Israel/Palestine Debate Is Shifting

Maybe it's me, but the more I read about Israel's assault on Gaza, the more I'm convinced that the Zionist enterprise is in serious trouble. With each fresh round of bombing, Israel's reputation gets worse, allowing growing numbers of people who might never have said a critical word about that country to finally speak up, if only to friends and family. (I'm excluding racists and anti-Semites, whose vile opinions are disconnected from reality.) I continue to see this on those liberal blogs still talking about Gaza, their commenters increasingly unafraid to voice strong criticism, if not direct condemnation, of Israel's actions. This naturally alarms and frightens those spewing the old fables about "tiny, peace-loving" Israel, driving many of them into rhetorical overkill and incoherence. It may be a small shift online, but it is significant. The full, historical narrative is spreading, and as the Gazan body count rises, perceptions are sharpening. No amount of Israeli PR will reverse this trend.

To someone who first became aware of Israeli aggression in 1982, during the IAF's blitzkrieg of Beirut, such a shift has been a long time coming. Back in those days, championing Palestinian rights was considered by many to be fascistic. Seemingly reasonable people became irate and poisonous at the mere suggestion of Palestinian equality, peddling well-worn excuses for the occupation and ongoing violence. I suppose it was a measure of my masochism that I dove head first into this fray, studying the topic, reading the history, arguing and debating the issue in restaurants, cramped apartments, on radio and at podiums on college campuses. The venom I faced was palpable, and there were a few instances when the arguments nearly came to blows. That I'm not Jewish fed some of my opponents' anger, as they were convinced that I would've made a fine concentration camp guard. That many of my sources and political allies were American and Israeli Jews meant nothing, for they were worse than me. After several intense years of this experience, I retreated from the issue, overweight from drink, depressed by the rancor, convinced that the debate was forever stalled.

In time, I returned to the issue, helped mightily by online access, which has had a positive effect on the overall Middle East debate. Many comments at Daily Kos, Firedoglake, Glenn Greenwald's and Matt Yglesias' sites are encouraging, but not an end in themselves. For while many people are waking up to the reality, there are still those who claim that Palestinians are a Nazi race that deserves annihilation, making asinine, ahistorical comparisons to Hitler's Germany or Hirohito's Japan. Yet, by pushing such bizarre equivalency, those supportive of Israeli violence expose their empty arguments to a large audience. The more people read how Hamas is the modern day version of the Third Reich, then look at the actual facts on the ground, the less seriously they'll take what's considered the "pro-Israel" position. For if you must rely on this type of argumentation, then your shit is already weak, something that is becoming clearer by the day.

This doesn't mean that elite opinion will radically change overnight, especially on the cable nets, where Israeli aggression is routinely hailed. But it does show a new awareness stirring from below. That doesn't bode well for the warmongers and their apologists. They may control us militarily and economically, but their propaganda is fooling less and less people. Resistance is steadily building. Let's put our hope in that, rather than project it on politicians who serve the propagandists.

Comments

[schwinnrider]

Thank you Dennis. As an atheist, these endless battles over the "holy" land seem particularly antithetical. Some American evangelicals are rooting for the war to continue so their Jebus will come again.

I don't know any rational person who says that this is all Israel's fault. But it is entirely irrational and counter-productive for the US to back whatever play Israel decides to made. Who in their right mind would trust us to be honest peace brokers.

[Michale32086]

@marymansour

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Thank you, Mr. Perrin, for a great blog. I'm fanning you.
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Why?? Is he hot?

yuk, yuk, yuk.... :D

Michale.....

[LincolnParkChicago]

Years ago Joseph Sobran spoke out. He was exiled.
Paul Craig Roberts spoke out and was marginalized.
Patrick Buchanan spoke out and was smeared.
Vanessa Redgrave spoke out and was blacklisted.
This is the reason most "journalists" in the MSM and politicians keep quiet.

[LincolnParkChicago]

Years ago Joseph Sobran spoke out. He iwas exiled.
Paul Craig Roberts spoke out. He was marginalized.
Patrick Buchanan spoke out. He was smeared.
Vanessa Redgrave spoke out and was blacklisted.

A lot of people thought the same as you but kept their mouths shut lest they be treated the same.

This is what keeps most "journalists" in the MSM and politicians in line.

