VIEW

Thank you Zendanian

Yes we do agree on some things and we can agree to disagree on others.  I appreciate the cordial tone of your message.  

Dear Robert

There is probably a lot more agreement bewtween us than you might think. Not that such commanlities (between two of us) are going to change any major geo-political facts in middle east, but it would be good to acknowledge commonalities, if they exist.

First off: we both agree that Israel is in need of some major changes, and fast. However you don't agree with my assenment of its peace movement. In a sense you are correct: whereas peace movement in Israel was able to have a 500,000 strong rally in opposition to Israel's invasion of Lebanon back in early 80's (just imagine 500,000 people out a population of barely 5 millions back then were protesting againsat the war, that was 1/10 of the population. No other country has had as much a strong movement. If one tenth of US population ever participated in a peace rally you would have traffic jams for couple of days in D.C.!) Todays peace movement is much weaker than in early 80's, however a majority of Israelis are still in favour of peace,

Poll: 70% of Israelis say Israel should accept UN decision

//www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=238855

Existence of a mass sentiment for peace in that country, is an achievement of the peace movement. Perhaps we could agree on that?

You and I, would also, probably, agree that Hanna Arendt's writing on origins of anti-semitism (in her book "Origins of Totalitarianism") is probably the best treatment of the topic.

The Origins of Totalitarianism

//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Origins_of_Totalitarianism

We both also agree on limitations and dangers of ideologies (Left, Right, or whatever lable they put on themselves). Hana Arendt is a great instance of a writer, who although coming from a "Leftist" background had no illusions about its limitations.

Last, but not least, if I sounded condescening, which I probably did, a little bit, I apologize. It's a bad habit,  keeping propping up here and there. I'm just a student of the world as much as you or anyone else. In that sense, we're all equal in our curiosity and our need and quest for undistorted knoweledge and communications. Cheers

On the subject of anti-Semitism….

I believe it is the gross misuse of the term in the Western world, in US particularly,  seemingly in an effort to shut any criticism of Israel that draws such reactions.  Sadly the words “terrorist” and “terrorism” are being misused just the same way, it is applied based on who the perpetrator is rather  the act itself.

'Hambastegi' is the main key to victory 

Mehrdad

Dear Zendanian

I believe the problem I face in this exchange of views is that you and I do not share the same version of reality.  I appreciate the condescending tone.  I presume you are quite the specialist?  All I can tell you is that immersing oneself in leftist academic writing and building a reality out of it doesn't actually make it real.  Would it help if I tell you that I am actually very well-read when in comes to Mideast politics, including on the topic of Zionism and the origins of Israel?  I don't think so. Should I tell you that the Peace Movement in Israel is already so tiny that calling it diverse is only another way of saying it is fractured and politically impotent?  Should I explain that far from having any kind of uncritical support for Israel in reality I think that the Israeli right is truly becoming scary?  I explained why I characterized Dabashi's writing as anti-Semitic.  Thank you for highlighting further reading on the topic.  But as I said anti-Semitism predates 19th c. Germany.  I also enjoyed your evasive response re: your own opinion of Israel.  I just realized I am going on for no good reason.  Ideology, especially of the leftist variety is a spent force.  Sadly the rightist variety seems to be still kicking around.  I hope we can all be free of ideology some day and try to analyze politics as it really is without self-righteous indignation or even pseudo-intellectual affectation.

What the heck ?

"In alliance with Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies, Israel is hell bound to divert these democratic revolts to their own benefits."

Benefits, such as ?

Robert, one shall never "assume" anything, because you only make

An a.. out of yourself and...

As far as Hamid's take on Israel, you should ask him since I'm not his spokesperson, only a reader of his books, and I do appreciate most of what he has produced so far. You still haven't told me what part of Hamid's rebuke of AN's Holocaust denial was anti-semitic? 

As far as my take on the Jewish state: Israel in an expression of Jewish nationalism, and as such has as much legitimacy an any other type of nationalsim in that region, Arab, Persian, Turkish, Kurdish,...Of course I don't have very  high opinion of any type of Nationalism to begin with (only cultural nationalsim, and even that mostly the modern versions). Also don't forget that Soviet Union was the first state to recognize Israel in 1948. Einstein was a socialist, also a Zionist, and asked to be its very first President but refused. Most probably becuase he didn't have high regards for nationalism.  

