Jewish Domination? Occupation More Likely
By Gilad Atzmon
The recent attack on Free Gaza’s Greta Berlin and Colonel Ann Wright suggests that we have crossed a red line -- Jewish domination within the Palestinian solidarity movement belongs to the past. We are now, it seems, under Zionist occupation, and we are subject to all the symptoms of Israeli abuse and Zionist brutality.
The expulsions, the exclusions and the cleansings that are inherent within Zionism, Israeli and Jewish politics, are now alive and kicking within the Palestinian solidarity movement itself. On a daily basis we are notified about more and more people who ‘must be’ expelled from the ‘movement’: earlier this year we learned that the Palestinian poet and writer Nahida Izzat had first been harassed and later expelled from her local Palestinian solidarity group by a Liverpool Jewish activists' gang. Next, Dr Francis Clark Lowes, former Chairman of the UK PSC was expelled from the organisation, for allegedly being an ‘Anti Semite’ and a ‘holocaust denier’. Norman Finkelstein, probably the leading pro Palestinian Jewish scholar, has also been subjected to repeated smears and attempts at character assassination for voicing some legitimate criticisms re BDS being a cult, and recently, the greatly admired Greta Berlin, co-founder of Free Gaza, has also been subjected to harassment and abuse in the last few weeks. Berlin was labeled 'an anti Semite' and 'a Holocaust Denier' -- and yet, up until the present time, there has not been a shred of evidence provided by her detractors to support such accusations. And now, the respected peace activist Colonel Ann Wright has also been 'purged', and expelled from the current attempt to break the siege on Gaza -- simply for being associated with Mrs Berlin. The pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim is also subject to a BDS boycott. And six months ago I too, faced a call for a disavowal -- by people who were foolish enough to confess that they had not even read a single line of my work.
Our Solidarity: Unity, and the Art of Keeping It Together
By Tariq Shadid
What better way to defeat an enemy than to cause a situation which has its ranks divided, and seeing its energy unleashed by one faction upon another, followed by tit-for-tat retributions, in an unending cycle of mutual destruction?
Watch those who support one common cause going at each other’s throats, and you will find yourself faced with a very difficult dilemma. What if you feel that both sides should settle their differences and return to mutual cooperation and respect? Whatever you say, will always be perceived as wrong and insufficient by either side. Neither side will settle for anything but a complete denunciation of the other, and both will only be satisfied if you express unambiguous support for their camp.
And all that Jazz - Event Review by Merryn Johnson
http://www.frontlineclub.com/blogs/theforum/2012/10/and-all-that-jazz.html
“I’m very happy to face serious opposition: If I would say what I say and talk about Jewish political power without facing serious, relentless opposition, it would mean that I am talking nonsense... and apparently I’m not.” — Gilad Atzmon
Gilad Atzmon certainly does face serious opposition, but he also revels in it. “Struggle is fun,” he says. Gilad is a world famous jazz musician, but also a writer and political activist, to the point that as a whole he is a political artist. It is this artistic platform for political debate which attracted director Golriz Kolahi and producer David Alamouti to follow him in the making of Gilad & All That Jazz, screened at the Frontline Club on October 15.
Gilad and all that Jazz [TRAILER] from David Alamouti on Vimeo.
This film looks back at Gilad’s childhood in Israel, when he was an enthusiastic Zionist, and follows his artistic development and political transformation, his self-imposed exile and his increasingly controversial and vocal stance on Jewish political identity.
The film captures the very large personality of Gilad – his humour, passion and energy – from his shocked realisation that Charlie Parker was black to his self-disgust at perceiving Nazi traits in his own Israeli army uniform.
And Then They Came For Me
First the Zionists came for the Palestinians, and I didn’t speak up, because I wasn’t a Palestinian.
Then the Neocons came for the Muslims,and I didn’t speak up, because I wasn’t a Muslim.
Then Electronic Abunimah, ADL, Mondoweiss, Israeli Hasbara and J Street came for the activists and I didn’t speak up, because I wasn't an activist.
Then they came for me, but they were too late, because by that time everyone had read The Wandering Who, grasped what was going on and stood up for me.
The Wandering Who? A Study Of Jewish Identity Politics, Jewish political interest and Jewish hegemony within the Palestinian Solidarity Movement...
The book can be ordered on Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk
The Madness Continues: Ann Wright Disinvited to Sail
Introduction by Gilad Atzmon: The adorable solidarity activist Ann Wright, former US Army Colonel and retired official of the U.S. State Department, known for her outspoken opposition to the Iraq War and support of Palestinian rights, is now also subject to Palestinian solidarity internal war.
On her way to meet up with the Swedish Estelle, the next boat to challenge the Israeli blockade, Colonel Wright was called by a board member of the Estelle who ask her to abort the journey. She was disinvited. The explanation was embarrassingly lame - Ann Wright is a member of the new Free Gaza Movement’s Board. She supports Greta Berlin.
