Friday Call Our call this Friday will be with Joshua Leifer, a contributing editor at Jewish Currents. Josh recently wrote a terrific piece about Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Kahanist whose openly racist party could win as many as 14 seats in November’s Israeli elections. Josh will talk about Kahanism’s new appeal, Ben-Gvir’s
Beinart, there used to be a time when I actually felt bad for you, like all the accusations you get that you’re enabling anti-Semitism were exaggerated or false. No longer.
Why would American Jewish organizations be expected to oppose this dude’s entrance into the Israeli government? Aren’t people like you always saying American Jews and Israeli Jews are not the same thing and shouldn’t be perceived as synonymous with one another? Would you expect Israel to oppose the election of certain American politicians? In fact I seem to remember left-wing American Jews like you getting very hot and bothered when Benjamin Netanyahu was perceived as acting against President Obama.
Articles like this justify anti-Semitism because it’s not a very large leap from “American Jewish establishment organizations support fascism” to “American Jews support fascism.” That’s what left-wing anti-Semites have argued for years. And as others have pointed out, this only seems to apply to American Jews. Beinart have you written a column about how American Muslims need to condemn Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar? At least they are Americans as well.
Why are American Jews being subjected to ideological tests? Do we subject other ethnic groups to ideology tests in the US? When was the last time CAIR was criticized for not condemning Hezbollah? Perhaps Peter should demand Americans of Chinese descent condemn the Chinese government for its treatment of the Uighurs?
"Otzma Yehudit, or Jewish Power, is viewed by many as an offshoot of Kahane’s Kach party, which the State Department designated a terrorist organization. Members of Otzma Yehudit, including Kahane’s former parliamentary aide and his former students, believe that most Arabs support terrorism. The party’s political platform includes plans for the mass transfer of the Arab population out of Israel.
“The views of Otzma Yehudit are reprehensible. They do not reflect the core values that are the very foundation of the State of Israel,” AJC wrote in its statement. “The party might conceivably gain enough votes to enter the next Knesset, and potentially even become part of the governing coalition.”
AIPAC’s tweet simply said it agreed with the AJC and added that it “has a long-standing policy not to meet with members of the racist and reprehensible party.”"
In Peter's breathless rush to spread hatred towards American Jews, he makes predictions unsubstantiated by history. We still may see condemnations of Ben-Gvir, if his party ever joins the government. Usually AIPAC et. al. let Israelis run their own country but as we see from my example they do speak out on occassion.
And as always, it's hilarious and hypocritical to see people wringing their hands about right wing fascism while supporting Palestine, a right wing fascist state.
This piece would be so much better if it was just about him and his odious views. I just don’t get why you must roll in your notion that Israel is not a Democracy. I suspect most of your readers take you at your word and have little actual experience with Israel and its election system. Israel is for sure not trying to practice Democracy in the West Bank because it's not part of Israel. Regardless of what you write, it is an occupied disputed territory. If and when Israel annexes the West Bank and then denies its Arab population the right to vote than you will have a semblance of Apartheid.
Enough.
As for Gvir’s popularity and acceptance in the US, I think this will be bifurcated. For example, I expect that in the synagogue I attend he will be happily received. How do I know? I was outed when I interrupted a toast for Baruch Goldstein at a Kiddush Club, stopping the toast by saying “if you want to accept the acts of Goldstein than you must also accept the terrorist acts that various Arab groups employ”. And I am still not welcome at the Kiddush Club. Now, I stay and listen to the haftara. Alas.
You may be correct about AIPAC after all they were willing to support election deniers. But I am quite certain that many Jewish organizations will feel embarrassed by the possibility of Gvir in the government. Further, I believe if he makes it into the government this will be bad not only for Israel in Israel but also lend support to the anti-Israel block in the US and UK who will be pointing to Israel as a fascist state all the while our country is sinking into fascism. Yes, much easier to point the finger at others where you have no stake.
Incidentally I saw 2 interviews with Netanyahu (Bill Maher and Fareed Zachariah) and Netanyahu was definitely not the swift fast talking ready with a cogent answer that I recall from many years ago.
As I say in these situations “Let us pray” that Netanyahu and Gvir do not make it.
Salman Abu Sitta was approached by Palestinian elites in order to procure his endorsement for the Supranational Federation model whose dual Parliamentary Structure would allow for Palestinian return without undermining Jewish autonomy. Not only did he reject the model but he advised his disciples to stay away from Israelis who are promoting Federal solutions. I can assure you that they will listen. What remains is for the Israeli Government to offer the model as an ultimatum. The likelihood of that happening is close to zero. There is simply no wiggle room here. This will remain an intractable conflict for the forseeable future. The only hope that remains lies with Jews and Arabs on the ground who are engaging in coexistence initiatives.Perhaps over time this will strengthen the longing for peace among the inhabitants of the land.
Peter, may I publish an Italian translation of this speech of yours? I would ask to publish it to http://www.lamacchinasognante.com where I've already published a Salman Rushdie interview to Edward Said on his book After the last sky
Incidentally, the best illustration of what it means to “blame the victim” that I’ve ever heard. Israelis blame the Palestinians, and Trumpists blame Black and LGBT people, SIMPLY FOR EXISTING. “You can’t blame us for eliminating them, because they refused to disappear!” This self-justifying hatred is the hallmark of fascist thinking.
Beinart, there used to be a time when I actually felt bad for you, like all the accusations you get that you’re enabling anti-Semitism were exaggerated or false. No longer.
