Israel apologists defend the indefensible

April 2, 2011
Issue 
Racist vandalism of Greens’ campaign billboards, Sydney. Photo: Peter Boyle

Things haven’t been going well for the Israeli occupation over the past few years. Numerous Israeli atrocities, such as the invasion and blockade of Gaza and the killings of civilians on the aid flotilla, have made many people aware of the truly oppressive situation facing the occupied Palestinians.

Lately, Israel has hardened its repression against the Palestinians even further in response to the popular revolts breaking out in the surrounding Arab countries and the loss of its ally, the Mubarak regime in Egypt.

The regime in Jordan has also faced protests and disturbances. And the Palestinian territories are seething with discontent. Then there is the increasingly effective boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel. With all this bad publicity and upheavals Israel is very anxious.

Pro-Israel commentators have had a busy job recently, trying to defend Israel and discredit the BDS campaign. An example of this is an article by Bruce Loudon in The Australian on March 25: “Green foolish to raise apartheid comparison.”

The article attacked Fiona Byrne, the mayor of Marrickville and the Greens candidate for Marrickville in the recent NSW state elections, for her support of the BDS campaign.

Loudon struggled to show that there are differences between the apartheid regime in South Africa and that in Israel, instead simply ignoring the systemic discrimination against Palestinians.

As a former anti-apartheid activist, from what I have seen and read of Israel, it is entirely appropriate to describe Israel as a colonialist and racist state.

It is also correct to condemn Israel’s actions as akin to those of the apartheid regime in South Africa.

Former leading opponent of apartheid in South Africa, Nobel peace laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu ought to know what he’s talking about. As a black man he lived under apartheid and has stated publicly that Israel practices apartheid against the Palestinians.



So, what is it about the exceptionalism of Israel that it can practice blatant racism and gross human rights abuses and people who would otherwise speak out against these terrible things do not?

In fact, they go out of their way to defend Israel. Every time someone dares to criticise Israel, commentators like Loudon write articles condemning those people concerned about the ongoing injustice in Palestine.

These commentators claim Israel is a democracy that only makes some mistakes. Well it’s not democratic or just if you are a Palestinian living under occupation.

These types of opinion articles are a way to distract attention from Israel’s immoral behaviour and to try to discredit people trying to do something worthwhile about it.

The reality is Israel has a sordid history of dispossessing and exiling the Palestinan people from their homeland, through the use of state terrorism and massacres. It continues to occupy and oppress those still in Israel and refuses to allow refugees to return to their homes and land.

Israel deserves harsh criticism, not because it makes “mistakes”, but because it is a state built on the suppression of an entire people.

The Israeli system is deliberately designed to obliterate a nation (Palestine), destroy a people’s culture, history and way of life and crush their legitimate resistance.

Israel practises routine methods of cruel subjugation that deny Palestinians their political, religious and national and human rights.

What these commentators are really saying to those people who care about injustice in the world is that Israel is an exception and beyond reproach. In doing so they are defending the indefensible, because according to them, no matter what Israel does, Israel is blameless.

These commentators are hypocritical by their selective compassion. They are in reality apologists for Israel. They ignore the plight of the Palestinians and excuse Israel’s crimes.

I and many others will continue to speak out and criticise Israel for practising apartheid towards the Palestinians, just as Archbishop Desmond Tutu and many other people have done.

