The walls are crumbling. The walls behind which dictators indulge in decadent opulence while "their" people are mired in wretched circumstance. The walls behind which "leaders" secretly sell -- for personal gain -- the rights of the people they claim to represent.
Across North Africa and the Middle East, across the Arab world, for decades dictatorship and deepening corruption, firmly supported by imperial powers, seemed beyond challenge. Today, once "stable" regimes are now facing a popular reckoning.
From the vantage point of Palestine, there are three new dynamics.
Within one month, the rebellion of the Tunisian people had sent Zine El Abidine Ben Ali scrambling for safety, neither the army nor police any longer ensuring his security. He hoped to land in France, one of his imperial patrons. After all, one French cabinet minister earlier had offered to send military support; but by the time of his flight from Tunisia, the Sarkozy government determined that Ben Ali had passed his "best-before date". So his plane landed, where Ugandan dictator Idi Amin's plane had landed, in Saudi Arabia.
The Tunisian people, in a tiny country nestled between Libya and Algeria, have rocked the throne of more than one dictator. Across North Africa, from Egypt to Mauritania, hope is supplanting popular cynicism about the possibility of creating a new order. And behind the walls where the dictators make their plans, a deepening anxiety has displaced confidence.
Israel's fate, too, is closely tied to the continuity of imperial-supported Arab reaction. Right after Ben Ali's flight from Tunisia, Netanyahu, on exiting a Cabinet meeting, revealed his anxieties when he called for "peace and security" to replace the "instability."
With the mass uprising in Egypt, voices from Israel reveal even higher anxiety. A former Israeli ambassador to Egypt wrote in the Yediot Aharonot newspaper, "The only people in Egypt who are committed to peace are the people in Mubarak's inner circle, and if the next president is not one of them, we are going to be in trouble."
Everyone in the Middle East knows what Israel means by "peace and security" (translation: "war and misery" for the Arab people) -- which brings us to the second new dynamic, "The Palestine Papers."
This is the heading Al Jazeera has given to "nearly 1,700 files, thousands of pages of diplomatic correspondence detailing the inner workings of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process... memos, e-mails, maps, minutes from private meetings, accounts of high level exchanges, strategy papers and even power point presentations - dat[ing] from 1999 to 2010." Al Jazeera says it has had "unhindered access" to the largest-ever leak of confidential documents related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Confirmed in vivid detail, beyond supposition and speculation, are this: (a) In this game called the "peace process" it is Israel which rejects reaching any agreement, despite the most extensive concessions by the "Palestine Authority" negotiators, obviously preferring to complete unhindered its independent plans for the further colonization of the territories conquered in June 1967; (b) The "Palestine Authority" concessions are so extensive that they amount to betrayal of the internationally recognized rights of the Palestinian people, ranging from abandoning the right of return of Palestinian refugees to abandoning the right to administer Muslim religious sites in Jerusalem. And beyond this abandonment, collaboration with Israel in killing Palestinians. More than concessions, even more than betrayal, many Palestinians are calling them treason; (c) The U.S. acts as Israel's lawyer, applying pressure -- both bribes and threats -- only on the Palestinians.
The impact of the public, documented confirmation of the foregoing propositions is profound, and the ramifications rapidly unfolding. This weekend we saw the desperate head of the "Palestine Authority", Mahmoud Abbas, send a message of support to Mubarak -- at the very moment Mubarak too has passed his "best before date." One sinking stone clinging to another. For more insight into the response of Palestinians in Palestine to Mahmoud Abbas, see the excellent article by Jonathan Cook: "Can the Palestinian Authority Survive?"
Then the third dynamic, this within the Palestinian rights support movement. For a long time the mantra among most activists was to accept the partition of a single historic Palestine into two-states, the same mantra that has dominated the Orwellian-named "peace process." But as Israeli colonization of territories conquered in 1967 continued unhindered, the realization that a "Palestinian state" could be no more than a set of tiny fragmented "Bantustans" became increasingly clear to activists. And the realization that the 1967 conquest was indeed a continuation of the 1948 ethnic cleansing emerged from the shadows into daylight.
The growing recognition of these realities, along with the more and more extensive and open affirmations of racist bigotry against Palestinians, within and outside the 1967 occupied territories, the more profound the moral indignation and disgust with Israel's policies and practices.
Solidarity activists are shifting away from following the parallel track of a non-existent peace process, moving toward the basics: denunciation of classic colonization, ethnic cleansing, and racist apartheid. Increasingly the tactic of boycott, divestment and sanctions is being pursued as appropriate, with the goal of a single state structure in all of historic Palestine, founded on legal equality for all its citizens regardless of ethnicity and religion, as the only way to realize justice and peace.
