Faint Heartedness, Political Correctness, and Peculiar Timing: The Attacks on Gilad Atzmon

http://leftwing-christian.net

By Richard Edmondson

A group of prominent Palestinians who recently launched an attack on Gilad Atzmon seem to have made their required obeisance to Jewish sensibilities. Bravo for them. I must confess something, however: what good this will do for Palestine, or how it will ultimately help end the occupation, is totally beyond me. On the other hand, it does seem like an awfully nice gift for Israel, coming especially on the heels of the latest murderous rampage against Gaza. In this most recent paroxysm of Israeli violence, some 25 people died, including children. Why publish an attack against Atzmon at this particular time? Could it not have waited?

Atzmon is not only a longtime defender of Palestine, he has also emerged as one of the most powerful voices in anti-Zionist discourse. Why attack him at all, of course, but why especially now? As the most recent images of Gazans mourning their dead were flashing across the Internet, people throughout the world were getting worked up into a state of righteous anger. Even the mainstream media were forced to admit—something they rarely do—that the Israeli assault was not in “retaliation” for the firing of any missile or anything else any Palestinian had done. But then wham! Suddenly we get our “disavowal” manifesto. For this particular group of people to attempt to soil Atzmon with the “anti-Semite” label at this particular moment—well, let’s put it this way: Israel could hardly have asked for more.

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Nahida Izzat: Disavow with no mercy? Not in my name!

Introduction by Gilad Atzmon: I the following piece the Great Nahida Izzat explores the true meaning of the Judification of the Palestinian secular political discourse.

http://uprootedpalestinians.blogspot.com/2012/03/disavow-with-no-mercy-not-in-my-name.html

Finally, it appears that years of work, persuasion, temptation, pressure and coercion have yielded its fruits, with the publishing (made it into hyper Zionist hate-site Harry's Place) of the joined statement by Mr Ali Abunimah and a few others, in which they brazenly called upon Palestinians and their supporters to disavow Gilad Atzmon because of his alleged "anti-semitism".

Here, I cannot help but wonder, what does Ali Abunimah mean exactly when he invites people to disavow Atzmon?

Can this "disavowal" be understood as a modern secular-leftist substituted for the "good old" Judaic concept of Herem?

Are we not entitled to ask then, if that concept of "disavowal" is by any chance related to the Talmudic concept of excommunication, in which "the Talmud forbids coming within six feet of a person who has been excommunicated"?

Ali Abunimah opens his statement with the declaration: "Granting No Quarter", calling to deprive the accused of any mercy or forgiveness. Such daring harsh words which mean "not to allow someone any mercy" eerily resemble the sinister Kabbalistic invocation of Pulsa diNura, a "ceremony in which the angels of destruction are invoked to block heavenly forgiveness of the subject’s sins",

It appears, yet again, that some people are determined to thrust us back into the Dark-Ages. Not only do they exhibit severe intolerance towards those whom they disagree with, but also instead of defending their position and "refuting" such disagreeable ideas with logic, factual information and reason, they resort to fight them with unsubstantiated accusations.

Furthermore, they actively and shamelessly participate in barbaric rabbinic medieval type of behaviour, in which they call for the "disavowal" (modern-secular for excommunication) of those whom they perceive as "heretics" for daring to think outside the box or for being crazy enough to talk about taboos and cross the boundaries of "permissible" debate. Amazingly, even those who refuse to abide by such "rabbinical-style" orders are also sentenced for being guilty by association, so they get the excommunication treatment too!

I would like to remind Mr Ali Abunimah and the few individuals who signed his statement, that in our Islamic heritage, Arabic tradition and Palestinian culture that they claims to defend and protect, such concept of excommunication , Herem, Pulsa diNura, and exclusion from mercy and forgiveness, are non-existent.

I would like to remind them also that such foreign concept they are trying forcibly to shove down our throats and introduce to our culture under the pretext of "fighting racism", does not only stand in stark contradiction with the very core ethos of the culture they claim to be defending, but it reflects severe reasoning impotence as well as intellectual incompetence.

Indeed, our culture has suffered heavy blows under the repeated attacks of the past centuries, which caused some disorientation in its vision and practice in our era, however, facts remain;

In our inherited culture, we do not disavow, ostracize or excommunicate, we invite for debate

In our inherited culture, we do not burn books we disagree with, we refute with reason and facts.

In our culture, we do not forbid independent thinking, we encourage إجتهاد Ijtihad.

In our culture, we do not forbid deep critical thinking or unfamiliar creative ideas, we call it تفكر (thinking), تدبر (reflecting), تعقل (using the brain), تأمل (meditation).

In our culture, we do not say "grant no quarters", we say "ارحموا من في الارض يرحمكم من في السماء", have mercy on those on earth, the One in Heaven will have mercy on you.

In our culture we oppose double standard, we call it hypocrisy; one cannot pretend to oppose one type of racism (anti-Jewish racism) yet sneakingly participate in the concealment of Jewish anti-gentile racism by blocking information, aborting any debate about it and by silencing and shunning those who attempt to expose it.

