Ed note (Trevor) As we have been organizing Gilad Atzmon’s two upcoming events in Texas, we have predictably come under fire. Not by the ADL (yet), but by, SURPRISE, the “Palestine rights” community.
Why are these people so adamant that no one examine they crimes of the Jewish state (including its very existence of course) within the context of Jewish culture? Why are these supposed advocates of Palestine so insistent that nobody discuss the festering boil of Judaism? Why are they not mentioning that the BDS mission statement was altered to include the legitimization of a Jewish state, albeit within the 1967 borders? Why do they lie and call Gilad a racist, even though he has never made one statement in regards to race? Why do so many Palestinians and advocates of Palestine use the same language and arguments as the ADL? WHY IS THERE SUCH A DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF JEWS IN THE FREE PALESTINE MOVEMENT??? ARE THEY THERE TO ADVOCATE FOR PALESTINE, OR ARE THEY THERE TO PROTECT THE JEWS???
Is it because these supposed advocacy organizations receive fat checks from zionist NGO’s, bribing them to shoot their own movement in the foot by not allowing anyone to even define the problem correctly? There are many kosher gems in this letter urging the cancellation of our event, especially if you enjoy applying the 180 degree principle to Orwellian double-speak.
Included is Gilad’s typically cogent response.
In regard to the Houston event:
“Dear Bob,
“We met briefly at one of the bridge blogging events for Palestine a few weeks ago.
“I am one of the people who commented in support of Nick Cooper’s article in Free Press Houston because I know Gilad Atzmon’s history with Palestine solidarity groups and I am convinced that his coming to Houston will be a major blow to our advocacy efforts for Palestine and BDS.
“I speak only for myself. I do not represent any organization and I cannot speak for the Palestinian community in Houston, yet I am confident they reject antisemitism and would not wish to be associated with the likes of Gilad Atzmon. Almost every respectable public figure, journalist, academic and organizer in the palestine solidarity movement has distanced themselves from Atzmon for his antisemitic and racist views. Advocates for Palestine in Houston should, too.
“I was born and raised in Lebanon and have lived under the shadow of israel’s occupation and aggression. My family has fought and contributed to the resistance against israel and its Lebanese militias since the invasion of 1982 and I have lost family members, classmates and friends to israeli war crimes as recently as 2006. I have witnessed the carnage and destruction by israel firsthand and was forced to evacuate my home in the July 2006 War. I have worked on boycott campaigns in Lebanon and in the US and I want to work on this in Houston.
“I constantly remind myself to listen to others who are better-informed or experienced in this area. I follow the lead of Palestinians and their allies and I try my best to never speak over them or claim to know what’s best for them, because I think it’s quite arrogant of anyone to claim to speak for the Palestinians or decide who the best spokesperson is on their behalf. Unfortunately, this is exactly what you are doing.
“You have decided to bring in a racist, anti-semitic artist who’s only claim to fame is bashing jews and calling it anti-zionist activism. You are insisting on hosting this event despite being cautioned repeatedly by friends and allies about his views and how he would harm the movement. You are hosting this event despite having read (I hope) the list of hundreds of Palestinians and their allies who have rejected his views and have completely distanced themselves from him. Where is the palestinian/Arab community you claim to speak for? Do you think they believe he is a good spokesperson for them? No matter what your true intentions are, you are, by claiming to know what’s best for Palestinians, by inviting a racist anti-semite to speak about their cause, by ignoring the fact that he has been rejected time and again by every Palestinian individual/group, speaking over Palestinians. This is not solidarity by any stretch of the word and it does not even remotely resemble advocacy for Palestine. Gilad Atzmon does not support the Boycotts, Divestments and Sanctions (BDS) movement against israel, which was called for by Palestinian civil society in 2005 and is the main framework through which advoates for justice in Palestine can organize and achieve victories. If he does not support Palestinian initiatives like BDS, if he ignores Palestinian voices who have objected to his views, what makes him a good spokesperson? His rants against israel? His conflation of zionism and judaism? The Palestinian solidarity movement is a movement against racism and against any discrimination based on race, ethnicity and religion. We cannot have racists in our midst and antisemitism will not be tolerated. I urge you to cancel the event and stand with Palestinian community and their allies on this matter. We can work together on bringing better speakers and educators to inform the public and help us get mobilized on our pro-Palestine efforts in Houston.
Amal Rammah.”
(Trevor) I am also thrown this in: In regard to the Austin event, this is a note from Austin Interfaith Council’s coordinator in response to Anne’s (of TUT fame) inquiry as to whether the council would like to host Gilad:
“Anne,
Gilad Atzmon has been disavowed by the Palestine Rights movement for his racism and anti-semitism. I’ve attached a copy of Ali Abunimah’s article on him.
