn’t establish evidence for these claims, at least while I was waiting for him to do so!
My specialty is rhetoric, not politics, and am new to the BDS debate compared to many people here, so won’t address it. But I will note that I was around for the successful BDS of the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. Many of the same “arguments” against that reappear here: that anyone who opposed the country’s current politics hated (fill in the blank); that deciding you didn’t want your money contributing to the domination of one group over another was unfair and unreasonable; that the people who wanted justice and equality were ipso facto leftists; that the oppressed group in fact were much better off than under any neighboring country’s state; that the tales of torture and murder were lies; etc. etc. There was no attempt to analyze the BDS claims and refute them based on a set of criteria of equal justice for all, because it was impossible to make such an argument. Eventually, of course, the lies fell under their own weight. Saying “other people are worse” never stopped a movement, especially of Jews; we’re supposed to expect more of ourselves. Saying “everyone’s treated well” simply flies in the face of what others show. Saying “you hate us” to gentiles and “you hate yourself” to other Jews is simply dumb; it doesn’t address the argument, merely attempts to deflect it. Being right for the wrong reasons does not actually make someone wrong.
If there is a credible argument to be made that Palestinians have been and are being treated fairly in Israel and in the disputed territories, by all means, make it, using evidence, not fallacies; if not, brace yourself for the tsunami of history.
If you were knowledgeable about who Finkelstein is and about his point of view, you would understand why his words are so powerful in this context.
And if you bothered to take some time to learn about BDS you would realize that it is a too-cute-by-half effort to abolish Israel.
Take some time to educate yourself andthen we’ll talk.
Terrific post on BDS! Ad hominem attacks on BDS supporters reflect a mainstream Jewish community that is incapable of defending Israeli policies on their own merits. For decades, adamant backers of Israeli policies have claimed that Palestinians were fundamentally violent. Now, as individuals and institutions are increasingly taking up the call by Palestinian civil society for BDS – a non-violent strategy much like earlier politically principled boycotts of grapes, South Africa, and Montgomery, Alabama buses – the anti-BDS forces in Israel and the U.S. Jewish establishment have found in BDS yet another excuse not to bend toward justice.
There is a glaring omission in this piece — that BDS seeks an end to Israel as a Jewish state. The lack of honesty on this point demonstrates a lack of integrity by those who support BDS. People who live in glass houses . . .
hi, can you show me where it says the BDS movement wants to end israel as a state? i haven’t seen this anywhere — not from a reputable source, nor from a disreputable one. this is the first time i’ve even seen that.
thanks.
Norman Finkelstein explains it all here.
http://youtu.be/iggdO7C70P8
Such a refreshing article! Thank you Tikkun for including this in your current issue. It is so interesting that Jews played a big role in the Southern Civil Rights movement which used nonviolence as the keystone of that movement. Boycott was a big part of the nonviolent Civil Rights movement along with smaller divestment and sanctions campaigns. The same was even more true of the Anti-Apartheid movement in South Africa where Jews were also intensely involved. Yet when it comes to Israel, suddenly Jews opposed to the continual occupation of Palestinian land, the denial of human rights to Palestinians, the killing of Palestinian civilians including hundreds of children, and the building of settlements on lands that Palestinians have occupied for centuries, are anti-semites! No, not only are these Jews not anti-semites, they are carrying on a Jewish tradition and mandate from the Torah to struggle for justice for the oppressed and victimized.
Ending the “Jewish State” is not anti-semitic. It is a position that advocates equality for all the citizens of that country. The idea that there must be a Jewish state or that the Jewish people need a state is a very recent one. See Prof. Shlomo Sand’s eye-opening book “The Invention of the Jewish People”. Also note that the World Zionist Congress did not agree on founding a state as the goal of the Zionist movement until well into the Holocaust years. So, please, advocating an end to exclusive privileging of Jews is not anti-semitism.
You are free to characterize advocacy to eliminate Israel in whatever way you choose, but it is beyond dispute that BDS seeks an end to Israel. BDS supporters should at least be honest enough to admit their goal. Until they fess up about their true intention in this regard, they cannot credibly complain about the responses of BDS opponents.
If BDS supporters were more up front about their goal of destroying Israel as a Jewish state, they could have the honest debate they purport to desire. But until they fess up about their true objectives, they make a joke of themselves by whining about the responses they get from BDS opponents.
