On our Zoom call this Friday we’ll talk about the World Cup and what it can teach us about views in the Arab world (and beyond) about Israel, the Palestinian struggle, and the Abraham Accords.
That whites are discriminated against is not a new phenomenon. Growing up in the 1980s I frequently heard the saying “the blacks get everything”. Ignorance of history and victimization is the fuel that powers white conservatives.
Oh yes, that is exactly what I heard too--early 1980s Philadelphia. On a hot summer day, a white male neighbor opened up the fire hydrant to let water out to cool off neighborhood kids. I mentioned to him that the city was giving out (free) attachments so the water would form real sprinklers and also limit waste, because the fire department was warning of low water pressure if everyone did what this guy was doing. He looked at me, a white woman, and felt comfortable enough to say, "yeah, nah, the [N-word] get all my money anyway." I am sorry to say I was so stunned, both with the easy racism and the non-sequitur nature of his response, that I just stood there speechless. Those were the days of Ronald Reagan and his "welfare queen" remarks, and, let us not forget, Frank Rizzo. This stuff has always been out there. People were just typically more quiet about it.
Yes the Republicans are very good at repeating their mantras until they become the “truth”. I have often wished for the Democrats (Ds) to find a way to get Karl Rove to leave the Republicans and join the Ds. Alas, the Ds have no equivalent BS machine—they invariably speak with many tongues.
Pardon my saying so but the Ds PR machine is almost as inept as Israel’s Hasbara. Of course, there is a reason why Hasbara does not work. The word means explanation not PR. And there is a difference between explaining your position and BS.
On another note, from your “things to read” listing (MSNBC). Palestine was indeed barren before the Zionists came. In fact, it was mostly barren even afterwards. There are countless descriptions from 19th century visitors describing Palestine as a pitiful barren place—Jews, Christians even Arabs saw this and wrote about it. To suggest that Palestine was anything but that or that it was verdant, and the land of milk and honey until the Jews came and took it away or worse destroyed this idyllic world, is to once again continue the false narrative that everything or most everything was peaches and cream prior to the arrival of the Zionists. It’s just not true.
Palestine may not have been the land of milk and honey prior to the Zionists arrival but the population were happy and life was good for many.
"In our lovely country there exists an entire people who have held it for centuries and to whom it would never occur to leave…The time has come to dispel the misconception among Zionists that land in Palestine lies uncultivated for lack of working hands or the laziness of the local residents. There are no deserted fields."
— Yitzhak Epstein, "The Hidden Question," 1907
" To think that the Arabs will voluntarily consent to the realization of Zionism in return for the cultural and economic benefits we can bestow on them is infantile. This childish fantasy of our "Arabo-philes" comes from some kind of contempt for the Arab people, of some kind of unfounded view of this race as a rabble ready to be bribed in order to sell out their homeland for a railroad network."
Vladimir Jabotinsky 1923
"The Palestinian Arabs Said No to Equating National Consciousness with Land Rights
There is not a single Arab who has not been hurt by the entry of Jews into Palestine: there is not a single Arab who does not see himself as part of the Arab race… In his eyes, Palestine is an independent unit."
Moshe Shertok, Speech MAPAI Central Committee, June 9th 1936
" You say my house has been enriched by the strangers who have entered it. But it is my house, and I did not invite the strangers in, or ask them to enrich it, and I do not care how poor or bare it is if only I am master in it."
Royal Commission Report, paraphrasing the remarks of an Arab witness. 1937
With all due respect I never said the Palestinian Arabs were thrilled with the arrival of the Jew, few peoples are. All I wrote is that it is a myth to think that Palestine was anything but a pitiful and barren place. You do not have to take my word for it. One of the most highly respected books is Palestine in Transformation 1856-1882 by Alexander Scholch (in fact my copy comes from the Institute for Palestine Studies). In it he describes, in gruesome detail, what went on in Palestine in the 19th century prior to the arrival of the Jews (note he deliberately ends his book in 1882 just as the new Jewish immigrants arrive).
