The Trasatlantic Intelligencer fell in his own trap.
Sadly, that tells us that he does not have too much of a moral stand and he is very willing to come up with half assed excuses to try to mend his errors of judgement.
In his long promised response the tells us that Zionism is not a form of ethnic nationalism, and therefore is not racist. He even goes to the extent of hinting that Zionism had nothing to do with the creation of Israel, that it was the Nazis threat of unleashing a new Holocaust what told the world Israel needed to be.
My question is, how can someone that writes and article about Anti Semitism in Europe like this one can be so ignorant (as he himself claimed) about the history of the Jewish people in general and Israel in particular?
Zionists started moving into the Mandate of Palestine long before 1939, by 1947 when Israel was proclaimed, the Nazis were far from being a threat.
Then he goes into this crazy explanation about how the Syrians, Egyptians and other Arabs living in Palestine should not call themselves Palestinians.
Doesn't he know that such concept is brandished by the most reactionary sectors in Israel?
Doesn't he know that there is Israelis and Jews that accept the Palestinians are a nationality?
Doesn't he understand that such concept of "there is no Palestininans" is equal to those ideals he so merrily criticise on Arana?
Doesn't he understand that while Arana lived at the turn of the XIX century, those who say the Palestinians do not exist are saying that today?
Doesn't he know the Basques do not follow Arana words as God given mandates?
It was a Check Mate from the get go, hopefully he will learn something from this.
Now the Barcepundit will have to find himself a new champion.
Sadly, that tells us that he does not have too much of a moral stand and he is very willing to come up with half assed excuses to try to mend his errors of judgement.
In his long promised response the tells us that Zionism is not a form of ethnic nationalism, and therefore is not racist. He even goes to the extent of hinting that Zionism had nothing to do with the creation of Israel, that it was the Nazis threat of unleashing a new Holocaust what told the world Israel needed to be.
My question is, how can someone that writes and article about Anti Semitism in Europe like this one can be so ignorant (as he himself claimed) about the history of the Jewish people in general and Israel in particular?
Zionists started moving into the Mandate of Palestine long before 1939, by 1947 when Israel was proclaimed, the Nazis were far from being a threat.
Then he goes into this crazy explanation about how the Syrians, Egyptians and other Arabs living in Palestine should not call themselves Palestinians.
Doesn't he know that such concept is brandished by the most reactionary sectors in Israel?
Doesn't he know that there is Israelis and Jews that accept the Palestinians are a nationality?
Doesn't he understand that such concept of "there is no Palestininans" is equal to those ideals he so merrily criticise on Arana?
Doesn't he understand that while Arana lived at the turn of the XIX century, those who say the Palestinians do not exist are saying that today?
Doesn't he know the Basques do not follow Arana words as God given mandates?
It was a Check Mate from the get go, hopefully he will learn something from this.
Now the Barcepundit will have to find himself a new champion.
.... ... .
Jeez, Bruno,
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the complete thread, and I am only going to comment on what you have said about that line in Ibarretxe's plan, that it is racist for the Basque people to have:
"its own identity within the community of European peoples, repository of a singular historical, social and cultural heritage"
My god, if you replace basque with any other ethnic group , will you say that they are racist? Are the Irish actually English? Are they racist to claim otherwise? After all, they were English for over 400 years, right? What about native tribes of the Americas, or Russia? What about the Saami people? All a part of larger countries, but with their own ethnic identity. Are they racist when they push for more cultural and linguistic rights?
Anonymous, you might learn to read more carefully if you want to comment. For example, Bruno was *quoting* the writings of "Transatlantic Intelligencer" on Basque--and ethnic nationalist--racism. He wasn't expressing his own opinions.
ReplyDeleteBut to answer your question: yes, these movements you mention would be racist, according to TI, to the extent that they demand special group rights, based on the "commom origins" myth and so forth.
You shoud read TI if you would like to be better informed on the debate.
Yes, I see it was TI. I was scanning over the post very quickly. By the way, I'll comment on anything I darn well please, thank you very much, especially when I see that tired, old arguemnt of minority nations being racist for flexing their ethnic, cultural and political muscles. Racism is a belief that your culture is SUPERIOR to others. In that case, in my opinion,I would say that the United States and France are the most racist cultures on the planet! Then again, perhaps ALL cultures are racist.
ReplyDeleteYes, their are people in any culture who feel their culture is superior to others, damn the rest of them, and want everyone else to change and be more like their own culture. Most people, I believe, (I hope) have enough brain cells to love their own familiar culture, yet show respect for other cultures, as long as the other cultures are not infringing on them in a drastic manner.
(viva McDonalds!!)
For minority nations, this infringement will often be the historical lack of respect of the dominant culture for the minorities language and laws. Then, when the minority nation struggles with the survival of it's culture and language, THEY are the ones labeled as racist. Kind of twisted.
To pull Arana into this arguement is another tired trick. The political and cultural atmosphere which existed in Spain and Europe in the late 1800's is just a tad different than it is now. Arana did write and believe in some racist views, which are ignored today, if not denounced. He also started positive movements for the promotion of Basque culture. These ideas are kept today. There is a saying "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water".
How many of our own important historical figures in the U.S. would pass the test of never having written or engaged in racist or other abhorrent behavior, as their time in history allowed?
Hello Anonymnous,
ReplyDelete*Of course* you're free to comment on anything you want. I don't think that anything I said would imply otherwise, but if so, please accept my apology. I only meant that it's a sign of respect to listen to someone else's comment before commenting on it. Naturally, if you feel like distorting what someone else says, putting words in his or her mouth, or simply not listening (or reading), you're perfectly within your rights. It´s only that most people won't take you seriously if you do so. But, hey, it's your call!
You stated quite clearly that "all cultures are racist." This would include the Basques, wouldn't it?
Taking quotes out of context is your style, I see.
ReplyDeleteBruno, the TI wants to blemish the Basque quest for self-determination with that cheap accusation of racism.
ReplyDeleteHis argument came unglued when he had to back track and say that Zionism, which is a form of nationalism, is not racist like Basque nationalism and then used the Nazis as a redeeming quality for Zionism.
FYI, Arabs are the inhabitants of several countries in the Middle East, depending on their nationality they are called Egyptians, Syrians, Yemenis, Irakis, Palestinians.
To deny the existance of Palestinians is to be stupid, and racist.
To the Anonymous that wrote this:
ReplyDelete-You stated quite clearly that "all cultures are racist." This would include the Basques, wouldn't it?-
This whole thread started because a very ill-informed person stated that "Basque nationalism, as any other nationalism, is racist".
You are clumsy on your attempt at being smart. The person that stated that Basque nationalism is racist went on to say that Jewish nationalism is not racist, back tracking on his own statement that "all nationalisms are racist".
He lost his moral ground, you are making a fool out of yourself by defending him.
To work towards creating spaces for your language and culture to thrive and flourish is not racist, every single human group has done so from the dawn of time.