Unfortuamtely you don't seem to be very familiar and well read in history and roots of Jewsih Nationalism (aka Zionism) since it's a lot more complicated and diverse than your uncritical support of Israel seems to portray.

As far as the peace movement in Israel: again, you reduce the entire movement to just one or two groups and don't take into consideration the vast and incredibly diverse range that this tendency has within Israel.

It's not a secret that Saudi Arabia has been, is, and will be derailing all democratic movements in the Arab world. Robin Wright, (a fellow at the United States Institute of Peace and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars) thinks the same way as well, is he an anti-semite, or...?

Don’t Fear All Islamists, Fear Salafis

//www.nytimes.com/2012/08/20/opinion/dont-fear-all-islamists-fear-salafis.html?ref=contributors

P.S. On the origins and definition of Anti-Semitism in the Western world, sorry to inform you but ,your incorrect. All these distortion go back to German Anthropology of 18 and 19th century, and their invention of the so-called "Hellenic Model," as amply discussed and documented in Martin Bernal's two-volume masterpiece "Black Athena:Afroasiatic Roots of Classical Civilaization."

I presume I have answered all your queries. Cheers

zendanian

Anti-Semitic wasn't coined by the "distortive western media".  It has existed for thousands of years.  Yes Arabs are Semites too.  But in the west (where we live) in both popular and academic literature anti-Semitic is a term memaning anti-Jewish (believe me I had the same irrelevant argument with one of my professors about 20 yrs ago).  Just as Philo-Semitic in the western tradition means a friend of Jews.  

On the anit-semitism of the piece (and not Dabashi who I don't know personally), Peace Now is saying Israel in alliance with Saudi is trying to derail the regional uprisings to its benefit?  I'd be surprised.  Aside from that I called it ant-semitic because it peddles the same sort of 'root of all evil in the Middle East is Israel' story.  That in my book is anti-semitic.  You may differ.  

One question do you believe and (if you know) does Dabashi believe Israel is a legitimate state?  I'm guessing you have serious issues with the legitimacy of the State of Israel.  That my friend is anti-semitism.

To Dabashi's credit, AN's appearance at Columbia University was

cancelled, mainly due to Columbia U's Iranian community's (Iranian  students, staff and faculty) vociferous protest. Rest assure Hamid was a significant part of that protest.

All disagreements and difference with the good Prof. aside, he has evolved in many positive paths, and his contributions shall be acknowledged. Although for us Iranians, we usually don't do any of that untill they're dead and gone.

With regrads to his alleged 'anti-semitic'  positions: is anything he's saying any different from what the Peace Movement in Israel is saying? And also please try to recall what Hamid said about AN's denial of Holocaust. Was that also 'anti-semitic?'

P.S. This term "anti-semitic" which has been coined by the ever distortive Western media, is suppose to mean anti-jewish. However,  in the real world and real history, Semites refer to both Jews and Arabs, in Persian we call them Saami. So for our ever inquisitive minds in here, it might help to take into consideration how the very terms and language they're using in here, itself contributed to further distortion of issues and facts. Cheers

Focusing on the content of the article….

I think the author has got the situation vastly correct, all with the exception of his optimism of the power of the “Syrian people will triumph”

Time and time we have seen how these popular uprising and movement to be hijacked one way or another by the powerful forces coupled with corrupt so called leaders.  Our own nation has been rubbed from its potential freedom and democracy at least twice (1953 & 1979) in the last 60 years not counting the betrayal of few so called leaders just a couple of years ago.

  But I will continue to believe that for any nation to rid itself from such corrupt and disastrous leaders + super powers, people have to endure, not relent and lead.

'Hambastegi' is the main key to victory 

Mehrdad

Prof. Dabashi’s SOBER analysis is indicative of what is.....

happening NOW, and what WILL happen if this train wreck is not stopped AND on time!

