The Battle for Justice in Palestine: The Case for a Single Democratic State in Palestine

Opiniones más destacadas de otros países

• Traducir todas las opiniones al Español

  

  Faisal

  5.0 de 5 estrellasCompra verificada

  Brilliant. A must read.

  Calificado en Reino Unido el 26 de octubre de 2018

  This is a truly exceptional work. It is not for novices and assumes some prior knowledge of the topic. I have been reading on this area for circa 20 years (although I claim no expertise) and in my view Ali is the finest exponent of the Palestinian cause since Edward Said....Ver más

  This is a truly exceptional work. It is not for novices and assumes some prior knowledge of the topic. I have been reading on this area for circa 20 years (although I claim no expertise) and in my view Ali is the finest exponent of the Palestinian cause since Edward Said. Like Said his arguments are invariably powerful, compelling and substantiated. His understanding of the subject matter is deep, detailed and intricate. The book begins with a chapter on 'shared values' between the US and Israel. This is a chapter I feel everybody should read; one that I found nothing short of a revelation. Whilst I was aware of some parallels between Israel and the US; I was until I read this chapter ignorant of the extent to which they shared values. As Ali brilliantly makes clear after providing blacks with equal rights in the 1960's in-order to appease the white majority officialdom basically created a system of discrimination against Black people (and minorities). This was implemented in a very clever, organised and systemic fashion using 'neutral' non-racist terminology. So although some black people have achieved high office the vast majority are confined to a vicious cycle of poverty, violence and incarceration. US prisons are full of minorities and black people; many on a long-term basis for no other reason than they can't afford cash bail. Israel has effectively imitated this system of oppression against it's own minorities and the Palestinian's generally to ensure Jewish supremacy. Every chapter is written in equally cogent fashion and can be read as individual articles. The comparisons he makes between the South African and Northern Ireland problems and the Palestinian question are also excellent. After understanding this perspective I feel it's well nigh impossible to argue against a one-state solution (with equal rights and representation) for this conflict. Those who advocate for a two-state I feel in many cases are either intentionally obfuscating or simply do not understand the issue well enough. It is also not the right moral solution. As Ali elucidates the ANC were uncompromising in their desire for equal rights for black people; and there were many who right up until the end of apartheid in South Africa argued it would be impossible for blacks and whites to live together in harmony. However, that is exactly what South African society is now learning to do. I have seen many wonderful developments in the 'rainbow' nation that would have been impossible in the era of apartheid: such as a brown Muslim captain of the cricket team or black cricket and rugby players (some of them the finest in the World and in the teams on merit). However, the ANC was outmanoeuvred in the economic realm. What needed to happen alongside the political redistribution of power was an economic redistribution of power. The alignment of the white 'powers that be' with International neo-liberal institutions (espousing neo-liberal economics) meant that this did not occur; this explains the predicament of many black people in South Africa and the inequities of it's society in the post-apartheid era. Ali makes no bones about the fact that in a one-state Jews will be a minority (if a substantive one). However, for those who are afraid of this outcome (perhaps understandably given the history of Jewish people) Ali points out (and substantiates) that genuine democracies have a much better track record of protecting minorities than other systems of government; alas almost as many Jews live in the US as they do in Israel. Ali highlights the importance of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement. An organised International boycott style movements is perhaps now the only way to hold Israel to account and to end it's effective apartheid. However, Israel is not going down without a fight and Ali highlights Israel's extensive, clever and well-resourced efforts to counter BDS and those who speak out against it crimes. In recent months, we have seen no better example of this than the vicious Anti-Semitic witch hunt against the UK Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn. As the Al Jazeera documentary the lobby showed; a campaign led by Israel's ministry of Strategic Affairs and It's embassy in the UK with effective collaborators such as the Labour Friends of Israel led a sustained and vicious attack against Jeremy Corbyn due to his Pro-Palestinians sympathies. In a further related chapter, Ali highlights the complex and tactical 'War on Campus' between the respective sides in the conflict. Both sides understand the importance of students and the future impact some of these people will have on the United States foreign policy. Ali, concludes his brilliant book by emphasising the centrality of self-determination in the Palestinian cause. It is important to understand the difference between this concept and sovereignty. For example, the Palestinians could have sovereignty over the areas that they currently reside in but this does not constitute self-determination. Self-determination is about legitimacy; and the moral right for a people to determine their own form of statehood and and government. This however, does not mean that Jews currently residing in Israel would face the kind of treatment that has been meted out to Palestinian's over the last 70 years; it means however that they will have to renounce any claims to superior or privileged treatment.

  This is a truly exceptional work. It is not for novices and assumes some prior knowledge of the topic. I have been reading on this area for circa 20 years (although I claim no expertise) and in my view Ali is the finest exponent of the Palestinian cause since Edward Said. Like Said his arguments are invariably powerful, compelling and substantiated. His understanding of the subject matter is deep, detailed and intricate.
  