It didn’t take me more than a few minutes to find out that the leader of the current attempt to sail to Gaza is Israeli Jewish activist named Dror Feiler. Feiler is the chairman of the Jews-Only Swedish organization Jews For Israeli Palestinian Peace (JIPF) and the European Jews for Just Peace (EJJP). Once again it is the Jewish activist who decides who should be on board in the Palestinian Solidarity movement. I can’t make up my mind whether this is funny or tragic. It is certainly very bad news.
Update: Electronic Intifada's Benjamin Doherty congratulated the Estelle's crew and passengers for cleansing Ann Wright (via Twitter):
Benjamin Doherty @bangpound
.@shiptogazase please transmit my respect to your crew and passengers for holding true to standards and principles. http://j.mp/RxtKkU
I guess that if you really want to grasp what is going on here, you will have to readThe Wandering Who? A Study Of Jewish Identity Politics, Jewish political interest and Jewish hegemony within the Palestinian Solidarity Movement...
The book can be ordered on Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk
Read Ann Wright's statement:
Statement by Ann Wright on the "Dis-Invitation" of her by the Swedish Boat to Gaza "Estelle" steering committee to be on the boat
Two days ago, on October 13, three hours before I was to board a flight to Europe to meet up with the Swedish boat to Gaza, the “Estelle,” the next boat to challenge the Israeli blockade, I was called by a board member of the Estelle who said that because of the furor around Greta Berlin’s posting and because I am a member of the new, 2 week old board of the Free Gaza Movement, I was no longer invited to be a passenger on the “Estelle.”
The board representative acknowledged that the reason for their invitation to me to be on the “Estelle” was that I am a retired US Army Colonel and former US diplomat who resigned in March, 2003 in opposition to the Iraq war, that I am a vocal critic of Israeli and United States policies on Palestinians and that I have been to Gaza 4 times in the past 3 years, assisted 7 groups to go to Gaza in 2009, helped organize the December, 2009 Gaza Freedom March, was a passenger on the 2010 Gaza Freedom Flotilla, helped organize the 2011 US Boat to Gaza and am an organizer for one of the latest initiatives, Gaza’s Ark.
Congratulation Britain-at last we have a musical genius
His name is Jacob Collier.. and he is incredible!!!
Freedom of speech enters dark age: Gilad Atzmon on Press TV
The concept of freedom of speech and tolerance enters a dark age as the Europe Union's executive body orders a ban on several Iranian channels, an author tells Press TV. European satellite provider Eutelsat SA says it has stopped the broadcast of several Iranian satellite channels following an order by the European Commission. The company ordered media services company, Arqiva, to take the Iranian satellite channels off one of its Hot Bird frequencies on Monday.
Press TV: Firstly, I wanted to get your reaction to this decision.
Atzmon: It obviously doesn’t take me by a big surprise. The old concept of ‘freedom of speech and tolerance’ is in a serious decay in Europe. In Britain, it already disappeared completely. We are living in a very dark age and it is now official.
Press TV: How does this all tie in with the fact that the European Union was recently awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and the various contradictions that that also brought up for the EU?
Atzmon: This is just there to prove how ridiculous is the Nobel Prize concept is. The whole concept of the Nobel Prize for peace has proven to be very misleading. But this is not the issue.
The issue is that we are living here and seeing our most elementary rights being jeopardized. Now, the West has prided itself with human rights for quite a few decades, and we’re obviously in a serious moment of regression on that front.
Lauren Booth: Pakistan’s Moment of Truth: A CagePrisoners report on the anti-Drone March
“What about the security of those taking part in the anti drones protest” was the only question asked by journalists at the press conference held by Imran Khan, in Islamabad, on the subject. It was tiresome to witness the agenda of Pakistan’s rulers on such public display. Namely, to derail the growing mass movement in Pakistan opposing US drone attacks on its regional villages. To prevent the momentum of this movement, the spectre of foreigners being harmed was hyped up across the local media.
As political leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party (PTI), Imran Khan called for people of all age, gender and class to head to Waziristan and witness the real terror there; the terror being visited on one of the world’s poorest regions by the world’s richest, most heavily armed, superpower.
As the weekend of the historic convoy approached; Clive Stafford Smith of Reprieve and members of US group Code Pink, all taking part, called for the rights of Waziri civilians be recognised, supported and protected.
Miko Peled in Seattle
And I wonder, how long is it going to take before Ali Abunimah and Omar Barghouti decide the Miko should also be silenced.
An open letter to Ali Abunimah & Co
In the spirit of the ‘Jews only’ tradition inherent to Zionism, Israel and even the Jewish left, a bunch of Palestinian prominent activists last night signed a ‘Palestinian only’ declaration of both the necessary and the obvious.
An open letter to Ali Abunimah & Co
Your recent Palestinian declaration stands firmly against racism and bigotry – well done!
Considering my relentless efforts against Jewish racism, and bearing in mind the fact that both my parents hold British Mandate Palestinian birth certificates and that I define myself as a ‘Hebrew-Speaking Palestinian’, I ask that you add me to your ‘Palestinian-only’ list.