What group are you with that invited him? Who is “we”?
Bernice Hecker, ICPR coordinator
______________________________
Now from Gilad: “
the most spectacular thinkers ever to be associated with Palestine, amongst them many Palestinians…they all support Gilad Atzmon
Maybe you should take your time and refine your argument..
In order to call me a racist, you may have to find a single reference to race in my entire work… You don’t stand a chance, it ain’t there.
I am critical of Jewish politics,, and I do believe that all politics must be subject to criticism, Jewish politics included,
Don’t you agree?
ATB
Gilad Atzmon
“A transformative story told with unflinching integrity that all (especially Jews) who care about real peace, as well as their own identity, should not only read, but reflect upon and discuss widely.” Professor Richard Falk
United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Palestine
“Fascinating and provocative” Professor John J. Mearsheimer
“Gilad’s book constitutes an excellent critique of Identity Politics in general and Jewish Identity Politics in particular from a humanistic perspective. These hysterical attacks upon Gilad only reveal the weaknesses, insecurities, double-standards and hidden agendas of those who attack him. Gilad’s humanism and plea for humanism shine through every page of this book—obviously influenced by his Jazz. A Love Supreme!” Professor Francis A. Boyle
“Atzmon addresses in The Wandering Who? important issues that deserve careful consideration by everyone—Jews, Palestinians and others—who are concerned with the interrelated topics of Zionism, the Jewish state, Palestinian oppression and Jews.” Professor Norton Mezvinsky ( Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, May 2012)
“Atzmon’s insight into the organism created by the Zionist movement is explosive.” Professor William A. Cook
“Like the ancient prophets Atzmon exposes Jews. At the same time, Atzmon believes that the Bible, from which the prophets spring, is bogus….Atzmon provides no hiding place for Jews anywhere.” (Future of the Prophetic, Marc H. Ellis pg’ 332)…“Atzmon performs the prophetic for our time. Like the biblical prophets he does not acknowledge, Atzmon believes we are at the end of Jewish history, a history, like the prophets, he no longer believe exists or, if it does, is not worthy of being carried forward. Irony of ironies, he witnesses to the continuity of both” (pg’ 334)…“Like Moses, though with a twist, Atzmon is constrained from entering the land….Atzmon refuses to return until the Promised Land is liberated from the modern-day Israelites. In short, Atzmon’s homeland is occupied by Jews” (pg’ 336) …“ Instead of King of the Jews. Perhaps Atzmon should be recognized as the prophet of old, At least in his self description and his outreach, this is the way he appears” (pg’ 332)
“A superb and necessary book that demystifies some “undeniable truths” about Jewish identity -
Gauden Sarasola, El Pais
“I see in Atzmon writings a number of memes that are seeping into the common discourse. A meme is a persuasive idea that spreads in a population like a useful gene spreads in a population. Some of those memes include:
-The now well-established fact that Jews are not a racial group but an ideological religious belief that spread many centuries ago among people of diverse background (this meme came from studies of the Khazars and others by authors like Arthur Koestler, Kevin Alan Brooks, Shlomo Sand, and now Atzmon)
-The idea of a conflict between chauvinistic nationalism and universal humanism.
-The weird mix of religious heritage/belief with tribal notions in Jewish political discourse
-The distorted recruitment of archaeological and other studies to support the political ideology of a connection between Jews of today and Israelites of the bible
-The recruitment of the ideology of suffering as a quasi-religious belief that is no longer subject to normal historical examinations (and in fact shielded from such historical examination via laws).” Dr. Mazin Qumsiyeh
“Atzmon’s essential contribution to solidarity with Palestine is to help non-Jews realize that they are not always in the wrong when conflicts with Jewish organizations arise.” Jean Bricmont
Gilad’s “The Wandering Who” entertains, pushes and irritates us. His painful journey through what it means to be Jewish, what the consequences are of carrying that realization around, and his ultimate acceptance of who he is makes me awfully glad I was raised a Methodist. Not to be missed and not to be put down for later, his book is one of the best reads of 2012.” Greta Berlin – Co-Founder, the Free Gaza movement
“Gilad Atzmon decided to open Pandora’s Box, and ignite a debate that has been frustratingly dormant for too long. His experiences are most authentic, views are hard-hitting, and, at times, provocative. It must be read and discussed.” Ramzy Baroud, Palestine Chronicle
“Gilad Atzmon’s book, The Wandering Who? is as witty and thought provoking as its title. But it is also an important book, presenting conclusions about Jews, Jewishness and Judaism which some will find shocking but which are essential to an understanding of Jewish identity politics and the role they play on the world stage.” Karl Sabbagh
