Eric Walberg: Atzmon on Jewishness- Jezebel’s legacy

September 24, 2011 by Gilad Atzmon in Thw Wandering Who

Gilad Atzmon: I was recently interviewed by Eric Walberg for the prestigious Al Ahram Weekly. Walberg is an inspiring thinker. I learned a lot from him along this interview.

www.weekly.ahram.org.eg

The Wandering Who? A study of Jewish identity politics, gives a unique insider’s view of the Israeli mind. Its author explains to Eric Walberg that you can take the girl out of Jezebel, but you can’t take the Jezebel out of the girl

Gilad Atzmon is a world citizen who calls London his home. He was born a sabra, and served as a paramedic in the Israeli Defense Forces during the 1982 Lebanon War, when he realised that “I was part of a colonial state, the result of plundering and ethnic cleansing.” He has wandered far since then, become a novelist, philosopher, one of the world’s best jazz saxophonists, and at the same time, one of the staunchest supporters of the Palestinian cause, supporting their right of return and the one-state solution. He now defines himself as a “proud self-hating Jew” and “a Hebrew-speaking Palestinian”. In 2009 Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan quoted Atzmon during a debate with Israeli president Shimon Peres, telling him at the World Economic Forum that “Israeli barbarity is far beyond even ordinary cruelty.”

Atzmon denies that there is even such a concept as “anti-Semitism”, stating that “‘anti-Semite” is an empty signifier. “You are either a racist which I am not, or have an ideological disagreement with Zionism, which I have.” When railed against as an anti-Semite, Gilad quotes the witticism: “While in the past an ‘anti-Semite’ was someone who hates Jews, nowadays it is the other way around, an anti-Semite is someone the Jews hate.”

One of his Orient House Ensemble’s nine albums, appropriately called “Exile”, with its arresting blend of Middle Eastern and Western themes, was BBC jazz album of the year in 2003. His fascination with Arab music was a natural development out of his embrace of the Palestinian cause. Arab music “must be internalised, reverting to the primacy of the ear”.

Gilad Atzmon: PSC has made it

September 23, 2011 by Gilad Atzmon

UK PSC is now approved by the notorious UK hard core Zionist Jewish Chronicle (JC).

The JC reported today that the UK Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) has “amended its statement of purpose expressly to include a denunciation of Holocaust denial.”

The JC was very happy to report that the statement on the PSC's website now reads: "Any expression of racism or intolerance, or attempts to deny or minimise the Holocaust have no place in our movement."

I must admit that I am puzzled by the PSC’s new statement. I still do not know what holocaust denial entails. Can anyone deny a historical chapter? Can any one deny Napoleon Wars? Are there WWI deniers around, or Ancient Greece Deniers? I don’t think so. The word ‘denial’ doesn’t belong to the historical discourse. It actually fits into religious and dogmatic narratives.

However, this is certainly the first time I have come across the notion of ‘Holocaust minimizing’. I really can’t imagine what it is. I can think of people who minimize the ‘impact’ or ‘significance’ of an event in the past, but to my knowledge, holocaust minimizing’ doesn’t make any sense in English.

London JC launched an attack on Prof' John Mearsheimer

September 22, 2011 by Gilad Atzmon in Thw Wandering Who

Gilad Atzmon: I occasionally read the London JC: it provides a glimpse into Zionist paranoia, and it also depicts a true image of the ‘Nuevo Ghetto’ mentality.

Today, a week ahead of the publication of my new book The Wandering Who, the JC seems to be desperate to mount pressure on Professor John Mearsheimer, the highly respected academic who warmly endorsed my book.

It is apparent that the JC is yet to realise the length of the list of prominent scholars, writers and activists who support and endorse my new book.

In the article below, the JC prints a collection of quotes from the book that are supposed to be both embarrassing and contentious (I made them bold). Needless to mention, I am standing firmly behind all of my quotes, and each of my words

However, being the amateurish outlet that it is, the JC has made at least two mistakes:

1. I am not an ‘anti-Semite’. I am actually a firm opponent of any form of racism whatsoever -- and this includes questioning and challenging every possible appearance of Jewish political and ideological exclusivity and collectivism in the same manner that I would criticise any other manifestation or form of ethnic prejudice.

2. The book is not published by “The Susjin Agency” as the JC suggests but by Zero Books.

The JC article:

Mearsheimer backs book by antisemite By Jessica Elgot

http://www.thejc.com/

A US academic who co-wrote a controversial book about the Israel lobby has praised a new work by the Jewish antisemitic writer Gilad Atzmon.

