Comments on: Squeezing Jaffa http://quitealone.com/2009/07/15/squeezing-jaffa/ "To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world" – Freya Stark Tue, 31 Aug 2010 07:30:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Matthew Teller http://quitealone.com/2009/07/15/squeezing-jaffa/#comment-186 Matthew Teller Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:00:55 +0000 http://quitealone.com/?p=90#comment-186 Thanks so much for dropping by, Fred - much appreciated. Very good to hear your thoughts. Your "civilized world" comment is particularly interesting: I'm not sure where that place is! With the rise of fascists in Britain, with the way Italy treats its ethnic minorities, with the racial policies of certain US states, I'm not sure where 'civilization' starts and ends... Thanks so much for dropping by, Fred – much appreciated. Very good to hear your thoughts.

Your “civilized world” comment is particularly interesting: I’m not sure where that place is! With the rise of fascists in Britain, with the way Italy treats its ethnic minorities, with the racial policies of certain US states, I’m not sure where ‘civilization’ starts and ends…

]]> By: Fred Schlomka http://quitealone.com/2009/07/15/squeezing-jaffa/#comment-185 Fred Schlomka Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:06:29 +0000 http://quitealone.com/?p=90#comment-185 'True everywhere' - I wonder. However most Democracies that were once colonies now make an effort today to at least acknowledge, if not celebrate, the indigenous cultures that were supplanted by immigrants. However here in Israel and Palestine we are still in the middle of our colonizing process, out of sync with the civilized world. I do agree with Richard's characterization of Zionism as 'morally bankrupt'. The term defines a political ideology that embodies in the laws, regulations, and government policies of the state, that one ethno/religious group should control the mechanisms of government. Political practice stands on a foundation, and if that base is morally flawed, so will the resulting governing practices. This was true of Apartheid, and is no less true of Zionism. ‘True everywhere’ – I wonder. However most Democracies that were once colonies now make an effort today to at least acknowledge, if not celebrate, the indigenous cultures that were supplanted by immigrants. However here in Israel and Palestine we are still in the middle of our colonizing process, out of sync with the civilized world.

I do agree with Richard’s characterization of Zionism as ‘morally bankrupt’. The term defines a political ideology that embodies in the laws, regulations, and government policies of the state, that one ethno/religious group should control the mechanisms of government.

Political practice stands on a foundation, and if that base is morally flawed, so will the resulting governing practices. This was true of Apartheid, and is no less true of Zionism.

]]> By: Matthew Teller http://quitealone.com/2009/07/15/squeezing-jaffa/#comment-18 Matthew Teller Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:44:32 +0000 http://quitealone.com/?p=90#comment-18 Thanks for your opinion, Richard. Myself, I'm always wary when Zionism is used so glibly as a term of abuse: it reminds me of pointless Cold War mudslinging about "morally bankrupt communism" or "morally bankrupt capitalism". I don't think the merits or demerits of any particular ideology are the point. Political practice is at fault. Travellers to Israel (let alone Palestine) need to be aware that there are two realities overlaying each other. Maps, roadsigns, brochures, the mass media speak of one reality. The other remains largely invisible and undocumented, and is best accessed through personal interaction - but remains no less authentic an expression of the diversity of culture and opinion within the country. Then again, isn't that true everywhere? Thanks for your opinion, Richard. Myself, I’m always wary when Zionism is used so glibly as a term of abuse: it reminds me of pointless Cold War mudslinging about “morally bankrupt communism” or “morally bankrupt capitalism”. I don’t think the merits or demerits of any particular ideology are the point. Political practice is at fault.

Travellers to Israel (let alone Palestine) need to be aware that there are two realities overlaying each other. Maps, roadsigns, brochures, the mass media speak of one reality. The other remains largely invisible and undocumented, and is best accessed through personal interaction – but remains no less authentic an expression of the diversity of culture and opinion within the country.

Then again, isn’t that true everywhere?

]]> By: Richard Trillo http://quitealone.com/2009/07/15/squeezing-jaffa/#comment-17 Richard Trillo Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:29:08 +0000 http://quitealone.com/?p=90#comment-17 Roadsigns of a morally bankrupt zionist culture, I'd say. They can always put new dual-spelling ones up in the right places when it's all resolved. . . (one day). What nobody can do is restore the physical presence of villages wiped from the landscape. Roadsigns of a morally bankrupt zionist culture, I’d say. They can always put new dual-spelling ones up in the right places when it’s all resolved. . . (one day).

What nobody can do is restore the physical presence of villages wiped from the landscape.

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