Larry Derfner and I began our debate about the future of Israel and Zionism at Israel Reconsidered several weeks ago. Just this week, we really got into it over Nakba and Right of Return. Frankly, I was surprised at how little Larry was willing to “give” on both subjects since I consider him to be one of the most forthright and progressive of Israel’s English language newspaper columnists. I got really exercised in my reply to him, Right of Return is ‘Right’ and a Right.
This is my first substantive foray into both of these subjects where I’ve put my thoughts down at length (never really did it here in this blog except in the comment threads). So I hope you’ll take a look especially at that post. You can access all the posts I’ve written at Israel Reconsidered here.
The latter blog is an experiment for both of us. We didn’t know how it would turn out. We have high regard for each other and usually agree politically. And frankly, I didn’t even know that Larry essentially rejects the Right of Return. When I read his last post it really brought me up short. That’s why my reply was so passionate and perhaps even vituperative. I’m eager for some readers here who haven’t weighed in on the comment threads there to do so. Until now, the preponderance has been of the liberal Zionist stripe, which I find sometimes limiting both intellectually and politically.
The Melian nature of such dialogue is demonstrated here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDjbTR8Br_w&feature=share
and bear in mind that this debater, demonstrating both a skullcap and an American passport, is handled with the finest kid-gloves Israeli police would ever offer an “Arabs-lover”.
That was amazing. What a courageous – and handsome – young man. The-Only-Democracy-In-The-Middle-East …
I’m happy to see it has more than 30.000 visitors in only one day. I’ll post it where I can. Thanks.
If I were that young man’s parents I would be bursting with pride. (AND be worried…)
The kid was looking for trouble however discretion is the better part of valor.
The kippa keeps falling off his head so he’s obviously not used to wearing one.
He’s waving his passport around like it’s a magic shield that is somehow going to protect him.
Israeli cops are resentful of fair skinned American kids who take time out from their (perceived to be) pampered lives to “safely” make a statement in Israel.
Would he dare be arrested for Disorderly conduct, Disobeying an order from a police officer and Resisting Arrest (class A misdemeanors) in the U.S.
The simple answer is NO!
So why does he do it in Israel.
I just hope that the cops let him go without charging him
with anything…looks like a good kid (with principles) …maybe he’ll learn law and do some real good for those who cannot afford the $350 an hour for a lawyer in the U.S.
You’re kidding. People participate in political demonstrations in the U.S. every day of the week. But very few end in any arrests just as this one shouldn’t have except for the Bull Connor attitude of Israeli police officers.
And he IS doing real good in Israel only you’re too blind to notice or understand that.
Four tough guys overpowering and dragging a boy into police car. For what reason? That he didn’t want to give them his passport? Disgusting … These are the present day Israeli “heroes”. I feel deeply ashamed.
Richard, I have read through your debate on the Nakba with Larry, and have to say, with only a few reservations, that you did an excellent job.
Might I recommend that you both read Ilan Pappé’s latest book, “The Forgotten Palestinians.” He answers all the questions in your debate. His argument is my own.
And, Yankel, thanks for the youtube of that brave young American-Jewish man. That took real guts.
“” The desire of multiple generations to return to their home is a fantasy.”
“Actually, I was hoping that Richard Witty was a fantasy. Alas, he isn’t.”
Sorry to bring this over here.
This is an enormously rude thing to say, to declare that you wish that another person not exist.
You utterly misinterpreted my first sentence to assume that I was declaring that Palestinians don’t desire the right of return. I was speaking of the preposterousnous of the expectation.
You can disagree with that, wonderful, whether the expectation is a realistic one or a fantasy. At least disagree with my comment itself, not your innaccurate imagination of what I was saying.
You really screwed up in your “shared” blog with Larry Derfner. You personally appeared petulant, mean-spirited, not anybody’s liberation.
Given Mr. Witty’s track record, if he thinks you screwed up, you must be doing something right. Keep up the good work.
I agree with Jerry Haber, liberal zionists tend to want to trade stuff they don’t care about (Negev) for stuff they care about (Jerusalem). They then seem shocked when other people don’t consider it is a fair deal.
You should. It’s not only off topic, it’s off-blog. Stay on topic, Witty.
Oh de poor poor boy, hurt his feelings. Baby wanna cuddle? Gimme a break Witty & get a sense of humor would ya?
Talk about rude, you don’t have a clue what you’re talking about, blathering on in your clueless liberal way that is mostly besides the pt.
I wouldn’t be rude to you, poor boy if you didn’t show the height of rudeness to the 4.5 million descendants of Nakba refugees. So pipe down buddy & when you can treat these individuals w. respect then you’ll be. Not before.
No, the expectation isn’t preposterous. It’s preposterous of you, a liberal Jew with no investment in the conflict to call it preposterous. It’s the ultimate insult. I have no patience for you, Witty. Stop wasting our time.
I could care less, Witty, how I appeared to you. Go whine to Larry. He’s a better listener.
You appeared to the world, Richard.
And, in your representation of what solidarity includes, you hurt your own cause (for a change).