Mr Atzmon, a jazz musician and vociferous critic of Israel and Judaism, has written a book called The Wandering Who? published by The Susjin Agency.

The book was recommended on the publisher's website by University of Chicago professor, John Mearsheimer, an international relations expert and co-author, with Stephen Walt, of The Israel Lobby and US Foreign Policy.

In his book, Mr Atzmon writes: "The Holocaust religion is probably as old as the Jews themselves. I believe the Holocaust is engraved in Jewish culture, discourse and spirit."

Elsewhere, he writes: "I think 65 years after the liberation of Auschwitz, we must be entitled to start asking questions."

Gilad Atzmon: American Tragedy

September 22, 2011 by Gilad Atzmon

Ynet’s Washington reporter, Yitzhak Ben - Horin, produced last night a clear and succinct reading of Obama’s recent UN General Assembly address:

“Likudnic in the White House."

“Netanyahu could not have written it better.”

“Obama at this point, is in line with the Likud party.”

“Obama is a pro-Israel president …Since January 2009, he provided Israel with all its needs both in diplomacy and in terms of security”

Obama is not performing too well in the polls. He clearly needs the Jewish Lobby on his side. The American president ‘provided’ yesterday and the lobby was quick to react- “Israel has no better friend in the world today," wrote the president of the National Council of Jewish Democrats, David Harris.

According to Ynet, hours before his UN General Assembly Address Obama sought to ensure that prospective Jewish voters pay close attention to his speech.

“Three of Obama's aides held a conference call with the president's Jewish supporters and community leaders. The advisers, all Jewish themselves, asked the supporters to "spread the word" that Obama will give a pro-Israel speech which reflects his own genuine positions and implored them to pay close attention to the president's UN address.”

Rainlore's World of Music: The Wandering Who-Book review

September 21, 2011 by Gilad Atzmon in Thw Wandering Who

Gilad Atzmon: It seems as if some Jews really like my new book. I may even manage to get the necessary message across. However, the man behind Rainlore World Of Music is a pretty unique character. I hope Harry's Place & Co are not going to terrorise him for being honest.

Literary Review: Gilad Atzmon - The Wandering Who? - A Study Of Jewish Identity Politics

www.rainloresworldofmusic.net

A Study Of Jewish Identity Politics

zero books, 2011

ISBN-10: 1846948754

ISBN-13: 978-1846948756

Gilad Atzmon is a man on what could be described as a holy quest: he is a true seeker of truth, beauty and freedom. This is, and always has been, a dangerous path to tread. But Atzmon is a genuinely courageous man, far beyond mere chutzpah, and even if for nothing else you have to admire, even envy him for this. The Wandering Who? is his latest endeavour to share this search for truth and freedom.

It is published by zero books on 4th October, 2011 and should be widely available through book stores and online sources such as Amazon.

“Liberty, if it means anything, is the right to tell people what they don’t want to hear.” This is the boldly stated 'mission statement' emblazoned on the racist 'Harry's Place' web page. And yet, with Atzmon's book not even available for several weeks yet, it was the same 'Harry's Place' that was at the forefront of a campaign against both author and work! The publishers, Zero Books, the editors, and Atzmon himself have already been, to quote the author, '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.'

22.9 @ 5pm I will Face The Nation With Sammi Ibrahem

September 21, 2011 by Gilad Atzmon

I guess that we will touch upon many things including the Palestinian State and my new book The Wandering Who?

www.unityfm.net
SMS: 07926843388
Tel: 0121-7726692

A Panel Discussion on 'Jewish Identity Politics'

September 21, 2011 by Gilad Atzmon

Monday, 10^th October, 2011

7:30 pm

Resource for London

356 Holloway Road

London N7 6PA

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=116757888430540

Zero Books invites you to a panel discussion on "Jewish Identity Politics" to launch Gilad Atzmon's important new book The Wandering Who.

Jewish identity and Jewish Politics are loaded topics and Jewish identity is tied up with some of the most difficult and contentious issues of today. Yet, not many people, if any at all, would dare touch upon these subjects. surrounding the role of 'Jewish identity' within Jewish marginal discourses including Zionism, Jewish anti Zionism, Jewish assimilation, Israel vs. Diaspora, Israeli lobbying and more. The Wandering Who? A Study Of Jewish Identity Politics (Zero Books 2011) is praised by some of the most respected scholars within the relevant discourse.

