Last night was the New York launch/event for My Israel Question.
Many showed up, young and old, Jewish and Muslim, Christian and atheist. It was a chance for me to explain the message of my book, the universality of the themes and the ways in which debate is slowing opening up on these matters across the globe. Debating the influence of the Israel lobby (evidenced here yet again) is revealing to the Western world that Israel’s military interests are rarely in line with our own, and should be shunned. This will be a long struggle, but creating doubt in the minds of citizens is the first step, and on that front, good progress is being made.
I was unsure what to expect in this city after spending the week hooking-up with any number of journalists, editors, producers, film-makers, agents, the UN, authors and fellow Jews, but the response last night, and in many meetings, has shown that Jews who speak out against Israeli policies are needed now more than ever. The coming weeks and months will reveal the fruits of these labours.
During last night’s event, guests were intrigued to hear about Australia’s craven votes at the UN over Israel – joining up with other client states such as Micronesia and Marshall Islands – and how Zionism is being challenged in the mainstream media. I talked about last year’s Lebanon war and the PR disaster that was brought upon the Jewish state. I recalled a poll in early August 2006 that found a majority felt the US and Israel were principally to blame for the conflict, not Hizbollah. It showed, yet again, that the general public was far ahead of the predictable knee-jerk worship at the Israel altar by “respected” commentators in our media.
Incidentally, I can barely think of one Australian columnist who seems capable of expressing ideas that haven’t been merely co-opted from an overseas publication, journal or magazine. Seeing the wild diversity of views in the US certainly makes me long for a more mature understanding of world events. Saluting the “vision” of the Bush administration, the life-blood of the Murdoch press, is about as relevant as endorsing torture and occupation. The Bush junta is about as popular here as the Iraqi insurgents.
As my book begins to filter through various American media outlets, blogs and forums, I’m left to wonder what kind of journalism is possible in Australia. When parochialism is promoted as bravery, and mediocrity is celebrated, America, with all its faults, allows space for real vibrancy. Of course, speaking some truths in Australia has resulted in a notoriety that is both depressing and fascinating (in its predictability.)
Attending an anti-occupation Passover Seder this week near Washington Square revealed the strong diversity of Jews in this town. Some guests were far-left, many were centrists, and some were just Jews who didn’t feel comfortable conducting a “normal” Seder that celebrates the “next year in Jerusalem” myth.
Whereas in Australia difference (and dissent) is ridiculed and obsessively analysed, here in New York it’s praised and debated.
There is also a realisation, unlike the robotic Jewish establishment in Australia, that Israel’s current path is destined to end in the country’s destruction. Asking tough questions is essential if this is to be avoided.
You seem somewhat more negative on the state of Australian opinion writers than I think is the case.
Individuals such as Richard Ackland and Alan Ramsey both with the SMH for example, are not shy in expressing their non-conformist opinions.
“next year in Jerusalem” myth
what do you mean by myth?….jerusalem has been important to the jews since ever. are you saying it isn’t holy anymore?
im an israeli jew who constantly criticizes israel. but im a zionist, meaning, i believe in my country’s right to exist. you dont’?
Danielle
Danielle,
With the exception of extremist groups, the only people who ever raise the issue of Israel’s right to exist seem to be Zionist. Even Israel’s harshest critics do not dispute Israel’s right to exist, largely because it is a straw man argument and a nonsequitur, yet wherever Israel is criticized, it is given undue prominence.
Any reasonable and responsible individual would advocate Israel’s right to exist. What is clear however, is that there are elements among Zionists, who associate Israel’s existence with the prevention of the creation of Palestinian state.
Why one are you?
The issue is that it would be very unusual for an Australian to give two hoots about the Arab-Israeli melodrama, unless you had family and friends there.
Andre
Actually this whole blog exists to destroy Israel.
Viva,
Your paranoia is steadily increasing by the day. Firstly, whiel this blog ais to promote discussion and awareness, thre is no desire, much less the means to destroy Israel. O the contrary, Ant has repeated that Israel’s existence is threatened by it’s own policies.
Unless of course you are among those that are convinced Israel’s existence is inextricably linked to the enthic cleansing of Arabs from Israel proper, the occupied territories and the preventing the creation of a Palestinian State?
Who cares about another Pal state? Not me. But Ant’s whole ideology is about the destruction of Israel. Come on, everybody knows that.
There are six million Arabs who care about a Palestinian state. I would have expected this number to be of significance seeing as it was justification enough for the creation of Israel, was it not?
And what do you mean by “another” Palestinian state?
And no, Ant’s ideology is not about the destruction of Israel. In fact, the charter of Independent Jewish Voices in Australia stipulates the recognition of Israel.
Viva, you are really showing very poor form. Is your position so dour that you have to resort to such baseless ad hominems and straw men?
Ah, but do they care about it more, or less than killing Jews?
I assume he was referring to Jordan.
Oh really?
He may have watered down his extremist views in order to make them more palatable and attract more signatures to his petition, but that doesn’t change them. It is intellectual dishonesty and the reason several signatories retracted their support when they realised his true agenda.
Give it up BenZ,
A week ago you accused Ant of not participating in Seder and yet in his subsequent point he pointed out that he did indeed take part, in Washington Square, NY.
You’re arguments are purely emotional and rather desperate.