This third dynamic is the one solidarity activists in Canada can and should directly contribute to building. And as we do this, the other two dynamics will continue to shape the wider possibilities for success.
For 40 years the dominant narrative of Israel was flattering. A country of refuge for persecuted Jews, a land without a people for a people without a land, a model new society ever on the alert to defend itself from enemies driven by hate and jealousy.
Here in Canada there were hardly any voices to challenge this narrative. No need for campaigns to silence the critics.
Beginning with the first intifada in December 1987 and with gathering momentum, in irregular bursts, reports brought to light the existence of a Palestinian people, inhabitants of the land on which Israel was founded in 1948. Increasingly Israel's treatment of the Palestinian people raised questions and criticism.
The dominant narrative began to lose its capacity to gain reflexive approval. As discussions ensued, the voice of critics became increasingly present and credible.
The advocates of Israeli policies and practices make efforts to "re-brand" Israel, as they put it, to regain the old reflexive approval. But with diminished success they now put their emphasis on silencing, punishing, stigmatizing and criminalizing the voices of the critics -- fundamentally attacking freedom of speech.
Active defence of this right therefore is and needs to remain an integral part of the efforts for justice and peace in historic Palestine.
Mordecai Briemberg is a founding member of Canada Palestine Support Network, and is a regular contributor to rabble.ca.
The makings of 'a perfect storm' are coming for the people of Israel; this is not good for them, and probably not good for anyone in the world.
Conditions are ripening:
1. Netanyahu elected Israel Prime Minister - beligerent appeasement of the untraconservative minority of the constituency - negotiates in bad faith
2. Hezbollah-associated nomination of Prime Minister of Lebanon - Najib Mikati - is associated with the Hezbollah political faction that has become the de facto public services provider in southern Lebannon
3. American mid-term elections dramatically weaken the power/political suasion of President Obama, enabling a re-invigorated pro-Israel policy direction, yet American diplomtic currency, like the dollar, continues to decline in value around the world, militarily over-extended in pro-corporate conflicts in the Muslim world
4. Wiki-Leaks sparks popular uprisings in the democratically repressed Islamic republics, while stable, corruption and repression of human rights of citizens key regional ally-regimes strongly suggest impending governmental changes that have only one direction to go, in terms of concordance with the state of Israel especially with respect to the treatment of Palestinians
The trend suggests a revolt against individuals, and affiliations living at a (higher) standard discrepant from neighbours, often at the cost of those neighbours.
In the western world, political correctness has been fomented to a ridiculous form of censorship,repressing an open discussion on these key issus that all citizens on the planet are now stakeholers in; unfortunately for all, none but Jews are really able to discuss these issues; for all those reasonable and empathetic, the majority I optimistically suspect, you have a lot of work to do; good luck in these trying endeavours.
This is utter CRAP and sadly typical of the morally bankrupt neo left. Israel undemocratic? Pleeeaaase! It is the only democracy in the ME region and you have the utter chutzpah to make your repugnant and intellectually dishonest knee jerk judgments regarding Israel's "fear" of the mass masturbation in Egypt that you call a democratic revolution. Give your head a shake.
Love those Israeli supporters. No need to talk facts when insults will do.
Anyways, the working class in the middle east are able to rise up because America is in full economic decline. In other workds, the world capitalist order is changing and the USA is on the way out.
If anything the working class in Israel will also be freed from their oppressive religious government that has brought them nothing but war and missary.
Yep. Israel is "quaking in its boots". Funny no revolution in Israel only in fascist Arab states why? Because they are fascist states...unlike Israel (unless you believe he Apartheid bull shit). But even if you do where is the "revolution? None? Because guess what....all citizens can own property, vote and are protected by law no matter who they are unlike.....in Jordan, Egypt etc. Which is precisely why the mob is mad in Egypt. However what can happen is this fascist regime can be replaced by one identical to Iran ....which is far worse but for some perverse reason doesn't seem to irk the pseudo leftists who believe that any entity that is the enemy of USA or that "Zionist Entity" is their friend. Fortunately as revealed (to their dismay) the Palestinian Papers reveal that Pal. leaders are more realistic.I just wish the "activists" would activate their brains before spewing PC rhetoric.
Hey Bizaro, I see how it is.. Your beloved Isael is great. but ALL the other countries in the Middle East are not.
Nice try, buddy... But unfortunately for those of us that live in reality, fully understand that the working class in Israel are being used by the jIsraeli bourgeoisie just as much as they are being used in all the other countries in the region.
