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By Moji Agha In regards to the recent thought provoking and controversial editorial in iranian.com ["Just wondering"] much has been said. I don't want to re-present the thoughts and feelings that have been so far expressed -- some more eloquently than others -- rather I want to add my two cents to this timely debate. One perspective that has been articulated, but only partially, is that how Iran deals with Israel should be decided on the basis of Iran's national interests. I agree wholeheartedly and want to add to this aspect of the debate. To provide additional context, I also want to share with you my recent e-mail exchange with Amotz Asa-El, Editor-in-Chief of The International Jerusalem Post -- apprarently the "Kayhan" of Jerusalem, with regards to the quality of its journalism, especially in his recent editorial (I will quote his concluding paragraph later on). It shows that ideological tribalistic "journalism" has many faces. As far as Iran's national interests are concerned, I think they should be considered in two different contexts: a) with regards to Iran's present interests, and b) with a view toward Iran's long-term survival in the context of the survival of life on our "puny" Earth -- for now to the foreseeable future that is all we living beings have for a home. Maybe far in the future some of us will find a way to escape to some other planet. But for now let us not defecate even more in our small and over-populated cage. Back to Earth: If the sentiments expressed in the editorial below are any indication, Israel does not see herself as a "friend" of Iran. Thus, Iran should treat it accordingly and in the context of her respective national interests. These include Iran's defensive strength and her need for peace and stability, so that she can survive and prosper in her no nonsense neighborhood. Both of these requirements speak to Iran becoming politically and economically strong. Now, I believe Iran should evaluate, free of ideological bias of any kind, if her policies vis-a-vis Israel have been EFFECTIVE. From this vantage point, we should level-headedly examine if Iran has been successful in dealing with her main regional adversary, Israel. In my opinion, Iran's post-revolutionary policy toward Israel has been independent, namely, not dictated by any foreign power. This is quite precious. On the other hand, no matter how much Iran has talked (in slogan, or shoaar) about being resolute in the face of Israel's adversarial behaviors, her ability in being factually EFFECTIVE in this matter is debatable. I think if Iran could have concentrated more on increasing its true national strengths, as opposed to the strength of her rhetoric, she would be in a better position now, for example, to be an effective player in trying to make sure that her natural resources are used in the best way possible or to protect the Islamic holy sites and being a more effective friend to the defenseless Palestinians. These three factors are among the many aspects of Iran's multi-faceted national interests, which also include her responsibilities on the scene of civilization AND her ecological destiny in the interest of her future survival, in say, the next 5,000 years of her history. This brings me to the next topic. As our globe shows increasing signs of suffering as a consequence of human self-destructive self-centeredness, Iranians find themselves having to think wider about our "national" interests in this planetary context. In this regard, we share some interests with those of ALL other inhabitants of the increasingly fragile cosmic "gravel" that we call our home. This includes Israel. I realize that we are not used to think in such terms, let alone to think of Iran's international policy in such planetary light. What I contend here is that we have no choice. I repeat we have NO CHOICE in this matter. Could there be a global blessing disguised in this painful journey? Somehow, I think so. Now, let us again come back to Earth to look at tribal/ideological ugliness in the face. Thanks to being on the mailing list of the Iranians for International Cooperation, I recently read an online Israeli editorial. In his editorial, Mr. Amotz Asa-El, the Editor-in-Chief of The International Jerusalem Post expressed a lot of Israel-centered ideas. Here is the shockingly surrealistic concluding paragraph of his racist editorial:
It outraged me so much that I emailed him this response:
I really did not expect a response. However, he sent the following rhetorical question as his response to my email:
Faced with his dismissive and patronizing response, and wanting to remind him that people fear Israel (as opposed to the reverse) I wrote:
In a very "peaceful" and self-righteous (hagh-bejaaneb and mazloom namaa) fashion he wrote:
Seeing his arrogance I wrote back:
I doubt he will respond. Author Moji Agha is a visiting scholar at the Center For Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Arizona in Tucson. He recently founded a non-profit center for inter-cultural and interfaith dialogue. He has been a teacher of cultural studies, conflict resolution, and cross-cultural psychology.
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