Rep. Schakowsky, Am I a "Provocation"?

In the grand scheme of things, Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowsky is one of my favorite Members of Congress: progressive, smart, articulate, willing to stand up for what's right even when the pressure is on from the party leadership to go along with injustice, as when she worked to block the President's deficit commission from recommending cuts to Social Security.

But when it comes to U.S. policy towards Israel and the Palestinians, Rep. Schakowsky not only fails to be progressive; she seems to go out of her way to sign onto the most outrageously right-wing "pro-Israel" initiatives imaginable, when she could just say: "let's let this one pass us by," as the vast majority of Democratic Members of Congress do, when confronted with the most outrageously right-wing initiatives of the "pro-Israel lobby."

This past week, Rep. Schakowsky signed a letter signed a letter to the Turkish government "Urging Turkey to Stop Another Flotilla from Departing for the Gaza Strip." The letter slammed the upcoming Gaza freedom flotilla as a provocation.

Anyone who knows anything about the region knows that a letter from these Members of Congress urging Turkey to stop the flotilla is likely to have about as much influence in Turkey as a group of Turkish parliamentarians would have in Washington if they urged President Obama not to veto a UN resolution condemning Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank.

The feedback that Turkey got from the region following last year's flotilla was: you rock. Arabs were coming to demonstrations carrying pictures of the Turkish Prime Minister. Not only was this high praise for Turkey, it was an obvious reproach to all the Arab leaders: Turkey is doing something about the blockade of Gaza, and you're not doing anything. Even the slavishly pro-U.S. Mubarak government in Egypt got the message right away, and moved to ease the blockade by partially opening the Rafah crossing. For these Members of Congress to tell Turkey to stop the flotilla is like telling someone that they should give up acting because they are no good at it, right after they won an Academy Award.

So, if the letter's authors have any sense at all, they are trying to do something else with their letter besides move the Turkish government. Presumably, they are hoping to discredit the flotilla politically, so that if Israeli authorities use violence against the flotilla, their supporters will feel free to say: "they had it coming."

I have a direct interest in Rep. Schakowsky's signing of this letter. When she participates in trying to discredit the flotilla by characterizing it as a "provocation," as this letter does, she helps put its passengers in danger, because when something is characterized as a "provocation," the implication that many will draw is that violent repression of the "provocation" is justified.

And I have a direct interest in that, because I am a passenger in the flotilla.

So, Jan, I have to ask you: do you consider me to be a "provocation"?

If Israeli authorities kill me, will you say that the action was justified?

 

Follow Robert Naiman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/naiman

Comments

[60699]

03:19 PM on 05/19/2011

Mr Naiman, here is how you can earn my support for your actions and those of the entire flotilla. When you pack for your adventure, include a large banner that says, "FREE GILAD SHALIT". Hang the banner on the side of your ship as you sail toward Gaza. Nothing would be more immediately beneficial to the quality of life of the people of Gaza than to convince Hamas to release Shalit. You have a choice, you can accomplish some good for the people of Gaza, or simply show your friends what a radical political hipster you are.

[J Trent Morgan]

02:03 AM on 05/19/2011

Title says it all. Naiman thinks this is about him and what it says about him, not about the Israelis AND Palestinians he's condemning by buying into the myth that Israel is the cause of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

[kentah]

01:55 PM on 05/19/2011

If it is a myth than can you prove what you believe to be the fact?

[J Trent Morgan]

02:40 PM on 05/19/2011

Not in an anonymous comment to a blog. No one can prove anything in this format, except by citing proof elsewhere -- that's why so much misinformation thrives here. Try "The Case for Israel," by Alan Dershowitz. It's short, clear, very well notated, by a professor at Harvard. Try ANY book by an academic whose credentials you respect. You'll probably be shocked at the difference between what you routinely hear and what someone with a reputation on the line has to say. If you're not willing to do that, ask yourself why you have such strong feelings on an issue you won't take 2 hours to learn the truth about.