[Michale32086]

@tony_turan

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If Iranians could have any access to GAZA , why not give Hamas militants a more deadly missiles?
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STAR TREK
A Private Little War

Does that answer your question?

Michale.....

[LincolnParkChicago]

Are you a Megaphone cyberwarrior?

[SiberianRat]

"This doesn't mean that elite opinion will radically change overnight, especially on the cable nets, where Israeli aggression is routinely hailed." True, but many of us are turning these sorry excuses for news off and relying on "alternative" media and/or more balanced sources from abroad.

[cindyn1210]

Where were all of you as Hamas sent rockets into Israel for the past EIGHT years?
The irony of all the ignorance shown by Mr. Perrin and the anti Israel comments is clear in the origin of the name Hamas and what it means.
For those of you, Mr Perrin included, who have NOT done your due diligence, Hamas was a town in Syria where ARAB rebels were killed by their ARAB oppressive government. The numberof deaths varies between 30,000-100,000 deaths. When the Palestinians tried to take the land given to them by the UN (Jordan), 10,000 of them were slaughtered. Where were all of you then????
When Israel decides that 8 years of bombing is enough and decides to put a stop to it, all of a sudden you have a voice?! Shame on all of you! Go do your homework . Your acts of pseudo-int­ellectuali­sm come off as feeble as your anti-semitic sentiments become apparent.

[BeFair74]

I really signed up here just to reply to this post of yours cindyn1210 and no other reason.

I am still laughing at your "historical facts"!! And you even have the nerve to accuse people of not making their due diligence?

For your information, the Syrian town you are talking about is called "Hama" and if it is written literally in English as it is written in Arabic it becomes "Hamat" with the letter "t" at the end silent. Which is true that it was bombarded by the Syrian government because of the rebelion that took place in that town, and the losses are not really known but estimates put them between 10,000 and 38,000, please look it up.

I can see why someone of your level of intellect would get confused, hell, four letters out of five match, that is good enough for you isn't it!!!

And, just for your information too, Hamas is an Arabic abbreviation that means literally in English "The Movement of Islamic Resistence".

I really urge you to stop sharing your peices of "wisdom" with us until you grow another 10 years and become at least 21!!

[CroatianCritter]

Despite Israel's incredible propaganda campaign in the press, school system (SEE DAVID HOROWITZ'S WEBSITE) and government, the TRUTH usually has a nasty way of making itself known. In this case, the "FREE" blogosphere has brought the truth to many people in the United States who have been effectively brainwashed for years. The tide seems to be turning in the favor of "justice.". Now if Americans can only understand their complicity in this crisis, we may be able to bring peace to this region.

[Freenation]

This is one of the most honest commentary I have seen regarding this whole middle east mess. I was going through some of the comments posted on nypost.com and was just astonished to see how people were justifying killing of innocent women and children.

I am not sure how hard it is for people to say Hamas and Israeli politicians are same kind of evil who justify their actions by killing innocents...

Yet Hamas is a terrorist organization and IDF is a state sponsored terrorist organization..

If you kill an innocent this is what you will be called...NO SPIN WILL CHANGE THIS...

I came to this site through Google news and was pleased to see there are still some honest people left who condone the killing of innocents not like NYPOST, NY Daily News, Wall Street Journal who are actually acting as cheer leaders for the killing of innocents....

Thank you for your honesty...

[Fein]

Finally after 60 years, the world's rejecting Israel's aggression.

The entire world must join to stop Israel's genocide of Palestinians
http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/01/01/news17.asp

Sweden and Norway deplore Israel's actions
http://www.easybourse.com/bourse-actualite/marches/sweden-norway-deplore-israel-s-gaza-invasion-590149

Japan's PM tell Olmert to stop bomings
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5i55zFJQQVxIINWIgS1uXSMlCwX4Q

Russia calles for immediate end to Gaza violence
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-01/04/content_10603310.htm

[Michale32086]

What do you mean, "Finally"???

That's pretty much how it is every time Israel retaliatates against terrorism..

{{{{yawn}}}}

Michale......

[alexa07]

I agree with your blog in all respects! The old filters that have been operating to keep Americans from having a full understanding of Palestine are FINALLY leaking through. Please keep up the good work with your thoughtful commentaries. Our media has failed us, but thankfully there now are alternative avenues for information & commentary. Please continue your thoughtful blogs & I am also "fanning" you! The huge number of pro-Palestinian demonstrations taking place not only abroad, but in this country as well as the calls for voting bans & divestment show Americans are waking up to what our unlimitied support has enabled. We have had over 60 yrs. of messes in the region with one bloody event after another. Enough! Hopefully, we have got the attention of our legislators!