To read more:

http://uprootedpalestinians.blogspot.com/2012/03/disavow-with-no-mercy-not-in-my-name.html

Gilad Atzmon’s New Book: The Wandering Who? A Study Of Jewish Identity Politics Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk.

Noel Ignatiev: More on the Atzmon Controversy

Introduction by Gilad Atzmon: The Abunimah & Co's declaration also  sparked a big debate within the One Democratic State (ODS) movement. It seems as if  prominent Palestinians and intellectuals grasp that the declaration is inherently undemocratic, based on empty  accusations and divisive.  Noel Ignatiev published some of the comments.

 http://www.pmpress.org/content/article.php/20120316030526668

More on the Atzmon Controversy

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Washington Report - Engaging Gilad Atzmon

 
Engaging Gilad Atzmon

Israeli-born Gilad Atzmon, one of Europe’s finest jazz musicians, was in Washington, DC for the first time at the end of a multi-city North American grassroots tour to discuss his recently published and highly controversial book, The Wandering Who? A Study of Jewish Identity Politics.
On March 14, Atzmon was interviewed by Prof. Norton Mezvinsky, Connecticut State University Professor of History Emeritus, at Washington’s Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church.
During the question-and-answer period following Professor Mezvinsky’s interview, noted Palestinian journalist Fouzi El-Asmar stood up to state his opposition to a letter circulated the previous day by Palestinian activists calling for “the disavowal of the racism and antisemitism of Gilad Atzmon.” El-Asmar, author of To Be an Arab in Israel, recalled that both he and his mother had been imprisoned in Israel for speaking out, and warned against treading down that same path.
The Washington Report believes that no writer or thinker should be shunned in the United States—or anywhere—and we stand by our decision to host his DC events.

The video of the entire event will be posted on the Washington Report’s Web site, www.wrmea.org, in the coming week.

Ali Baghdadi's (Arab Journal, Chicago) responds to Abunimah & Co

Palestinian "academists / activists" stand on the side of Israel and AIPAC. Willingly or unwillingly, they distort Gilad Atzmon work and thought. They don't seem to have ever listened to his lectures or read his book, "The Wandering Who?" Their vicious attack will not silence or convince this wonderful man to abandon his staunch and effective support of the Palestinian cause. The great musician, a former Israeli Jew, is a humanist and a Palestinian at heart. I am ashamed as a Palestinian. I am greatly honored to have him as a friend.
Ali Baghdadi
(Arab Journal, Chicago)

Debbie Menon: Abunimah Boycotting and Censoring Gilad Atzmon ?

Antisemitic who ?

Who or what could have prompted Ali-Abuminah to write such a counter-productive diatribe against the beneficial works of Atzmon ?

Palestinians boycotting and in effect censoring a hard-hitting, courageous fellow traveler is a disgraceful act and poor strategy. It has come as a rude shock to many of us genuine campaigners for Palestine.

I’m pretty sure Mr. Abunimah didn't read Atzmon’s book.

Does he not know that Atzmon's book has been clearly blessed, endorsed and reviewed by illustrious authors and researchers, and alternative media stalwarts, long time ‘Friends of Palestine’ the likes of  Messrs. John Mearsheimer, James Petras, William A Cook, Jeff Gates, Paul Balles, Alan Hart, Kim Petersen , Richard Falk, and scores of others as no other book ?

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Rich Siegel : Permission to examine “Jewishness”

http://www.deliberation.info/

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In-fighting is characteristic of progressive movements.  On the right things are much easier.  They want a “survival-of-the-fittest” society, small government, low taxes, no safety- net, no brown-skinned people crossing our borders,  the right to unlimited profits un-hampered by any oversight or regulations, the right to claim foreign natural resources and to take advantage of cheap foreign labor, and when foreign leaders are not easily subjugated, the right to wage war in the name of “freedom” and “liberty” and “democracy” while waving the flag.   The program is quite simple and so agreement is easily found.

Problems occur when someone like Sarah Palin is put in a position of high visibility, and has to be coached on information she should have learned in high school, or when they have to decide whether Mormon candidate Mitt Romney qualifies as Christian.  But issues like these are relatively manageable, and all they need is a common adversary to embrace unity over their minute differences.   For example it’s easy for them to agree that Obama is a Socialist, even though he more closely resembles a Reagan Republican, because he’s a member of the Democratic Party and they want to beat him.

On the left, however, where activists become active because they actually care about humanity and the planet; care about universal values of peace, justice, human rights, environmental sustainability, and the like, all hell breaks loose on a regular basis.  This is because there are many varied perceptions as to what qualifies as fair, just, and balanced, and many varied opinions as to  how to achieve these things.  It often seems that shades of meaning have monumental ramifications, and degrees to the left, in increments, often translate to irreconcilable differences.

