Henry Herskovitz: Max Blumenthal Shows His Stripes

The Liberate Palestine movement seems to be firmly in the hands of members of the very ethnic/religious group that it opposes.

Learn more about Gilad by visiting his Website

(LONDON) - Five members of Jewish Witnesses for Peace and Friends attended a panel presentation which showcased Ben White and Max Blumenthal, both signatories to an on-line document which attempts to marginalize and silence Gilad Atzmon. This document is entitled "Not Quite 'Ordinary Human Beings'—Anti-imperialism and the anti-humanist rhetoric of Gilad Atzmon", and prompted this writer to contact Gilad to ask him for a few questions of these gentlemen.

The student organization who hosted this event, SAFE (no acronym really necessary, because that's how they want to play this game), threw the usual curveball: no live questions from the audience, just write your questions on a card and we will screen them. So that meant my question -- Why will neither Mr. Blumenthal or Mr. White debate Gilad Atzmon? -- was given the deep six and never saw light of day.

Now, running concurrent with this event was the Michigan v. Kansas NCAA basketball game, shown one flight down from the SAFE event. After the final seconds of the game ticked away, Max came down and was interested in its outcome. I invited him to our weekly vigil at Beth Israel, a mere twelve hours away and was told he had an early morning flight. Asking what time the flight departed got no response.

Then...

Me: I was wondering why you signed that document against Gilad Atzmon

Max: Are you a supporter of Gilad Atzmon?

Me: Yes, I'm his friend

Max: Then I have nothing to say to you

And with that, Max did a perfect imitation of Alice Rothschild, pirouetting on his heels and heading back upstairs for comfort. And all this to help keep the issue of Jewish identity politics from ever being openly discussed. Makes one think that Gilad and his book The Wandering Who: A Study of Jewish Identity Politics certainly has struck a nerve in the Jewish community. The same community it appears that Max and the 200 other gatekeepers on the list want to protect.

And, speaking of gatekeepers, our friends in Boulder call attention to Anna Baltzer's recent attempts. Acting from her position as National Organizer for the Jewish-led "US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation", she writes.

I've heard only by chance about a number of Israeli Apartheid Week and Land Day activities by groups not in touch with IAW and the BNC so I wanted to send a little reminder: If you're doing or have already done something for Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) or Land Day (March 30th) this month, please make sure to notify the coordinators (emphasis hers).

Now please imagine yourself in 1933 as the world-wide boycott against the National Socialist government of Germany was heating up (before Jewish Zionists signed a deal with the Reich and sabotaged it). Now further imagine that Germans captured leadership roles in the movement and wrote:

If you're doing or have already done something for the Boycott of German goods this month, please make sure to notify the (German) coordinators:

Well, it just boggles this writer's mind to imagine that world Jewry would allow any other group (let alone "the Germans") to lead their struggle with the National Socialists. Something is drastically wrong with the Liberate Palestine movement that the reins of control seem to be firmly in the hands of members of the very ethnic/religious group that is oppressing the people we're supposed to be liberating (as well as manipulating the US government.)

Reminder – Protest the Celebration of "Israel"

When: Wednesday, April 17, 6:00PM to 7:30PM

Where: Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St. Ann Arbor

What: Singer Achinoam Nini (aka Noa) will perform in celebration of "Israel" and hopes that her beauty and talent will be sufficient to mask the cruelty and violence of the Jewish state she calls home. We will be there to remind attendees to boycott entertainers from Apartheid "Israel", in accordance with PACBI (Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel) requests. Please join us.

Comments? http://blog.deiryassin.org/2013/03/31/report-on- beth-israel-vigil-03-23-13

Seven Vigilers

Remember Deir Yassin April 9

Henry Herskovitz

Jewish Witnesses for Peace and Friends

Gilad Atzmon was born in Israel in 1963 and had his musical training at the Rubin Academy of Music, Jerusalem (Composition and Jazz). As a multi-instrumentalist he plays Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Baritone Saxes, Clarinet and Flutes. His album Exile was the BBC jazz album of the year in 2003. He has been described by John Lewis on the Guardian as the “hardest-gigging man in British jazz".

Gilad Atzmon's essays are widely published. His novels 'Guide to the perplexed' and 'My One And Only Love' have been translated into 24 languages.

As a member of the Blockheads, Gilad has also recorded and performed with Ian Dury, Robbie Williams, Sinead O'Connor and Paul McCartney. Gilad has also recorded with Robert Wyatt, the Water Boys and many others. Learn more about Gilad by visiting his Website