“A pioneering work that deserves to be read and Gilad Atzmon is brave to write this book!” Dr. Samir Abed-Rabbo
“Gilad’s escape from spiritual claustrophobia towards a free and open humanitarianism is fearless” Robert Wyatt
“It is excellent from beginning to end. very well-organized and well-articulated arguments.” David Rovics
“In his inimitable deadpan style, Atzmon identifies the abscess in the Jewish wisdom tooth – exilic tribalism – and pulls it out. Ouch!” Eric Walberg, Al Aharam Weekly
“It shows a sincerity and courage that is lacking in many Jewish intellectuals.” Jonathan Moadab
“It is more than an academic exercise. It is a revelation!” Lauren Booth, Press TV
“The Wandering Who is a philosophical masterpiece that liberates us from the zionist superstitions that enslave us. It should be required reading for anyone seeking to understand the human condition in our irrational times.” Greg Felton
“It is an exhilarating read, from the atemporality of immoral action to the temporality of morals, from Jewish suffering to supremacy and expansionism to the categorical imperative, and from guilt feelings to responsibility.” Dr Anthony Löwstedt
“A brilliant analysis that makes what appear to be contradictions in Jewish identity based political behavior not only comprehensible but predictable.” Jeff Blankfort
“Atzmon has the courage – so profoundly lacking among Western intellectuals” Professor James Petras
“Having known Gilad for 25 years, I read the book in English, I heard it in Hebrew and reflected on it in Arabic. Gilad Atzmon is astonishingly courageous” Dr. Makram Khoury-Machool
“In many ways, Atzmon’s book is a cri de couer addressed to Jews, specifically, but to humanity, generally, to grow up! To reach beyond tribalism and the politics of fear and vengeance.” Gary Corseri
“Like a surgeon’s knife cutting through crap to the kernel of truth! Courageous and exhilarating!” Inge Etzbach
“Gilad Atzmon reflects on his transforming journey from an IDF “Israeli”, a racist tribalist, self-ghettoized Zionist, with exclusionist mentality, who was greatly influenced as a child by his “veteran Zionist terrorist” grandfather, into simply a Universalist and Humanist.”Nahida Izzat, Uprooted Palestinians
“A fascinating achievement” Dr Oren Ben Dor
“Gilad Atzmon is someone who encompasses what it means to be an intellectual.” Kim Petersen, Dissident Voice
“Gilad Atzmon is the Moses of our time, calling all of us out of the Egypt of our boneheaded nationalisms and racialisms and exceptionalisms and chosen-people-isms toward some form of humanistic universalism.” Dr. Kevin Barrett
“Perhaps only a musician could have written this sensitive, perceptive lament over how so many Jews, believing themselves to be doing ‘what is good for the Jews,’ have managed to carve the heart out of the Palestinian nation and make this tragedy look like the natural order of things.” Kathleen Christison
“Gilad’s The Wandering Who? would have been a welcome delight to Albert Einstein just as it will be the irritating nemesis for Abe Foxman ideologues.” Dr. Paul Balles
“A book that will shake up a few people….” Gordon Duff
“Engaging, provocative and persuasive.’ Jeff Gates
“When you finish reading this book, you may likely as well see a different face in the mirror.” Professor Garrison Fewell
“The Wandering Who deconstructs the unique political identity that shapes the reality of the Jewish Nation and the crimes committed in its name. As a non-Jew, I found it illuminating!” Sameh Habeeb, Palestine Telegraph
“Gilad Atzmon probes the dilemmas Zionism has created for its adherents” Neil Berry, Arab News
“It is a very moving account that should be read by everyone.” Silvia Cattori
“The Last Jewish Prophet” Professor William T. Hathaway
“Atzmon is an iconoclast.” Dr. Paul Larudee
“A brilliant, courageous study as well as critical reflection on Jewish ethnocentrism” Rainlore’s World of Music
“Like all truth tellers of any merit Atzmon can expect the wrath of the powers that be and their minions as a reward for what he is exposing. People like Atzmon will have played a vital role in saving us from ourselves if indeed we do manage to survive. Love and respect to my brother Gilad Atzmon.” Ken O’Keefe
“The magical and yet extremely subtle gift that Gilad Atzmon offers through his personal journeys in The Wandering Who? is the wisdom of disillusionment.” Shahram Vahdany, MWC News
“Atzmon’s writing respects no sacred cows. His wit is biting, his insight and logic compelling.” Richard A. Siegel
“Sometimes a brash, abrasive provocateur is what is required as a catalyst for genuine debate.” Sunny Singh
“This is a very perceptive and instructive book” Roy Ratcliffe
“I commend this book to anyone interested in Palestine/Israel, the Middle East in general, or Jewish identity issues.” Sheldon Richman
“The most accurate assessment to date on Jewish identity and political drive” Today’s Jewish Heroes