[marymansour]

Thank you, Mr. Perrin, for a great blog. I'm fanning you.

[ktchnsnk]

as always, Palestinians call for martyrdom and the right to wage war against Israel w the goal of absolute annihilation w ABSOLUTE IMPUNITY, yet are somehow outraged when Jews refuse to cooperate by absorbing their attacks w/o response.
After years of seeing their children running to air-raid shelters in terror, the Israeli response is long overdue. The other culture, whose idea of media programming is Mickey Mouse type characters singing the praises of suicide bombers to 4 & 5 year olds MUST be dealt with and the sooner the better.
But its not JUST Israel. Mohammed began his career by slaughtering his own home tribe, who had the audacity to reject his divinity, and then sent his followers out w the goal of subduing the rest of the earth, leaving no continent unscathed.
Slavery, rape, confiscatory taxation virtually invented as large scale industries... all by this so-called "religion of peace" and well documented in the Koran, along w a large dose of disinformation for the uninitiated and naive.
See what is happening in the Phillipines, in Thailand, in India, in Chechniya, and in increasingly large parts of Europe and ask yourselves what it has to do w Israel.

[moonchild71]

Finally!! This is long overdue... the Israeli / Palestinian issue has been clearly one-sided for far too long. People should be able to voice their opinions on both sides of the issue without fear of backlash or being labeled anti-semitic.

[Roger]

Israel is dead wrong in this case and no amount of revisionist history or moral equivalency will change that fact.

[Michale32086]

Why???

Because Israel is hitting legitimate military targets that Hamas places in crowded civilian areas???

Because Israel is hitting weapons depots that are hidden in school houses?

Why is it Israel's fault that Hamas is committing terrorism against Israel?

Do you believe that terrorism is EVER justified??

Michale.....

[Michale32086]

@jglatzer

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egyptian troops were amassed on the border, but israel attacked first, check the record.
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Hokay... I will...

In May 1967, Egypt's president Nasser expelled the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) from the Sinai Peninsula.[6] The peacekeeping force had been stationed there since 1957, following a British-Fr­ench-Israe­li invasion which was launched during the Suez Crisis. Egypt amassed 1,000 tanks and nearly 100,000 soldiers on the Israeli border[7] and closed the Straits of Tiran to all ships flying Israeli flags or carrying strategic materials, receiving strong support from other Arab countries.[8] On June 5, 1967, Israel launched a pre-emptive attack[9] against Egypt's airforce.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six-Day_War

By amassing the troops on the border and closing the Straits of Tiran to Israeli ships, Egypt committed an act of war..

Clearly, Israel's response, while pre-emptive in nature was in response to the clear intent of Egypt.

Pre-emptive self-defense is still self-defense....

Once again, these are the facts...

Michale....

[Dennis Perrin]

Not that the supposed "closing the Straits of Tiran" really matters to those who'll grasp anything to justify Israeli violence (since the Straits saw little Israeli maritime action, and had practically zero effect on Israel itself), but even if that "cause" was true, then Hamas' reaction to Israel's blockade was justified -- unless there is one set of rules for Israel, and another set of rules for Gaza. As a friend recently put it:
"The funny thing about the Israeli attack on Gaza following its long blockade is that Israel's original justification for taking over Gaza in 1967 was that Israel was being subject to a blockade. This is from the official Knesset history of the Six Day War:
"'Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser blockaded the Straits of Tiran on May 21st and 22nd to all shipping from and to Eilat; the area was open to Israeli ships under UN supervision since 1957, and Israel repeatedly stated that such a blockade will be considered as casus belli (justification for acts of war). '
"Of course, there are many differences between the two situations. Just for instance: (1) Israel could still receive shipments by water via the Mediterranean, and (2) Israelis are human beings, whereas Palestinians are wolves in human form.
"In any case, I expect this provides Gaza residents with quite a chuckle as they ponder whether their wounded children will succumb first to their injuries or to their intestinal parasites caused by contaminated water."

[BubbaC33]

The Egyptian military used force to close the Straits, including firing on the Israeli personnel at the Straits. The first shots fired were by Egypt, not Israel.