Gilad Atzmon: An Interesting Exchange With A Jewish Anti Zionist

Daniel:  If you ask, for instance, why were the Jews repeatedly hated in so many places along their history, as you do in some of your texts, you create room for anti-Semites who may say it is because they are intrinsically evil.

Gilad: To start with, as a thinking being full of curiosity, I do not take instructions from anti Semites or Zionists or Jewish anti Zionist campaigners. I instead follow my instincts and go along with my sincere ethically driven truth-seeking adventure. Also, I believe that the answer you attributed to anti Semites can be easily addressed. Jews cannot be ‘intrinsically evil’ because Jews do not form a racial or ethnic continuum. Any racial attribution to Jews is clearly wrong and silly.

Daniel: I actually do not agree with your approach.   The appropriate answer to the above question is that in the Middle Ages Jews were barred from many professions except money trade and peddling, two professions which could easily arouse disdain and hate.

Gilad: Dear Daniel, with all due respect, such an answer is far from being sufficient. In Europe at least, Jews have been emancipated since the French Revolution. By the end of the 19th century most European Jews enjoyed equal rights.  And yet, something went  horribly wrong in the 1920s-30’s. Our duty then, is to understand, what was it? Why did it happen? Why do Jews encounter resentment all too often and in many different places?

Read More

Truth Justice & Peace by Agron Belica

New song celebrates Gaza activists Ken O'Keefe and the late Vittorio 'Vik' Arrigoni. This latest video release from Agron Belica's new LP 'Newsic' pays homage and encourages the spirit of resistance of humanity through the efforts of O'Keefe and Arrigoni and the entire Salem-News.com team that constantly generates news and information about the terrible apartheid crimes of the Israeli government against the indigenous Palestinian people who have lost all but everything during the 63-year old Israeli occupation. Genocide is everybody's business!!!

An Open Letter to Israel Concerning The Freedom Theatre

Open Letter to the Israeli Security Apparatus

11 August 2011



This is an open letter from representatives of the international volunteers and staff members, the friends, supporters and foundation of The Freedom Theatre in Jenin to the Israeli security apparatus including the Shabak, the IDF and Israeli Police.

After the attack on The Freedom Theatre's office and multimedia centre, during which you arrested our head technician Adnan Naghnaghiye and Bilal Saadi, the chairperson of The Freedom Theatre Board in Jenin; and after you have for two weeks refused Adnan and Bilaal access to a lawyer, treated them inhumanely and denied them their basic human rights, and after the arrest of our acting student Rami Hwayel, we hereby state:

We encourage all efforts to find whoever is responsible for the brutal murder of Juliano Mer Khamis and we are deeply concerned over the fact that the murderer has not yet been found. Nevertheless we reject the inhumane methods that you apply in investigating the murder. The Freedom Theatre has been seriously damaged by your actions which have further implanted fear and trauma not only among our students and employees but also into the very society we aim to empower.
Read More

Gilad Atzmon: London Riots and the Big Picture

It is astonishing to find that the British press that is so quick to tell us about the ‘true’ nature and motivations behind each mass protest in the Arab world, is somehow intellectually lame in its attempt to grasp their own huge scale riots at home. Until now, I have failed to see even a single worthy analytical attempt to understand the full meaning or significance of the current violent events taking place on the streets of cities all over the UK. British papers have been  outlining the events as being driven by, associated with, and defined by hooliganism.  They talk to the victims, and sometime even manage to interview some protagonists and perpetrators. 

But, amongst such shallow, sensationalist coverage, we are still missing the most important information. What is the demography of the riots? Who is leading it? Does it have any leaders? Is there an ideology behind it all? Why do they loot, what do they loot, and from whom do they loot? And most importantly, what is the meaning of it all? 

The events we saw the past week  in London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Bristol and Manchester were possible signs of disintegration within British society. Some sectors within the society were  clearly saying “we have had enough of it.” The truth is that these people we see rioting on our streets have been drifting away for quite some time, and no one has shown any concern, and now they are clearly not interested anymore in obedience to any notions of law and order. They do not see any great value in it. And the reason for that may be simple -- there is simply not much in it for them.

Read More

Professor James Petras on The Wandering Who?

‘Gilad Atzmon‘s The Wandering Who? is a series of brilliant
illuminations and critical reflections on Jewish ethnocentrism and
the hypocrisy of those who speak in the name of universal values
and act tribal. Relying on autobiographical and existential experiences,
as well as intimate observations of everyday life, both
informed by profound psychological insights, Atzmon does what
many critics of Israel fail to do; he uncovers the links between
Jewish identity politics in the Diaspora with their ardent support
for the oppressive policies of the Israeli state.

