Judaism, Zionism, Israel

Margarite Susman on the Zionist nation-state: "But with this warlike defense, as with the state which requires it, the people has absorbed a piece of the chaos alien to it, and thus endangered its internal existence more seriously than its external. By pursuing this way of life, it is participating in the bloody confusions and distortions of the world of nations so deeply anathema to it; it is participating in the curse of nationalism, in the growing petrification of life, in the apocalyptic cooling of hearts that is cooling the life of humanity. Can the messianic legacy still be managed in such a reality? Is it still possible—and this is the same question—to bring the simply human to fruition?" Susman wrote this many years ago, at the birth of Zionism, but what the nation-state of Israel is now engaged in, while plenty "bloody", can not be called "defense". Yet we know many Israelis, in their collective psychosis, would insist it is exactly that. As they abandon that "messianic legacy" for property acquisition through genocide, they destroy themselves as A People. The "mad bull" on a rampage is now attacking Syria, taking advantage of their new government and the geopolitics of the U.S. turning a blind eye, or wink and nod. The Zionists are attacking Lebanon, striking the heart of Beirut and of course re-occupying Gaza and soon the West Bank in an all-out campaign of ethnic cleansing and settlement by rabid reactionaries. From socialist exiles to militant expansionists in a matter of a few capitalist decades. Here in the U.S. the power of Zionist ideology can be seen in the attacks on critics and activists, on universities and lawyers willing to defend free speech rights. In true Orwellian form, to support the right of Palestinians to self-determination and a state is to support Hamas, terrorism and anti-semitism. The Israelis believe they can build an "iron dome" that will protect them from reality, from history, from justice and truth. This AIPAC fantasy is what comes with wealth and power and the corrupt relations they breed. But of course for Zionism to ally with MAGA Americanism is insanely short-sighted and will only lead to more tragedy and "common ruin". An ethno-nationalist project that depends on, thrives on, celebrates violent oppression can only lead to "the apocalyptic cooling of hearts" which is anathema to all that progressive Judaism stands for. Fundamentalists ( going back to my last post) lack the ability to hold two incongruent thoughts in their tiny minds, no matter which type of monotheist they happen to be ( including Islamists). The Christian Zionist fundamentalists can't wait for the Messiah to return, a wonderful Armageddon, forcing all the Jews to choose Christ or roast for eternity. Personally, I prefer the Easter bunny but the Jews need to be careful about which "friends" they choose. Or maybe it's too late for that.

Back to Fundamentals

In a world-historical sense, a dominant trend we are seeing globally can be described as fundamentalism. Whether in religious terms, such as the rise of Islamist, Hindu, Buddhist and Christian nationalist chauvinism or strictly cultural reaction, such as historical revisionism or support for "traditional" values, it is a turn away from complexity and pluralism towards simplicity and dogma. The rise of religious fundamentalism is truly terrifying if you are not a straight cis-gendered male. From Israel to Pakistan to Afghanistan to Bangladesh to America to India to Myanmar to North Africa doctrinal authority and the religious leaders who interpret various scriptures is on the rise. They are done with nuanced, secular, liberal rights that require balancing different interests or creating a social compact. They prefer tribes with strict, easy to follow rules. This is an obvious reaction to feminism in particular, where male power is challenged and threatened. Take the anti-LGBTQ backlash. In some places, like Russia or parts of Africa, it can mean death. “People were looking for explanations, and InfoWars offered simple, if outlandish, answers to complex problems.” According to the new tech-masters of the universe: "democracy is outdated “legacy code” that can’t keep up with modern complexity. The future, he and others argue, will belong to those who design and implement a superior system—one that runs more like a corporation." Simple hierarchies for simple minds.