Such a move can only serve to demonstrate that, unlike ‘Jews Only’ organisations, you really are pluralist, diverse, inclusive and genuine in your anti-racist call.
Sincerely Yours
Gilad Atzmon
The Wandering Who? A Study Of Jewish Identity Politics, Jewish political interest and Jewish hegemony within the Palestinian Solidarity Movement...
The book can be ordered on Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk
Gilad Atzmon @ BBC World Services' Weekend Radio Show Earlier Today
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4eSH2tq67w
To listen to the entire program: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00yxrs8
Screening of Gilad & All That Jazz + Q&A tomorrow at the Frontline Club, London
http://www.frontlineclub.com/
Watch Trailer:https://vimeo.com/24659402
Gilad and all that Jazz [TRAILER] from David Alamouti on Vimeo.
The Wandering Who? A Study Of Jewish Identity Politics and Jewish political interests..
The book can be ordered on Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk
Hezbollah says it sent drone over Israel
Sheik Hassan Nasrallah claimed responsibility Thursday for launching an Iranian-made drone aircraft into Israeli airspace earlier this week.
Sheik Nasrallah warned that it would not be the last such operation by his Lebanese militant group.
Israeli warplanes shot down the unmanned plane, but the infiltration marked a rare breach of Israel's tightly guarded airspace.
Israel and Hezbollah fought a brutal month long war in mid-2006. Hundreds of people were killed, and Hezbollah fired several thousand rockets and missiles into Israel before the conflict ended in a stalemate.
Israel routinely sends F-16 fighter planes over Lebanon, in violation of a U.N. Security Council resolution that ended the 2006 war. The Israeli planes have often broken the sound barrier over Beirut and other places as a show of strength, most recently after the drone incident.
"This statement today is a claim of responsibility by the Islamic resistance for this qualitative operation" of dispatching the drone, Nasrallah said in a televised address late Thursday.
Wagner and Me
Yesterday I came across this hilarious JC's "news item"
Rogue note at Klezmer bash
September 21, 2012
Regent’s Park annual klezmer celebration had the crowds rocking to the sounds of the shtetl.
But one visitor could not believe his ears when he heard a presenter announce a piece of music this year by Gilad Atzmon. The notorious Israeli jazz musician and self-styled “self-hating” Jew did not actually perform at Klezmer in the Park: one of his tracks was broadcast between live acts.
After a complaint, a spokesman for the event’s organisers, the Jewish Music Institute, said they had not been aware of Atzmon’s views but “I’m sure we would not have played it if we had.”
The Wandering Who? A Study Of Jewish Identity Politics, Jewish political interest, the Jewish and the fear of music...
The book can be ordered on Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk
Free Gaza's New Board - We support justice in Palestine not demonizing each other
In the past few days, Free Gaza and Greta Berlin have been viciously attacked for a mistake that Greta made when she posted a video to her Facebook page instead of sending it to her small group for discussion. During that time, dozens of people have come to the defense of Greta and Free Gaza.
We, the new board of Free Gaza II would like to add our comments and support for Greta’s work and for the ongoing work we need to do to keep the illegal blockade of Gaza front and center. For, after all, our work has always been about freedom and justice for the Palestinians
It’s time we got back to work and stopped battering one of the leaders of the non-violent direct action Palestinian solidarity movement.
Statements from the new board of Free Gaza II
I have known Greta Berlin and have worked with Free Gaza for several years. In neither word or action have either Greta or members of the Free Gaza movement been anti-semitic. They challenge Israeli policies, but that is not anti-semitic.
Col Ann Wright, Board Member
Lately our friend and colleague, Greta Berlin, has been attacked for mistakingly posting an anti-Semitic video to the FG twitter feed. Greta apologized for this mistake, and said that she doesn't agree with the material that was posted. In the meantime, many groups and individuals have continued their attack on her without considering her apology.
Ramzy Baroud's message on Facebook re Greta Berlin
GA: Bless Ramzy for standing for truth and justice.
Greta Berlin, our support and total solidarity with your noble efforts will not cease, but double. Thank you for all you have done for justice in Palestine. For the numerous hours you spent brainstorming ways to break the siege on Gaza, to dodge the Israeli navy, to act upon your beliefs in ways that some of us can only tweet about. You are an indefatigable warrior. I am sorry about the misguided attacks on you and your integrity. Please don't stop. Your courage will continue to inspire us. Much Love. Ramzy Baroud
Jeffrey Blankfort to Ali Abunimah (must read)
I know you have great ambitions, Ali, but Abe Foxman does not plan to retire yet although you do give a very good imitation of him as grand inquisitor. Perhaps, he will hire you as the ADL's expert on "anti-Semitism" in the solidarity movement since at the moment you seem to be doing the job for free. After reading what you have written about Greta Berlin, one of the leading activists in the struggle for justice in Palestine and the Free Gaza Movement, in particular, you obviously did not learn any lesson from your earlier scurrilous denunciation of Gilad Atzmon.