Ray Hanania, an Arab American who was one of the participants in the recent leftist bloggers’ convention in Washington, D.C., has recently been playing armchair Zionist from Chicago.
Nevertheless, I think what Palestine and Israel need is a candidate who is unequivocal on a vision for peace.
I don’t know about “Palestine,” but Israel needs a candidate who has a vision of “Shalom” and not “peace!”
I support two states, one Israel and one Palestine. As far as I am concerned, I can recognize Israel’s “Jewish” character and Israelis should recognize Palestine’s “non-Jewish” character.
Ray I think you recognize America’s Jewish character, but not Israel’s Jewish character. It’s apparent to those of us who live in Israel that some Israelis don’t recognize Israel’s Jewish character. Do you expect “Palestinians” to recognize Israel’s Jewish character if Israelis themselves don’t? On the other hand, all “Palestinians” and some Israelis recognize Israel’s “Palestinian” character! If I am not for myself, who will be for me? Apparently Arabs are more into Pirkei Avot (The Mishnah Chapter of Our Fathers) than Jews are.
In the game of armchair Zionist, Hanania makes a fumble:
Palestinian refugees would give up their demand to return to pre-1948 homes and lands lost during the conflict with Israel.
We all know, and particularly the Arabs, that this will never happened. Only Ray Hanania and the J Street bloggers convention folk make naive statements like this. In the same vain he continues:
Actually, major Palestinian populations in Israel could be annexed into Palestine (like settlements).
You mean like Yaffo of Tel-Aviv Yaffo fame? Do you expect Israel to suddenly relinquish land to the Arabs that the world already recognizes as being “Israel?”
Finally Hanania comments:
I know that the only thing preventing this from happening is fear, intransigence and a reluctance to believe in a better future than the one we have today.
The thing that is keeping this from happening-at least part of this-is that it isn’t realistic! It is one person’s perception of what is going on here, kind of like your friend Silverstein’s Tikun Olam. It is a model of the situation that is not in scale because it was not constructed based on the experience of having lived and struggled here. The idea of an Arab marrying a Jew, as in Hanania’s case is the consequence of the Melting Pot, or Zohan-ism. It is far removed from the Middle East where religion and religious identity is paramount and causes separation between peoples. However, given Ray Hanania’s background, it is refreshing to hear the voice of sincere reconciliation, even if it was made from Chicagoland’s armchair studios.
I have no problem with skepticism, and I think you offer it fairly and reasonably, rather than with emotion and assault, the latter is something Palestinians and Israelis do to each other too often. But, while you point out that Palestinian Refugees will never give up their right of return, they may not in their minds, and they cling to the Rule of Law, but I cling to the Rule of Reason and Reality and the fact is they have already lost their right of return in all practical purposes. They are being fed by extremists who keep telling them that one day they will return, which is the most pernicious vicious lie the extremists can make. It’s the same with Israelis. Their extremists have told them don’t worry, if we don’t make peace it will all be ours, but the reality is that whiel they have control, they don’t have real peace and violence will forever be a part of this Israel’s existence until there is a peace that both sides can work together to enforce.
I’d rather fight to address the reality than to cling to a dream that is in effect a real nightmare for both sides.
thanks for at least showing restraint when we speak to each other, something Palestinians and Israelis need to learn how to do more often. The blame game is lame. We need to all take responsibility and do the right thing as insurmountable as it might be.
Ray Hanania
http://www.Yallapeace.com
The blame game is lame.
Ray, thanks for your sincere response. I agreee with your comment above. I think the fact that you and I both come from “unorthodox” backgrounds is a contributing factor to a kind of mutual understanding. It is a painful task to reconcile tradition with modernity. I am convinced that only people who have lived life on different sides of the coin can understand the situation as a whole. That is why I am skeptical of so many peaceniks-they seem to have a one-dimensional way of looking at things, no different than an adherent to any religion. I had a good friend named Adnan who I knew before and after my formal Jewish education. I can testify that only someone like him who has been through many cultures and “worlds” in one lifetime can really understand the reality of the current situation-especially the human toll on both sides.
Justin
Thanks Justin … when I read your blog I could see and understand that point … I just wish everyone did
Ray Hanania
http://www.RadioChicagoland.com
WJJG Radio 1530 AM/Monday thru Friday 8-9:30 am/Studio Line: 708-493-1530
http://www.OrlandParker.com
http://www.SuburbanChicagoland.com
http://www.TheMediaOasis.com
alternative email: rghanania@gmail.com