"A two-state settlement is now the only possible way to secure peace in the forseeable future. But for such a settlement to stick there will have to be some reversal of that historic ethnic cleansing. Those who insist there can be no questioning of the legitimacy of the state in its current form - with discriminatory laws giving a "right of return" to Jews from anywhere in the world, while denying it to Palestinians expelled by force - are scarcely taking a stand against racism, but rather the opposite."
The need to abolish the claim to be "the state of the Jews worldwide" on the part of the present state of Israel, is a vital part of any two-state deal that gets little notice or discussion. It is not just that it addresses issues of immediate practical import, such as shutting down the pipeline of would-be settlers from overseas, or shutting down the curcuit of right wing Americans who move in and out of the Israeli Defense Forces while maintaining their US citizenship (both politically progressive goals in their own right). Most importantly, it would recognize, finally, the fact that there is an _Israeli nation_ distinct from the Jews worldwide (who are not a nation, but nationals, both legally and culturally, of other countries).
The present claim of the state of Israel is actually a disservice to the real interests of the Israeli nation, as it subordinates this interest to the ficticious construction of a "general interest" of the Jews worldwide which, in reality, has been a useful fiction in the service of the interests of US imperialism, enslaving the Israelis to that interest in the process. Any two-state deal should include such an exchange (plus full reparations to the Palestinians) that would formally announce the severence of this relation between Jewish nationals of other countries and Israelis, the renunciation of a myth. -Brad Mayer ------------------------------------------------------ Date: Thu, 9 May 2002 09:35:51 -0700 From: "michael pugliese" <debsian at pacbell.net> Subject: FW: [CHOMSKY] Slur of anti-semitism is used to defend repression
>--- Original Message ---
>From: Bill Bartlett <billbartlett at DODO.COM.AU>
>To: CHOMSKY at MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
>Date: 5/9/02 1:13:33 PM
>
>http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/comment/0,10551,712266,00.html
>
>This slur of anti-semitism is used to defend
repression
>
>Ending Israel's occupation will benefit Jews and
Muslims in
>Europe
>
>Seumas Milne
>Thursday May 9, 2002
>The Guardian
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