Comments

Greens are green grow up neded Numerous Israeli atrocities, such as the invasion and blockade of Gaza and the killings of civilians on the aid flotilla, have made many people aware of the truly oppressive situation facing the occupied Palestinians. 8 years of rocket fire on Jews Jews respond - Israeli atrocities green needs to learn the whole truth despicable
This is a courageous article. As Dr. Martin Luther King said "None of us is free until all of us are free."
Steven Katsineris, Thank you for your maintaining the virtues of courage, love and honor. I pray that joy, upon joy, blesses your heart, for you are an upright man. Enjoy!
"The reality is Israel has a sordid history of dispossessing and exiling the Palestinan people from their homeland, through the use of state terrorism and massacres." Any Palestinians who are living in exile from their homelands are there as a result of wars which were instigated by neighboring Arab states. Where are these acts of "state terrorism" and "massacres" that you mention? I think you just made that up. "It continues to occupy and oppress those still in Israel and refuses to allow refugees to return to their homes and land. " What do you mean occupy? Arabs living in Israel are Israeli citizens with full citizenship rights. This sentence makes no sense at all. "Israel deserves harsh criticism, not because it makes “mistakes”, but because it is a state built on the suppression of an entire people." So 5 million Jews are responsible for suppressing the entire population of 350 million Arabs? This is just the sort of hateful propaganda that leaders in the Arab world have been using for decades to justify their own inaction on Palestinian resettlement. "What these commentators are really saying to those people who care about injustice in the world is that Israel is an exception and beyond reproach. In doing so they are defending the indefensible, because according to them, no matter what Israel does, Israel is blameless. " Another non-sequiter. Very few supporters of Israel would make this claim. On the other hand its very common to find BDS proponents argue that Israel's very premise is flawed and that you can't have a Jewish state in the Middle East. Then they wonder why they get accused of anti-Semitism - "its not that we hate Jews, we just want them to go back where they came from - Poland, Germany etc.".
On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we should remember this great champion of civil rights King was also a great defender of Zionism. At a dinner shortly before he was assassinated a student made an anti-Zionist remark and King answered “When people criticize Zionists, they mean Jews. You are talking anti-Semitism.”
"Then they wonder why they get accused of anti-Semitism - 'its not that we hate Jews, we just want them to go back where they came from - Poland, Germany etc.'. Whch supporter of the BDS says this? This is just creating a false argument to slander anyone who supports justice for the Palestinians. The BDS actually takes no position on one or two states, the demands in original call are for: "1. Ending its occupation and colonization of all Arab lands and dismantling the Wall 2. Recognizing the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality; and 3. Respecting, protecting and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN resolution 194." http://www.bdsmovement.net/call No mention of Jews being expelled and sent somewhere else. The general argument in favour of "one state" is not for Jews or anyone else to be sent elsewhere, it is for a *democratic* state in which there is equality between people of all relogious and ethnic backgrounds.
Do not try to justify what cannot be justified
The fact is, he wasn't. See here: http://crimes-of-zion.blogspot.com/2007/09/by-way-of-deception-mlk-and-zionism.html
I can't support a "Jewish" state. By definition, it is exclusionary. What about non-Jewish Arabs (and others, e.g. Bedouin)? Judaism is a religion. I would also be against an islamic state, particularly one that expelled and marginalised non-muslim citizens as Israel has done so brutally. Whether a one or a two state solution is the most equitable next step, which is not for me to decide, the idea that you can have a nation-state dedicated to only one religion within its borders is in fact apartheid. No-one who is not simply an apologist for apartheid and colonialism can defend that. If Zionists could envisage a secular Israel/Palestine without their exclusive Jewish status, that would be fine. I would support that hypothetical version of "Israel". But the real, existing Israel is an exclusionary "Jewish" state, by its own definition, and that's something we should never support.
Nice you sourced an anti-semitic website, one thats claims jews control the world and the Zionists were responsible for 911.
ISRAEL HAS EVERY RIGHT TO EXIST.THE PALESTINES HAVE EVERY INTENTION OF WIPING THEM OFF THE MAP.AND ALL OTHER MUSLIM COUNTRIES AGREE. MAYBE IF HAMAS STOPPED THE TERRORISM AGAINST ISRAEL , THINGS WOULD BE BETTER.. THIS "PEACE FLOTILLA" IS BACKED BY ANTI SEMITES,AND MUSLIM EXTREMISTS. LOOK WHO IS ORGANIZING IT.
