Chris Hedges on US/Israeli Ideology

by Charles Lenchner · 2009-01-20 19:05:00 UTC
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Chris Hedges writes in Truthdig:

The American and Israeli doctrine of pre-emptive war, disproportionate force and ruthless occupation to bring about peace and harmony is a fantasy. Such a doctrine regurgitates the old arguments for 19th century European colonialism. Violence and force will not make Israel, or us, safe.

I like it. In this article he surfaces some of the subterranean currents that explain the outbreak of violence in Gaza.

The violent subjugation of the Palestinians, Iraqis and Afghans will only ensure that those who oppose us will increasingly speak to us in the language we speak to them—violence. The rockets fired into Israel are a response to the siege and occupation. They are a response to the language Israel uses when it addresses the Palestinians. And as long as the siege and occupation continue, as long as Israel speaks to the Palestinians through explosions and airstrikes, so will armed resistance to Israel. Once the dogs of hate and force are unleashed—and it is we and Israel who unleashed them—armed resistance is inevitable.

Exactly. Which is why the only realistic approach is one that takes for granted that Palestinian aspirations are as legitimate as those of israel - including aspirations that we might see as extremist, like the return of all refugees to their original lands inside israel. At the same time, more Palestinians need to see that the aspirations of (some) Israelis, such as control over the West Bank, are legitimate.

Not because those aspirations should be endorsed, or met with agreement. Aspirations that are contradictory can be held together, provided that those who seek peace find a way to hold both at the same time, without being forced to implement them.

Back to Hedges - it's an article worth reading.

Charles Lenchner
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