Here’s the conundrum: I cherish Palestinian rights, for equality and such, but when the BDS leaders talk about this ideal, they mean to limit or expel Israeli (and even Jewish) rights. So then their game just becomes, by default, “anti-“. They’re not interested in two flags, or even in understanding that Zionism takes many forms and is a…
Here’s the conundrum: I cherish Palestinian rights, for equality and such, but when the BDS leaders talk about this ideal, they mean to limit or expel Israeli (and even Jewish) rights. So then their game just becomes, by default, “anti-“. They’re not interested in two flags, or even in understanding that Zionism takes many forms and is a fundamental part of Jewish life and history in some way. No! The BDS crowd simply say they’re about Palestinian rights, but at what cost? They want to destroy the other in the process. How can we allow that to be the pathway forward? That’s not an evolution towards anything better? That’s just a rinse-repeat of the same error in approach that the most right-wing, vociferous forms of Zionist nationalism has already brought upon them. The spillover to anti-Jewish is indeed there, in the BDS and Palestinian rights movements. Call a spade a spade Peter!
It's hard to respond at such a general level. I don't know which BDS leaders you mean and what comments you're talking about. I'm not involved in the BDS movement and have criticized certain actions taken by BDS activists and am sure i'll continue to. But on the three core planks--equality for Palestinian citizens, end of occupation and right of return, i agree. And I believe those don't violate the jewish right to autonomous self-determination within a framework of legal equality, which is how i interpret the cultural zionist tradition.
The founder of BDS, Omar Barghouti, has made multiple statements making the intentions of BDS clear. If you're going to write about BDS, you need to be aware of these statements. Here's one below and a link to the rest by Omar and other prominent BDSers.
“A Jewish state in Palestine in any shape or form cannot but contravene the basic rights of the indigenous Palestinian population and perpetuate a system of racial discrimination that ought to be opposed categorically….Definitely, most definitely we oppose a Jewish state in any part of Palestine. No Palestinian, rational Palestinian, not a sell-out Palestinian, will ever accept a Jewish state in Palestine.” - Omar Barghouti
If you're going to decry the banning of this hate movement as you did in your piece above, at least let your readers know the truth: BDS is actively working to remove from existence the Jewish state of Israel. Maybe that's a good thing, maybe it isn't, but let's all at least be on the same page about it.
i've interviewed Omar twice publicly. I'm very familiar with his views--not just this quote, which gets recycled all the time. Of course he opposes a Jewish state--he doesn't try to hide it. As you may know, I believe in an equal state myself, not a Jewish one. If you're a paid subscriber you can watch the interview we did last year. it's on the substack page.
You're familiar with Omar's views, therefore when you said above to STO that you "don't know which BDS leaders you mean," that pretty clearly wasn't true. Omar opposes the existence of the Jewish state, by any rational view that's seeking to limit Israeli and Jewish rights.
But it's good to know that you're finally now able to admit, in the comments section, that BDS seeks to destroy Israel and deprive the Jewish people of their self-determination and statehood. Maybe now you can take the next step and figure out why such a hateful, anti-Semitic movement is getting shown the door in Germany.
Beinart will never tell the truth about BDS and anti-Zionism. He remembers what happened to Norman Finkelstein, and knows which side his matzah is buttered on. It isn't the side of peace and human rights for everyone.
Here’s the conundrum: I cherish Palestinian rights, for equality and such, but when the BDS leaders talk about this ideal, they mean to limit or expel Israeli (and even Jewish) rights. So then their game just becomes, by default, “anti-“. They’re not interested in two flags, or even in understanding that Zionism takes many forms and is a fundamental part of Jewish life and history in some way. No! The BDS crowd simply say they’re about Palestinian rights, but at what cost? They want to destroy the other in the process. How can we allow that to be the pathway forward? That’s not an evolution towards anything better? That’s just a rinse-repeat of the same error in approach that the most right-wing, vociferous forms of Zionist nationalism has already brought upon them. The spillover to anti-Jewish is indeed there, in the BDS and Palestinian rights movements. Call a spade a spade Peter!
It's hard to respond at such a general level. I don't know which BDS leaders you mean and what comments you're talking about. I'm not involved in the BDS movement and have criticized certain actions taken by BDS activists and am sure i'll continue to. But on the three core planks--equality for Palestinian citizens, end of occupation and right of return, i agree. And I believe those don't violate the jewish right to autonomous self-determination within a framework of legal equality, which is how i interpret the cultural zionist tradition.
The founder of BDS, Omar Barghouti, has made multiple statements making the intentions of BDS clear. If you're going to write about BDS, you need to be aware of these statements. Here's one below and a link to the rest by Omar and other prominent BDSers.
“A Jewish state in Palestine in any shape or form cannot but contravene the basic rights of the indigenous Palestinian population and perpetuate a system of racial discrimination that ought to be opposed categorically….Definitely, most definitely we oppose a Jewish state in any part of Palestine. No Palestinian, rational Palestinian, not a sell-out Palestinian, will ever accept a Jewish state in Palestine.” - Omar Barghouti
http://www.stopbds.com/?page_id=48
If you're going to decry the banning of this hate movement as you did in your piece above, at least let your readers know the truth: BDS is actively working to remove from existence the Jewish state of Israel. Maybe that's a good thing, maybe it isn't, but let's all at least be on the same page about it.
i've interviewed Omar twice publicly. I'm very familiar with his views--not just this quote, which gets recycled all the time. Of course he opposes a Jewish state--he doesn't try to hide it. As you may know, I believe in an equal state myself, not a Jewish one. If you're a paid subscriber you can watch the interview we did last year. it's on the substack page.
You're familiar with Omar's views, therefore when you said above to STO that you "don't know which BDS leaders you mean," that pretty clearly wasn't true. Omar opposes the existence of the Jewish state, by any rational view that's seeking to limit Israeli and Jewish rights.
But it's good to know that you're finally now able to admit, in the comments section, that BDS seeks to destroy Israel and deprive the Jewish people of their self-determination and statehood. Maybe now you can take the next step and figure out why such a hateful, anti-Semitic movement is getting shown the door in Germany.
Beinart will never tell the truth about BDS and anti-Zionism. He remembers what happened to Norman Finkelstein, and knows which side his matzah is buttered on. It isn't the side of peace and human rights for everyone.