Panelists:

Glenn Bowman is a Social Anthropologist who has worked in Jerusalem and the West Bank throughout the past 25 years. He is concerned with religion and identity politics, an interest which also involved him in (now Former) Yugoslavia between 1990 and the present.

Oren Ben Dor is a Reader in the Philosophy of Law at The University of Southampton. He is the author of Constitutional Limits and the Public Sphere (Oxford: Hart Publishing, 2000); Thinking about Law: in Silence with Heidegger (Oxford: Hart Publishing 2007) as well as the editor of Law and Art: Ethics, Aesthetics Justice, (London: Routledge 2011). Oren writes on the uncanny origin of political emergence as well as on originary violence in Palestine. He explores the existential relationship between the Jewish and the Zionist Questions.

Karl Sabbagh is a journalist, television producer and the author of several books including A Rum Affair, Power Into Art, Dr Riemann’s Zeros and Palestine: A Personal History. He is currently the publisher of Hesperus Press

Facilitator: Irving Rappaport is a commercial and community mediator and trainer with a special interest in the use of proven peaceful techniques for the prevention and resolution of violent conflicts both internationally and in the UK.

You can now order Gilad Atzmon's New Book on Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk

"The Wandering Who" - Gilad Atzmon on Inside the Eye - 2 hours Live!

September 21, 2011 by Gilad Atzmon in Thw Wandering Who

In what proved to be a technical difficulty laden show, Gilad Atzmon, author and one of the hardest gigging jazz musicians on the British scene, joined Dennis Fetcho, aka "The Fetch" on Inside the Eye - Live! on the Oracle Broadcasting Network.

For more information click here

Gilad Atzmon: Progressive Choseness

September 21, 2011 by Gilad Atzmon

Kol Hadash Humanistic Congregation Podcasts

Some Palestinian solidarity campaigners are excited this morning about Rabbi Eric Yoffie's pearls of wisdom. The outgoing President of the Union for Reform Judaism, wrote in a recent blog post for the Jerusalem Post:

“I care about humankind, but I love my own group a bit more. I am more comfortable with them. I care more about them, just as I care more about my family than other families.”

People who understand the full extent of Jewish tribalism shouldn’t be taken by surprise. Rabbi Yoffie is genuine and coherent. Consequently, his support of The Two State solution is consistent with his Jewish belief system.

“Without a two-state solution.” Says Rabbi Yoffie, “Israel will not longer be a state for my group; it will be a bi-national state without a clear Jewish identity. That is not the kind of place where I, or most Israeli Jews, will want to live.”

As a supporter of the One State Solution I myself explored this exact issue at the Stuttgart One Democratic State Conference last year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlvaN2c-Oto

Destination Palestine

September 21, 2011 by Gilad Atzmon

142 Far Gosford Street, CV1 5DY,Coventry

Sunday 25 September 2011, 18h00 till Sunday 25 September 2011, 21h00

Organized by : Manal Timraz

http://www.wherevent.com/detail/manal-timraz-destination-palestine

Facebook link

Description

Habibi is delighted to host our upcoming event 'DESTINATION PALESTINE'.

A small group of ordinary people just like me and you decided to go to Palestine and make a change. With no organisation forms to fill, no funding, just the passion and the courage to make a difference. They just had one meeting, booked the cheapest tickets with a few pounds in their pockets, they boarded Easyjet making their destination the West Bank, Palestine.

DR. SAMIR ABED-RABBO @ THE FREIBURG CONFERENCE

September 20, 2011 by Gilad Atzmon

Gilad Atzmon: The following is an analytical outlook into issues to do with civil liberties in post 9/11 America.

At a certain stage, Dr. Abed Rabbo pointed out that what we see in America could be interpreted as the Zionification of the American legal system.

I mentioned to Dr Abed Rabbo that this shouldn't take us by surprise, at the end of the day, 9/11 is the point in time where the English Speaking Empire adopted the 'Eye For An Eye' as its political mantra...We have been Zionised for a while now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbtL8AlZTRM

Civil Liberties in the aftermath of Sept. 11

Dr. Samir Abed-Rabbo

The attack on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11 by Muslim Individuals was a criminal act that had profound implications for the Muslims, the United States and the world. My contention is that the Muslim/Arab community in the west as a whole has been subjected to extrajudicial measures and is paying a heavy price for the criminality of the few. But this is not the subject of my talk. I was asked to speak about Civil liberties in the US in the aftermath of Sept. 11 and I shall oblige.