Exactly - why should Judaism be the established religion of a state. In order not to seem bigoted we must call for the dissolution of all the other countries in which established religions occupy a place of privilege: england, greece, denmark, finland, sweden... well half of Europe really... and of course almost the entire Arab world.
The idea that there should be a separation between church and state has been a democratic idea for several hundred years. In those cases where it hasn't been fully implemented, we should push for that to happen. Israel is not the only country were democratic reform would be welcome and indeed should be pushed for. However, none of the other countries you mention stand such stark violation of international law as does Israel. This justifies the boycott divestment and sanctions campaign against the illegal occupation. If support for this BDS campaign raises the issue of ending the undemocratic character of the Jewish state - good!
why dont you say the same about islamic states that carry out apostasy killings
Israel is the only nation in the Middle East that does not practice any form of apartheid: Jordan prohibits Jews from becoming citizens or owning land; Saudi Arabia practices gender apartheid; all Muslim countries engage in sexual orientation apartheid; Hamas is notorious for its anti-Christian apartheid; and the Palestinian Authority has said that "no Jew" will ever be allowed to live in a Palestinian state. Israel, on the other hand, is a racially diverse country in which Arabs serve in the Knesset, on the Supreme Court, on university faculties and even in the Cabinet. The court that recently convicted Israel's former president of rape included an Arab judge. Nothing like this ever happened in apartheid South Africa. But only the Jews can do wrong right. They are the oppressors for wanting a tiny piece of land in the vast middle east, most of which was either purchased legally, abandoned by Palestinians during Israel's war of Independence in 1948 (Arab leaders made them leave and promised when they drove the Jews into the sea they could go back), or won in defensive war (1967). No nation has ever given back land won in a defensive war. The Palestinians in the West Bank or living normal lives for the most part while those in Gaza are not. Why you ask? Let's see, rockets get shot at Israel daily from Gaza, but no rockets come from the West Bank. It is an easy equation. Stop teaching hate, start teaching coexistence, and renounce violence. Then there can be peace.
There are Islamic states that discriminate against non-Muslims! Then again I'm not sure those who falsely accuse Israel of being racist, really care about this. They only want to target Israel.
I always wonder about the mental state of people who write in all capitals, it seems the equivalent of shouting your statement. Especially when there is this level of paranoid conspiracy mongering.
Alex, Have you ever been to Israel. What you are saying is exactly what ISRAEL Has done, celebration between Synagogue and state. Tel Aviv, Haifa, Netanya and Be'er Sheva are secular heavens. Even Jerusalem which is one of the most religious cities in the world is a secular heaven, every year a Gay a Lesbian March goes threw the main streets of Jerusalem and Jerusalem in home to the largest and most influential nightclub in the middle east Ha'oman 17. Personally I am not a fan of settlements but that isn't the obstacle to peace. How can Israel find peace when Hamas and Fatah when they fail to even except the State of Israel and glorify terrorism. Did you know in the West Bank it is illegal for a Palestinian to sell there land to an Israeli, If they do the punishment is death. Palestinian Authority, invoking an earlier Jordanian law, announced in 1997 that the death penalty would henceforth be sought for Palestinians found guilty of selling their property to Jews. In April 2009, the PA reiterated its position that sale of property to Jews constitutes treason and is punishable by death.
A Jewish response to the February 2011 Statement of Jewish Zionist Organizations on Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS): Because academic, cultural and commercial boycotts, divestments and sanctions of Israel: * are being called for by Palestinian civil society in response to the occupation and colonization of their land, * are a moral tool of non-violent, peaceful response to more than sixty years of Israeli colonialism, and, * rightfully place accountability on Israeli institutions (and their allies and partners) that use business, cultural, and academic ties to white-wash Israel’s responsibility for continuing crimes against humanity, The undersigned organizations and individuals stand firm in our support of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) initiatives against Israel until it meets its obligation to recognize the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination and fully complies with the precepts of international law. BDS is not antisemitic. We reject the notion that the 2005 BDS call from Palestine, and the BDS campaigns the world over which it has inspired, are rooted in anti-Jewish sentiment. On the contrary, BDS is an anti-racist