 

Atzmon provides deep insights into “neo-ghetto” politics. He
has the courage – so profoundly lacking among western intellectuals
- to speak truth to the power of highly placed and affluent
Zionists who shape the agendas of war and peace in the Englishspeaking
world. With wit and imagination, Atzmon’s passionate
confrontation with neo-conservative power grabbers and liberal
yea sayers sets this book apart for its original understanding of the
dangers of closed minds with hands on the levers of power.
This book is more than a “study of Jewish identity politics”
insofar as we are dealing with a matrix of power that affects all
who cherish self-determination and personal freedom in the face
of imperial and colonial dictates.’

Professor James Petras, Bartle Professor of Sociology at Binghamton
University, New York, author of more than 62 books including The
Power of Israel in the United States.

You can now pre-order the book on Amazon.com  or Amazon.co.uk

 

CONFERENCE ON BOUNDARIES OF OPEN DISCUSSION-Update

Intoduction by Gilad Atzmon: The following is a message from Dr Gabi Weber re: "PALESTINE, ISRAEL, GERMANY - THE BOUNDARIES OF OPEN DISCUSSION" Conference. 

It is almost amusing to find out that,  so far,  the only people who attempted  to stop  the conference were some  elements within the so-called Jewish 'anti' Zionist network. In due time, their names and tactics will be exposed.

The conference  is an attempt to liberate our discourse. We  will elaborate on some 'contentious' topics such as suppression of truth, history, narration, mainstream-media complicity and media coverage, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism vs. criticism of Israel and responsability. We will also try to look into practical solutions for Palestinian self-determination.

You really want to be there!!!

G. Atzmon

                                                 

Dear All,

While attempts made by the usual suspects(1) to destroy Palestine Days in Freiburg are still going on, Cafe Palestine Freiburg  very pleased to present to you our programme update.

Two of the speakers pulled out due to pressure, intimidation and personal disagreement.

Ramzy Baroud  had to cancel a whole German tour as important tasks  are waiting for him in September. However he will make a video appearence in the conference and copies of his speech will be distributed in German and English.

Three amazing Palestinian speakers who will join the conference and make an important  contribution to the event: Dr. Samir Abed-Rabbo from Dallas (One Democratic State), Sameh Habeeb  from London (Palestine Telegraph) and Dr. Makram Khoury-Machool from Cambridge (Middle East Media Specialist) .

Read More

USA Ambassador Shapiro visit to the "Iron Dome" Battery

On Tuesday, August 9, 2011, USA Ambassador to Israel, Daniel B. Shapiro, travelled to the south of Israel for a tour of the Iron Dome Battery. Ambassador briefed the Israeli press in Hebrew and English (from 2:33 onwards). I wonder whether Ambassador Shapiro plans to also visit Gaza and encourage Palestinian military leaders. I also wonder whether he would prepare a text in Arabic for such an event. After all, America wants to regard itself as a balanced negotiator.  

The Wandering Who? is out soon

Hello everybody,

My new book, “The Wandering Who? A Study Of Jewish Identity Politics”, is scheduled for release in six weeks time and it seems that the usual suspects -- Zionists and their collaborators within the marginal 'left' -- are already in a state of panic. In the last few days, my publishing house, my editors and I have been subjected to immense and intense pressure that included harassment, intimidation, and even anonymous threats, as the demands mounted on my publisher to pull the book.

Leading the harassment campaign were the openly pro-war Zionist Islamophobes from “Harry’s Place”, who wrote “more now than ever, strong opposition to Atzmon and his politics is needed.”  

Within minutes of the “Harry’s Place” post, Andy Newman joined in with their futile attempt at an intimidation campaign, writing on Socialist Unity  “I am  concerned to learn that the anti-Semite, Gilad Atzmon, is writing a book on Jews for the Zero Press.”(Andy Newman is the “Socialist” who for years appeared to spend much of his energy engaged mainly in gate-keeping anti-Israeli discourse within the British 'left'.)

Predictably enough, staunch Iraq war advocate and Israeli Hasbara author David Aaronovitch was also very quick to join in the campaign on the notorious Jewish Chronicle’s pages.

The question must be asked: why are these people so afraid of Gilad Atzmon? Why are they afraid of Atzmon’s writing and ideas? Why are they so desperate to stop the book, even going so far as to attempt to intimidate the author, the editor and the publishing company?

Be assured that I have collected all the relevant information about the individuals who have attempted to launch an intimidation campaign against me and my publisher, and I will publish it all in due time --  but the most important factor to observe here is -- how is it that the openly Islamophobic “Harry’s Place” and pro-war  David Aaronovitch are  caught together with the armchair  ‘progressive’ “Socialist Unity”, united in the same cause of trying to stop my work from being published ?

I believe that my new book provides the answers. I disclose the horrifying continuum between Zionists and  so called Jewish ‘anti’ Zionists. I also explore the deep Islamophabia within the left. Without referring to ethnicity or race, I unveil some  fundamental issues at the core of Jewish Identity politics.  

