by ir » Sun Jan 22, 2006 3:32 am
The fact that finkelstein's analysis of Israel's misconduct is sane/correct (and I think it is, too) will not and has not made any difference, and an EU boycot is not very realistic. Selective boycots are more effective, and have made some positive impact here, but it was less than a drop in the ocean, AND after a mild pressure in the UK, the organizers stopped (it was just a mild tour de force).<br>---<br>Finkelstein focusing on Dershowitz is a beginning in the right direction because there lies the problem and real power, these people make more decisions here than the public in Israel. (in the meantime the two of them made a "comedy show" of their debate, and probably both make some money.) i still don't see the Jewish lefty community mounting up anything remotely meaningful against the (Jewish) neocon and warmongers. Not for lack of capacity, but lack of WILL. <br>---<br>Merkel of Germany has made small efforts to check Bush's excesses, let's see if the EU has any power vis a vis the USA, and then take it from there. the EU mainly via donations to peace orgs, made some difference here, but all in all if the EU couldnt stop the invasion of iraq, the balance of power is clear. PLus, each day we reveal how European services (besides the UK that joined the full game) were extending help to the CIA in Iraq, including the german services (not huge help, but some).<br>I believe the more Merkel insists on gitmo/renditions, the more germans are going to be kidnapped in the Middle east, for some mysterious reason, until she stops talking about it. <br>--<br>What I don't like in the classic liberal wing in the USA (where many Jews are active) is the convenient division of guilt. it is much nicer to feel good and project all the evils on the Israelis. recently, this has faded, when Americans wake up to find who THEIR government is, and how it shat on their heads, AND how helpless they are notwithstanding. this is just a little tiny bit of our routine experience here. The liberals, like finkelstein, should (IMHHHHO) divert more efforts to mount a localized efficient smear campaign against the dershowitzation of the Jewish organized community, until they do that, all the lofty ideas about Israel are moot (although I am not necessarily against moot lofty teachings, too).<br>---<br> Somone mentioned ADL - why doesn't anyone run them out of business ? they are a pain in the neck, and I am sure some poeple can find dirt on their misuse of power. a good project for finkelstein. But then I'd imagine he doesn't want to be on the recievnig end of their revenge. yeah, ok, then let's propose a boycot on Israel.<br>much (well not MUCH, but still) safer these days.<br> <br> <p></p><i></i>
