Another Nakba Letter With Jewish Signatories in England. Do I Hear an Echo?

A great number of Jews are among the signatories of a letter published in the Guardian, in England, saying that they will not celebrate Israel's 60th birthday because of the Nakba.

We cannot celebrate the birthday of a state founded on terrorism, massacres and the dispossession of another people from their land. We cannot celebrate the birthday of a state that even now engages in ethnic cleansing, that violates international law, that is inflicting a monstrous collective punishment on the civilian population of Gaza and that continues to deny to Palestinians their human rights and national aspirations.

We will celebrate when Arab and Jew live as equals in a peaceful Middle East.

Strong language. I wonder: How many Americans feel that these statements are true, and where do they express those feelings?

Comments

[Richard Witty]

I'm celebrating.

Even when I object to something that a friend or family is saying, I'll still enthusiastically celebrate their milestones.

[Charles Keating]

Dennis Kucinich, a brave congress person of one, tossed the
Palestinian Nakba into the mix for the usual congressional
super vote to give Israel a happy birthday resolution. The Palestinians have milestones too, Mister Witty.

They are as enthusiatic as you, just less average American
tax dollars devoted to your enthusiasm.

I Hope all the white niggers in Indiana somehow get off their
trailer camps and inch up to the window of opportunity.

[Leila Abu-Saba]

I blogged this, Phil, thank you. And I really appreciate your Nakba watch and have noted that, too. Hope my Arab world readers see it and visit Mondo Weiss.

[Leila Abu-Saba]

By the way, everybody should go over to Randa Jarrar's blog and read her transcription of Rev. Wright's comment: Arabic is not a disease:

http://rockslinga.blogspot.com/2008/04/arabic-is-not-disease.html

Randa is a young Palestinian-American writer with plenty of short story credits whose first novel is coming out soon.

[Richard Witty]

Phil,
Will you celebrate and dis the Palestinian memory of the Nakba, or will you not celebrate and dis the milestone of a large portion of your own people?

There must be an approach that is not so either/or, insisting on choosing which child to kill.

[Charles Keating]

Yeah, Phil, let's level the playing field.

[MM]

"will you not celebrate and dis the milestone of a large portion of your own people"

Oooh now that's intriguing. Phil, are your people the zionists?

Richard, I don't think you've ever clarified your position on this one -- Can one be a Jew and not be zionist?

I'm neither of course, so perhaps I am not even allowed to ask the question. Let me know if that is the case.

[Richard Witty]

"Can one be a Jew and not be zionist?"

Absolutely.

Zionism is a means to safe and vibrant Jewish community.

If there were another means to confidently defend one's community without weapons, without a state, that would be wonderful.

[MM]

Culture can be maintained Richard, but community changes. We are all born and die.

Chinese culture, Mexican culture, Jewish culture all thrive inside U.S. borders, and have for centuries already, for instance. They evolve and develop new forms and preserve some of the old.

The communities however change, sometimes radically. They grow, shrink, diversify, evolve, collapse and reappear, relocate, transform.

That's what happened to much of the actual Jewish community of Palestine 2,000 years ago. They splintered and grew and transformed over the course of history into some of the very people who still humbly and against all odds reside in places like Hebron, where they are no longer entitled to any safe and vibrant community, because of they read a newer book, pray five times a day, still to the same God, with many of the same prophets, but in a different language, with different customs.

The "Jewish people" you want to protect are a much more modern invention, but you are right: they deserve a safe and vibrant community. One that isn't a racist colonial project gone brutally wrong.

It's amazing to me how earnestly you've continued to stake your territory on the wrong side of history.

[neocognitism]

"Zionism is a means to safe and vibrant Jewish community."

Richard, I see your logic now. Zionism is unjustifiable on its own, but when coupled with the end of a "safe and vibrant Jewish community" it all works out because...

"The Ends Justify the Means," eh?

Gosh, I think my parents taught me in first or second grade that was unethical and immoral, and that the ends NEVER justify the means. In fact, I think Hitler ascribed to that philosophy.

Inconvenient facts I guess.

By the way, your "Jewish community" is half secular, and 20% Arab.