Prior to delving into the essence of my subject, I would like to make this damming observation: The Bush administration which was caught napping by al-Quaida, rather than engaging in an honest or serious study of what went wrong it opted to deconstruct the very civil liberties enshrined in the American constitutional. Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the USA said “Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” To that I add, there should be no tradeoff between civil liberties and security. Those who advocate for security over liberties are giving those behind such violent attacks a victory over our way of life! Now let me turn to my presentation.

Nahida the Exiled Palestinian: Thought Terrorism

September 20, 2011 by Gilad Atzmon

In defence of freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and freedom to access information

Some wants us to believe that:

"Ignorance Is Strength",

"Restricting the boundaries of discussion expands Knowledge",

“Crucifying intellectuals is Progressive”

“Shunning people for their thoughts and opinions is Revolutionary”

“Thinking independently is very Dangerous”

“Reading many sources affects the protocols of Health and Safety”

"Framing the Debate is Good… very very good",

“Gagging is strategically crucial for gaining Wisdom”

"Suppressing of Information helps to uncover the Truth"

"Revising Historical narratives is a Crime, and should be Punished by Law"

"Following the Evidence is a Conspiracy Theory"

"Investigating a Crime is not Helpful, it's a Distraction"

"Crying against Racism and Supremacy is anti-Semitism"

“Exposing the power-elite is Racist”

"Thought Terrorism leads to Truth and Justice" (somehow, eventually) !

And of course, “no mater what, the Earth is still Flat, flat as a thin crispy pancake”

All you have to do is to Believe!

Otherwise face the consequences of your “blasphemy and wickedness”, be prepared for the burning of your reputation at the stake of their Omniscience, and be prepared for the crucifying of your character at the altar of their omnipotence and self-righteousness.

Gilad Atzmon: The Open Society and its Enemy Within

September 20, 2011 by Gilad Atzmon in Cultural Criticism, Jewish Power, Jewishness, Zionism

http://youtu.be/TNngjZ1COJA

This film is dedicated to the so-called Jewish 'anti' Zionists who were harassing and detracting us ahead of the Freiburg Conference ('Palestine, Israel and Germany - Boundaries of Open Discussion). Ideally, we would like to see many Jews contributing to the discourse rather than attempting to dismantle it. However, we will prevail!!!

Gilad Atzmon’s New Book is available on Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk

I love Helen Thomas!!!

September 19, 2011 by Gilad Atzmon

Jonathon Blakeley: The Wandering Who? -A Book Review

September 19, 2011 by Gilad Atzmon in Thw Wandering Who

http://www.zimoz.co.uk/news/culture/the-wandering-who-a-study-of-jewish-identity-politics/

I first came across Gilad Atzmon on a website called the Jeff rense program; it had become known as a beacon for independent journalism on the Internet and covered stories that the mainstream media would not cover for many reasons; subjects which were viewed as taboo. And so it was, I kept on coming across this name Gilad Atzmon; a writer who was not afraid to tackle some very thorny issues. I read more and more from Gilad and visited his website where I discovered he was also a jazz musician. Coincidentally, around the same time, a friend contacted me to tell me a great Jazz band was playing locally and we should go see them. The band in question was called:- the Orient House Ensemble featuring Gilad Atzmon. This is where my initiation into the world of Gilad Atzmon began some 6 years ago…

His book ‘The Wandering Who?’ begins in Israel where Gilad was born, and tells how he was brought up and indoctrinated into the Zionist ideology. At first he embraced it and all went well until one day he heard some Jazz playing on the radio. It was Charlie Parker the legendary Bebop saxophone player. It seems that Gilad had an epiphany whilst listening to Charlie Parker, his curiosity was ignited and he had to find out more. Shortly after he rushed into Jerusalem to buy all the Charlie Parker records he could find (two), he quickly became obsessed with Jazz and began to lose all interest in the IDF which he was about to join. When eventually the time came to join the IDF Gilad decided to join the Israeli Air Force Orchestra, preferring music to armed conflict. Whilst playing for the IAFO he and his fellow musicians noticed if they played badly they had less bookings, which they all wanted, and so they practiced playing badly.

How to sabotage the system in order to strive for a personal ideal.

Gilad on playing badly for the Israeli Air Force Orchestra.