BDS advocates are upfront about their strategy for ending the horrendous oppression of Palestinians. It’s called Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions. If it’s your opinion that this nonviolent tactic for ending the occupation, oppression and terror against the Palestinian people means the end of Israel as a State, well then perhaps we had all better rethink Israel’s existence. It sounds like you are saying that the only way Israel can exist is to oppress and terrorize a non Jewish people who have been living there for centuries? wow!
I am saying nothing that Norman Finkelstein hasn’t also said. If you were honest you would admit that implementation of the so-called right of return as called for by BDS would end Israel as a Jewish state. If that’s what you desire, you should be honest and say so directly. Otherwise you come off as a fraud.
Woza, you know very well that the Right of Return called for by the Palestinians is to be settled in negotiations as part of a final status settlement. In that settlement, SOME FORM of just compensation will be made to those Palestinian families who were unjustly displaced. The intent of the BDS movement is not to put an end to Israel but to end its unjust treatment of the Palestinians, resulting in their freedom and dignity
It is also clear that on its current path Israel, unless it ethnically cleanses all Palestinians or establishes a permanent Apartheid situation, will end up with a one State solution. And, if this one State is to be truly democratic – equal rights for all its citizens under the law, it’s Jewish character will definitely be threatened if not totally lost.
Thus, Woza you should get on the BDS movement bandwagon, if not because you champion justice for the Palestinians, but because you see the end of an Israeli State for Jews, as the result of a looming One State solution, or worse still, a permanent Apartheid undemocratic State.
Jabe, did you even bother looking at the Finkelstein link? BDS does not call for compensation for refugies; BDS does not support the peace process or a negotiated 2-state solution. So if those are things you believe in, you should oppose BDS and support a negotiated end to the conflict based on two states for two peoples. BDS, with its absurd call for a “return” for millions of Palestinians to Israel, is nothing more than a recipe for continuing the conflict.
jabe7, BDS does not call for compensation for those that lost their homes. And BDS most certainly does not call for a negotiated end of the conflict based on two states for two peoples. BDS does not even support the current negotiations. BDS wants an unlimited right of return that ends the Jewish state. And on top of that, they are dishonest in what they proclaim on this point. Please listen to Norman Finkelstein on this subject. He is as anti-Israel as they come, but he does not ignore the obvious about BDS. You shouldn’t either. Especially if you support two states for two peoples. BDS is a recipe for continuing the conflict. It is a dishonest campaign, and those who truly desire a two state solution (with compensation for those who were displaced) should not for a second support BDS.
Woza, thank you for your considered response. I realize that Mr. Finkelstein has spoken against BDS. In the past I have been in agreement with his point of view. However, I vehemently disagree with his view on BDS. There are several reasons:
1. The BDS movement is an essential element, and the most crucial tool, Palestinians have in their struggle for a State and human dignity.
2. The stipulated goal of BDS is not the destruction of the Israel but the end of occupation, equality of rights within Israel, right of return, and their own State. It is in that sense that Finkelstein sees the goal to be the end of Israel; that is, once you establish equal rights for all, you cannot privilege the Jewish population and, therefore, bring to an end Israel as it is presently constituted.
3. Although this is the stated goal of BDS the reality remains that once Israel is pressured for economic reasons, as the result of the BDS movement, to take negotiations seriously, the negotiated end result will be SOME FORM of compensation for the refugees along with the maintenance of the integrity of the Jewish State with equality for all its citizens.
4. Not to pursue the two State solution, of which BDS is an essential component, will, as I’ve indicated above, create the greater risk of bringing about a One State solution and therefore, either the ultimate destruction of the Jewish character of Israel or an unjust Apartheid State. .
I agree with you on point 4.
But it is not an accident that BDS makes no mention of a two-state solution and compensation, and instead calls for an unlimited (my word, but consistent with their position) right of return. The reality is that implementation of their return means No Israel. It is not credible to state that you support both BDS and a negotiated end of the conflict based on two viable states for two peoples. The two are inconsistent, and anyone who says otherwise is either dishonest or not well-informed.