The fighting amongst the different tribes for power was constant. Life was a struggle because the land had been farmed to death since time immemorial and had little more to give. The incessant wars in the 19th century caused the fellahin to hide their sons from conscription just as the Jews tried in Russia. In the end the fellahin lost out their land holdings to the Sheikhs who lost power to the Ayin (for eyes these were the 1% ).
These one-percenters sold the land to the Jews. These sellers who lived in the cities ultimately became the “leaders” and while they were the leaders, they continued to sell the land to the Jews. So these were indeed the happy campers. And in 1948 as war broke out, they left overnight no one had to kick them out! And they took their money with them.
As for what you write in the main body. You are absolutely correct the Arabs in Palestine were not greeting the Jews or looking forward to their coming and improving their lot. Interestingly it is the left wing the socialists who initially thought the Arabs would be happy with the Jews. They were the ones who were primarily responsible for building the state. The right-wing revisionists, as you write Jabotinsky (of which Netanyahu’s family was a political member) never believed that, and in fact were quite certain from the beginning that war would come and thy continuously egged for it.
So, Peter, the US gets no praise for ending slavery, giving minorities equal rights, eliminating discrimination in housing and education, PROMOTING inequality that favors minorities in education and hiring. Brittney Griner will come through this with a new appreciation of US values; she has already said so after being imprisoned unjustly in Russia. And let me ask you .... are there any white people on the planet today who live in shacks without running water ? No - because white people throughout history have been leaders in innovation. Western countries show their concern for poor countrie by giving millions in aid, medicine and medicine. THIS is the conservative position. You need to stop slandering Republicans. When they answer opinion polls they look into their hearts and conservative communities. That's why they see less discrimination. Democrats know their friends are racist. That's why they see so much discrimination.
As for the so called "Palestinians" the only reason they have any support is because of the fake history people like you peddle. Your base is uninformed and ignorant. Enough time wasted on you.
Netanyahu’s comments to Peterson should not be the least bit surprising. After all, this is the same Netanyahu who once said that Hitler didn’t want to exterminate the Jews until Hajj Amin Al-Husayni convinced him to do so. Bibi long ago secured his place near the top of the Racist Zionist Propaganda greatest hits chart. He is a Jimmy Page-like legend of the genre.
What is a bit more surprising -or maybe not- is that his politics are now regarded as just right-wing, and in no way “beyond the pale”, as it were. The likes of Thomas Friedman still talk about a two-state solution, while Israel keeps moving inexorably further and further to right, and Netanyahu spits out the word “Palestinians” with such utter contempt, and continues to be feted around Western capitals. This should leave no one in doubt that Palestinian rights are off the agenda, and that the the developed world is fully submissive to Israel’s plan to drive Arabs completely out of historic Palestine , except for a few tiny Gaza-like prisons. The hope then is that life there will become so intolerable, that anywhere else will seem like heaven on earth.
TCarson is a wrecker in the service of Rupert Murdoch, a billionaire who would rather destroy the country than share his wealth. People like these never thought of compensating the displaced Palestinians (did they ever compensate Native Americans?)
Two new national laws must be made immediately: 1. Clerics(all religions) barred from the positions of Senator, Representative, State/Territory Governor & POTUS; 2. All American citizens who choose to run for the position of State/Territory Governor or POTUS must have actual political experience
But how to end discrimination when even many anti-racists support brutal and discriminatory immigration laws and decisions about migration as from South America?
Different categorical and social things, yes. At the same time, individuals can be both refugees and (economic) migrants at the same time. That is for example what UN surveys show. Personally, I want all humans to be able to be world/global citizens.
Much of the authoritarian media (there is also libertarian conservative media) is embracing racism, nationalism and culturalism since such behaviours are about that certain groups as white Americans should have special privileges, have feelings of superiority and discriminate others.
The entire rationale behind "Do not negotiate with terrorists" is that if you give in once you establish a precedent that rewards the worst behavior. Next time the Russians want something why shouldn't they kidnap some random American and prosecute them on trumped up charges with the eventual goal of a prisoner swap?
very true
That whites are discriminated against is not a new phenomenon. Growing up in the 1980s I frequently heard the saying “the blacks get everything”. Ignorance of history and victimization is the fuel that powers white conservatives.