[Jonathan Charbonnet]

04:46 PM on 05/19/2011

The book "Modern Times" is considered by many of we historians to be one of the most comprehensive and accurate accounts of the events of the twentieth century. I suggest take a look at it its very detailed in explaining what happened in the Middle East post colonization when the European countries relinquished control of the region. It also compares it to other post-colony countries such as India, and points out why the turmoil has been so severe in the Mid East as opposed to India's progress. More or less it explains without bias Israel is not the problem, the entire region has been "the problem" since 1939.

[Saad Asim]

12:58 AM on 05/19/2011

Israel attacks an unarmed boat (in international waters) that was trying to get through an illegal blockade, blocks communications from/to the boat, kills 9 people and kidnaps boat into Israeli port. manhandles unarmed passengers, jails journalists whose only crime is covering a story.

Is there something that I am missing here?

[dysgusted]

01:37 AM on 05/19/2011

Yes, you are missing quite a bit.

[kentah]

01:57 PM on 05/19/2011

Yes, one of the 9 was a US citizen which I only bring up in the context of this story--it being the US Congress attempting to tell Turkey how to conduct their humanitarian affairs, that "American" aspect is more than appropriate.

[thebosssssny]

11:41 PM on 05/18/2011

Thanks to Naiman for bringing this great info about Rep. Schakowsky, whom I just found a new respect for. I will make sure to raise money for he net campaign and send her atleast $1800 with a letter telling her the money I raised and the money I'm giving is only because Naiman brought her good deeds to my attantion

[thebosssssny]

05:35 PM on 05/18/2011

David Harris wrote a great article on the Hoffpost which he asked this Naimen guy some great questions. Ofcourse naimen didn't answer yet
You all need to read this link
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-harris/to-a-gaza-flotilla-partic_b_862736.html

[tallen]

04:46 PM on 05/18/2011

Hamas and Fatah hammered for human rights abuses against their own people

May 19, 2011
Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip were subjected last year to an "almost systematic campaign" of human-rights abuses by their own rulers...

The security forces of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Hamas carried out torture, arrests and arbitrary detentions of residents of the Palestinian territories, the Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) said in its annual report released on Tuesday.

The targets of repression were "freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression", as well as "civil society organizations in general and human rights organizations in particular," the report said.

The ICHR was equally harsh in its criticism of Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip.

It noted a rise in torture allegations from the previous year and accused Gaza's interior ministry of failing to prevent military authorities from prosecuting and executing civilians. It also described six incidents in which unidentified "masked people" had kidnapped, shot, beat or tortured members of Fatah. Ministry officials in Gaza City could not be reached for comment.

http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/middle-east/hamas-and-fatah-hammered-for-human-rights-abuses-against-their-own-people

[pgmark]

03:59 PM on 05/18/2011

Why don't you answer David Harris - He asked questions I like to see you answer honestly.
If you do - then we will really know who you are.

[thebosssssny]

05:37 PM on 05/18/2011

We both know he cant answer Harrisses questions honestly.

[MarcEdward]

06:07 PM on 05/18/2011

Why doesn't Harris pick up the phone and ask his silly questions? Or engage in a debate? Because David Harris couldn't argue his way out of a wet paper bag.

[TheLonelyGod]

03:04 AM on 05/19/2011

That is what Harris is doing. It's quite common for two journalists to debate each other with articles and counter articles. Maybe you should lay off the venom toward Harris for a minute and think.

[DustinTime]

03:48 PM on 05/18/2011

"If Israeli authorities kill me, will you say that the action was justified?"

Technically, AIPAC will say it. Jan will just dutifully repeat it.

[pgmark]

04:40 PM on 05/18/2011

I know the answer to all anti-Israel posters is AIPAC or better known as the all powerful Wizard of OZ. I have said before they are just not that important especially to most of us US Jews.
It amazes me that you think AIPAC controls congress and amost everyone in it - what a sad way to go throgh life.

