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The Taming of Anti-Zionism in the United States

The Palestine solidarity movement in the United States has lost much of its revolutionary attitude. Is it ever coming back?

It’s difficult to reflect on the history of radical social movements without the curse of nostalgia. Partly this is because time mitigates bygone frustrations, leaving us with exaggerated memories of idealism and youthful energy. But partly it’s also because radical social movements in the USA all seem to follow the same negative trajectory. (It doesn’t help that the climate apocalypse is palpable with no possibility of relief in sight.)

How to Handle a Zionist Defamation Campaign

Nothing is guaranteed to save your job, but here are some suggestions that might give you a fighting chance.

I often work with people who have been targeted for punishment by the Israel lobby (or the Zionist establishment, if you prefer). It’s a gratifying but difficult task because victims of Zionist smear campaigns are usually scared and confused. That reaction is logical. Zionists aim to render their targets unemployable (and thus destitute). Such viciousness reflects the behavior of the state they want to indemnify from criticism.

Is Palestine a Muslim Issue?

Sorting the intricacies of an impossible debate.

Is Palestine a “Muslim” issue? I regularly see some variation of the question these days—with predictably passionate, and sometimes acrimonious, responses.

In short: yes, it is.

Sheikh Jarrah: Zionism Distilled to Its Purest Expression

Dispossessing Palestinians is Zionism’s primary function.

This article was originally published in Arabic at Awan.

Western journalists, always mindful of the limits imposed by the ruling class, have a million ways of minimizing or mystifying Israeli brutality in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah, where several Palestinian families are set to be expelled to make way for Jewish settlers.

The Utility of Uselessness

Don’t wonder how so many useless people got good academic jobs. Their uselessness was the attraction all along.

You know the type. Drenched in white-collar affectations. Never skips a social event. Enamored of minor accomplishments. Considers fastidiousness a form of rebellion. Eggheaded, but in an arrogant rather than endearing way. Talks a lot while saying nothing at all.

This person is likely a professor at a prestigious university.

Betty McCollum Takes on the Israel Lobby

A close reading of “Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living under Israeli Military Occupation Act”

Betty McCollum (D-MN) recently introduced legislation, with (thus far) thirteen cosponsors and dozens of organizational endorsements, that has generated significant interest. The main gist of the legislation is to condition U.S. aid to Israel on Israeli adherence to international human rights standards. The interest derives in part from the fact that what can be considered “pro-Palestine” legislation is a rarity in the U.S. Congress. McCollum is bucking the near-complete fealty to Israel customary among her House and Senate colleagues.

Palestine is not a Quagmire

The metaphors that attempt to render Palestine complicated obscure the simple brutality of Zionist colonization.

Palestine is not a minefield. Palestine is not complicated. Palestine is not a morass. Palestine is not tricky. Palestine is not a quagmire.

Palestine is not almost impossible to navigate.

The Muslim Zionists

A generation of compradors has learned that Palestinians are valuable raw material for careerism.

A few days ago, I finally managed to synthesize an observation that has bothered me for decades: “Being an asshole to Palestinians is an excellent way to launch a media career in the United States.” From Martin Peretz to Bari Weiss, the strategy has rarely failed writers seeking bylines in prestigious newspapers.

The Architecture of Surveillance in Northern Virginia

The unfreedom we often fear is real, and it’s visible everywhere

Back in November, I had to drop off my bus at one of the county garages for a minor repair. On the way, I radioed dispatch and said I’d need a ride back to the lot where my car was parked. I dallied outside the garage office, on the clock, until my ride ambled along and scooped me up.

The driver was inquisitive and after learning that I was relatively new asked if I enjoy my work. Not wanting to reveal too much about myself—I hate mixing politics with chitchat—I started joke-complaining about how goddamn hard it is to find the garage. The gambit worked. My new friend told me a funny story about his first year on the job.

Regular People

Who are they? And why do they never speak for themselves?

Regular people. Normal people. Ordinary people. Average people. Everyday people. (No, not the song whose chorus is likely stuck in your head right now.)

The masses. Salt of the earth. The working class.