Sun 9 Sep 2018, 10:11 AM | Posted by editor
Letter from TOM SMITH
I never criticise the Israel state. However, I do criticise the Israelis’ government. The Israelis’ government shot 165 Palestinians and I condemn the government for that. After all, Israel could have had a government that would not do such a thing. I support the right of the Israel to exist, but the policies are open to criticism as put forward by the government at the time. This is an important distinction.
Some left wingers also see Israel as a racist endeavour in 1948. However, you name me a capitalist state that was never racist. The American Indian, American slavery, Australian aborigines, the British Empire, Belgian Congo, Portuguese African colonies…I cannot think of any country, on a capitalist basis, that was not a racist endeavour. No, we have to concentrate on the suppression of Palestinians, which successive Israeli governments have used to maintain a capitalist Israel.
It is dangerous, of course, to view a short letter as a substitute for a detailed analysis and a construction of perspective. Often however, with only minutes to put a view in meeting, guidelines are useful. Again, I would never call a Jew a Zionist. I defend the right of Jews to describe themselves as Zionists. That allows me then to ask if they defend a capitalist Israel and the actions of a right-wing government to support such a capitalist outlook.
I never call Israel a Zionist state. I call it a capitalist country. I would point out that the British government on a capitalist basis participates via the arms industry in the bloodbath in Yemen. In other words, sucking up profit from corpses. Therefore, I reject claims that I give Israel exclusive treatment. Again, this can be dangerous, but I might only have a minute to get across the basic point in a meeting.
The problem for me is that some left wingers take sides. I call for a socialist Palestine and I have no faith at all in capitalist leaderships in Palestine. Or a capitalist leadership of Israel I appreciate that people believe in a two-state solution but on a capitalist basis I consider that a pipedream. Instead I would ask people how long does capitalism need after 50 years or more of failure?