I played a concert with saxophonist/author Gilad Atzmon in Geneva, New York last night, a benefit for the Deir Yassin Remembered scholarship fund.  (Put into perspective, two Jews playing a concert, unpaid, to raised money to send Palestinian kids to college.)   This morning we happened to meet before breakfast in the hallway of our motel.  He said,  “I have to show you something.  You won’t believe this.”  We entered his room, he opened his lap-top, and set his browser on a link to a sort of a treatise, a declaration, prepared by Ali Abunimah and signed by various activists, entitled “Palestinian Writers, Activists, Disavow Racism and Anti-Semitism of Gilad Atzmon”.   What has Gilad Atzmon done to inspire this very extreme action?  He has examined, and written about, the issue of “Jewishness”, about HIS “Jewishness”, and about mine.

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Washington Report -To Disavow or Debate Gilad Atzmon?

http://www.wrmea.com/action-alert-archives/11130-to-disavow-or-debate-gilad-atzmon.html

Last night Ali Abunimah and other respected Palestinian writers and activists signed a statement calling for “The Disavowal of the Racism and Antisemitism of Gilad Atzmon,” who is winding up his U.S. tour with events in Washington, DC today and tomorrow. The Washington Report is convinced that Atzmon’s interview tonight by Prof. Norton Mezvinsky couldn’t come at a better time. Please read Abunimah’s statement and Atzmon’s response below. Then come to tonight’s discussion and decide for yourself whether to shun Atzmon or engage him in debate. For those who want to further explore the renowned jazz musician’s ideas and music, copies of Atzmon’s latest book, The Wandering Who?, as well as his three CDs, will be available for purchase.

Wednesday, March 14, 6:30-8:30 PM Gilad Atzmon is interviewed by Prof. Norton Mezvinsky, (Connecticut State University Professor of History Emeritus) at Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church, 900 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20001 (free, open to public, light dinner)

Thursday, March 15, 5-6:30 PM DC Peace House, 1233 12th St. NW, Washington DC 20005

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A Response to Ali Abunimah & Co.

by Gilad Atzmon

Ali Abunimah & Co tend to present themselves as advocates of “One Democratic State in Palestine.” This leaves me puzzled: what kind of democracy do they have in mind, exactly?  For by calling for my “disavowal,” they prove beyond a doubt that they cannot tolerate even some elementary cultural criticism—criticism that is endorsed and praised by some of the most respected thinkers within our movement and beyond.

In fact, I am pretty delighted with the outraged reactions to my thoughts. I guess it enables us to map the discourse and its boundaries—and means that those boundaries are now official. Not only has my latest book, The Wandering Who?, rocked the boat, but it also has managed to unite Alan Dershowitz and Abe Foxman with Ali Abunimah and Max Blumenthal. That is pretty encouraging: it means that peace may prevail after all.

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Kevin Barrett: Why Hate Gilad Atzmon Pt. 2: “He’s WRONG!” (Or Is He?)

 http://www.veteranstoday.com

 

Introduction by Gilad Atzmon: The following is a deconstruction by Kevin Barrett. Barrett takes the time and the effort and dismantles each of the arguments  against myself and my work. Barrett exposes the intellectual lameness at the core of my detractor's argument . Once again, it seems as if my critics actually project their own symptoms onto me.  I would like to thank Kevin for his time and effort. 

Kevin Barrett - Why Hate Gilad Atzmon Pt. 2

Last Thursday’s essay “Why Hate Gilad Atzmon?” has been bouncing around the internet. (The title currently gets 780,000 Google hits).

In that piece I suggested that the anti-Atzmon brigade is defending sacred boundaries against Atzmon’s fearless questioning. The two taboo questions are: Is the whole notion of a Jewish state in Palestine (i.e., Zionism) legitimate and/or feasible? (The obvious answer, of course, is NO.) Second question: To what extent has Jewish identity politics contributed to the disaster of Zionism? (The obvious answer, of course, is “to a considerable extent.”)

“Don’t even go there!” they scream. Atzmon goes there. So they lynch him.

The truth hurts.

That’s my take, anyway. But not everyone agrees with me. I have received quite a few anti-Atzmon emails. They all make the same argument: Atzmon is wrong about X, Y, or Z, and therefore he is dangerous, a racist, a dangerous racist, and so on.

First, I would like to point out to these people that Atzmon has a right to be wrong. Since nobody is arguing that Atzmon is offering wrong facts – just wrong opinions, interpretations and orientations on very complex issues – his critics ought to be working harder to explain why he is wrong, rather than calling him names and organizing boycotts and smear campaigns on the basis of perfectly innocent quotes violently and misleadingly ripped from their contexts.

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Gilad Atzmon on Kevin Barrett's Truth Jihad

I spoke with Kevin about Chosen-ness, Jewish exceptionalism and supremacy, the Book of Esther & AIPAC,  AZZ and beyond..a very interesting interview...

Gilad Atzmon’s New Book: The Wandering Who? A Study Of Jewish Identity Politics Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk.