Liberals Join Cons to Condemn BDS Movement [Archive]

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The Intransigent Faction

21st February 2016, 04:55

So, the Trudeau government intends to join with the Conservatives next week and condemn the United Church of Canada and the Quakers, along with every other organization and individual participating to any degree in a boycott of Israeli goods and services.
Blanket government condemnation is not a very sunny thing to do, and the Liberals, quivering with outrage, are making it clear they really don't want to do it.
But they are going ahead because, apparently, they're being bullied, the poor daisies.
It's just not fair, the things you can be forced to do when you have a parliamentary majority.
There is no doubt, Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion declared in the House of Commons Thursday, that most of the organizations and individuals supporting the Boycott, Divest and Sanctions movement are doing so in good faith, believing it will somehow force an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and its control over Gaza, and maybe some sort of peace deal.
But BDS, said Dion, is not government policy. And "those people, of good faith, we will not convince them of their error by banging them on the head, by hitting them with condemnations of all types, by intimidation, or by invectives. We have to speak to them with respect."
There is also, added the minister, the small matter of freedom of speech and debate.
Dion denounced the Conservatives' opposition day motion — which would "condemn any and all attempts by Canadian organizations, groups or individuals to promote the BDS movement, both here at home and abroad" — as just more "politics of division."
The Tories, he said, are just "bullies" who want to turn the defence of Israel into a partisan issue. They'll portray anyone who votes against their motion as "dissidents."
"It's not us who wrote this motion," Dion complained, "but we have to vote yes or no."
So, um, yes. Reluctantly, yes.
The 'zero tolerance' business

Justin Trudeau's Liberals have actually been quite consistent in publicly opposing BDS, a movement begun by the Palestinians 11 years ago as an alternative to armed struggle.
But the Liberals would really rather not make a big deal of it.

The new government, for example, removed from the Foreign Affairs website the "memorandum of understanding" signed by Stephen Harper's foreign minister a year ago in Jerusalem.
The MOU was a proclamation of diplomatic war against BDS, which it described as "the new face of anti-Semitism."
The former public security minister, Steven Blaney, followed up a few months later with a warning at the UN that Canada had adopted a policy of "zero tolerance" toward BDS.

Ottawa cites hate crime laws when asked about 'zero tolerance' for Israel boycotters (http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ottawa-cites-hate-crime-laws-when-asked-about-its-zero-tolerance-for-israel-boycotters-1.3067497)
Tories deny plan to use hate laws (http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/tories-deny-plan-to-use-hate-crime-laws-against-israel-boycotters-1.3069723)

The Tories have not flinched from those positions.
In speeches supporting their motion, one Conservative MP after another conflated BDS with "the new anti-Semitism," "attacks on national origin," growing hatred of Jews everywhere, desecration of Jewish cemeteries, intimidation of Jewish university students, hatred of peace, and just plain old hatred.
Dion, trying hard to walk in Liberal sunshine, protested that no, some BDS supporters are respectable people, some in fact are Jewish themselves, and should not be ostracized. We must all speak to one another respectfully, he protested.
Free speech

But the Conservatives were on a full-court press.
"There is a time and a place for nuance and there is a time and a place to take a stand," declared Calgary Tory Michelle Rempel, one of the first MPs to signal an interest in the party leadership. "I hope that all of my colleagues in this place will find their spine, stand up, and do that."

Tory MP Tom Kmiec, also from Calgary, advanced the rather novel argument that Israel is the greatest, in fact singular, benefactor of the Palestinian economy: "Israel invests heavily in Palestine and the rest of the world typically does not."
(The fact that Israel has complete control over all Palestinian imports and exports went unmentioned.)
Kmiec stated flatly that the Israelis have offered peace, and the Palestinians have rejected it. And further, that one of the main Palestinian figures behind BDS, Omar Barghouti, has rejected the two-state solution. (As did Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, before trying to walk the statement back, but that went unmentioned, too.)
It went on for hours, and was not the most enlightening debate.
At one point, the Tories accused NDP leader Thomas Mulcair of supporting BDS because some BDS supporters held a rally outside his Montreal campaign office in September.
To be clear, Mulcair is an ardent supporter of Israel, opposes BDS, and has disciplined NDP candidates who publicly criticized the Jewish state.
"If anything, we regard him as an adversary," BDS organizer Tyler Levitan told me in an email.
Mulcair was not in the House for the debate, but said in a written statement that, to his party, this is a question of free speech.
"Let's be clear," Mulcair said, "the Conservatives are proposing to limit what topics Canadians are allowed to debate. That's not the role of government. This goes against our fundamental freedoms and the NDP will be voting against it."
The Liberals are less clear. By the end of the day, after being asked what happened to the Harper-era "memorandum of understanding," a spokesman for Dion said its removal was "a routine web glitch," and that it had been restored. He later said the MOU stands.
Meaning, presumably, that BDS represents the "face of new anti-Semitism" is the position of this government, too.
And in the House, when asked by the Tories whether the entire Liberal caucus would be voting yes on the Conservative motion, the response was that it would be up to Justin Trudeau.
And whatever he decides, judging from Dion's complaining today, he would presumably rather not make the decision. Prime ministers, after all, hate being bullied.

I'm getting pretty tired of the mental gymnastics of the Trudeau regime. When the Cons pushed Bill C-51, Trudeau played a similar game by saying the Liberals would support it in order to avoid the Conservatives "making political hay" of the issue.

"It's divisive" is not a fucking argument for opposing something, or for refusing to oppose something. Political issues are inherently divisive, regardless of how much a government tries to bury that under vague rhetoric against "bullies".

blake 3:17

21st February 2016, 15:41

PikSmeet

23rd February 2016, 14:39

As a socialist I would condemn it too. It's is gesture politics and does nothing to help the working class of that area, so why bother?

The Garbage Disposal Unit

23rd February 2016, 17:09

Interestingly, this is familiar political territory for Trudeau, and it's nonsense for him to act as though his hand is being forced. He has actively militated (largely through social media) against BDS at his alma mater, McGill.

ckaihatsu

24th February 2016, 06:31

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(((( T h e B u l l e t ))))~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Socialist Project e-bulletin .... No. 1226 .... February 24, 2016
__________________________________________________ ____

For BDS, Against Apartheid, Free Palestine

Toward Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions at McGill

Dan MacFadden

Six years before the fall of the South African apartheid, an editorial by The Daily ("South Africa Love it and Leave it," September 12, 1985, Editorial, page 4) noted optimistically, "Now, even the most conservative authorities are recognizing that revolution is inevitable. Now, they are divesting not on principle, but out of self-interest." McGill would later, in November 18, 1985, join dozens of other North American universities in divesting its holdings from South Africa, also becoming the first Canadian university to do so -- something that played an important role in taking down legislated apartheid in the country.

Thirty years later, the end of Israeli apartheid appears distant on the horizon as it has been ever since the occupation of Palestinian territories by Israel in 1967. The use of the term "apartheid" is a parallel drawn by human rights organizations and activists between the past racial segregation of South Africa and the Israeli concept of Hafrada ("separation"), whereby Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are literally walled off via the Israeli West Bank barrier and the Gaza barrier.

Palestinians in the West Bank -- one of two self-governing Palestinian territories as per the Oslo Accords of 1993 -- live under Israeli military occupation, or are confined to small islands of land under limited self-control. The Gaza Strip, the other Palestinian territory, home to 1.8 million people in one of the most densely populated areas in the world, suffers the consequences of Israel's blockade and over a decade of periodic wars with Israel. Israeli settlements in these territories, including East Jerusalem, are considered illegal under international law, especially the Fourth Geneva Convention, though Israel disputes this.

Meanwhile, Israel expands its domination over all the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean, driven by the most right-wing government in the country's history. While many Palestinians continue to resist this situation with remarkable steadfastness, no conservative authorities are making the claim today that a "revolution is inevitable" in Palestine, or are divesting from Israeli corporations out of self-interest, let alone on principle.

Continue reading (http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/1226.php#continue)

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The Garbage Disposal Unit

24th February 2016, 14:45

Moved post about the Oscars to Events forum.

PikSmeet

24th February 2016, 15:07

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(((( T h e B u l l e t ))))~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Socialist Project e-bulletin .... No. 1226 .... February 24, 2016
__________________________________________________ ____

For BDS, Against Apartheid, Free Palestine

Toward Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions at McGill

Dan MacFadden

Six years before the fall of the South African apartheid, an editorial by The Daily ("South Africa Love it and Leave it," September 12, 1985, Editorial, page 4) noted optimistically, "Now, even the most conservative authorities are recognizing that revolution is inevitable. Now, they are divesting not on principle, but out of self-interest." McGill would later, in November 18, 1985, join dozens of other North American universities in divesting its holdings from South Africa, also becoming the first Canadian university to do so -- something that played an important role in taking down legislated apartheid in the country.

Thirty years later, the end of Israeli apartheid appears distant on the horizon as it has been ever since the occupation of Palestinian territories by Israel in 1967. The use of the term "apartheid" is a parallel drawn by human rights organizations and activists between the past racial segregation of South Africa and the Israeli concept of Hafrada ("separation"), whereby Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are literally walled off via the Israeli West Bank barrier and the Gaza barrier.

Palestinians in the West Bank -- one of two self-governing Palestinian territories as per the Oslo Accords of 1993 -- live under Israeli military occupation, or are confined to small islands of land under limited self-control. The Gaza Strip, the other Palestinian territory, home to 1.8 million people in one of the most densely populated areas in the world, suffers the consequences of Israel's blockade and over a decade of periodic wars with Israel. Israeli settlements in these territories, including East Jerusalem, are considered illegal under international law, especially the Fourth Geneva Convention, though Israel disputes this.

Meanwhile, Israel expands its domination over all the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean, driven by the most right-wing government in the country's history. While many Palestinians continue to resist this situation with remarkable steadfastness, no conservative authorities are making the claim today that a "revolution is inevitable" in Palestine, or are divesting from Israeli corporations out of self-interest, let alone on principle.

Continue reading (http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/1226.php#continue)

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If the government in Israel is right wing, it will surely match the one in Gaza. As Hamas are ultra-nationalists

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governance_of_the_Gaza_Strip

The Intransigent Faction

25th February 2016, 05:12

As a socialist I would condemn it too. It's is gesture politics and does nothing to help the working class of that area, so why bother?

*Implying that those who don't condemn it aren't socialist?
You can't be serious.

There's a difference between acknowledging something doesn't fully address a problem and outright condemning it. You might as well condemn all legal strikes, single-issue campaigns against draconian legislation, or attempts to alleviate poverty.

Saying you're a socialist because you'd go along with a condemnation put forward by the Conservative Party of Canada is just asinine.

PikSmeet

25th February 2016, 10:30

*Implying that those who don't condemn it aren't socialist?
You can't be serious.

There's a difference between acknowledging something doesn't fully address a problem and outright condemning it. You might as well condemn all legal strikes, single-issue campaigns against draconian legislation, or attempts to alleviate poverty.

Saying you're a socialist because you'd go along with a condemnation put forward by the Conservative Party of Canada is just asinine.

Ok, you explain to me why you support the BDM and what you hope to achieve by it.
As for strikes, the best strikes are those that never happen and yes, I do condemn all single-issue campaigns, I'm against reforming capitalism and seek to replace it with socialism.

Out of interest, which political party do you consider is the more right-wing. The Conservative Party of Canada or Hamas?

Whom should be exploiting the working class in the occupied territories, Israeli or Palestinian capitalists?
If the latter, can you confirm how you would stop the former investing or buying shares in companies in these territories, thereby profiting from any goods or services produced there?

The Garbage Disposal Unit

25th February 2016, 17:06

Ok, you explain to me why you support the BDM and what you hope to achieve by it.

Because the settler-colonial relationship fundamentally "deforms" the Israeli working class, creating a (xenophobic, reactionary) labour aristocracy that has material interest in expropriating Palestinians rather than expropriating the capitalists. And, also, you know, basic human compassion for besieged Palestinians, since, y'know, they're real living people and not just objects of theoretical consideration.

As for strikes, the best strikes are those that never happen and yes, I do condemn all single-issue campaigns, I'm against reforming capitalism and seek to replace it with socialism.

Wait, you're opposed to strikes? So, uh, how do workers build power, confidence, and organizational skills in the immediate context? Or do we just "put up" until suddenly, one day, all of our coworkers are like, "Revolution today! Let's go!"

Out of interest, which political party do you consider is the more right-wing. The Conservative Party of Canada or Hamas?

Out of curiousity, do you generally consider electoral politics an accurate reflection of working class struggles?

Whom should be exploiting the working class in the occupied territories, Israeli or Palestinian capitalists?
If the latter, can you confirm how you would stop the former investing or buying shares in companies in these territories, thereby profiting from any goods or services produced there?

OK, very nice, but how there are real material things that need to be addressed between here and full communism. Overturning settler-colonialism is obviously one of them. This isn't a question about "which capitalists?" - it's a question about colonialism. The world isn't so simple black-and-white as workers and capitalists - classes are not monolithic.

DOOM

25th February 2016, 18:35

Bullshit. BDS greatly overestimate their influence in in ME politics and boycotting israeli avocados won't make the foundation of the israeli bourgeois state crumble. It's not only ineffective, it reeks of consumerism and middle class campus consciousness. BDS are nothing more than a product of liberal Volksfront strategy, using soft third-worldist lingo and calling Israel a quasi-fascist apartheid state (fucking hell on earth) for the umpteenth time doesn't make BDS look progressive or even revolutionary.
Really, you start talking about the israeli working class, which isn't interested in expropriating the capitalists but rather in expropriating the palestinians, just to effectively propose the empowerment of the palestinian bourgeoisie. Such apparent discrepancies aren't only symptomatic for such orgs like BDS but a defining characteristic. Your goal is class collaboration instilled by nationalism / natlib ideology. And this doesn't solve anything. Only working class politics on site are a viable option for the Israeli/Palestinian working class. Both israeli and palestinian workers need to unite, tear down the wall and crush their bourgeoisie.
So you're in no position to make PikSmeet look like a fool because of his naivety - even though he deserves it - you yourself aren't better.

The Garbage Disposal Unit

25th February 2016, 19:49

DOOM

25th February 2016, 21:47

Thanks for chiming in resident Zionist, but given your repeated apologia for settler-colonialism, and your casual tossing around of "anti-semetism" as though you were a right-wing think tank, I literally give zero fucks about your assessment of BDS. BDS has been called for loud and clear by the organizations of the Palestinian working class but, hey, I guess you'd rather align yourself with the most reactionary sections of Canada's political elite . . .

Well I knew you would bring this up, but If you had chosen to read my post you would've noticed that I haven't brought up anti-semitism once, even though I should've, seeing how leaving it unmentioned was of no use. Honestly, BDS are a caricature of an organization with their cringeworthy flash-mobs and their absolutely ineffective strategies, desperately trying to mimic the anti-apartheid movement. As if their shitty politics aren't enough. And I'll happily pass on choosing a stance if this means to choose between petty bourg moralists, natlib fanatics and liberal leftists on one side and pro-israel bourgeois ideologues on the other.

The Garbage Disposal Unit

26th February 2016, 01:59

Abdullah Tshabal

26th February 2016, 09:12

At the same time we also have Israel attempting to silence the BDS movement in South Africa since the BDS now has their headquarters there and maintains a strong presence. Though none of the threats made by the fascist state ever materialized, now they're trying to get OUR law enforcement to halt the BDS activity with the upcoming visit by Shimon Peres (former president of Israel). ... In fact why are Israeli fascsit war criminals coming to a country that Israel considers the "Untermensch"?

PikSmeet

26th February 2016, 09:50

Naive? I can sure assure you I am far from that. All I'm interested in is "follow the money". Where does it go at the moment and where while is go if the BDS is successful? If the answer is "we don't know where it will go" then see ya! if it's into the pockets of the capitalist class then it's see ya wouldn't want to be ya!
I'd never be so naive as to support...national liberation movements...agggggghhhhhhhhhh!

DOOM

26th February 2016, 12:38

I bring it up because it's a) the canned response you've busted out repeatedly on this board, and because b) the implication of Volksfront is anti-semetism.
Further - you don't "pass on choosing a stance", you consistently side with pro-Israeli bourgeois ideologues - both in tone ("Fanatics"?) and in terms of the material implications of the anti-decolonial positions you advocate.
Really, it's pretty exemplary the you've come into a thread about the Canadian state attacking Palestinian solidarity organizing . . . in order to attack Palestinian solidarity organizing.

Volksfront is german for popfrontism, don't see where I implied antisemitism. And I specifically attacked BDS, a shallow, liberal organization you're shilling for on a supposedly radical forum. Were you really expecting no one would question their politics and strategies and your support?
If this is the epitome of your vision of palestinian solidarity well then I'll gladly live without it.

PikSmeet

26th February 2016, 12:54

Ya, as socialists we do no take sides in disputes between nations.
is he seriously trying to use capitalist laws to suggest that this land is occupied illegally? I wonder if he would side with a legal monarch over an illegal one?

John Nada

26th February 2016, 21:07

Volksfront is german for popfrontism, don't see where I implied antisemitism.You use Volksfront as opposed to People's Front, Front Populaire or Frente Popular. While its literal translation is people's front, it happens to also be the name of a couple fascist organizations in the US and South Africa. I doubt you didn't think it'd have the other meaning.
Ya, as socialists we do no take sides in disputes between nations.
is he seriously trying to use capitalist laws to suggest that this land is occupied illegally? I wonder if he would side with a legal monarch over an illegal one?Since when do socialist not side with the oppressed? Fighting for basic democratic rights is not the same as a feudal dispute over the crown. Extending that logic of "All sides are equally at fault" to liberation struggles among Black-Americans, Puerto Rico, Chicana/os and First Nations should demonstrate the bankruptcy of such arguments. Socialists supporting progressive struggles in oppressed nations goes back to the International Workingmen's Association. This includes Marx and Engels, who supported the liberation of Ireland and Poland.

Neither the Palestinian proletariat nor in the long run the Israeli proletariat have an interest in the national oppression of Palestine. Nor is the conflict between equal parties. It may be just nice real-estate and fairytales for the settler-colonialist, the Israeli bourgeoisie and their imperialist backers, but on the Palestinian side it's for survival.

DOOM

26th February 2016, 23:13

You use Volksfront as opposed to People's Front, Front Populaire or Frente Popular. While its literal translation is people's front, it happens to also be the name of a couple fascist organizations in the US and South Africa. I doubt you didn't think it'd have the other meaning.
I didn't. But I see how this could've led to confusion, sorry for that. I still stand by my point though.

Since when do socialist not side with the oppressed? Fighting for basic democratic rights is not the same as a feudal dispute over the crown. Extending that logic of "All sides are equally at fault" to liberation struggles among Black-Americans, Puerto Rico, Chicana/os and First Nations should demonstrate the bankruptcy of such arguments. Socialists supporting progressive struggles in oppressed nations goes back to the International Workingmen's Association. This includes Marx and Engels, who supported the liberation of Ireland and Poland.
First and foremost socialists side with the international working class. We realize that opression and discrimination are mediated by capital, thus only fighting opression in the context of anti-capitalism is truly authentic. This means that we mustn't support every struggle, especially not the struggle for national liberation. In it the working people function as the capitalists' pions. They'll gladly send them to their deaths as long as they serve their purpose. We've talked about this in another thread, I even explained why we should stop comparing 19th and 20th century nationalism to today's nationalism. For the sake of discussion I'll repost what I wrote.

Marx and Engels supported the irish and polish cause not because of some crazy natlib frenzy, but because of the fact that the United Kingdom, the Russian Empire and the German Empire were even by bourgeois standards the reactionary powers in Europe at that time. A polish and irish bourgeois revolution would have helped the bourgeois cause, as the national state is (or rather was) the most suited state-form for developing capitalism and thus setting up the conditions for socialism.

However, this doesn't apply to the modern day world anymore. Capitalism is overripe, the bourgeoisie has ultimately crushed all its reactionary enemies and the bourgeois democracy is the prevalent ideology. The only enemy that remains is the proletariat and the communist movement with its goal of sublating private property. There is nothing progressive about national liberation anymore, it's merely the struggle of aspiring capitalist factions to take control over certain areas and its working class. The capitalist class would use masses of workers to solve their dispute violently over who'll be able to exploit the same workers that are killing each other in their names. Now, it's easy to see that the proletariat doesn't get anything out of this, instead their situation will probably worsen. If their conditions were to change for better they would only improve slightly.
And that's why we should oppose national liberation violently. In fact, it's the only position we should take.

Neither the Palestinian proletariat nor in the long run the Israeli proletariat have an interest in the national oppression of Palestine. Nor is the conflict between equal parties. It may be just nice real-estate and fairytales for the settler-colonialist, the Israeli bourgeoisie and their imperialist backers, but on the Palestinian side it's for survival.
Nor do they have an interest in the empowerment of the palestenian bourgeoisie. In the long run their only interest is the war against the capitalist class and liberation from the society of accumulation they're held captive in. And I'm really sceptic about the palestinian bourgeoisie being able to better the living conditions of the palestinian working class.

John Nada

27th February 2016, 06:02

First and foremost socialists side with the international working class. We realize that opression and discrimination are mediated by capital, thus only fighting opression in the context of anti-capitalism is truly authentic. This means that we mustn't support every struggle, especially not the struggle for national liberation. In it the working people function as the capitalists' pions. They'll gladly send them to their deaths as long as they serve their purpose. We've talked about this in another thread, I even explained why we should stop comparing 19th and 20th century nationalism to today's nationalism. For the sake of discussion I'll repost what I wrote.The "International working class" lives in a world of uneven development with differing minimal tasks. The "authentic anti-capitalism" has in addition to universals, peculiarities depending on location. The proletariat in the Britain does not faces the same problems as the proletariat in Nigeria. The former having highly developed capitalism, a bourgeois-"democracy" and a proletarian majority, the latter still dealing with semi-feudalism and neo-colonialism. Yet this doesn't mean the Nigerian proletariat has to wait for Britain first, even if the proletariat must carry out a democratic revolution(which neither will be carried out by the bourgeoisie nor to the benefit of capitalism) in lieu of the collaborating bourgeoisie and then move on to a proletarian-socialist revolution ASAP.

The Palestinian proletariat too has different tasks at hand than the American, Canadian or Swiss proletariat. Opposing national liberation and a democratic Palestine does de facto mean opposing a proletarian-socialist revolution not just among Palestinians but also among Arabs and even Israelis. They're not going to have a proletarian-socialist revolution as a despotic settler-colony that deprives half of the population and disproportionate percentage of the proletariat of basic democratic rights and aims to one day drive them out. In fact Zionist settler-colonialism is hindering revolutions in the rest of the Middle East and even both being aided by US imperialism and aiding reaction in the US too.
Marx and Engels supported the irish and polish cause not because of some crazy natlib frenzy, but because of the fact that the United Kingdom, the Russian Empire and the German Empire were even by bourgeois standards the reactionary powers in Europe at that time. A polish and irish bourgeois revolution would have helped the bourgeois cause, as the national state is (or rather was) the most suited state-form for developing capitalism and thus setting up the conditions for socialism.Marx and Engels thought the bourgeois-democratic revolutions(misleading name for it's not necessarily led by the bourgeoisie nor is it necessarily to their benefit) in Ireland and Poland would provoke a bourgeois-democratic revolution in Russia(like the February Revolution) and proletarian-socialist revolutions in England and Germany too. The proletariat wasn't just being held back from socialist revolutions in Ireland or Poland, but in England and Germany too. For it propped up the bourgeoisie and landlords in all those nations, as well as supported the creation of a labor aristocracy.

Also Marx supported a "petty-bourgeois popfrontists" boycott of Confederate cotton launched by workers. Slaver too would've hindered a proletarian socialist revolution.
However, this doesn't apply to the modern day world anymore. Capitalism is overripe, the bourgeoisie has ultimately crushed all its reactionary enemies and the bourgeois democracy is the prevalent ideology. The only enemy that remains is the proletariat and the communist movement with its goal of sublating private property. There is nothing progressive about national liberation anymore, it's merely the struggle of aspiring capitalist factions to take control over certain areas and its working class. The capitalist class would use masses of workers to solve their dispute violently over who'll be able to exploit the same workers that are killing each other in their names. Now, it's easy to see that the proletariat doesn't get anything out of this, instead their situation will probably worsen. If their conditions were to change for better they would only improve slightlyCapitalism is no longer a progressive force, true. But since it's no longer a progressive force in the imperialist age there's no way the Israeli bourgeoisie and the Palestinian comprador-bourgeoisie were progressive and eliminated semi-feudalism and neocolonialism in the Middle East. The bourgeoisie is in a class alliance with the feudal classes like the landlords, nobility and clergy and will not carry out the democratic revolution. Imperialism, semi-feudalism and the feudal classes are as much an enemy of the proletariat as the bourgeoisie and capitalism altogether. Holding off fighting imperialism, colonialism and semi-feudalism and masochistically doing nothing until the US proletariat pulls their heads out of their asses and finally attempts a revolution is not a privilege afforded to the Palestinians.
And that's why we should oppose national liberation violently. In fact, it's the only position we should take."We" aren't doing shit, unless you're in the IDF or US military. Opposing the liberation of Palestine violently is like violently opposing BLM because it's not instantly leading to full communism. Dresses up a horribly chauvinist position with pseudo-r-r-radical phrasemongering.
Nor do they have an interest in the empowerment of the palestenian bourgeoisie. In the long run their only interest is the war against the capitalist class and liberation from the society of accumulation they're held captive in. And I'm really sceptic about the palestinian bourgeoisie being able to better the living conditions of the palestinian working class.The Palestinian comprador-bourgeoisie is fine working with their colonial masters. It's not in the "international working class's" interest to support colonialism and the Israeli bourgeoisie either. The contradictions between the setter bourgeoisie and comprador bourgeoisie have no bearing on the proletariat's fight against imperialism, colonialism and semi-feudalism, which by nature must be anti-capitalist.

The Garbage Disposal Unit

27th February 2016, 22:19

Aristocracy of labour? What aristocracy of labour?

Geeze, you're right. Just gonna hold my breath until racist settlers on stolen land are like, "Shit! Fuck all my material wealth - better unite with Palestinians!"

Might die. S'ok.

PikSmeet

29th February 2016, 09:30

Picture the scene...an industrial estate in your town and there are a group of activists protesting outside it that the land is occupied illegally.

A worker ends his shift on one of the factories on the estate and is walking home...

Activist : End the illegal occupation now!
Worker: What's this all about?
Activist: The land here is held illegally, the people that occupy it now are not the legitimate owners
Worker: So?
Activist: Well, aren't you angry about that?
Worker: I just work here...what has it got to do with me?
Activist: Don't you want the right people to own the land?
Worker: What do you mean the right people? I just work here so that is a dispute between them?
Activist: Well, the right people are the indigenous people
Worker: Say what? you a racist? Don't you like foreigners?
Activist: No, no, it's not like that, it's just that well...erm...you know...the right people, the ones that own the land now are wrong...*winks*
Worker: Will I have a job when the right people, as you put it take the land back?
Activist: Erm...well, I don't know
Worker: Well...**** off then!

Lord Testicles

29th February 2016, 12:12

Ya, as socialists we do no take sides in disputes between nations.

You're not a socialist.

Burzhuin

29th February 2016, 12:34

Honestly, if BDS movement idea's would be victorious in Israel, I would feel real sorrow for working class there. Right now it is capitalism there. But if the idea of BDS succeeds the country would be moved back to feudalism (Asian type) with all this 'wonderful' features like slavery, absolutist monarchy, etc.

PikSmeet

29th February 2016, 12:58

The Garbage Disposal Unit

29th February 2016, 13:04

PikSmeet

29th February 2016, 13:11

Just like feudal South Africa.
Damn, really yearning for apartheid, amirite?

What would you say to socialists in South Africa?

Burzhuin

29th February 2016, 13:14

Just like feudal South Africa.
Damn, really yearning for apartheid, amirite?
According to my knowledge of history African tribes before Dutch/English occupation never knew Feudalism. Even Zulu empire under Chaka rules was not feudal state. Plus according to my limited information blacks in SAR were mostly converted to Christianity. Feel the difference.

The Garbage Disposal Unit

29th February 2016, 14:28

What would you say to socialists in South Africa?

Well, before the end of apartheid, I'd have said, "Ending apartheid is a prerequisite for class unity." Now I'd say, "La lutte continue."

I think a similar outlook could be suggested in all settler-colonial situations. Settlerism, which makes one section of the class material beneficiaries of another section's expropriation, is a barrier that must be overcome for any class unity to be possible.

PikSmeet

29th February 2016, 14:49

Well, before the end of apartheid, I'd have said, "Ending apartheid is a prerequisite for class unity." Now I'd say, "La lutte continue."

I think a similar outlook could be suggested in all settler-colonial situations. Settlerism, which makes one section of the class material beneficiaries of another section's expropriation, is a barrier that must be overcome for any class unity to be possible.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marikana_miners%27_strike
These, erm, incidents aside they must be well on their way to socialism now!
Though regarding the BDS movement are you saying there can be no socialism until the land in question is taken away from the Israeli capitalist class and given to the Palestinians capitalist class?

Armchair Partisan

29th February 2016, 15:02

Burzhuin

29th February 2016, 16:01

Can you explain how you arrived at this conclusion?
Long time experience of stationing in Middle East countries plus knowledge of Islam.

The Garbage Disposal Unit

29th February 2016, 16:16

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marikana_miners%27_strike
These, erm, incidents aside they must be well on their way to socialism now!
So, to clarify, are you making an argument for apartheid? Or just saying that the end of apartheid isn't the same as the end of capitalism? If the case is the former, I don't feel any need to engage with you, since that's a beyond-the-pale endorsement of institutionalized white supremacy. If it's the latter, well, no duh. There are, in fact, a variety of necessary tasks that have to be carried out in order to overthrow capitalism not all of which are some purist teenage fantasy of The Revolution. The working class doesn't lack unity simply due to some subjective ignorance - there are real material bases of patriarchy and white supremacy that need to be overcome.

Though regarding the BDS movement are you saying there can be no socialism until the land in question is taken away from the Israeli capitalist class and given to the Palestinians capitalist class?
There can be no class unity as long as Israeli settlers have concrete material interest in the super-exploitation and displacement of Palestinians.

PikSmeet

29th February 2016, 16:36

So, to clarify, are you making an argument for apartheid? Or just saying that the end of apartheid isn't the same as the end of capitalism? If the case is the former, I don't feel any need to engage with you, since that's a beyond-the-pale endorsement of institutionalized white supremacy. If it's the latter, well, no duh. There are, in fact, a variety of necessary tasks that have to be carried out in order to overthrow capitalism not all of which are some purist teenage fantasy of The Revolution. The working class doesn't lack unity simply due to some subjective ignorance - there are real material bases of patriarchy and white supremacy that need to be overcome.

There can be no class unity as long as Israeli settlers have concrete material interest in the super-exploitation and displacement of Palestinians.

Yet all your proposals will do is to hand over the resources to the hands of Palestinian capitalists, who will benefit and prosper. Are you a nationalist?
I am no lover of aparthied and glad it is gone. Though I hope you would not argue that it benefited everyone that was white in SA. Believe me most of the whites in SA were no better off than their working class counterparts around the globe.
As for these tasks that need to be done before we have socialism, feel free to list them.

DOOM

29th February 2016, 20:25

The "International working class" lives in a world of uneven development with differing minimal tasks. The "authentic anti-capitalism" has in addition to universals, peculiarities depending on location. The proletariat in the Britain does not faces the same problems as the proletariat in Nigeria. The former having highly developed capitalism, a bourgeois-"democracy" and a proletarian majority, the latter still dealing with semi-feudalism and neo-colonialism. Yet this doesn't mean the Nigerian proletariat has to wait for Britain first, even if the proletariat must carry out a democratic revolution(which neither will be carried out by the bourgeoisie nor to the benefit of capitalism) in lieu of the collaborating bourgeoisie and then move on to a proletarian-socialist revolution ASAP.

The Palestinian proletariat too has different tasks at hand than the American, Canadian or Swiss proletariat. Opposing national liberation and a democratic Palestine does de facto mean opposing a proletarian-socialist revolution not just among Palestinians but also among Arabs and even Israelis. They're not going to have a proletarian-socialist revolution as a despotic settler-colony that deprives half of the population and disproportionate percentage of the proletariat of basic democratic rights and aims to one day drive them out. In fact Zionist settler-colonialism is hindering revolutions in the rest of the Middle East and even both being aided by US imperialism and aiding reaction in the US too.Marx and Engels thought the bourgeois-democratic revolutions(misleading name for it's not necessarily led by the bourgeoisie nor is it necessarily to their benefit) in Ireland and Poland would provoke a bourgeois-democratic revolution in Russia(like the February Revolution) and proletarian-socialist revolutions in England and Germany too. The proletariat wasn't just being held back from socialist revolutions in Ireland or Poland, but in England and Germany too. For it propped up the bourgeoisie and landlords in all those nations, as well as supported the creation of a labor aristocracy.

Also Marx supported a "petty-bourgeois popfrontists" boycott of Confederate cotton launched by workers. Slaver too would've hindered a proletarian socialist revolution.Capitalism is no longer a progressive force, true. But since it's no longer a progressive force in the imperialist age there's no way the Israeli bourgeoisie and the Palestinian comprador-bourgeoisie were progressive and eliminated semi-feudalism and neocolonialism in the Middle East. The bourgeoisie is in a class alliance with the feudal classes like the landlords, nobility and clergy and will not carry out the democratic revolution. Imperialism, semi-feudalism and the feudal classes are as much an enemy of the proletariat as the bourgeoisie and capitalism altogether. Holding off fighting imperialism, colonialism and semi-feudalism and masochistically doing nothing until the US proletariat pulls their heads out of their asses and finally attempts a revolution is not a privilege afforded to the Palestinians."We" aren't doing shit, unless you're in the IDF or US military. Opposing the liberation of Palestine violently is like violently opposing BLM because it's not instantly leading to full communism. Dresses up a horribly chauvinist position with pseudo-r-r-radical phrasemongering.The Palestinian comprador-bourgeoisie is fine working with their colonial masters. It's not in the "international working class's" interest to support colonialism and the Israeli bourgeoisie either. The contradictions between the setter bourgeoisie and comprador bourgeoisie have no bearing on the proletariat's fight against imperialism, colonialism and semi-feudalism, which by nature must be anti-capitalist.

I agree, but petty nationalism isn't part of the minimal tasks you're talking about. National liberation never is. I mean, you could interpret your answer to the palestinian question as a precedent for different sorts of nationalisms all over the world. No one could possibly neglect that albanian workers in autonomous Kosovo were opressed by the serbian majority and that the standard of living was generally said higher in the serbian SR than in rural Kosovo, possibly thanks to super-exploitation in the Trepca mines etc. And yet no leftist on the western hemisphere DARED to support the albanian liberation movement. And this quite rightly, as the UCK and its political supporters were fiercely nationalistic, serbophobic and thus anti working class. After Kosovo gained formal independence, guaranteed by NATO and the EU, a wave of anti-serb pogroms hit the region. Now, both serbs and albanians live segregated enduring shitty conditions and constant crisis. But at least they're not exploited by Belgrade anymore amirite?
And this is just one example of the natlib evergreen. Now, if this is the deal we get out of natlib movements then fuck me. And I'm pretty sure you think the same way. What I'm trying to say is that you aren't making a rational argument but a moralist one when it comes to Israel and Palestine. And I really hope that marxism as both, a method for analysis and tool for the working class's self-liberation, doesn't get reduced to petty moralist objections.

My mistrust against the bourgeois leading the working class to national "liberation" however doesn't originate from history. History does teach us some things but we'd be naive to believe that because nation X had a bloody and undemocratic struggle for national liberation nation Y will handle it the same way. This is idealist nonsense. I've already laid out the reasons for my opposition to national liberation or anything by the bourgeoisie deemed as progressive in my post I quoted. Capitalism is simply overripe. Literally. There's NOTHING we can do anymore to further its development, nothing progressive at least. The nation state is dying and the world is divided into imperialist blocs, which all aspiring nation-states and other bourgeois factions try to appease, whether it's Israel being the US's "greatest ally" or the palestinian bourgeoisie sticking either to arab nationalists or islamism. In other words, there's no way formal domination can escape the power of real domination in the 21. century, they can only appease. States on the periphery of real domination might have their own aspirations but they'll get crushed by their own "allies" once they try to make a move which could possibly threaten the imperialists' dominance. This is because capitalism and the imperialist powerhouses today depend on having their little pet economies (eg. Sub-Saharan Africa). So either you support western imperialism or arab nationalism, living conditions won't change much and the situation for the palestinian working class will remain as desperate as it is today. But hey, they'll at least have nifty flag pins pinned on them by their compatriots.

And I could say the same thing about slavery I've said about Marx's support for nationalism. Slavery was ultimately reactionary, not only in the sense of ideology but also economy. Besides being an utterly inhuman practice and standing in opposition to everything we socialists believe in, Slavery was holding back the economic development of the US and thus the maturation of capitalism. The capitalists were simply the progressive class in this struggle, the slaveholder class had to be erased and only the bourgeoisie (in fact the haute-bourgeois, not petty shopowners) was capable of pulling off something like this.
This doesn't translate to today's situation at all. I can't understand why you chose slavery to compare it to the situation in Israel, the conditions simply aren't the same. It's a poorly chosen analogy and I don't even know why I adressed it all. BLM, an essentially liberal movement but with great support in the working class, too is a subject to ruthless criticism. But you simply can't compare BLM to the PLO and other orgs active in the palestinian natlib movement. Neither the white nor the black bourgeoisie has an interest in the success of BLM, they only tolerate BLM because they can control it in the absence of authentic working class action.

Geeze, you're right. Just gonna hold my breath until racist settlers on stolen land are like, "Shit! Fuck all my material wealth - better unite with Palestinians!"

Might die. S'ok.

Kek alright Unruhe, I guess western workers are part of the labor aristocracy too? I mean, we are living in the western world and are nourished by the fruits of imperialism after all.

blake 3:17

1st March 2016, 03:50

To the head of Canada’s government, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau:

WHEREAS the House of Commons passed a motion calling the government “to condemn any and all attempts by Canadian organizations, groups or individuals to promote the BDS [Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions] movement, both here at home and abroad,”

WHEREAS each one of us has sought to promote the BDS movement,

THEREFORE, we the undersigned petition the Canadian government to be individually condemned for, as appropriate, our thoughts, words, and actions, promoting BDS:

ALLEZ, VAS-Y, FAIS-MOI PLAISIR ET CONDAMNE-MOI

Le gouvernement s’est engagé à tous nous condamner, pour « toutes tentatives de tous genres » qui feront la promotion du mouvement BDS. Alors, lançons-lui un défi, au gouvernement ! Qu’il nous condamne tous et toutes ! Voici notre pétition :

Au chef du gouvernement du Canada, le Premier ministre Justin Trudeau :

ALORS QUE la Chambre des communes a adopté une motion demandant au gouvernement de « condamner toutes tentatives de tous genres, faites par un organisme, un groupe ou un individu qui visera à promouvoir le mouvement BDS [Boycottage, Désinvestissement et Sanctions] ici au pays ou à l’étranger »,

ALORS QUE chacun d’entre nous a tenté de promouvoir le mouvement BDS,

Nous, les signataires de la pétition ci-jointe, pour les raisons énumérées plus haut, demandons au gouvernement canadien de nous condamner individuellement pour avoir, le cas échéant, promu le mouvement BDS par nos paroles et par nos actions :

http://cjpme.nationbuilder.com/condemn_me

blake 3:17

1st March 2016, 03:54

I was happy to sign the petition to be condemned by government for supporting BDS.

CJPME PRESIDENT WAITS TO BE CONDEMNED BY TRUDEAU GOVERNMENT

Montreal, February 23, 2016 — In light of the passage of Parliament’s “anti-BDS” motion on Monday, the President of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME), Mr. Thomas Woodley, announced that he awaits his condemnation by the Trudeau Liberals. “I’ve realized that being condemned by Canada’s government, merely for supporting the human rights of Palestinians, might be the most admirable thing I’ll accomplish in my life,” wrote Woodley in a letter to the government, as he awaited news of his condemnation. As leader of a non-profit actively promoting BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel) as an economic tool to encourage Israel to respect the human rights of Palestinians, Woodley assumes he is near the top of the list for condemnation.

“In its motion, Parliament committed to ‘condemn any and all attempts’ by Canadian ‘organizations, groups or individuals’ to promote the BDS movement,” (italics added) explained Woodley, “so I’m guessing I’m near the top of their hit list.” Woodley expressed some confusion, however, as to why he was being condemned. Woodley’s letter highlighted how the three stated goals of the BDS movement align virtually perfectly with Canada’s official principles on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The goals of the BDS movement are, “1) Ending [Israel’s] occupation and colonization of all Arab lands and dismantling the Wall, 2) Recognizing the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality, and 3) Respecting, protecting and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN resolution 194.” Each point lines up nicely with Canada’s own positions as documented on the government’s Global Affairs Website.

Woodley admitted that he had been pretty active in promoting BDS, given his role as head of CJPME. He listed activities such as providing sample protest letters and factsheets for BDS adherents, as well as Web pages establishing the “moral and legal justification of the BDS movement” as irrefutable evidence that he had been promoting the movement. “Even if the Trudeau government doesn’t enforce this motion retroactively,” stressed Woodley, “I’m still on the hook, because we’re fully expecting to continue our BDS activities.” Today, CJPME launched a new petition supporting BDS activists in Canada.

Woodley expressed surprise that the Trudeau government was so ambitious in its plans to condemn “any and all attempts” by “groups or individuals” who promote BDS. Woodley admitted that with Trudeau’s election promise of “Real change now,” he had not expected a continuation of Harper’s “Israel, right or wrong” stance. However, Woodley tried to put a positive spin on the Trudeau government’s support for the motion. Addressing Trudeau, Woodley wrote, “Hopefully, this motion is a reflection of your own attention to detail and your ambition to tackle big tasks.”

About CJPME – Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is a non-profit and secular organization bringing together men and women of all backgrounds who labour to see justice and peace take root again in the Middle East. Its mission is to empower decision-makers to view all sides with fairness and to promote the equitable and sustainable development of the region.

For more information, please contact CJPME at 438-380-5410
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East www.cjpme.org

Bea Arthur

1st March 2016, 04:01

There's a petition for Trudeau to change stance. Please sign: https://www.change.org/p/leader-liberal-party-of-canada-chef-parti-lib-ral-du-canada-justin-trudeau-tell-the-liberal-government-to-vote-against-a-motion-condemning-the-right-to-boycott

I have a better idea. Why don't you send him a gift with a card attached telling him "Thank you for being a friend" petitioning him to change his stance personally? More diplomatic that way!!

The Garbage Disposal Unit

1st March 2016, 04:54

Hey Trudeau! How far are you willing to go?

(Apologies to non-Canuks who don't get the reference: It's about martial law)

John Nada

1st March 2016, 19:06

[
I agree, but petty nationalism isn't part of the minimal tasks you're talking about. National liberation never is. I mean, you could interpret your answer to the palestinian question as a precedent for different sorts of nationalisms all over the world. No one could possibly neglect that albanian workers in autonomous Kosovo were opressed by the serbian majority and that the standard of living was generally said higher in the serbian SR than in rural Kosovo, possibly thanks to super-exploitation in the Trepca mines etc. And yet no leftist on the western hemisphere DARED to support the albanian liberation movement. And this quite rightly, as the UCK and its political supporters were fiercely nationalistic, serbophobic and thus anti working class. After Kosovo gained formal independence, guaranteed by NATO and the EU, a wave of anti-serb pogroms hit the region. Now, both serbs and albanians live segregated enduring shitty conditions and constant crisis. But at least they're not exploited by Belgrade anymore amirite?Kosovar Albainians were under no obligation to stay with Serbia. Regardless of whether there was a de jure two neo-colonies or one joint neo-colony would've likely made things about the same or worse, probably not better. Serbs opposing Kosovo seceding would've objectively been siding with Serbian chauvinism and the Russian imperialist bloc.

That it wasn't national liberation in the Marxist sense anyway, because Kosovo wasn't undergoing a bourgeois-democratic revolution, the KLA was tied to an imperialist bloc, and due to both is now a neo-colony, is one thing. Most of the leftists probably opposed it because they were from NATO countries that were highjacking legitimate grievances to justify "their" nations' expansionist aims. Opposing "you own" imperialist takes priority. Another side is from the Serb and Russian perspective, leftist there too shouldn't not have supported "violently" suppressing the Kosovars and opposed attempts to oppress the Kosovars.
And this is just one example of the natlib evergreen. Now, if this is the deal we get out of natlib movements then fuck me. And I'm pretty sure you think the same way. What I'm trying to say is that you aren't making a rational argument but a moralist one when it comes to Israel and Palestine. And I really hope that marxism as both, a method for analysis and tool for the working class's self-liberation, doesn't get reduced to petty moralist objections.That wasn't national liberation, anymore than WWI was. And my argument may have a moral dimension, but not more than opposing capitalism altogether. It's about liberating the proletariat(the leading class) and even the other laboring classes like the peasantry, semi-proletariat and labor aristocracy too. Liberating Palestine means liberating the Israelis too, and must also include fighting clericalism on both sides too.
My mistrust against the bourgeois leading the working class to national "liberation" however doesn't originate from history. History does teach us some things but we'd be naive to believe that because nation X had a bloody and undemocratic struggle for national liberation nation Y will handle it the same way. This is idealist nonsense. I've already laid out the reasons for my opposition to national liberation or anything by the bourgeoisie deemed as progressive in my post I quoted. Capitalism is simply overripe. Literally. There's NOTHING we can do anymore to further its development, nothing progressive at least. The nation state is dying and the world is divided into imperialist blocs, which all aspiring nation-states and other bourgeois factions try to appease, whether it's Israel being the US's "greatest ally" or the palestinian bourgeoisie sticking either to arab nationalists or islamism. In other words, there's no way formal domination can escape the power of real domination in the 21. century, they can only appease. States on the periphery of real domination might have their own aspirations but they'll get crushed by their own "allies" once they try to make a move which could possibly threaten the imperialists' dominance. This is because capitalism and the imperialist powerhouses today depend on having their little pet economies (eg. Sub-Saharan Africa). So either you support western imperialism or arab nationalism, living conditions won't change much and the situation for the palestinian working class will remain as desperate as it is today. But hey, they'll at least have nifty flag pins pinned on them by their compatriots.I agree that the bourgeoisie is shit and capitalism's time is up. Both the Palestinian bourgeoisie and Islamists are enemies of the Palestinian proletariat too.

I disagree that anything that hurts one bourgeoisie is automatically against the proletariat. I think it's a fallacy that because one bourgeoisie might like something, it's against the proletariat and oppressed's interests. If you go by that, then any strike, boycott or even revolution that hurts one faction of the bourgeoisie merely means strengthening another, so it's all pointless.

It just sounds like class reductionist hand waving with the "Working class, checkmate natlibs!" that really means the section of working class without any democratic tasks(ie Israelis and Euro-Americans). That 90% of the proletariat of the peripheral can go to hell until workers in the First-World, many of whom are petit-bourgeoisified into the labor aristocracy, finally get around to overthrowing capitalism in one big cataclysmic event with minimum participation of the workers actually with nothing to lose but their chains.
And I could say the same thing about slavery I've said about Marx's support for nationalism. Slavery was ultimately reactionary, not only in the sense of ideology but also economy. Besides being an utterly inhuman practice and standing in opposition to everything we socialists believe in, Slavery was holding back the economic development of the US and thus the maturation of capitalism. The capitalists were simply the progressive class in this struggle, the slaveholder class had to be erased and only the bourgeoisie (in fact the haute-bourgeois, not petty shopowners) was capable of pulling off something like this.The English bourgeoisie was a reactionary class who supported the Confederacy and slavery. It was the English proletariat, at a great sacrifice, who launched the boycott. The planter class was recognized as an enemy of not just of slaves but the global proletariat. Going by that logic, they shouldn't have done this because it might lead to the white southerners being oppressed in retribution(which bourgeois propaganda said, hell still says), strengthen rival nobility and bourgeoisie, and end with Jim Crow. I doubt the workers literally went hungry so the victorious Union could "develop productive forces" in a cold analytical manner.
This doesn't translate to today's situation at all. I can't understand why you chose slavery to compare it to the situation in Israel, the conditions simply aren't the same. It's a poorly chosen analogy and I don't even know why I adressed it all. BLM, an essentially liberal movement but with great support in the working class, too is a subject to ruthless criticism. But you simply can't compare BLM to the PLO and other orgs active in the palestinian natlib movement. Neither the white nor the black bourgeoisie has an interest in the success of BLM, they only tolerate BLM because they can control it in the absence of authentic working class action.I bring it up because technically Black liberation could fall under the "natlib" rubric and I'm not the first to make the connection (http://inthesetimes.com/article/18505/palestinian-lives-matter-too-blm-activists-draw-international-connections). And any attempt to better the condition of oppressed peoples in the US, like Israel a racist settler society with widespread state lynching, could similarly be written off with the "not in the benefit of the working class, capitalism's no longer progressive so it's hopeless" class reductionism.

Israeli law enforcement trains US law enforcement in techniques practiced in Palestine. US defense contractors sell equipment and weapons to the IDF and Israeli law enforcement. The Israeli settlements increase demand for US and other imperialist nations' weapons and equipment, and the Israeli police and military test it out in Palestine. This is feeding into police brutality and militarism in the US too, but also reciprocating back into Israel and Palestine. So this is feeding into reaction in the US, with adverse effects on the proletariat in several nations.

I don't see what benefit it is to the proletariat to fund more settlements in Palestine. There's no reason to buy their fucking avocados or whatever to maintain racist oppression, speed up the ethnic cleansing of Palestinian(which likely hasn't finished yet due to both the struggle of the Palestinian people with the support of progressive people worldwide) and fund the Israeli military and the military-industrial complex of other nations like the US and Canada too. And the likes of Trudeau are rushing to the defense of the bourgeoisie who makes tons of money off this(guess settler nations got to stick together).
Kek alright Unruhe, I guess western workers are part of the labor aristocracy too? I mean, we are living in the western world and are nourished by the fruits of imperialism after all.There is a significant minority of workers in the First-World that are, due to productive relations in the global imperialist system, closer to the petit-bourgeoisie. There's a tendency to merely pursue sectional interests at best, and to identify more with "their" bourgeoisie than workers of oppressed peoples. This is having an adverse effect on the proletariat. This was noted by Engels about a section of English workers relative to the Irish.

ckaihatsu

14th March 2016, 19:26

BDS Wins!

http://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/codepink/mailings/648/attachments/original/openshuhada.jpg?1457961499
“Yesterday I dared to struggle. Today I dare to win.” - Bernadette Devlin

Dear Chris --

CODEPINK is thrilled to share with you the wonderful news that after seven years of hard work on the Stolen Beauty Ahava boycott campaign, Ahava Dead Sea Laboratories announced on Thursday that they plan to move their factory from the occupied West Bank to within Israel’s internationally recognized pre-1967 borders. This win would not have been possible without the sustained work of dedicated human rights activists around the world.

In a second BDS win, also on Thursday, global security giant G4S announced that in order to extract themselves from “reputationally damaging work,” they will be selling their entire Israeli subsidiary in the next 12-24 months.

http://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/codepink/mailings/648/attachments/original/Airbnb.jpg?1457961498
Both the Ahava and G4S wins were achieved through coordinated work by human rights groups across the globe. Now CODEPINK, Jewish Voice for Peace, and others are leading the Stolen Homes campaign to ask worldwide accommodations leader Airbnb to cease listing homes in illegal Israeli settlements. The Stolen Homes campaign was launched in January 2016 with a petition and a CODEPINK-led protest outside of Airbnb headquarters in San Francisco. Last week, activists returned to Airbnb offices in San Francisco, Portland, Paris, and London to deliver over 140,000 signatures pressing Airbnb to stop profiting from and contributing to Israel’s violations of international law. The Stolen Homes campaign has also created a parody website where you can leave a comment to protest Airbnb's practices.

As we celebrate major BDS wins this week, we also know that our work is far from over. The situation on the ground remains increasingly grim for Palestinians, and our opposition is mobilizing tens of millions of dollars to fight us using lawfare, lobbying, cyberwarfare and more. While we are thrilled by the announcements by Ahava Dead Sea Laboratories and G4S, we must continue to apply pressure until these companies follow through on their promises.

From March 20-22, the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) will hold their annual convention in Washington DC and presidential candidate. CODEPINK will be there protesting AIPAC’s islamophobia, undermining of democracy, and demand for US support of a foreign military. Sadly, presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have accepted invitations to speak. We have launched a petition asking Senator Bernie Sanders, not to attend. Sign the petition here.

Towards peace, justice, and equality

Nancy K., Ariel, and the entire CODEPINK team

P.S. CODEPINK is invites you to attend the play There is a Field about 17-year old Palestinian citizen of Israel, Aseel Asleh, killed by Israeli police in 2000. There is a Field is being performed now through April 9 in MD, PA, Washington DC, NJ, CT, NY, FL, GA, MO. See description, dates, and locations here.

Donate Now (http://www.codepink.org/donate_to_codepink?e=247b6f0c69174ee7dfa25e341c4ee dfe&utm_source=codepink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=bds_wins&n=13)

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ckaihatsu

23rd June 2016, 16:12

New Yorkers Say NO to Cuomo's BDS Blacklist!

CODEPINK

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7722/27579431260_b8aabffeb4_b.jpg

Dear Chris --

Last Wednesday, around 200 people descended on the capitol building in Albany to protest (http://www.codepink.org/r?u=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.timesunion.com%2Fcapitol%2Fa rchives%2F250414%2Fprotestors-argue-bds-order-infringes-on-freedom-of-speech%2F&e=247b6f0c69174ee7dfa25e341c4eedfe&utm_source=codepink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=cuomo_pal_list&n=2) Governor Cuomo’s unconstitutional executive order creating a blacklist and requiring New York State to divest from companies and organizations that participate in or support the boycott of Israel. CODEPINK's Ariel spoke at the rally: “Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) is a non-violent tactic that supports Palestinian human rights. It is based on the practice that helped end Apartheid in South Africa, and it is in tradition of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, including the Montgomery bus boycott.”

If you are a New York State resident, call Governor Cuomo at 1-518-474-8390 and demand that he immediately repeal his McCarthyite executive order. Here is a sample script:

I am calling to ask Governor Cuomo to immediately repeal Executive Order 157. It is unconstitutional to punish those who use boycott and divestment as a means to bring about political change. Boycotts are a constitutionally protected and time-honored nonviolent tactic to achieve social justice.

On June 21, the Center for Constitutional Law, Palestine Legal, and Jewish Voice for Peace filed a Freedom of information (FOIL) request (http://www.codepink.org/r?u=http%3A%2F%2Fpalestinelegal.org%2Fnews%2F2016% 2F6%2F21%2Fgroups-seek-cuomo-documents-about-executive-order-blacklisting-institutions-that-support-bds&e=247b6f0c69174ee7dfa25e341c4eedfe&utm_source=codepink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=cuomo_pal_list&n=3) seeking documents relating to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s executive order. The groups maintain that Cuomo’s order a violation of the First Amendment right to freedom of expression.

On July 6 the Freedom to Boycott New York State Coalition (http://www.codepink.org/r?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FFreedomToBoyc ottCoalition%2F&e=247b6f0c69174ee7dfa25e341c4eedfe&utm_source=codepink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=cuomo_pal_list&n=4), of which CODEPINK is a member, will hold a protest outside Governor Cuomo’s home in Westchester County. Protesters will gather at the Mount Kisco Metro North train station at 6:30 pm. They will march to Gov. Cuomo’s home where they will chant, and hold banners demanding Cuomo repeal his McCarthyite executive order. RSVP to the Facebook event (http://www.codepink.org/r?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fevents%2F2562 06898091353%2F&e=247b6f0c69174ee7dfa25e341c4eedfe&utm_source=codepink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=cuomo_pal_list&n=5) if you live in New York State and are able to attend the protest.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7661/27823210546_555aa78436_b.jpg

While Governor Cuomo is trying to attack the BDS movement for Palestinian human rights, our Remodel RE/MAX (http://www.remodelremax.org/?e=247b6f0c69174ee7dfa25e341c4eedfe&utm_source=codepink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=cuomo_pal_list&n=6) BDS campaign is moving forward at full speed! Last week during the People’s Summit in Chicago, CODEPINK co-founders Jodie and Medea joined CODEPINK Chicago to protest RE/MAX’s selling of homes in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Check out Ariel’s article on why BDS campaigns against companies such as RE/MAX should be commended, not punished. (http://www.codepink.org/r?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffingtonpost.com%2Fentry%2F boycott-campaigns-should-be-commended-not-punished_us_576997e0e4b083e0c02314ce&e=247b6f0c69174ee7dfa25e341c4eedfe&utm_source=codepink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=cuomo_pal_list&n=7)

Together we can support justice and equality for all people.

Toward peace,
Alli, Ariel, Nancy, and the entire CODEPINK team

Donate Now (http://www.codepink.org/donate_to_codepink?e=247b6f0c69174ee7dfa25e341c4ee dfe&utm_source=codepink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=cuomo_pal_list&n=8)

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ckaihatsu

24th June 2016, 16:48

Churches are making history

Thursday, June 23, 2016
It's clear which way the wind is blowing...

http://org.salsalabs.com/o/641/images/UUdivest.png

Dear Chris,

I just arrived in Columbus, Ohio, where Unitarian Universalists from around the country will have the chance to affirm the recent decision by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) to divest from companies involved in the Israeli occupation. The UUA’s historic decision to divest came amidst a long-time, powerful divestment effort led by member group Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East. This is only one of so many ground-breaking developments in faith-based advocacy just this year!

2016 began with a bang when the United Methodist Church divested from 5 Israeli banks due to their involvement in illegal settlements.

http://org.salsalabs.com/o/641/images/cmsm.gif

Then in March, the national Catholic organization Conference of Major Superiors of Men, which represents the leaders of the Catholic men’s religious orders in the U.S., issued a Call for Boycott of Illegal Settlements in Palestine, calling on Catholics to join the boycott, especially in hearing the prayerful and urgent calls of Catholic Palestinian leaders living under an unjust and inhumane occupation.

http://org.salsalabs.com/o/641/images/alliance%20of%20baptists.png

Less than two weeks later, the Alliance of Baptists passed this inspiring, comprehensive resolution for divestment, boycott, and more!

Then, just weeks ago, 5 separate Synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America passed resolutions to divest from, or implement investment screens related to, companies involved in the Israeli occupation.

One week from today marks one year since the United Church of Christ voted to divest from corporations involved in the Israeli occupation, while this past Monday marked two years since the Presbyterian Church (USA) passed a similar resolution.

http://org.salsalabs.com/o/641/images/uudivest2.jpg

The most amazing part is this: None of these developments were coordinated with one another. Each church has its own amazing leaders who have decided they can no longer pay for a military occupation while simultaneously praying for it to end. Based on their own principles and policies, churches across denominations and across the country are simultaneously taking courageous, moral stands for justice in the Holy Land. It’s clear which way the wind is blowing.

And as I type this, the Presbyterian Church (USA) is convening once again to deliberate on significant resolutions related to the rights of Palestinian children, corporate complicity, and beyond.

Join us in witnessing developments unfold during this powerful moment in history:

Watch the Presbyterians livestream here (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=PsHw3w6zMk%2F7731OdrSePs5DrpN4B02r) tomorrow and follow the Twitter hashtags #GA222 and #justpeace.

Watch the Unitarian vote livestreamed here (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=tmCJX%2BUNaN0vtsVeFtEub85DrpN4B02r) or follow @UUJME (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=JSuvg1N6LSYGAiFDvJcWEc5DrpN4B02r), #UUAGA2016, and #UUDivest4Peace on Twitter. The final vote is expected Saturday morning.

As always, we’ll be posting big news on the US Campaign’s Facebook (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=doegZI5fJc8H54dWOWKqp85DrpN4B02r) and Twitter (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=NP91T6512Y8VKAs9NuMK2c5DrpN4B02r) accounts.

Yours in struggle for Palestinian rights,

Anna Baltzer
Anna Baltzer signature
Anna Baltzer
National Organizer

P.S. Supporting faith-based organizing requires intensive time and resources. We can’t do it without you. Help us continue and do even more with a donation to the US Campaign. Every dollar is being matched up to $25K so donate today to double the impact of your gift! (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=oAopjSVoglO5SpCdRAuIvc5DrpN4B02r)

Chris, take these actions:

1. Click here to tweet your support for UUA divestment and share what they post on their Facebook page.

2. Watch the Presbyterians livestream here and the Unitarian vote livestream here.

3. Share this alert on Facebook and Twitter.

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ABOUT | TAKE ACTION | RESOURCES | STORE | DONATE | UNSUBSCRIBE

US CAMPAIGN TO END THE ISRAELI OCCUPATION | PO BOX 21539 | WASHINGTON, DC 20009
202-332-0994 | [email protected] | WWW.ENDTHEOCCUPATION.ORG

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ckaihatsu

26th June 2016, 16:48

UU Majority for Divestment; Presbyterians Take it to the Next Level!

Saturday, June 25, 2016
Presbyterian & UU Breakthrough Votes on Palestine

Dear Chris,

I cannot remember a more significant day in church activism for Palestinian rights than the past 24 hours.

The largest gathering of UUs in the country just voted on whether to endorse the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA)’s recent divestment from companies complicit in the Israeli occupation. This general assembly achieved a simple majority while fell just short of the two thirds needed for passage.

Delegate reads testimony from Nadia Hararah of FOSNA, citing lack of Palestinian voices on stage.
http://org.salsalabs.com/o/641/images/uu2016.jpg

We congratulate member group Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME), which led a dynamic campaign, building the momentum and leverage to achieve actual divestment more quickly than any other denomination has!

