On extremists, moderates, and us
As mentioned in my previous post, I took up the invitation to participate in a panel of “progressive” Israel/Palestine bloggers/writers/activists Monday. The space for the program was offered by J Street, but the panel itself was not affiliated with them (they did not even include it in the official program of events). Both were independent of one another, an odd relationship which came characterize the session itself. I was unsure what the nature of the session was supposed to be-or for the entire conference for that matter.
In any case, the panel included an impressive list of some 12 bloggers (academics, writers, and so on) including Phil Weiss of Mondoweiss, Helena cobban, Max Blumenthal, Brian Walt, Sydney Levy and so on.
I arrived a few minutes late to a packed conference hallways and overflowing room, and snaked my way to the front. I have to admit, for the first 15 minutes or so, I felt oddly out of place as I tried to sort things out.
When I was asked to introduce myself and speak a little about Gaza, I really didn’t know what to say besides how disconnected and remote I have come to feel. “So say that” suggested Richard Silverstein “because ultimately that is what a siege and total blockade intends to achieve, what occupation does”. And so I did. My father stood silently by in the back of the room. I referred to him, to both my parents, to my family, to everyone in Gaza;
How hard it was simply to live there, and then, to leave, or return. You are always feeling like a stranger, always feeling dislocated. Now more than ever. The only thing linking me are pictures and memories. I read the news and I feel so far away.
And then the others chattered, mainly about the role of J Street, was it bad, was it good, did it have potential, the lesser of two evils…and on and on.
Half an hour in, I was silent, still wondering what I was doing there. Then Ray Hanania spoke via webcam, in the nauseating meaningless expressions that could be uttered by anyone from Ariel Sharon to Ghandi “we must isolate the extremists on both sides and reach out to the moderates in order ot achieve peace, and we all know that is based on the vision of two-states for two people’s… blahbity blahbity blah…”.
“Ray” one of the moderators confessed, “you make it so easy for Jews to speak to you”.
ok, I’d had enough. I shook my head, raised my hand and just sort of let it all out: “I’m sorry I really have to say something here. I’ve been quietly listening to what everyone has been saying for 20 minutes now- feeling confused and very much out of place, as I listen to people talking about moderates and achieving peace and …I just have to ask: What is everyone talking about? This is not real. What two states? What ‘peace’? Are we living on different planets? Has anyone seen a map of the West Bank lately? Of the settlements? Do you know what the settlements have done? what the wall looks like? Everyone is speaking about “two states”, about an independent viable palestine as if that’s real. As though it were something just within our reach. And all I can think about is Gaza. My parents. My husband, a refugee, who can’t even go back with me when I was able to go back. The West Bank. Jerusalem. This is not real anymore. I’m really not understanding what we’re doing here, and where I fit in to all of this, and what everyone is talking about.”
The conversation was way behind. Step off the tracks and take a look around, I thought.
“We can’t continue to speak like this, its an illusion people. I really also have to protest this dichotomous notion of there being extremists and moderates-who is the extremist here? Are Ray, and others, suggesting that President Abbas and the PA are the moderates? that they are the ones to reach out to? Let me let you in on a little secret: Most Palestinians don’t’ support Abbas. I certainly don’t consider him my president-his term expired in January. Where are all the other Palestinian voices? I am an observant Muslim; I also support a democratic one state solution; but I’m not Fateh or Hamas or anything else- I’m certainly pro-justice; do you consider me an extremist then? The Palestinian political spectrum is very diverse and pluralistic-its high time we recognized that and include these other voices in the conversation.” But of course, that would not be very convenient, would it.
And of course, this is all to suggest a skewed definition of “moderate” on the Israeli side-”moderates” that support a sustained occupation, expansive illegal settlements, a continuation of the siege, and so on.
Anyway I’d said my piece. There were applause and whatnot, and the conversation continued. I never did receive a response form Hanania, since based on his conversations on his radio programs, I would be considered among the “fringe”, a voice that the Palestinain leadership does not WANT to include in its conversation;
But if Jon Stewart’s valiant conversation with Mustafa Barghouti and Anna Baltzer last night is any indication, perhaps that is getting ready to change, at least as far as the US media is concerned (ok that’s a stretch, but it was a good start!)
10/30/2009 at 11:55 am
I posted an article earlier this month where I argued that the only possible future for Israel is as binational state:
http://watching-history.blogspot.com/2009/10/israel.html
10/30/2009 at 3:54 pm
Just knowing how infuriated I get when I here the same old soundbites from the likes of Hanania, Sharon, et al… I can’t actually begin to imagine how it must feel for a Palestinian, someone whose life this is about.
I know it means nothing to you as I’m a nobody, but I’m proud of you. I don’t mean that in a patronising way, not at all. Just the fact that you put your hand up and spoke from the heart, spoke the truth like that, it’s something to be proud of.
Sadly, I have to agree with you that there definitely isn’t a viable solution just around the corner, but the worst thing anyone can do is to stop fighting, stop going on, just accepting the complete shit that Israel has caused the Palestinians and the Palestinian lands.