Oh yes, that is exactly what I heard too--early 1980s Philadelphia. On a hot summer day, a white male neighbor opened up the fire hydrant to let water out to cool off neighborhood kids. I mentioned to him that the city was giving out (free) attachments so the water would form real sprinklers and also limit waste, because the fire department was warning of low water pressure if everyone did what this guy was doing. He looked at me, a white woman, and felt comfortable enough to say, "yeah, nah, the [N-word] get all my money anyway." I am sorry to say I was so stunned, both with the easy racism and the non-sequitur nature of his response, that I just stood there speechless. Those were the days of Ronald Reagan and his "welfare queen" remarks, and, let us not forget, Frank Rizzo. This stuff has always been out there. People were just typically more quiet about it.
Professor Beinart,
Yes the Republicans are very good at repeating their mantras until they become the “truth”. I have often wished for the Democrats (Ds) to find a way to get Karl Rove to leave the Republicans and join the Ds. Alas, the Ds have no equivalent BS machine—they invariably speak with many tongues.
Pardon my saying so but the Ds PR machine is almost as inept as Israel’s Hasbara. Of course, there is a reason why Hasbara does not work. The word means explanation not PR. And there is a difference between explaining your position and BS.
On another note, from your “things to read” listing (MSNBC). Palestine was indeed barren before the Zionists came. In fact, it was mostly barren even afterwards. There are countless descriptions from 19th century visitors describing Palestine as a pitiful barren place—Jews, Christians even Arabs saw this and wrote about it. To suggest that Palestine was anything but that or that it was verdant, and the land of milk and honey until the Jews came and took it away or worse destroyed this idyllic world, is to once again continue the false narrative that everything or most everything was peaches and cream prior to the arrival of the Zionists. It’s just not true.
Palestine may not have been the land of milk and honey prior to the Zionists arrival but the population were happy and life was good for many.
"In our lovely country there exists an entire people who have held it for centuries and to whom it would never occur to leave…The time has come to dispel the misconception among Zionists that land in Palestine lies uncultivated for lack of working hands or the laziness of the local residents. There are no deserted fields."
— Yitzhak Epstein, "The Hidden Question," 1907
" To think that the Arabs will voluntarily consent to the realization of Zionism in return for the cultural and economic benefits we can bestow on them is infantile. This childish fantasy of our "Arabo-philes" comes from some kind of contempt for the Arab people, of some kind of unfounded view of this race as a rabble ready to be bribed in order to sell out their homeland for a railroad network."
Vladimir Jabotinsky 1923
"The Palestinian Arabs Said No to Equating National Consciousness with Land Rights
There is not a single Arab who has not been hurt by the entry of Jews into Palestine: there is not a single Arab who does not see himself as part of the Arab race… In his eyes, Palestine is an independent unit."
Moshe Shertok, Speech MAPAI Central Committee, June 9th 1936
" You say my house has been enriched by the strangers who have entered it. But it is my house, and I did not invite the strangers in, or ask them to enrich it, and I do not care how poor or bare it is if only I am master in it."
Royal Commission Report, paraphrasing the remarks of an Arab witness. 1937
Hi Mr. Breathnach,
With all due respect I never said the Palestinian Arabs were thrilled with the arrival of the Jew, few peoples are. All I wrote is that it is a myth to think that Palestine was anything but a pitiful and barren place. You do not have to take my word for it. One of the most highly respected books is Palestine in Transformation 1856-1882 by Alexander Scholch (in fact my copy comes from the Institute for Palestine Studies). In it he describes, in gruesome detail, what went on in Palestine in the 19th century prior to the arrival of the Jews (note he deliberately ends his book in 1882 just as the new Jewish immigrants arrive).
The fighting amongst the different tribes for power was constant. Life was a struggle because the land had been farmed to death since time immemorial and had little more to give. The incessant wars in the 19th century caused the fellahin to hide their sons from conscription just as the Jews tried in Russia. In the end the fellahin lost out their land holdings to the Sheikhs who lost power to the Ayin (for eyes these were the 1% ).
These one-percenters sold the land to the Jews. These sellers who lived in the cities ultimately became the “leaders” and while they were the leaders, they continued to sell the land to the Jews. So these were indeed the happy campers. And in 1948 as war broke out, they left overnight no one had to kick them out! And they took their money with them.
