1) A good summary of US involvement in Israel can be found HERE in Wikipedia. I was surprised to learn that the US did not really get involved Israel until the 1967 war. Before then the Arabs look favorable on the US primarily because of its role in the Suez Crisis of 1956.
2) The best hope for the way forward seems to be in the growing non-violence movement in Palestine. The referenced article is about non-violent resistance advocated by the Palestinian National Initiative which is independent from Fatah or Hamas.
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Michael, here are some of the things I would like to emphasize on Thursday (probably more than you had in mind:
1. Re article “Obstacles to Peace – Israel’s Duplicity” (which everyone should have received either by blog or in print): A CHALLENGE: If you can find one important agreement which Israel has made which it has not reneged on, I will take you to lunch (at McDonald’s or somewhat better); au contraire, if you can find nothing, you take me to lunch. (Please re-read this article.)
2. Zionism vs Judaism (see “Hidden History of Zionism” and quotes from several prominent Jews. The power of the Christian Zionists
3. Arab League Peace Plan of 2002. Why did Israel not respond to this?
4. Is there something more insidious than US-Zionist organization (i.e., AIPAC, etc.) which makes the US so subservient to Israel? (Ref. “Eisenhower’s Secret Wars,” in which he threatened Britain “ .. with a run on the pound which would drive it into the ground” PBS 3- -13. Can one country have that much control over another’s currency?
5. The US failure to stand up for its citizens who have been killed by Israel, including the USS Liberty victims
6. Hedges quote re “enticing children like mice into a trap.” I will never forget this.
7. Non-Zionist Jews
8. US a “dishonest” broker – even though the US should have a lot of clout with Israel, it appears always that Israel is calling the shots. (George Ball gives many instances of this.)
9. Zionist questionable practices in recruiting Jews to Israel (see Zionist Connection). “False flag” operations
10. Palestinian demand, not so much for a “literal” right of return, but rather a recognition that a wrong has been done them, and that they should have the right to travel freely within Palestine/Israel.
11. Israel’s power worldwide
12. designation of “terrorist”(Palestinian) vs “freedom fighter” (Zionist) e.g., assassination of Count Folke Bernadotte
13. US media bias
Dory
From Dory,
ReplyDeleteJust in case the Zoom-In group has not read this review of “Brokers of Deceit,” could you forward it on to them.
Thanks, Doris
This is one of the most insightful books I have read on the subject of the axis of influence and power between the U.S., Israel, and Palestinians. The author cites the use of language, and labels, as being almost of primary importance in this conflict, since these labels (even though incorrect) tend to define the situation: 1) “settlements” are not illegal according to international law, but merely “obstacles to peace” or just" “unhelpful”; 2) occupied territories become “the administered territories,” or simply Judea, Samaria, and the Gaza district; 3) Arab East Jerusalem is not Arab “occupied,” and it has never been conquered: it has been “reunited.” 4) Jerusalem is not a city that has been a center of Arab and Muslim life for nearly fourteen hundred years: it is the “eternal, indivisible capital of Israel,” not only now and forever into the future, but also at every moment in the past, back to the dim mists before recorded history; 5) Palestinians were never expelled from their homeland. a nomadic people without roots in the land, they simply wandered off, or left because their leaders told them to. 6) Violence employed by Palestinians is “terrorism;’ violence employed by Israel, usually producing approximately ten times the casualties, is “self-defense.” Language matters. ( somewhat paraphrased from p.119-20) A wall which encroaches into Palestinian territory is for “security,” not merely stealing land and water resources.
These lies and propaganda are readily accepted and supported by the U.S., the supposed “honest broker” in this dispute. Almost every U.S. president has tried to some extent to try to get Israel to adhere to international law, and all* have had to back off. *The exception is Eisenhower who forced Israel (along with Britain and France) to give up on the idea of take over control of the Suez Canal from Egypt. Domestic policy, the Zionist lobbies (both Jewish and Christian), lack of Arab cohesiveness in supporting Palestinians – all have contributed to the impotence of U.S. presidents in this matter.
Perhaps the most harmful use of language are the words “peace process” instead of merely “peace.” This “process” has gone on for decades, with no results other than the continued persistent taking of Palestinian land. The “process” has served Israel well. “There is no way to peace; peace is the way.” -- A. J. Muste
The motto of the Mossad is “By deceit you shall conquer.” Apparently this is also the motto of the entire Government of Israel, supported by the U.S.