Just last night, the Presbyterian Church (USA) passed a series of powerful overtures (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=AIIgQJ3oxD9B8J8k0G1mMVRdFcLjoPg%2B) by a landslide with the strong leadership of member organization Israel/Palestine Mission Network (IPMN) of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Overtures included:

1. Committing the church to prayerfully consider the Palestinian call for boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) and engage with its writers;

2. Calling on Re/MAX, which sells homes in illegal settlements, to follow through on a new promise it made in a recent letter to the church to stop profiting from settlement sales;

3. Urging the IRS to investigate and possible revoke the tax-exempt status of organizations supporting Israeli settlements;

4. Asking the U.S. government to enforce laws requiring correct labeling of place of production of Israeli settlement goods;

5. Urging Congress to hold hearings into the use of U.S. military and police equipment by the government of Israel;

6. Recommending that the Presbyterian Foundation and Board of Pensions refrain from investments that support violence against Israelis or Palestinians.

US Campaign Steering Committee member Sydney Levy.
http://org.salsalabs.com/o/641/images/presbys2016.JPG

Supporters of Israel’s discriminatory policies tried repeatedly to introduce amendments and resolutions maligning BDS at the Presbyterian assembly. They even brought forth a resolution specifically calling on the church to distance itself from the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation because of our significant role in advancing BDS nationwide. The Presbyterian commissioners soundly rejected every one of these attempts, electing instead for Presbyterians to consider the Palestinian BDS call for themselves.

US Campaign staff and Steering Committee members were proud to be on the ground supporting both of these tremendous efforts with testimonies and strategic support, along with the significant and powerful contributions of member groups Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace, Jewish Voice for Peace, Friends of Sabeel-North America, and American Friends Service Committee.

Waiting for the debate vote at UUA.
http://org.salsalabs.com/o/641/images/uu20162.jpg

Unintimidated by today’s climate of repression targeting activism for Palestinian rights, the Presbyterian and UU churches are marching steadily ahead, alongside the many other denominations that have already taken economic actions including the United Methodist Church, United Church of Christ, Quakers, Mennonite Central Committee, Conference of Major Superiors of Men, and the Alliance of Baptists.

Two years ago, Presbyterians passed divestment by a margin of just 7 votes. This year, they moved boldly forward with huge majority votes on further strong measures. Meanwhile, the Unitarians achieved a simple majority on their first attempt at divestment (remember, the Presbyterians took 10 years!).

It is clear that we are in a new moment, and that we have much work ahead of us. We are honored to have you by our side during these historic moments in the struggle for freedom and justice in Palestine.

Onward,

Anna Baltzer
Anna Baltzer signature
Anna Baltzer
National Organizer

Chris, take these actions:

1. Share this alert on Facebook and Twitter.

2. Register for our 2016 National Conference October 14-17 in Arlington, VA!

Support Palestinian farming families. Shop our fair-trade store:

Canaan Fair Trade logo

Follow Us:

Facebook Facebook
Twitter Twitter
YouTube YouTube
RSS Blog
Vimeo

Back to Top

The US Campaign is a national coalition of more than 300 organizations working to support
freedom, justice, and equality for Palestinians.

ABOUT | TAKE ACTION | RESOURCES | STORE | DONATE | UNSUBSCRIBE

US CAMPAIGN TO END THE ISRAELI OCCUPATION | PO BOX 21539 | WASHINGTON, DC 20009
202-332-0994 | [email protected] | WWW.ENDTHEOCCUPATION.ORG

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GLF

28th June 2016, 16:02

I don't see any drop off of support. I have family and friends who are Christian and all I see is "support Israel". But it goes much deeper than that - there is an ethnic supremacist angle involved - it's not only about supporting Israel, it's about supporting "the Jewish people". I have had argument after argument with my Christian friends and family over this. I am always accused of being antisemitic - that's their trump card. As leftists, some of our biggest allies are Jews and I'm grateful for their support. I defend them from attacks all the time from the Fascists...as individuals. But even I have to admit that, without question, Israel is a racist State. A Jewish, ethnic supremacist State. And we live in a zio-globalized, capitalist world.

ckaihatsu

29th June 2016, 18:37

https://www.marxists.org/history/etol/document/mideast/hijack/4-origin.htm

The Origins of Zionism

Israel’s political philosophy is usually described as “Zionism”. This is a partly religious and partly historical idea that the world’s Jewish population has a claim on part of that territory of the Middle East that had been occupied by Palestinian Arabs for well over a thousand years. It was an idea of no significance whatsoever, until sustained outbreaks of anti-semitism (organised anti-Jewish feeling) in Europe in the late nineteenth century.

The religious origin of the idea is rooted in a series of Biblical myths that the Jews are God’s chosen people, that their dispersal at the time of the Roman Empire would only be temporary, and that the arrival of the Messiah (a role denied in Judaism to either Christ or Mohammed) would signal the regrouping of the Jews in Palestine, the land of their forefathers.

However powerful the myths might have been, at no time over the centuries have the Jews shown the slightest inclination to uproot themselves and return to the land of their religion’s founders. This is true notwithstanding the occasional pilgrimage to the “Holy City” of Jerusalem and the continuous restatement of the myths in the form of prayer.

In fact by the time the Zionist idea began to take shape as a modern movement of Jewish political conquest of Palestine in the 1880s and 1890s, no less than 90 per cent of the world’s entire Jewish population lived in Europe and Russia, and had been settled there as communities for centuries. In other words, they were distinctly European in both culture and physical appearance, and, of course, had made important contributions to European culture in the arts, in literature and in science.

Yet throughout this period the Jews often found themselves the victims of hatred and persecution. This was not simply a religious difference – though it often took a religious form. At bottom it was economic. The Jews were always a trading community, with their own religion and culture, which had developed in major towns of the Roman Empire and which persisted into feudal Europe. They played a role somewhat similar to the Chinese in South East Asia or the Asian communities in East Africa. And like these other ethnic groups, they were a convenient scapegoat for rulers wanting to divert popular hatred from themselves. So it was in medieval Europe that Jews were excluded from agriculture, the guild occupations and the professions and forced to act as moneylenders and “middlemen” – typically, in Poland, the richer Jews became managers of estates for absentee landlords, the poorer Jews became tinkers and petty traders – and both were regularly subject to the wrath of an oppressed peasantry. [1]

At the time of the Enlightenment in the eighteenth century, and especially after the French Revolution, the Jews were progressively released from all these restrictions and began to play a full part at every level of society. However in Poland and in Russia, where a majority of the Jews were concentrated, all the backward features of feudal Europe clung on, despite deep convulsions for social change. Soon the deep revolutionary changes that had transformed the rest of feudal Europe would catch up with these countries. But the outdated rulers resisted this in any way they could. And one way was to make the Jews take the blame for the plight of the masses, for keeping them in fourteenth-century conditions. The Russian Czars, in particular, became expert at this. The pogrom, inciting the poor and wretched to massacre the Jews, became the standard mechanism used by the landlords and the Tsars of Russia for diverting hostility away from themselves.

A mass Jewish exodus began which would carry on into the twentieth century. The land of opportunity – indeed the promised land not only for the Jews but for millions of others fleeing persecution in Europe – was traditionally America. By the late 1920s more than three million Jews had quit Eastern Europe and Russia for America, over a 40-year period. Nearly half a million fled to Western Europe. By comparison, the 120,000 Jews who had arrived in Palestine by 1930 were a small minority.

[...]

[W]hile Herzl was not the first person in this period to formulate the “Zionist solution” to anti-semitism, he was the first to link it deliberately to European imperialism, of which he was a great admirer, as the only means of withdrawing the Jews from Europe.

Hence he set about seeking assistance from the great imperialists of his day. He wrote to Cecil Rhodes, the founder of Rhodesia (today’s Zimbabwe) whom he thought of as a “visionary”. Rhodes had become identified with the mass white settlements in central Africa after countless bloody battles with the African population. Herzl wrote to Rhodes:

You are being invited to help make history. This cannot frighten you ... it does not involve Africa but a piece of Asia Minor, not Englishmen but Jews ... I turn to you ... because it is something colonial ... [3]

Interestingly enough, Rhodes also recognised the role imperialism could play in drawing off an “unwanted” portion of the population who might otherwise become a source of instability:

I was in the East End of London (a working-class quarter) yesterday and attended a meeting of the unemployed. I listened to the wild speeches which were just a cry for “bread”, “bread”! ... I pondered ... and became more and more convinced of the importance of imperialism ... In order to save the 40 million inhabitants of the United Kingdom from bloody civil war we colonial statesmen must acquire new lands to settle the surplus population, to provide new markets for the goods produced in the factories and the mines. The Empire, as I have always said, is a bread and butter question. If you want to avoid civil war, you must become imperialists. [4]

[...]

After the First World War Britain took control of Palestine after stimulating an Arab revolt against Turkey. Chaim Weizmann, who replaced Herzl after his death as the most prominent Zionist leader, had anticipated this probable outcome. In a letter to the Manchester Guardian in 1914, Weizmann wrote:

Should Palestine fall within the British sphere of influence and should [they] encourage Jewish settlement ... [we could] develop the country, bring back civilisation and form a very effective guard for the Suez Canal. [10]

In 1917, before the British had assumed control of the area, Weizmann was invited to secret discussions with the British government. These led to the famous “Balfour Declaration”, which both expressed British support for Zionist settlement in Palestine and Zionist acceptance of British control of Palestine.