movement against the daily, brutal occupation of Palestine and military threat to the region by the State of Israel. False claims of antisemitism distort the true nature of the Palestinian struggle and are an affront to, and betrayal of, the long history of Jewish survival and resistance to persecution. BDS is not anti-democratic. We also reject the assertion that the cultural and academic boycotts of Israel defy the democratic principle of free speech. Research and development in academic institutions play a central role in designing and defending Israel’s military and intelligence machinery. Cultural institutions perpetuate the deception of Israeli democracy. To defend freedom of speech for those who disregard justice while demonizing those who struggle for justice is a great disservice to genuine democracy. Through boycott, divestment and sanctions, civil society asserts our commitment to not contribute to the Israeli state, which is responsible for atrocious acts of disregard for human life and well being. Attacks against BDS campaigns will not prevent us from taking this stance against Israeli impunity. For the Jewish organizations signed onto this letter, self-determination for Jews includes the right to participate in the movement for justice in Palestine and to live in the world with our fellow citizens in peace, freedom, and equity. It does not include the domination and colonization of other people or living separate from our fellow human beings in a state that privileges Jews. BDS was a key strategy in ending the white South African system of apartheid by applying international pressure. In pursuit of justice, peace and freedom for all, we speak out as Jews committed to BDS and Palestinian liberation. * International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network * Not In Our Name (Argentina) * Jewish Voice for a Just Peace in Middle East (EJJP, Germany) * Not in Our Name: Jews Opposing Zionism (Canada) * Jews for a Just Peace (Fredericton, Canada) * Independent Jewish Voice (Canada) * Middle East Children's Alliance (USA) * Critical Jewish Voice (Austria) * Women in Black (Austria) * French Jewish Union for Peace (UJFP) * Bay Area Women in Black (USA) * St. Louis Women in Black (USA) * Philadelphia Jews for a Just Peace (USA) * American Jews for a Just Peace (USA) * Jews for Boycotting Israeli Goods (UK) * JUNTS, Asociació catalana de Jueus i Palestins (Asociación Catalana de Judios y Palestinas, Spain) * Ronnie Kasrils, former South African government minister, writer, founder Not In My Name, South Africa * Antony Loewenstein, Independent Australian Jewish Voices * Peter Slezak, Independent Australian Jewish Voices * Moshé Machover, Professor (emeritus) (UK), founder Matzpen * Felicia Langer, Israeli lawyer, author, Right Livelihood Award 2006 (Alternative Nobel Prize) 1990, Bruno Kreisky Prize 1991 * Mieciu Langer, Nazi Holocaust survivor * Hedy Epstein, Nazi Holocaust survivor * Hajo G. Meyer PhD, Nazi Holocaust survivor * Kamal Chenoy, IJAN India & The All India Peace and Solidarity Organization * Paola Canarutto & Giorgio Forti, Rete ECO, Italy * Liliane Cordova Kaczerginski, IJAN France * Sonia Fayman, IJAN France & UJFP * Ernesto Rosenberg, GRAMARPAL (Grupo de Amistad Argentina-Palestina, Neuquén, Argentina) * Mark Elf, blogger, Jews sans Frontieres We welcome organizations and individuals to join us in condemning false claims of anti-Semitism for the purposes of attempting to discredit our collective anti-racist activism against Israeli apartheid. You can add your signature here: http://www.ijsn.net/657/
Why does a "secular heaven" rest on apartheid, disposession and colonisation? What kind of "heaven" is that? It's the "heaven" that colonialism has provided it's privileged colonists since the days of slavery. And lets not forget that slavery-like sweatshop conditions do exist for Palestinians working in Israeli manufacturing (where they haven't completely replaced their colonial subjects with foreign guest workers, of course). The pro-Israeli trolls wouldn't be all over the internet attacking BDS if it wasn't a powerful weapon for justice. I hope they are quaking in their boots. BDS is growing.
Well, yes I'm for secular states. In Iran and Saudia Arabia too. But right now Israel is at a point where an international boycott campaign can make a real difference to pressure for some kind of peace and justice. Now I leave it up to the Palestinians whether they will settle for some kind of two-state compromise or if they want a single state solution. But it seems to me in the long run that only a secular (i.e. non-Jewish, non-Muslim) united state for all the people (and refugees) from that state can solve all the problems. Of course the Zionists claim that is "destroying Israel" and unacceptable to them, but that just shows their hostility to the secular ideal represented in a Palestine/Israel united state.
If you weren't just an ignorant troll, you would realise that Green Left has been speaking out against just that, for many years now.
