[lbo-talk] Adam Hanieh, "Canadian Union Takes Important Step against Israeli Apartheid"

[Angelus Novus]

--- Yoshie Furuhashi <critical.montages at gmail.com>
wrote:
>it's generally no fun being stateless. 
> Imagine trying to
> travel when no government issues you travel identity
> documents that
> other governments accept.

This is a valid point, but what does it have to do
with the demand that Palestinians have a right to
return to the territories obtained by Israel as a
result of the 1948 war?

Presumably the problem of Palestinian statelessness
can be satisfied within the territories occupied in
1967 (leaving aside for the moment the problem of
Israeli occupation, obstructionism,
settlement-building, all of which we agree are bad
things).

Now, if one wants to make an argument that such a
Palestinian state would not be viable, that's an
argument deserving of consideration, but from my
ultra-left perspective, that should call into question
the very notion of statehood as a demand for a
revolutionary movement.  

After all, the call for a Palestinian right of return
to 1948 territories is just as unviable and
unrealistic.  There does not exist a majority in
Israel to support such a demand.  So it is basically a
demand that one wishes to impose against the wishes of
most Israelis.  What political forces on the ground
exist that could even potentially be in a position to
enforce such a demand.  The Arab states?  Fine, but at
admit then that you find them to be acceptable allies.

Some surveys seem to suggest that the two-state
solution is also the majority position among most
Palestinians.  So the demand for the right of return,
which is a de facto call for a single Palestinian
state, is at best an empty phrase and at worst a call
for the destruction of Israel.

In that sense, for many Palestinian activists, Israel
is the only nation-state on earth that they would deny
a right of existence to.  That is why I would argue
that many individuals and initiatives involved in the
movement are anti-semitic.  I would not argue that
anarchists, autonomists, and other ultra-leftists are
anti-semitic when they argue against the existence of
all nation-states.  But selectively targeting Israel
and arguing its illegitimacy definitely is.

When CUPE calls for open Canadian borders and the
dissolution of the Canadian state, I'll revise my
opinion.  Until then, they're labor fakers and
anti-semites, a populist white job trust which uses
anti-semitism to divert from problems.  Like most
unions.



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