I can assure you that none of my detractors have read my book yet, but they know what to expect. They know what I am capable of. And indeed, I promise to provide. The book is short but I believe it says it all, and it has already been endorsed and supported by some of the most important thinkers and academics within the anti Zionist movement. 

Dear friends, I have a big war ahead of me, and I predict that I may need your support from time to time.

Surprisingly perhaps, I would like to end this post by quoting from the racist “Harry’s Place” mission statement -- stamped boldly on their webpage is the terse aphorism, “Liberty, if it means anything, is the right to tell people what they don’t want to hear.” 

 I actually go along with the “Harry’s place” mantra -- and I hope that my detractors will be brave enough to deal with my text. At least for them reflection is long overdue. 

You can now pre-order the book on Amazon.com  or Amazon.co.uk

Alan Hart: “Could Arab (Palestinian) staying power ultimately defeat Zionism?”

Gilad Atzmon: A very interesting piece  by Alan Hart

However, I may as well note that the one of the most intellectually intriguing  aspect of this conflict is the bizarre fact that Israel is in a rapid process of disintegration regardless of its ‘strength’ or the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.

Israel is falling apart because ‘living together’ in harmony is foreign to its exclusivist ghetto ideology.

The mass protest in Israel is just one expression. Israeli Jews find it impossible to cope with the life in the so called 'Jewish State'.

“Could Arab (Palestinian) staying power ultimately defeat Zionism?”

By Alan Hart

That was the headline over a recent post by David Hearst for The Guardian’s Comment Is Free space. It began: “There is an Arabic word you come across a lot when Palestinians talk about their future. Sumud means steadfastness, and it has turned into a strategy: when the imbalance of power is so pronounced, the most important thing to do is to stay put. Staying put against overwhelming odds is regarded as a victory.”

Hearst didn’t offer any substantial explanation of why Palestinian steadfastness is a victory, so I will.

When the Palestine file was closed by Israel’s victory on the battlefield in 1948, it was not supposed to have been re-opened. There was not supposed to have been a regeneration of Palestinian nationalism. The Palestinians were supposed to accept their lot as the sacrificial lamb on the altar of political expediency.

And the whole truth includes this fact. Behind closed doors, and despite their rhetoric to the contrary, the Arab regimes shared the same hope as Zionism and the major powers - that the Palestine file would never be re-opened. They knew that if it was, there would one day have to be a confrontation with Israel and its big power supporters, the U.S. in particular, and they didn’t want that.

Read More

Gilad Atzmon: The Landlord Wannabe Protest

Israel tents protests for social change July 11, Debbie Meltzer, canimpact

It is almost amusing to find out that some of the most clichéd Marxists around are so taken by the current Israeli popular protest, which they foolishly interpret as a manifestation of the ‘Israeli revolutionary spirit’. They are convinced that now that the Israeli ‘working class’ are rising, peace will necessarily prevail. 

Yet in fact, what we are really seeing unfold in Israel ( at least for the time being ) is the total opposite of a ‘working class’ re-awakening. Indeed, some in Israel  are calling it the ‘Real Estate Protest,’ because basically, those protesting want assets: they all wish to have property, a house of their own. They want to be landlords. They want the key, and they want it now. What we see in Tel Aviv has no similarity whatsoever to the struggles taking place in al-Tahrir or in Athens. At the most, the Israeli demonstrations mimic some manifestations of a struggle for justice or Socialist protest.

But that is where the similarities end.

Read More

Self-Hatred vs. Self-Love- An Interview with Eric Walberg by Gilad Atzmon

http://mycatbirdseat.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Eric_Walberg.jpgTwo weeks ago I published a review of Eric Walberg’s invaluable new book Postmodern Imperialism: Geopolitics and the Great Games. I was left with a few questions which Eric was kind enough to address.

Gilad Atzmon:  Hello Eric; thanks for finding the time to talk. I would like to begin if I may, with a few short questions: firstly, what is self-hatred?

Eric Walberg: Buddhism is based on the annihilation of the self. Islam – on the total submission of self. It’s at the heart of Christian beliefs too. (I don’t know about Judaism.)  Self-hatred has respectable roots.

GA: I totally agree with you. However, I wonder, are you a self-hater? I ask because in your writing, you seem to be deeply familiar with that kind of intellectual adventure.

EW: In some way, I like Woody Allen’s riposte “I may be self-hating but not because I’m a Jew.” 
The self is constantly prompting us to do terrible things, so a bit of self-criticism is not such a bad trait.

GA:  Considering the increasing power of Jewish lobbies, what do you think should be the role of the Jewish self-hater?

Read More

Jenin's Freedom Theatre Attacked

The Freedom Theatre was attacked by the Israeli army at the early morning of the 27th of July. The army spokesperson has claimed that the Israeli army did not raid the theatre. Photo and film documentation confirms that the army raid resulted in the shattering of most of the windows of the theatre's multimedia centre and office building. Witnesses also report harassment and threats to several theatre employees.