Respect and greetings from England….
10/30/2009 at 3:59 pm
Right on (also, now I understand your Ray Hanania reference the other day). I am so sick of hearing these discussion of moderates…because they don’t actually mean “moderates” in any real definition of the word, what they mean is people who are willing to kowtow to zionist interests.
Thank you!
11/01/2009 at 12:03 am
Hello.
I posted this entry on a blog I am involved with (I hope you do not mind; I included your name and a link to your blog). Mr. Hanania used the comment section to post his response to what you wrote about him. If you are interested, please visit the blog (http://theunpeople.blogspot.com/) and feel free to use the opportunity to comment on Mr. Hanania’s response (http://theunpeople.blogspot.com/2009/10/on-extremists-moderates-and-us.html#comments).
Thank you.
EJ Hibbing
Plight of the Unpeople
11/01/2009 at 3:51 am
One thing I don’t understand: we left Gaza four years ago. Ok, we don’t want you to transit our territory – get your goods through Rafah. Now what, you expect to pound our towns with rockets and enjoy safety? Stop firing at us, and we couldn’t care less about your place, live there as you wish.
11/01/2009 at 9:02 pm
Thank you, Laila. In the mental games that talking about global politics often turn into, it’s important to be reminded about what actually matters. And speaking of what matters, give Yousuf and Noor a big hug and kiss from me.
11/02/2009 at 1:34 am
I am glad that you participated in our blogger panel and sorry you felt so isolated fr. the rest of us. I should note that there was a wide diversity of views about the right “solution” to the I-P conflict & you make it appear that most other panelists did not share yr views. A number of panelists do not support a two state solution (nor have they expressed support for a one state solution either as you have).
My goal in hosting the panel was to bring people together to hear a wide variety of viewpoints. I’m sorry you didn’t feel you had a place at the table so to speak, but many of us appreciated yr participation nevertheless.
11/02/2009 at 7:02 am
Not at all Richard! I appreciated the invite and your moderating- I wasn’t referring to the panelists (well, except Ray), but rather to the J-street as a whole I’d say and the audience
11/02/2009 at 2:30 pm
I should add, Richard, that many panelists later told me they too felt isolated (and often feel isolated within their own communities) so its not like I was “unique” in that regard ! I just mean in general if you are someone who does not adhere to the status quo or conventional wisdom of what solution is supposed to solve the conflict, then you will feel isolated I suppose; in my case i felt moreso b/c I was a woman (one of two!), a Palestinian, a Muslim, etc. etc. but pls don’t misinterpret-I am glad I had the opportunity to speak with all of you!
11/02/2009 at 5:21 pm
I’m sad to read your post, Leila, because according to your views (as I understand them) there won’t be a solution to the conflict any time soon – The Israelis won’t withdrawal without guarantee for non-violence and the Palestinians (Fatah) won’t talk with the Israelis until there is a withdrawal, let alone Hamas who will only fight against Israel.
You say you are part of a crowd which is not Fatah nor Hamas, but if it is indeed a crowd, why hasn’t it raised it’s voice? why hasn’t it shown it’s face in the Palestinian politics?
The whole situation is a sort of a loop without an ending.
11/03/2009 at 6:06 pm
In continuation of Amir’s post, it is important to add that your views will only add to the continued suffering of the Palestinians. The only possible result of your philosophy is additional belligerence from Gaza, resulting in Israel continuing the fight suspended for Obama’s inauguration, resulting in the death and suffering of more Palestinians.
There is only one feasible direction for the Palestinians to move – accept Israel as a Jewish state, give up terrorism, and negotiate a solution that will result in Palestinian statehood. Economic growth and prosperity will follow.
11/14/2009 at 6:13 am
bravo leila.
this is what one always wants to say in this kind of fora: stop! we cannot continue using the same terms of debate; they will not help solve anything because they have no relationship to what is actually happening. a whole industry of opinion and polemic has formed around this debate, but its like arguing how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. and meanwhile gaza moulders.
it takes a lot of chutzpah to try to introduce different terms, to jolt the opinionators out of their worn grooves. keep it up…
m.
01/18/2010 at 12:14 pm
The term “moderate” as it relates to politics is meant to refer to someone who is neither a hawk nor a dove — it is used in the US to refer to MUSLIMS (supposedly) don’t hold a radical viewpoint where obeying the words of Mohammed and Islamic doctrine (Hadith, Sira, Quran). They “moderately” obey the words in that they do not heed the abrogated verses that advise against any type of support of an infidel — and as a matter of fact -not opinion — preach hatred thereof.
So, yes, just as well we are tired of hearing the term “moderate” also since we do not hear or see very many Muslims come out and speak against, refute, or even create action groups against radical Islam which is the true Islam. As far as I am concerned there is no such thing as a “moderate” Muslim. They are either ignorant of their own religious doctrine and its practices and traditions, versus laws OR they are in denial. Either way you go, they don’t acknowledge the violent/ radical viewpoint which is espoused in their own religious doctrines.