Why would American Jewish organizations be expected to oppose this dude’s entrance into the Israeli government? Aren’t people like you always saying American Jews and Israeli Jews are not the same thing and shouldn’t be perceived as synonymous with one another? Would you expect Israel to oppose the election of certain American politicians? In fact I seem to remember left-wing American Jews like you getting very hot and bothered when Benjamin Netanyahu was perceived as acting against President Obama.
Articles like this justify anti-Semitism because it’s not a very large leap from “American Jewish establishment organizations support fascism” to “American Jews support fascism.” That’s what left-wing anti-Semites have argued for years. And as others have pointed out, this only seems to apply to American Jews. Beinart have you written a column about how American Muslims need to condemn Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar? At least they are Americans as well.
Why are American Jews being subjected to ideological tests? Do we subject other ethnic groups to ideology tests in the US? When was the last time CAIR was criticized for not condemning Hezbollah? Perhaps Peter should demand Americans of Chinese descent condemn the Chinese government for its treatment of the Uighurs?
"Otzma Yehudit, or Jewish Power, is viewed by many as an offshoot of Kahane’s Kach party, which the State Department designated a terrorist organization. Members of Otzma Yehudit, including Kahane’s former parliamentary aide and his former students, believe that most Arabs support terrorism. The party’s political platform includes plans for the mass transfer of the Arab population out of Israel.
“The views of Otzma Yehudit are reprehensible. They do not reflect the core values that are the very foundation of the State of Israel,” AJC wrote in its statement. “The party might conceivably gain enough votes to enter the next Knesset, and potentially even become part of the governing coalition.”
AIPAC’s tweet simply said it agreed with the AJC and added that it “has a long-standing policy not to meet with members of the racist and reprehensible party.”"
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/american-jewish-lobby-issues-rare-condemnation-of-netanyahu-deal-with-far-right-israeli-party/2019/02/25/c90d3bd8-38ec-11e9-a2cd-307b06d0257b_story.html
In Peter's breathless rush to spread hatred towards American Jews, he makes predictions unsubstantiated by history. We still may see condemnations of Ben-Gvir, if his party ever joins the government. Usually AIPAC et. al. let Israelis run their own country but as we see from my example they do speak out on occassion.
And as always, it's hilarious and hypocritical to see people wringing their hands about right wing fascism while supporting Palestine, a right wing fascist state.
Brilliant Commentary
Gvir is loathsome.
This piece would be so much better if it was just about him and his odious views. I just don’t get why you must roll in your notion that Israel is not a Democracy. I suspect most of your readers take you at your word and have little actual experience with Israel and its election system. Israel is for sure not trying to practice Democracy in the West Bank because it's not part of Israel. Regardless of what you write, it is an occupied disputed territory. If and when Israel annexes the West Bank and then denies its Arab population the right to vote than you will have a semblance of Apartheid.
Enough.
As for Gvir’s popularity and acceptance in the US, I think this will be bifurcated. For example, I expect that in the synagogue I attend he will be happily received. How do I know? I was outed when I interrupted a toast for Baruch Goldstein at a Kiddush Club, stopping the toast by saying “if you want to accept the acts of Goldstein than you must also accept the terrorist acts that various Arab groups employ”. And I am still not welcome at the Kiddush Club. Now, I stay and listen to the haftara. Alas.
You may be correct about AIPAC after all they were willing to support election deniers. But I am quite certain that many Jewish organizations will feel embarrassed by the possibility of Gvir in the government. Further, I believe if he makes it into the government this will be bad not only for Israel in Israel but also lend support to the anti-Israel block in the US and UK who will be pointing to Israel as a fascist state all the while our country is sinking into fascism. Yes, much easier to point the finger at others where you have no stake.
Incidentally I saw 2 interviews with Netanyahu (Bill Maher and Fareed Zachariah) and Netanyahu was definitely not the swift fast talking ready with a cogent answer that I recall from many years ago.
As I say in these situations “Let us pray” that Netanyahu and Gvir do not make it.
Pathetic situation now that so many Jews are for Trump and racism...
https://www.pa-il.org/ Economic and Political equality rejected by Salman Abu Sitta,the leader of the BDS movement.
Salman Abu Sitta was approached by Palestinian elites in order to procure his endorsement for the Supranational Federation model whose dual Parliamentary Structure would allow for Palestinian return without undermining Jewish autonomy. Not only did he reject the model but he advised his disciples to stay away from Israelis who are promoting Federal solutions. I can assure you that they will listen. What remains is for the Israeli Government to offer the model as an ultimatum. The likelihood of that happening is close to zero. There is simply no wiggle room here. This will remain an intractable conflict for the forseeable future. The only hope that remains lies with Jews and Arabs on the ground who are engaging in coexistence initiatives.Perhaps over time this will strengthen the longing for peace among the inhabitants of the land.
https://www.facebook.com/palestinelandsociety
Peter, may I publish an Italian translation of this speech of yours? I would ask to publish it to http://www.lamacchinasognante.com where I've already published a Salman Rushdie interview to Edward Said on his book After the last sky
Incidentally, the best illustration of what it means to “blame the victim” that I’ve ever heard. Israelis blame the Palestinians, and Trumpists blame Black and LGBT people, SIMPLY FOR EXISTING. “You can’t blame us for eliminating them, because they refused to disappear!” This self-justifying hatred is the hallmark of fascist thinking.
Great work, Peter
Well said. If anyone loves Israel, this is the time to speak up and save Israel from itself.
Netanyahu would sell his soul to get back into power. I guess we can say that
Itamer Ben-Gvir is his soul mate. Similarities with the power hungry Boris Johnson.