Dr. Makram Khoury-Machool @ Freiburg Conference

September 19, 2011 by Gilad Atzmon

An incredible presentation by Dr Machool

http://paltagefreiburg2011.blogspot.com/

The talk starts around 2:10 min'

A Panel Discussion on 'Jewish Identity Politics'

September 19, 2011 by Gilad Atzmon

Monday, 10^th October, 2011

7:30 pm

Resource for London

356 Holloway Road

London N7 6PA

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=116757888430540

Zero Books invites you to a panel discussion on "Jewish Identity Politics" to launch Gilad Atzmon's important new book The Wandering Who.

Panelists:

You can now order Gilad Atzmon's New Book on Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk

Prof' William A. Cook: Tearing the Veil From Israel’s Civility-a book review

September 18, 2011 by Gilad Atzmon in Thw Wandering Who

Gilad Atzmon: The following is a very a deep and thoughtful reading of my work by William A. Cook

Source: www.counterpunch.org

Gilad Atzmon’s insight into the organism created by the Zionist movement in his book, The Wandering Who, is explosive; it tears the veil off of Israel’s apparent civility, its apparent friendship with the United States, and its expressed solicitude for western powers—Britain, Canada, Australia, France and Germany—exposing behind the veil, the assassin ready to slay any and all that interfere with its tribally focused ends. In February of this year, Atzmon characterized Islam and Judaism as tribally oriented belief systems rooted not in “enlightened individualism,” but rather in “…the survival of the extended family.” These belief systems have nothing to do with personal liberties or personal rights; they have to do with securing the realm of their respective “ways of life.” But unlike tribalism in Islam, tribalism in Judaism “can never live in peace with humanism and universalism” (4). “Both religions stand as systems that provide thorough answers in terms of spiritual, civil, cultural and day to day matters.” In this regard, “…both Islam and Judaism are more than just religions: they convey an entire ‘way of life,’ and

The Wandering Who is a personal journey of a man born in Jerusalem, raised in the Jewish ‘way of life,’ infused with the myths of the founding of the Jewish state; “Supremacy was brewed into our soul, we gazed at the world through racist, chauvinistic binoculars. And we felt no shame about it either” (5). Inducted into the Israeli military during the 1980s he served in Lebanon, and, in his late teens, experienced an epiphany caused in good measure by careful listening to voices beyond the wall that encircled him in the ghetto that is the Israeli state. This epiphany forced a distinction in identity versus identifying, between self-reliance and obedient servant to an ideology, a distinction that recognized Jews as people, Judaism as a religion, and Jewishness, an ideology that determines identity politics and a resulting political discourse.

Gilad's New Book is available on Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk

‘Tears of Gaza’ – The Movie

September 18, 2011 by Gilad Atzmon

‘Tears of Gaza’ by Vibeke Lokkeberg is a documentary film that should be watched by every American, to see how Israel spends our taxes. Every European should watch it, to see the true face of Israel. It should be viewed by every Arab, to renew our resolve not to allow a racist nation to wipe Palestine and her children from the map and from history.

I had read the stories from Gaza after Israel’s so called “operation cast lead”. I had read the reports. I thought I had cried enough then not to cry again. But this film went to my heart, stirred everything up, made the tears fall and fall and here I am now, with a hollow, spooned out hole in my gut because bombs were dropped on sleeping children, helicopters rained the death and disfigurement of white phosphorous on terrified civilians huddling at a UN school for shelter… and no one is doing anything about it.Tears of Gaza lays bare the lies, the cover ups and Richard Goldstone’s moral flip flopping. It takes you into the heart of Gaza’s tormented landscape to show the truth behind craven and mendacious headlines with words that describe Israel’s slaughter as an “incursion” or “self defense”. This film shows us these truths through the luminous spirits of children. It is not to be missed!

Gilad Atzmon @ Freiburg Conference (video+text)

September 18, 2011 by Gilad Atzmon

Atzmon's talk starts around 5:50 min just after Prof' Bernhard Uhde's introduction (German).

The talk elaborates on the meaning of time and temporality within the context of Jewish identity politics, Israeli brutality and even crypto Zionists' (aka Jewish 'anti' Zionists) spin

Time is of the essence!!!

Gilad Atzmon: Being In Time:

(A talk given at the 'Palestine, Israel, Germany- The Boundaries of Open Discussion Conference’, Freiburg 11^th September 2011)