I know, I know, it's a hard concept to understand; for fascists like you.
But, have no worries, when the time comes, Ill fully support the working class of Israel, when they need help removing the Islaeli Bourgeois religious Government and unite with their brothers in the rest of the Middle East.
So you just keep ranting on about your religious superiority and convince yourself that the Arabs (even though most ofthem are not Arabs) are backwards dogs.
Hammer and Sickle rah rah rah. yawn. Workers of the world arise etc yawn. Hugo Chavez (retch)......
I'm still waiting for that "revolution" in Israel ( never). As for fascists....if you support them then you are one....
The pitiful performance of the UN in it's defence of fascists and obsession with Israel is an example of morally bankrupt thinking:
http://tinyurl.com/4b3bhz8
http://www.internationalrelations.house.gov/112/neu012511.pdf
ps
spell checking ....it's marvellous.
@ Bizaro
Bro you don't get it. You're the fascist, just read what you have written.
Here let me hi-lite for you...
"Because they are fascist states...unlike Israel (unless you believe he Apartheid bull shit)"
"all citizens can own property, vote and are protected by law no matter who they are unlike.....in Jordan, Egypt etc"
"all citizens can own property, vote and are protected by law no matter who they are unlike.....in Jordan, Egypt etc"
"Fortunately as revealed (to their dismay) the Palestinian Papers reveal that Pal. leaders are more realistic"
"I just wish the "activists" would activate their brains before spewing PC rhetoric."
"The pitiful performance of the UN in it's defence of fascists and obsession with Israel is an example of morally bankrupt thinking:"
These are the things you have said. It's all based in half truths and bigorty. Which leads me to believe you have ideological tendencies which happen to parallel fascist tendencies, because you are right and everyone else is wrong.
But that's ok, you can dismiss what I say because of my spelling mistakes.
@ bizaro
As for your ascertation that Israel is not a fascist state, they how do you explain the treatment of the Palistinians that they lord over and cage behind massive concrete walls?
@bizaro
Or how about everyone in Israel being forced to participate in the Military and serve time oppressing the Palistinians?
What, that's not ideological fascism?
No, you just keep on believing that there is no fascism in Israel and Ill just keep trying to help you attain freedom.
Don't worry my friend , I have your back and we here at Rabble.ca can help you enter the real world were people love each other and don't keep people hidden behind ideological Capitalist walls.
Trippie:
"You must be smoking funny stuff. But you make me laugh and I appreciate it.
Here is what happens in democratic ME states other than Israel:
http://rubinreports.blogspot.com/2011/02/syrian-authorities-break-up-pro...
http://tinyurl.com/4bm3znn
@Bizaro
Ok bro, just went and read some of this guys stuff.. The guys a total fascist, that is comepletely biased towards Isael. There is nothing balanced about his diatribes.
Look If you want me to listen to a Jewish person talk about world politics, it's gonna be people like Marx, Trotsky, Chomski and their ilk.
When I look at the Middle East I don't look at the Countries and the different religions. I look at the Bourgeoisie and the Proletariat.
Take Isreal for example:
I don't see it as the Jews against the Muslims, The Israelis against the Palestinians.
I see it as teh wroking class in a struggle against the various bourgeoisie parties. In Israel you have the Government tryng to dictate the workers conditions of exploitation. This Bourgeois Government is in afight against the Bourgeois parties that controll the working class made of up people ath are not Jewish. These parties are Hezbulla, Hamas, PLO, Iranian Government, Syrian Governmetn etc.
Do you see what I mean? It's the working class up against allthese bourgeois parties taht want to control them.
When I look at Egypt, what I see is an economic situation that is intolerable. So the working class rises up against its bourgeoise oppresser, in this case, lead by Mubarak.
Whyis this possible now? Because the American bourgeoisie contribute $1+ billion each year in military support to the Egyptian bourgeoisie, and America is now in its economic decline world wide.
YOu have seen the result, 2007 its financial form of Capitalism almost wiped out the world when it fell apart. We have witnessed the working class rise up against it in Iran, Greece, Italy, Spain, France, England, USA mid term elections, Tunisa and now Egypt.
All these events are connected to one thing, the demise of American Capitalism and it's power over the world.
You will see the working class in Israel rise up once America can not supply the Iraeli bourgeoisie with the $billions each year that it does now.
@ Bizaro
You want to feel safe in Israel?
You want to stop the treat of the Arabs?
It's easy, create economic opertunity for those people. When men are able to work and supply food and shelter for their faimilies they could care less about what you are doing.