A truly Jewish State, while a nice idea, is impossible without undemocratic race politics, land theft, displacement and violence. BDS advocates justice, respect for human rights, and in many cases right of return. It is true that a Jewish democratic state will likely be impossible under these circumstances, but what could be more profoundly anti-Jewish than forced displacement, cordoning Palestinians into tiny refugee camps or running them off their land? BDS helps to bring attention to the tremendous and terrible inequality and suffering built into Israeli society as it exists.
Things must change if we believe at all in the social or environmental justice tenets some of us see in the faith. Things must change if Israel is to become truly democratic, egalitarian, or safe. Things must change if we Jewish Israelis and Americans do no want to be directly responsible for a repeat of US-style manifest destiny in a land we consider holy.
BDS is the least harmful and most media-savvy way I can see to do this.
I want to thank Donna Nevel for writing such an even-handed, coherent piece on BDS – and its advocates and nay-sayers. This Palestinian, inclusive, and non-violent call to end the Israeli occupation is powerful; it has touched the hearts, minds, and imagination of people around the world who believe in human rights. It is high time that we in the US be willing and able to have conversations about Israeli apartheid and BDS without name-calling and hatred. Isn’t this what we teach our children to do?
This is not a call to end the occupation, unless — of course — you are referring to the “occupation” that began with Israel’s birth in 1948.
BDS only exists because of the abdominal treatment of Palestinians by the Israelis. It is an attempt to fight a cruel persecution of people based on their ethnicity. Jews who don’t see this just don’t want to see it because either they are content with it or disturbed by it and want to push it away. It will be a great day for the Jewish people when Jewish Americans denounce Israeli apartheid and the unequal treatment of non Jews in Israel/Palestine, which is clearly against a just society and, in the long run, a disaster for Judaism.
Fred, BDS exists because it seeks the same objective as that which motivated the wars, terrorism, civilian rocket attacks, suicide bombings and cold blooded murders that Israel’s enemies engaged in prior to BDS and going back to 1948: to end Israel’s existence. Although non-violent tactics are certainly preferable to terrorism, the goal is the same, and for that reason BDS will fail in just as spectacular fashion. Israel’s enemies will never succeed in ending Israel — no matter the tactics employed.
Shalom/Salaam/Peace
Nevel’s mendacious article does not mention her groups desire to eliminate Israel in its entirety. Nevel does not mention her implicit support for Hamas and Hezbollah, terrorist organizations supplied by Iran. Nevel and her allies support and are supported by the most homophobic, misogynistic and corrupt dictators who are animated by their hatred of Jews. BDS is indeed a hypocritical, racist and hate filled campaign to once again persecute those of the Jewish faith. Nevel is part of a long, hate filled history of intolerance and racism.
Someone wrote not too long ago: Zionism is giving Judaism a bad name. The persecuted turning into the persecutors. It wasn’t Palestinians who killed 6 million Jews, yet israel sees nothing wrong with cozying up to Germany. Racism? Palestinians aren’t Caucasians, Germans are. When it comes to race, Jews have always carried a chip on their shoulders. And ethnic cleansing will continue until every Palestinian is gone. Shameful!
Your Israel/Nazi comparisons are shameful.
Woza1, do you get your checks from Israel directly or is there some sort of middleman?
Neither. I get no money at all for expressing my views on this subject (or any subject, for that matter).
Sorry to disappoint you.
I don’t have in-depth knowledge of all the tenants of BDS. However, I feel very strongly about the wrongness of continuing to build settlements – illegally- and oppressively on lands occupied by other peoples for generations. I have read too many articles right here in Tikkun about the severity of violence, cavalier attitude and oppression of Palestinians on the part of Israeli government and police, and how now settlements are even being built on the Palestinian side of the wall. I cringe when I read of school children being stoned by settlers and Israeli police being called to protect – the settlers – .
Something must be done to bring about the birth of humanity, and if a boycott of settlement -made products is one way to go, I most certainly support it. The Government sponsorship of new settlements must stop.
I also believe it’s a tragic mistake to equate criticizing Israel with antisemitism. In fact to do so will lead to a self-fulfilling prophesy, as those countries outside of Israel will increasingly also equate the Israeli oppression and Jews in general, and the amount of antisemitism will continue to rise dramatically as it already has in countries (such as in Western Europe) looking on at the injustice taking place.