As for what you write in the main body. You are absolutely correct the Arabs in Palestine were not greeting the Jews or looking forward to their coming and improving their lot. Interestingly it is the left wing the socialists who initially thought the Arabs would be happy with the Jews. They were the ones who were primarily responsible for building the state. The right-wing revisionists, as you write Jabotinsky (of which Netanyahu’s family was a political member) never believed that, and in fact were quite certain from the beginning that war would come and thy continuously egged for it.
We are not in disagreement here.
Thank you for that.
So, Peter, the US gets no praise for ending slavery, giving minorities equal rights, eliminating discrimination in housing and education, PROMOTING inequality that favors minorities in education and hiring. Brittney Griner will come through this with a new appreciation of US values; she has already said so after being imprisoned unjustly in Russia. And let me ask you .... are there any white people on the planet today who live in shacks without running water ? No - because white people throughout history have been leaders in innovation. Western countries show their concern for poor countrie by giving millions in aid, medicine and medicine. THIS is the conservative position. You need to stop slandering Republicans. When they answer opinion polls they look into their hearts and conservative communities. That's why they see less discrimination. Democrats know their friends are racist. That's why they see so much discrimination.
As for the so called "Palestinians" the only reason they have any support is because of the fake history people like you peddle. Your base is uninformed and ignorant. Enough time wasted on you.
Netanyahu’s comments to Peterson should not be the least bit surprising. After all, this is the same Netanyahu who once said that Hitler didn’t want to exterminate the Jews until Hajj Amin Al-Husayni convinced him to do so. Bibi long ago secured his place near the top of the Racist Zionist Propaganda greatest hits chart. He is a Jimmy Page-like legend of the genre.
What is a bit more surprising -or maybe not- is that his politics are now regarded as just right-wing, and in no way “beyond the pale”, as it were. The likes of Thomas Friedman still talk about a two-state solution, while Israel keeps moving inexorably further and further to right, and Netanyahu spits out the word “Palestinians” with such utter contempt, and continues to be feted around Western capitals. This should leave no one in doubt that Palestinian rights are off the agenda, and that the the developed world is fully submissive to Israel’s plan to drive Arabs completely out of historic Palestine , except for a few tiny Gaza-like prisons. The hope then is that life there will become so intolerable, that anywhere else will seem like heaven on earth.
TCarson is a wrecker in the service of Rupert Murdoch, a billionaire who would rather destroy the country than share his wealth. People like these never thought of compensating the displaced Palestinians (did they ever compensate Native Americans?)
To this day I've never been contacted by the Pew Research Center to take part in their studies
Two new national laws must be made immediately: 1. Clerics(all religions) barred from the positions of Senator, Representative, State/Territory Governor & POTUS; 2. All American citizens who choose to run for the position of State/Territory Governor or POTUS must have actual political experience
Not all Hispanics/Latinos are non-White
The correct/actual terms are "anti-Jewish" & "anti-Jew". "Anti-Semitism", "Anti-Semitic" and "Anti-Semite" are antiquated Terms.
But how to end discrimination when even many anti-racists support brutal and discriminatory immigration laws and decisions about migration as from South America?
"Immigrant", "Migrant" & "Refugee" are three completely different things. Never conflate them.
Different categorical and social things, yes. At the same time, individuals can be both refugees and (economic) migrants at the same time. That is for example what UN surveys show. Personally, I want all humans to be able to be world/global citizens.
Well, the American Revolution was a mixture of ideas. Classical liberalism, democracy and individualism but also racism, slavery and brutality.
Much of the authoritarian media (there is also libertarian conservative media) is embracing racism, nationalism and culturalism since such behaviours are about that certain groups as white Americans should have special privileges, have feelings of superiority and discriminate others.
Tucker Carlsson is one of the primary examples of right-wing collectivism and nativism
The entire rationale behind "Do not negotiate with terrorists" is that if you give in once you establish a precedent that rewards the worst behavior. Next time the Russians want something why shouldn't they kidnap some random American and prosecute them on trumped up charges with the eventual goal of a prisoner swap?
Complacency