Those behind the BDS seek to expel all Jews who weren't from the region (i.e . most of them). The three demands they state may sound reasonable, but there is trickery in the wording, and in reality they seek the annihilation of the Jews. On point 1 - You might think this is referring to the West Bank and Gaza, but actually they claim all of Israel is Arab land. On point 2 - It says "Arab-Palestinian", not "Arab Israeli". Arab Israeli citizens currently have equal citizenship rights. What they are really asking for is the right of other Arabs to migrate in order to swamp the Jewish population. On point 3 - Resolution 194 was adopted in 1948. Since then the number of "refugees" has grown from a half million or so who were genuinely displaced, to 4-5 million most of whom are several generations distant from the original refugees. Again, the intent is to swamp the Jewish population which numbers only 5 million in total, and eliminate any Jewish character of the state. There is a tendency among posters to this site to describe the Palestinians as a unique "people", and compare to a small and helpless indigenous population being threatened by a foreign invader. This is a false analogy. Palestinians are Arabs, they share a culture and religion with 350 million or more other Arabs who dominate the surrounding countries stretching all the way to North Africa, the borders and the British Protectorate of Palestine were artificially created by Europeans not so long ago. Most "Palestinians" now live in Jordan which made up more than half of that original territory. The region has been conquered and occupied by countless civilizations and races through history and pre-history Romans, Nubians, Assyrians, Jews, European Crusaders, Ottomans, Persians, French, British, Greeks, Mesopotamians, anyone remember the Sumerians? There are many other non-Arab peoples inhabiting the region (e.g. Kurds, Assyrians, Druze, Africans, Berbers) who suffer in Arab dominated states that could also reasonably be compared to apartheid. Likewise those who practice religions other than Islam suffer some rather extreme persecution - take the Bahais in Iran, Christians in Sudan, Copts in Egypt, Jews just about everywhere, there is even sectarian persecution among different branches of Islam (eg Sunnis and Shiites). So why is Israel singled out? Its not perfect, but at its core it is by far the closest thing to a secular liberal democracy, with the highest respect for human rights in the region. Perhaps we self loathing western-liberals, might want to think about where in the Middle East we might choose to live, if forced to make a choice. I don't doubt in most cases the answer would be Israel.
"The Palestinians in the West Bank or living normal lives for the most part while those in Gaza are not." Yeah sure, living 'normal lives' under military occupation behind Israel's apartheid wall http://www.stopthewall.org/downloads/pdf/2010wallfactsheet.pdf
"On point 3 - Resolution 194 was adopted in 1948. Since then the number of "refugees" has grown from a half million or so who were genuinely displaced, to 4-5 million most of whom are several generations distant from the original refugees. Again, the intent is to swamp the Jewish population which numbers only 5 million in total, and eliminate any Jewish character of the state." So there were 5 million Jews who made up the Diaspora from it's very beginning? Or are they the descendants of a much smaller number, as is the case with the expelled Palestinians? Also, listen to yourself. "Swamp the Jewish population"? Replace the word "Jewish" with "Aryan" or "Afrikaner" and how does that sentence sound? Arab Israeli's are now being asked to swear loyalty oaths. That doesn't like full citizenship to me. No mention is also made of the siege on Gaza that starves innocent people every day. The horrors committed to enforce the "Jewish character" of the state of Israel are abominable and must be condemned, As to this "self-loathing" garbage... GLW has had a strong editorial line that condemns human rights abuses where ever they occur. It has been involved in many different solidarity and boycott campaigns worldwide. GLW doesn't "single out" Israel, it simply holds it to the standard it needs to be held. There's more i could say, but I'll leave it to others. Peter Robson
Peter, The Jewish population of the entire WORLD is less than 15 million people and shrinking. Nearly half live in the tiny sliver of land called Israel. The rest live in countries where they make up a tiny minority and historically have been subjected to persecution, and occasionally wholesale massacre. The Arab population of the world is 300-400 million and growing rapidly . Arab culture and language dominates 26 countries. Islam is even more widespread, with close to 2 billion adherents. Why is it so difficult for some to see which is the people, culture and religion in danger of becoming extinct? Why do so many on the left want to accelerate the process, by supporting causes like the BDS? I believe most are well meaning, want to support a humanitarian cause - and Palestinians undeniably deserve better treatment. But it is a terrible mistake to ignore the wider context here. The history, the ever present threat of terror, the ruthless politics of the regional despots, the trend towards an aggressive and chauvanist Islamism, the sectarian violence and persecution of minorities of all types that is endemic to the region. And no I don't see any of this covered in the GLW or by the Greens. Nor do I see boycotts raised against states like Iran, which are human rights abusers of the highest order. Israel is indeed singled out. I don't personally believe those who support the BDS are anti-Semites, but misguided, naive and ignorant of history - absolutely.