  The book begins with a chapter on 'shared values' between the US and Israel. This is a chapter I feel everybody should read; one that I found nothing short of a revelation. Whilst I was aware of some parallels between Israel and the US; I was until I read this chapter ignorant of the extent to which they shared values. As Ali brilliantly makes clear after providing blacks with equal rights in the 1960's in-order to appease the white majority officialdom basically created a system of discrimination against Black people (and minorities). This was implemented in a very clever, organised and systemic fashion using 'neutral' non-racist terminology. So although some black people have achieved high office the vast majority are confined to a vicious cycle of poverty, violence and incarceration. US prisons are full of minorities and black people; many on a long-term basis for no other reason than they can't afford cash bail. Israel has effectively imitated this system of oppression against it's own minorities and the Palestinian's generally to ensure Jewish supremacy.
  
  Every chapter is written in equally cogent fashion and can be read as individual articles. The comparisons he makes between the South African and Northern Ireland problems and the Palestinian question are also excellent. After understanding this perspective I feel it's well nigh impossible to argue against a one-state solution (with equal rights and representation) for this conflict. Those who advocate for a two-state I feel in many cases are either intentionally obfuscating or simply do not understand the issue well enough. It is also not the right moral solution. As Ali elucidates the ANC were uncompromising in their desire for equal rights for black people; and there were many who right up until the end of apartheid in South Africa argued it would be impossible for blacks and whites to live together in harmony. However, that is exactly what South African society is now learning to do. I have seen many wonderful developments in the 'rainbow' nation that would have been impossible in the era of apartheid: such as a brown Muslim captain of the cricket team or black cricket and rugby players (some of them the finest in the World and in the teams on merit).
  
  However, the ANC was outmanoeuvred in the economic realm. What needed to happen alongside the political redistribution of power was an economic redistribution of power. The alignment of the white 'powers that be' with International neo-liberal institutions (espousing neo-liberal economics) meant that this did not occur; this explains the predicament of many black people in South Africa and the inequities of it's society in the post-apartheid era.
  
  Ali makes no bones about the fact that in a one-state Jews will be a minority (if a substantive one). However, for those who are afraid of this outcome (perhaps understandably given the history of Jewish people) Ali points out (and substantiates) that genuine democracies have a much better track record of protecting minorities than other systems of government; alas almost as many Jews live in the US as they do in Israel.
  
  Ali highlights the importance of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement. An organised International boycott style movements is perhaps now the only way to hold Israel to account and to end it's effective apartheid. However, Israel is not going down without a fight and Ali highlights Israel's extensive, clever and well-resourced efforts to counter BDS and those who speak out against it crimes. In recent months, we have seen no better example of this than the vicious Anti-Semitic witch hunt against the UK Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn. As the Al Jazeera documentary the lobby showed; a campaign led by Israel's ministry of Strategic Affairs and It's embassy in the UK with effective collaborators such as the Labour Friends of Israel led a sustained and vicious attack against Jeremy Corbyn due to his Pro-Palestinians sympathies. In a further related chapter, Ali highlights the complex and tactical 'War on Campus' between the respective sides in the conflict. Both sides understand the importance of students and the future impact some of these people will have on the United States foreign policy.
  
  Ali, concludes his brilliant book by emphasising the centrality of self-determination in the Palestinian cause. It is important to understand the difference between this concept and sovereignty. For example, the Palestinians could have sovereignty over the areas that they currently reside in but this does not constitute self-determination. Self-determination is about legitimacy; and the moral right for a people to determine their own form of statehood and and government. This however, does not mean that Jews currently residing in Israel would face the kind of treatment that has been meted out to Palestinian's over the last 70 years; it means however that they will have to renounce any claims to superior or privileged treatment.
  

  Reportar esta opinión

  Opcional: ¿Por qué denuncias esto?

  Fuera del tema

  No es acerca del producto

  Inapropiada

  Irrespetuosa, con odio, obscena

  Falsa

  Pagada, no es auténtica

  Otra

  Otra cosa

  Verificaremos si esta opinión cumple con nuestras normas de la comunidad. Si no las cumple, la eliminaremos.

