The AIPAC 10 - Demanding That Zionists Not Engage in Lobbying

by Charles Lenchner · 2009-02-24 04:18:00 UTC
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I'm shocked that news of this event - nearly a month ago - escaped my notice. I am so not hanging out with enough radicals these days....

This is what happened:

New York, New York, January 30, 2009. Last night, activists opposed to the U.S.-backed Israeli assault on Gaza disrupted a gala event last night put on by the lobby group AIPAC. While most of Gaza was in ruins, New York state politicians and Zionists were rubbing elbows at a $1500-a-plate dinner. The demonstrators chained themselves together to block entrance to the Marriott Hotel.

[U-Lock Justice for Palestine Says Fuck Bourgeois Parties Celebrating Massacre]

Now don't get me wrong. I'm all in favor of youthful, exuberant activism and direct action. I'm also opposed to AIPAC. But The Telegraph, the JTA's snark blog, made me laugh in recognition....

Second - what are they protesting? The right to lobby one's lawmakers? Don't take my word for it, here's their take:

Basically AIPAC lobbies the US lawmakers to push forward pro-Zionist legislature (sic.)

(Mightily resisting snark about political literacy ... is 'legislation' what these twerps mean? Mmmmmf. Oh well.)

I mean, take a risk, lock yourselves to Israel's U.N. mission, say - but this? Protesting the right to petition government?

The last time I heard talk about how First Amendment freedoms needed curbing was at an event, at the height of the Iraq war, sponsored by the neo-conservative Foundation for the Defense of Democracies - and even then, the speaker who made the case was soundly rebutted by several of his colleagues. Is that the company these kiddies want to keep? Or is this the political illiteracy thing again?

This stands by itself:

Fuck Bourgeois Parties Celebrating Massacre

Ooooh! The F-Bomb! Whoa. Own the word, non-bourgeois dudes.

Own. It.

But this offends me more than anything else on the blog:

Benefit Folk Punk Show for The AIPAC 10

Folk? Punk?

These words cannot coexist. I was there, at the dawn of punk. It was pure and unadulterated. Peter Paul and Mary never made a surprise appearance at a Siouxsie and the Banshees concert, I can tell you.

Talk about bourgeois nightmares.

These lunkheads aren't about to change anything in the Middle East soon. They might just ruin punk for the rest of us.

So what have we learned?

1. Some punks grew up to become Zionists, and they are dissing the new generation's taste in music. Hey - Zionism is not punk rock! It can't be!

2. Youthful exuberant activists need a proof-reader and someone who understands how our political system works. They exist! Some might happily help you!

3. AIPAC is not the target - AIPAC is the opposition. The target is the occupation. Use your messaging to highlight Israeli crimes, not the mechanics of fundraising.

Note: if any of the AIPAC 10 want a right of reply on this blog - let me know!

Charles Lenchner
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