People on this website love making derogatory statements. I am a proud Zionist, I have spent time in Israel and in territories helping under privileged Israeli and Palestinians children with a group called Ha'nor Haoved (Israeli Socialist youth Movement). Time and Time again members of this website the socialist Alliance and the Greens call me a Racist. How am I a racist, I have been to Israel and the Territories and actively tried to educate kids towards ending the conflict. I Proudly support the rights of Israelis and Palestinians. The people who instantly call supports of Israel Racists or Trolls and proudly advocate for the eradication of Israel as a State are Racists. I will happily attend a protest against the building of Settlements. I would also happily attend a protest calling for Hamas and Fatah to denounce Violence. But I would not ever attend a protest run by the Socialist Alliance, Socialist Alternative of the Green Left Weekly because they time and time again drawn a line, STATING THAT IF YOU SUPPORT ISRAEL YOU ARE UNWELCOME. How does this point of view work towards making peace in Israel and ending this terrible bloody conflict?
This thread is contaminated by pro-zionist cyber-stooges who regurgitate the same old bullshit again and again. Many other internet sites and blogs suffer the same, I guess it's inevitable. They're probably all working from one office in Tel Aviv. They learned well from Goebels. Mike P.
Lost in all the name calling is the simple fact that the BDS is the sort of cheap divisive policy that Pauline Hanson would support if she was trying to score some political points at the expense of a minority. The Greens foolish support for the BDS and the manner in which they chose to implement it has cost them dearly not just in this election but likely into future elections. Those who support the BDS bang on as though they are the poor victims of some evil Zionist conspiracy, Wake up most people see the BDS for what it really is, nothing but an attempt to de-legitimize Israel it has nothing to do with peace or helping Palestinians and everything to do with entrenching hatred of Israel. I refer you to an article on this site (not part of the Zionist conspiracy, but you never know) that even proudly proclaims this. http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/45978 Those here in far of Australia who claim to be interested in a just peace and an end to the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis should look to projects that apolitically encourage productive cultural and economic engagement, not intentionally divisive Boycotts
"Of course the Zionists claim that is "destroying Israel" and unacceptable to them, but that just shows their hostility to the secular ideal represented in a Palestine/Israel united state." Again lets attack the Zionist. Your comment is completely ridiculous. You don't need to be a supporter of Israel to know that the Palestinians don't want a secular state. HAMAS are the government, a religious Islamist party. Supporter of Israel don't want this because they would know it would be the death of 7 million jews. Both Hamas charter and the Hezbulla leader have called for the murder of Jews. Nassan Nasrallah the leader of Hezbullad said “If they (Jews) all gather in Israel, it will save us the trouble of going after them worldwide.”(Daily Star, Oct. 23, 2002] and in Hamas charter it say this “…The Day of Judgement will not come about until Muslims fight the Jews (killing the Jews)…”
. Thanks to this latest "i'm not a troll" zionist troll for the link to a good article about the BDS campaign. De-legitimising an apartheid, colonialist state is a great aim and if that is what BDS is about then I'm quite happy with it. Of course this has nothing to do with supporting anti-semitism, that's just the crappy lie repeated over and over by the Zionist trolls on the assumption that if you repeat a lie enough times, people will believe you. Remember where that propaganda concept comes from? Sad, isn't it.
Actually, I referenced my own site, and it's not "anti-Semitic". But it's encouraging to see that some consider it to be "famous". Here's my response to those such as yourself who ridiculously cry "anti-Semitism": http://crimes-of-zion.blogspot.com/2010/11/judaism-is-not-problem.html

You need Green Left, and we need you!

Green Left is funded by contributions from readers and supporters. Help us reach our funding target.

Make a One-off Donation or choose from one of our Monthly Donation options.

Become a supporter to get the digital edition for $5 per month or the print edition for $10 per month. One-time payment options are available.

You can also call 1800 634 206 to make a donation or to become a supporter. Thank you.