  Enviar

  Reportar

  Traducir opinión al idioma Español
• 

  Sarah

  5.0 de 5 estrellasCompra verificada

  Eye opening

  Calificado en Canadá el 16 de junio de 2014

  A fascinating report on the justice movement for Palestine in the States. I like how he relates it to racial justice movements here in the States and how not only similar they are, but how they work together. His arguments point out the absurdities in the arguments of...Ver más

  A fascinating report on the justice movement for Palestine in the States. I like how he relates it to racial justice movements here in the States and how not only similar they are, but how they work together. His arguments point out the absurdities in the arguments of Zionists, particularly "liberal" Zionists. He does so in a calm, non-hysterical manner (unlike pro-Israel opponents). I would have liked him to document the pro-Israel movement in Europe (and their ties to the neo-fascist movement). But non-the-less, I still recommend this book. I find it to be a great companion piece to Max Blumenthal's "Goliath: Life and Loathing in Greater Israel" which I just finished reading before diving into this book.

  A fascinating report on the justice movement for Palestine in the States. I like how he relates it to racial justice movements here in the States and how not only similar they are, but how they work together. His arguments point out the absurdities in the arguments of Zionists, particularly "liberal" Zionists. He does so in a calm, non-hysterical manner (unlike pro-Israel opponents). I would have liked him to document the pro-Israel movement in Europe (and their ties to the neo-fascist movement). But non-the-less, I still recommend this book. I find it to be a great companion piece to Max Blumenthal's "Goliath: Life and Loathing in Greater Israel" which I just finished reading before diving into this book.
  

  Reportar esta opinión

  Opcional: ¿Por qué denuncias esto?

  Fuera del tema

  No es acerca del producto

  Inapropiada

  Irrespetuosa, con odio, obscena

  Falsa

  Pagada, no es auténtica

  Otra

  Otra cosa

  Verificaremos si esta opinión cumple con nuestras normas de la comunidad. Si no las cumple, la eliminaremos.

  Enviar

  Reportar

  Traducir opinión al idioma Español
• 

  uglybug

  5.0 de 5 estrellasCompra verificada

  Important information

  Calificado en Reino Unido el 22 de agosto de 2024

  This is a very informative book. It is easy to read and gives a good insight into the struggles - oppression, subjugation, racism, cruelty - endless problems the Palestinians have to “put up and shut up” with throughout every single day of their lives…… I believe this...Ver más

  This is a very informative book. It is easy to read and gives a good insight into the struggles - oppression, subjugation, racism, cruelty - endless problems the Palestinians have to “put up and shut up” with throughout every single day of their lives…… I believe this should be read by everyone to get a greater understanding of the situation in Palestine more now than ever I more than highly recommend you to read this, I ask you to read it

  This is a very informative book.
  It is easy to read and gives a good insight into the struggles - oppression, subjugation, racism, cruelty - endless problems the Palestinians have to “put up and shut up” with throughout every single day of their lives……
  I believe this should be read by everyone to get a greater understanding of the situation in Palestine more now than ever
  I more than highly recommend you to read this, I ask you to read it
  

  Reportar esta opinión

  Opcional: ¿Por qué denuncias esto?

  Fuera del tema

  No es acerca del producto

  Inapropiada

  Irrespetuosa, con odio, obscena

  Falsa

  Pagada, no es auténtica

  Otra

  Otra cosa

  Verificaremos si esta opinión cumple con nuestras normas de la comunidad. Si no las cumple, la eliminaremos.

  Enviar

  Reportar

  Traducir opinión al idioma Español
• 

  OMR

  5.0 de 5 estrellasCompra verificada

  very important book for any one who not only cares ...

  Calificado en Canadá el 20 de septiembre de 2014

  very important book for any one who not only cares about justice for Palestinians but for all oppressed people around the world.

  very important book for any one who not only cares about justice for Palestinians but for all oppressed people around the world.
  

  Reportar esta opinión

  Opcional: ¿Por qué denuncias esto?

  Fuera del tema

  No es acerca del producto

  Inapropiada

  Irrespetuosa, con odio, obscena

  Falsa

  Pagada, no es auténtica

  Otra

  Otra cosa

  Verificaremos si esta opinión cumple con nuestras normas de la comunidad. Si no las cumple, la eliminaremos.

  Enviar

  Reportar

  Traducir opinión al idioma Español
• 

  K. Brothers

  4.0 de 5 estrellasCompra verificada

  Important insight into what Palestinians must negotiate for

  Calificado en Canadá el 15 de septiembre de 2019

  Abunimah adds the element of self-determination that must be included along with the Palestinian demands for freedom, equal rights, and the right to return to their own homes.

  Abunimah adds the element of self-determination that must be included along with the Palestinian demands for freedom, equal rights, and the right to return to their own homes.
  

  Reportar esta opinión

  Opcional: ¿Por qué denuncias esto?

  Fuera del tema

  No es acerca del producto

  Inapropiada

  Irrespetuosa, con odio, obscena

  Falsa

  Pagada, no es auténtica

  Otra

  Otra cosa

  Verificaremos si esta opinión cumple con nuestras normas de la comunidad. Si no las cumple, la eliminaremos.

  Enviar

  Reportar

  Traducir opinión al idioma Español