Hello, this is a response video to crawlingkiki's misinformation campaign on Zionism and Judaism. In their video entitled, "Common Knowledge, Gaza 101 Part 2", it is falsely claimed that Zionist philosophy views the land of Israel as promised to the Jewish people through a divine pact with god. Although it is true that there is an element of the Zionist movement that subscribes to this perspective, it is the fringe of Zionism. Mainstream Zionism is simply a nationalistic movement towards the establishment of a Jewish state (mission accomplished). Mainstream Zionism draws a connection between Jewish persons and Israel via history, ancestry, and culture. Most of us Zionists, who are largely secular, do not share the perspective that the land is guaranteed to us through god (to think that would be a little nutty, don't you think?). Our desires for our own autonomy, sovereignty, self-defense and self-determination are rooted in values which are not monopolized by Judaism (many nations have sought these ends on religious and non-religious grounds). Herzl's religiosity, or lack thereof, is irrelevant to the movement, as Zionism is a largely secular movement.
Secondarily, the video makes the incorrect assertion that there is a monolithic perspective in Judaism regarding religious foundations for the State of Israel. It is incorrectly implied that Judaism as a faith prohibits the existence of a Jewish state until the return of the Messiah. Although there are some fringe Jewish groups who subscribe to this religious perspective, it is not representative of mainstream Judaic philosophy. To show a clip of a fringe rabbi who is infamous form having been associated with Ahmedinejad-sponsored Holocaust denial as evidence of Jewish philosophy being opposed to the existence of a Jewish state is dishonest at best. People should know that religion is an inherently subjective subject with high degrees of variation between subscribers of the same faith. We need to be extremely careful when stating absolutes in terms of what a particular religion subscribes to. At the very least, when claiming that a particular religion subscribes to one perspective or another, it should be a widely shared perspective. For example, it would be dishonest for me to state that Islam instructs its members to conduct suicide bombings, although some fringe Islamic groups do believe this to be the case. This problem is true when claiming that Judaism prohibits the existence of a Jewish state as we see in contemporary Israel. Again, this perspective is held by some fringe Jewish groups, but is definitely on the fringe of the religion.
The implication that Jewish philosophy and religion is opposed to the creation of a Jewish state also ignores the *obvious* reality of the subjective nature of religion. Although we see a fringe rabbi's opposition to the creation of a Jewish state on his understanding of religion and his beliefs, it must be understood that like in any faith, there is much diversity among Jewish persons regarding religious opinions and methods of observance.
I hope that crawlingkiki will be unsuccessful in their misinformation campaign about Zionism and Judaism. It is unfortunate that I am seeing positive feedback for the video among the responses... clearly for ignorant (and most likely anti-semitic people who intend to denigrate and delegitimatize Israel and Jewish people) individuals...
Peace.
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george galloway spells out the truth of zionism and also a few good menby vivapalestina197513,332 views
I've read the book, have you? Just because Carter describes Israel as an apartheid state doesn't make it so. To imply that his identity (not being either Muslim or Palestinian) gives him some sort of special status is also prejudice. You are necessarily implying that a Muslim or Palestinian cannot be objective when it comes to the I/P problem. I like Jimmy Carter and believe he offers some valuable insights, but his description of Israel as an apartheid state is off-base.
gkraychik 2 years ago
Have you ever heard of JImmy Carter? He witnessed the peace negotiations between Israelis-Egyptians at Camp David. Read his book about the situation, he calls it an apartheid state himself and he is not a muslim or palestinian. So what's his motivation?
crawlingkiki 2 years ago
You're so intelligent you have to get personal? What does a medical degree have to do with this topic anyway? Does anyone who speaks of a topic need a degree? We were trying to provide background for our viewers' benefit, not heighten our status or whatever warped thought you're driving at. You're childish and bring no knowledge to the table. In fact your pigheaded comments and videos help us, so thanks! Peace, keep up the good work.
crawlingkiki 2 years ago
Lastly, you clearly DO intend to cheapen the horrors of the Holocaust with your ridiculous comparison. There is NO analogy to be made between Israel and apartheid SA. Israel treats all of its citizens equally. Palestinians living in Gaza and the WB are NOT citizens. No country would freely allow individuals to cross its borders at the expense of its security. Human rights violations are debatable, and are a completely separate set of issues from your false allegation of apartheid.
gkraychik 2 years ago
Well, most Jews don't want a joint state. So that's most likely out of the question. For starters, Israel intends to be able to maitain a Jewish majority, demographically. This is not unlike virtually every country which MANAGES their immigration policies towards their own ends. Most Paletinians (no offense) would most likely be unprepared educationally to meaningfully contribute to the economy, anyway.
gkraychik 2 years ago
I am trying to bring a comparison to mind that is relevant to the situation, but if you find that analogy too "anti-semitic" let's draw the parallel between Apartheid South Africa and Palestine. Any way you look at it their are massive human rights violations.
crawlingkiki 2 years ago
No offense, but it is apparent that I cannot learn anything from you. In the battle of information and knowledge you are unarmed (sorry, it's the truth!). I hope for my channel and videos to be a forum for honest discussion and enlightnment, not a soapbox from which prejudice anti-semites can spew their nonsense. Why don't you go tell everyone about your husband's "pre-med" degree from the university that nobody's ever heard of? Good luck being a professional Muslim "academic"...
gkraychik 2 years ago
I think there should be a joint state, one where everyone's rights are equal and no one is forcibly removed from their homes. I do not care if Jews, Christians, Atheists, Frogs, Kangaroos whoever wish to live anywhere. I do care when their living there comes at the expense of others. Really? You wouldn't consider the West Bank a ghetto? No historical case is exactly the same and I am not trying to undermine the horrific events that took place against Jews in Hitlers' Europe.
crawlingkiki 2 years ago
Ah, more anti-semitism... now you try to remove the Jewish historical attachment to the land based on many of our physical appearances. Racism at its finest. Our claim to the land is primarily cultural, although there are many Jewish person who are more physically semitic than others. The right of Jewish persons to a home (non-negotiable!) doesn't necessarily come at the expense of others. There are opportunities for solutions where Palestinians can develop a viable state of their own.
gkraychik 2 years ago
Lastly, it is obvious that you do not recognize Israel as a legitimate state. Clearly by extension you wish for the dismantling of the Jewish state and the Jewish people from Israel to go live somewhere else. Well, Israel already exists. Too bad you weren't around during the early 1900s to voice your opinion. You're about 100 years too late. Clearly you are vested in a blame game and interested in achieving solutions based on mutual respect and recognition.
gkraychik 2 years ago