[MarcEdward]

06:08 PM on 05/18/2011

AIPAC openly boasts about their inordinate amount of power.

[TheLonelyGod]

03:04 AM on 05/19/2011

If AIPAC did not exist, they would have to invent it.

[Vlady]

02:30 PM on 05/18/2011

>>If Israeli authorities kill me, will you say that the action was justified?

Interesting question. And here is the best response to it

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-harris/to-a-gaza-flotilla-partic_b_862736.html

[BurtonDesque]

01:54 PM on 05/18/2011

Why is HP posting an article by a Hamas supporter?

[myopinion2]

02:19 PM on 05/18/2011

I hate disagreeing with mishpacha on this site, but maybe if some of us do, some on the other side will reciprocate.

Being in favor of the fortilla and against the blockade doesn't make him pro-Hamas, any more tham my being pro-israel makes me pro-Lieberman.

Both sides need to learn to disagree without demonizing.

[SamSeven]

03:13 PM on 05/18/2011

I agree with you on that point.

[BurtonDesque]

03:44 PM on 05/18/2011

No, favoring the flotilla is precisely supporting Hamas. The point of the flotilla is to break the blockade. The sole purpose of breaking the blockade is to clear the way for Hamas to bring in more weapons. Nothing more. Nothing less.

[myopinion2]

02:20 PM on 05/18/2011

flotilla

[MarcEdward]

01:46 PM on 05/18/2011

I appreciate the author, I appreciate the courage.
But it doesn't have to go down this way. Political protest can be done with the cooperation of the authorities. I don't see the IDF as being "Bull Conner" crazy (maybe Netanyahu and Lieberman). There has to be a way to contact the IDF and make arrangements so that this does not result in violence.
Peace be upon you.

[Kramerica-Industries]

04:55 PM on 05/18/2011

Why not dock in Egypt have them make sure no weapons is on board and have them carry on by land towards Gaza for their victory photos hugging Ismail Haniya, Mahmoud al-Zahar and paying tribute honoring the gave of Yahya Ayyash.

[MarcEdward]

06:09 PM on 05/18/2011

Because docking in Egypt misses the point.
Why didn't Rosa Parks just take a taxi?

[myopinion2]

01:34 PM on 05/18/2011

Like the slightly geeky kid trying to get into the club after it begins to lose it's buzz, Naiman wants to be part of the last flortilla so he's sailing on this one.

[MarcEdward]

02:02 PM on 05/18/2011

He's not cool like all of us who sit on our rear ends and post online.
JK
I disagree with the tactic of the flotilla, not because it's a provocation, but because they aren't giving the IDF a chance to behave in a manner that isn't confrontational. He plays into Netanyahu's hands, and Netanyahu plays into his.
OTOH, it's not like the Cuban Missile crisis. If the flotilla was hauling Nuclear tipped missiles into Gaza it'd be a totally different thing.

[Carly13]

01:14 PM on 05/18/2011

Naiman,

To me, you are no different than the people that tried to run the border into Israel a few days ago.

[MarcEdward]

01:47 PM on 05/18/2011

Which means what?
To me he's no different from the Freedom Riders.

[myopinion2]

01:55 PM on 05/18/2011

when america had a naval blockade against Cuba, and the Soviets sent a ship to Cuba, what did America do?

[Talab]

02:15 PM on 05/18/2011

Or a Nautical version of the Berlin airlift

[Greg Mirsky]

12:44 PM on 05/18/2011

Mr.Naiman, here's one of your host speaking http://youtu.be/9Fic15V8ChE
Not for English-speaking media, that's why he's more open in choosing his words, less careful in expressing his thoughts.

[myopinion2]

12:38 PM on 05/18/2011

If you attack an israeli soldier who is interdicting your boat, you are a provocation and risk being killed. if you engage in pacifist civil disobedience, you will have an enjoyable ride with no problems.

Either way, you won't reach Gaza. Bon voyage. smooth sailing.