Also zendanian has a very valid point regarding the Green movement.

If we have learned anything in the past 30+ years is that we should not either trust Mullahs or their cohorts.   Greens are nothing, but turban less Mullah…the only difference that I can see!

We have learned our lesson(s) and should neither trust the Shahollahi/Hezbollah cult, and their equally corrupt cohorts; same should apply to the decaying Islamofascist regime.

One can easily see resemblances and draw parallels of the last days of the corrupt tyrannies of Mullahs to the collapse of the despicable Pahlavi’s …the resemblance is uncanny.   They BOTH are about to meet the TOILET of history!

 I just hope that this time our nation would not allow these MURDERERS to flee with billions of dollars of STOLEN and EMBEZZELED money belonging to our nation/people, as it happened the last time!

Overall, A good blog from Professor. Dabashi

And I agree with the key point that Professor dabashi is making, that is "the islamist regime is losing in it's power struggle against Israel & West, because it absolutely lacks legitimacy with Iranian people"

On a critical note, I also agree with Zendanian on his comments regarding the "green movement", for the same reasons as he does, and with  Robertborden on his "antisemetic horse manure " remark. I often  find some of that in Mr dabashi's writings :) 

"Personal business must yield to collective interest."

He is No Edward Saeid

The fact that Mr. Dabashi writes for Aljazeera, Al-Ahram and other Arabic newspapers and regularly gives interview to TV and radio outlets in the same region speaks for itself. He is a card carrying champion of the Palestinian cause and that does not make him a successor to Edward Saeid. One day he may decide to open up and clearly explain his position with respect to those very specific issues that are vital and important to majority of Iranians.

Good Points

Robert. Thanks for your comments.

Dabashi should stick to literature

This is a disjointed piece of anti-Semitic horse manure.  Israel in a conspiracy to pervert the allegedly democratic uprisings in the Mideast?  Why does he think Israel hasn't made one single aggressive military move in the past couple of years?  Israel far from manipulating anything is scared that if it makes the wrong move it will divert attention from essentially domestically concerned uprisings back to itself and the Arab-Israeli conflict.  That was the anti-Semitic horse manure part.  The disjointed part is the patching on of the bit about Iran.  Is he hoping that the Islamic regime can negotiate from a position of strength?  And that will help with the so-called democratic uprisings in the region how?  Everytime I read something from this hack I wonder how he came to be the successor to Edward Said who no matter what you thought of his politics, at least wrote with elegance and erudition.

Iranians' Spring is Yet to Come!

Noting that Mr. Dabashi's article has been published in Al Jazeera & it is another of his futile attempts by to bring the life back to the dead so called Green Movement of his, and thus re-introducing that as an alternative to keep IRI further alive. But he is dead wrong. Both IRI & the Green are void of any credibility and legitimacy with the people. And as such the Iranians' (real) Spring movement is yet to come & unlike the fake Arabs Spring, orchestrated by the corrupt Sheikhs of UAE & of Saudis, will not be a simple removal of Khamenei & replacing him with Mousavi or alike.   

Green "Movement" is as reactionary as its leadership, and has

"achieved" nothing but losing the initial momentum gained by people's independent initiatives three  years ago. "Reformers" of Islamic Republic of Hell are most often as much an obstacle to overthrowing it as the ruling mullah thugs.

The only hope and significance in this so called "movement" was its mass base. Alas this base has been repeatedly compromised, demobilized, and deactivated by its reactionary leadership mainly Mir Hossain Mussavi, Korobi, and such.

From June '09 to January '10 "Greens" had a golden opportunity to expand on their early appeal and build the basis for a truly free and democratic Iran, instead from day one they worked in the exact opposit direction. Begining with chants of Allah O'Akbar, as slogans of protest! Soon these "chants of protest" were drown out by magnified Allah O'Akbars from mosques.

Moral of the story: you can not liberate yourself with the words of your oppressors.

In short: Liberation and establishment of a truly democratic and liberated Iran goes through over coming this so called "Green Movement." Fortunately we have independent, autonomous social movements in Iran to achive just that task.