Gilad Atzmon: Jews, Judaism & Jewishness

Since Israel defines itself as the ‘Jewish state’ we are entitled to consider what the word ‘Jewish’ stands for.

I tend to differentiate between three distinct (yet occasionally confusing) categories.

1.             Jews - the people

2.             Judaism - the religion

3.             Jewishness - the ideology

During my study of Zionism, Jewish politics, 'identity politics' and culture, I have managed to avoid embroiling myself in the complexity involved with the first category -- I do not deal with Jews as a race or an ethnicity.  I also generally avoid dealing with Judaism (the religion). In fact, I am the first to admit that the only Jewish collective to support the Palestinians, are groups that exist within the Torah Jews. That such groups support Palestinian self-determination and autonomy is proof enough that aspects of religious Judaism can be interpreted as emphasising ethical precepts.

However -- I am very critical of what I view as 'Jewish ideology, and I am also critical of what I consider to be 'Jewish identity politics.'

'Jewish ideology' is basically an amalgam of racially orientated exclusive arguments.  It is fuelled by assumptions about 'ethno'-centric supremacy, and ideas such as ‘choseness’. Being a tribal setting then, Jewish ideology defies equality. It also opposes universalism. The followers of that ideology tend to believe that they are somewhat different and even better (chosen) than non Jews. And much Jewish political activity is a formulation, and expression of a tribal exclusive club that demands a ‘Jews only’ entry card. 

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Israel Shahak: The History of the Jews (must see)

Two Hours @ Deanna Spingolda's Radio Show

Discussing different issues to do with Palestine, Zionist brutality and Jewish lobbying.

Around 16.30 minutes into the 2nd hour, Gloria, an Israeli American lady called the station and spoke about the invaluable importance of David Irving, Michael Hoffman and other revisionists. It is the 'revisionists who help us to understand and question our past'  she said. 

Amazon.co.uk

Tears Of Gaza (must See)

The Trailer

The people and the story behind it

Gilad Atzmon: Giving a state to the Jews was a stupid idea

But to keep supporting it is no less than sinister!

The world better wake up and face the Israeli crime

Mavi Marmara Witness

Anthony Lawson: Sex, Lies, Iran, Israel and WikiLeaks

I, for a change, do not fully agree with Anthony Lawson

I think that Wikileaks is a crucial development

If anything, it exposes the enemies of peace

Our Ziomedia is indeed obsessed with Iran

However,  Lawson  knows how to tell a story

Israeli Soldiers Speak Out

 
'Our lives became something we'd never dreamt': The former Israeli soldiers who have testified against army abuses
Former Israeli soldiers who have testified against army abuses have for the first time given up their anonymity, to make their voices all the harder to ignore. Donald Macintyre gets an exclusive preview of a powerful new book

Check out the Independent today:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/our-lives-became-something-wed-never-dreamt-the-former-israeli-soldiers-who-have-testified-against-army-abuses-2154663.html

Tim King: Frank Talk About Israel from one who knows...

Gilad Atzmon: 'I Have a Reputation for Being a Suicidal Activist'

Tim King Salem-News.com

Frank Talk About Israel from one who knows... Includes footage from Gilad's recent talk in Germany.

(SALEM / STUTTGART) - Born in Israel; Gilad Atzmon is the musical note from a song of peace that binds our solidarity and builds strength for the freedom of Palestine. I wish I could say the same for more people born in Israel.

I often tell people that the strongest voices in the struggle to free Palestine come from our Jewish brothers and sisters who remain absolutely steadfast in their belief that at the end of the day, we are all exactly the same as human beings. To be clear, Gilad is no longer Jewish; but the point remains.

During a recent talk in Stuttgart, Germany, Gilad made points that perhaps were shocking, but consistent with the reality of the history of Palestine and Israel.

...Those attending the meeting in Stuttgart, heard Gilad's explanation of how the Israeli people are not necessarily interested in world peace, but a peace that affects the Jewish population. He says, contrary to what I have written in the past, that the word 'shalom' does not mean peace. He says its real meaning is "security for the Jewish people"....

To read more and watch the video:

http://www.salem-news.com/articles/december092010/gilad-germany-tk.php



Press TV-Iran Airs Documentary on Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani

Roy Ratcliffe: The Zionist Left and the Loyalty Oath

The promotion of a loyalty oath by the extreme right in Israel has presented yet another window through which the thoroughly racist nature of the Jewish state can be glimpsed by those outside its national boundaries. This should not cause any surprise. It is common knowledge, or perhaps ought to be, that Israel was founded in 1948, as a colonialist enterprise promoted exclusively for the benefit of Jews.  Therefore a loyalty oath which requires citizens to swear to uphold the ‘Jewish’ character of the state of Israel, is completely in line with its founding principles.  However, what has also been revealed by this promotion of a loyalty oath, is the Zionist nature of the response to it by the so-called ‘left’ in Israel. They have been motivated to claim that this latest requirement would transform Israel into a Fascist state.  For example;

"A state which forcibly invades the hallowed realm of the individual citizen's conscience, and which imposes punishment on those whose opinions and beliefs do not fit the authorities' opinions and the prescribed "character" of the state, stops being a democracy and embarks on becoming a fascist state.” (Declaration of Independence from Fascism)

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