Stephen, BDS is not a boycott of the settlements; it is a boycott of Israel. The BDS movement does not believe Israel’s existence is legitimate, and they want it gone. If your issues are the settlements and a two-state solution, then you would probably conclude that the nonsensical goal of seeking an end to Israel is not a worthwhile pursuit. BDS is not the answer; it is a movement with a hateful objective.
Stephen, BDS is not a boycott of settlement products. It is a boycott of Israel based on a belief that its existence is not legitimate and should end.
Cudos to Tikkun for giving the reader such a well thought out, excellently written article on BDS. It’s time that the Jewish community know the facts. BDS has been a strategy used worldwide to fight injustice. It has nothing to do with being anti-Semitic or being a self-hating Jew. Just to the contrary, as a Jew born to Holocaust survivors, it’s about making sure that what happened to Jews in Germany never happens again. And the fact that this time it is a so called Jewish state (which does not speak for me) which is brutally occupying a Palestinian nation does not make it kosher.
It’s very sad that Jews can talk together civilly about almost anything but bring up any criticism of Israel and the conversation gets quite nasty.
Thank you Tikkun for entering the discussion with such a respectful article.
Your Israel/Nazi comparison is not credible, and reveals a great deal of hatred. Arguments like these demonstrate why BDS is both immoral and a tactic doomed to failure.
Thanks Tikkun!!!! What a wonderful article. As one who is Jewish by choice – to all who oppose BDS – I would advise you to read Jeremiah and Isiah. A state that held true Jewish values of love, compassion, forgiveness and peace-and a state who “treats the others as themselves” – this state is not the current state of Isrral.
“Jewish by choice”? Exactly!
We, who have no choice but to be Jews, oppose BDS and see their true goal as the destruction of the only Jewish state.
Sorry about the spelling
Thank goodness there are Jews who are willing to take a universal stand on human rights. Donna is always an inspiration.
First of all I just want to say that while I support the BDS movement’s efforts to expose Israeli apartheid, I am not a member of BDS and my words cannot be attributed to BDS. I am a member of the Uhuru Solidarity Movement working under the leadership of the African People’s Socialist Party.
I am also the nephew of the author of this article and I deeply appreciate my aunt Donna for writing this piece, and especially for taking on the Zionists’ ridiculous and offensive claim that any person who criticises Israel is an Anti-Semite.
As a Jewish person, nothing is more disgusting to me – and I mean viscerally repulsive – than the fact that there is a colonial settler government which calls itself the “Jewish State” whose crimes against the Palestinians are carried out under a distorted banner of Judaism.
It is because the Zionist entity carries out its atrocities in the name of all Jews and blithely expects our silence, complicity and support that I feel it is most important to say, loud and shrill whenever necessary, that I am Jewish but I am NOT with the “Jewish State”– I am with the Palestinians, ONE HUNDRED PERCENT.
Anyone who has taken even five minutes to study the history of Judaism knows that there is nothing in Jewish scripture codifying the rights of Jewish people to ransack Palestine, rob its indigenous inhabitants of their land and self-determination, and establish a brutal, white nationalist regime with a Star of David as its flag. Jews should be outraged that such a monstrosity is being perpetrated in our name!!!
Indeed, there are some strict practicing Jews, slurred by the Zionist entity as “crazy” and “Ultra-Orthodox”, who reject the State of Israel on the grounds that its existence violates the basic tenets of Judaism!
However, while raised Jewish, I am not religious, and the basis for opposing the Israeli state does not require religious conviction. My opposition to Israel is simple: I am opposed to colonialism and imperialism. I am in unconditional solidarity with the rights of the Palestinian people to reclaim their land, resources and sovereignty.
It is for the same reasons that I defend unconditionally the rights of the Native people of the Americas to reclaim their national homeland, it is for the same reasons that I stand in solidarity with African people including the black community inside the US who face conditions of brutal exploitation and colonial subjugation not unlike what the people of Gaza experience at the hands of the beastly Israeli government.
Colonialism in all of its form must be opposed! Palestinians have a right to self-determination!
Thank you, beloved Donna, for your life-long work in solidarity with Palestinians and oppressed peoples. You have always been and continue to be an inspiration.
Uhuru!
Jesse
Why do you refer to yourself as a “Jewish person”? Do Christians call themselves “Christian persons”? You are a Jew, but you obviously have some issues with it.
And regarding giving the US back to the “Native Americans”, good luck with that.