The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

Israel, another view

Israel is a young democracy surrounded by many hostile nations.

By Gideon Barth Published 18 September 2011 11:21

Next week, New York will host Durban III, the United Nations conference celebrating the tenth anniversary of the World Conference against Racism. This seems like a worthwhile venture, but like so many UN programmes, it has been hijacked to attack Israel, inevitably leading to greater anti-Israel sentiment in sections of the media. In 2001, speeches were made by Robert Mugabe, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Yasser Arafat, hardly renowned for peaceful and non-discriminatory politics.

This year, western countries including Britain, Canada and the United States will boycott the event but one can see how anti-Israel bias creeps into the UN, turning an organisation initially created to further international harmony into a propaganda tool for anti-Semites and the Arab nations.

In recent years, criticism of Israel through the UN has reached a high-point but on reflection, is Israel really so bad?

The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has condemned Israel 39 times since its creation in 2006 - a huge 45 per cent of all UNHRC resolutions. In comparison, Syria has been condemned twice despite massacres of their own population and restrictions on freedom of speech. Egyptians may now have a chance to enjoy their human rights having finally overthrown dictator Hosni Mubarak, but where was the UNHRC during the dictator's 30 year regime?

So why has Israel been criticised so much? And why is it a permanent issue on the agenda of the UNHRC?

Let us look at the council's membership. Admittedly, Libya was removed this year after Gaddafi's human rights abuses were too much to hide but human rights are blatantly ignored in countries such as Uganda, Saudi Arabia and Qatar who still sit on the council.

It is time we started seeing these UN organisations for what they are.

African and Arab countries vote "en bloc" against Israel in order to distract attention from their own human rights abuses. This stance has even been criticised by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon decrying the "disproportionate focus on violations by Israel."

Israel is a young democracy surrounded by many hostile nations and constantly faces the threat of war and violence on its people. There are obviously times when loss of life happens and this is deplorable but it does not deserve this harsh criticism it receives at the hand of the UN.

Last week, Mehdi Hasan wrote that Israel's violation of international law is "a record for any UN member!". Undoubtedly, Israel has violated international law in the past, which is unsurprising for a country bordering territories run by terrorist organisations; as we know, in war time, not everything goes to plan. But as we can see, the facts that come out of the UN are not always objective.

The Goldstone Report, criticising Israel of abusing human rights was recently rescinded by its own author, Richard Goldstone, in an op-ed in the Washington Post. After an initially hostile reaction to the Mavi Marmara incident, the Palmer Report has found that Israel's maritime blockade of Gaza is perfectly legal and Israel Defence Forces (IDF) commandos were acting in "self-defence" despite widespread condemnation after the incident.

Just like every democracy, Israel is criticised and strives to improve, but this denigration on the world scene is not an attempt to improve the world but further political objectives.

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Tags: Israel

More from Gideon Barth

62 comments

Sun, 2011-09-18 23:20 — Christian (not verified)

Europe watched while 6 million Jews were slaughtered. Many were talented, intellectual and liberal. Since then Europe has allowed 18 million Moslems to immigrate into Europe. Many are fanatical, want Sharia law to be imposed here, 'honor kill' there own children, believe that adultrous women and Gays should be stoned to death.
Poetic Justice?

Mon, 2011-09-19 00:51 — Mrs.Josephine Hyde-Hartley (not verified)

Or another view might perhaps consider how modern systems deal with what is unknown.

It may be easier to make and take extreme measures against risk (which isn't a human being)than to acknowledge the humanity that lives in Palestine. Once the people of Gaza/Palestine are recognized as ordinary members of the public then of course normal human values ( ie what justice is all about) should be revealed in their status and wider context.

Mon, 2011-09-19 01:26 — Dickie1

@Mrs.Josephine Hyde-Hartley,

Sanity at last. I've never been to the Gaza strip, but this comment thread resembles the view of it I have in my mind.

Mon, 2011-09-19 07:53 — Luddite (not verified)

Daniele it's your kind of extreme politics that gets folk's angry, there's nothing good about wanting the destruction of a race of people. Hitler thought himself a good man the SS thought themselves the soldiers of light fighting against the forces of darkness. Bigotry and the hatred of others is a human curse, am afraid it's you my dear that needs the help!! you have being poisoned by bigotry.

Tue, 2011-09-20 09:02 — Herbert (not verified)

This site attracts some of the most vicious anti-Semites outside MPAC, the KKK and the US Nazi Party. The comments by Maria 20,9,11 02.12 fall into that category. What 'maria' has written are all lies currently circulated by both Islamist extremists and neo-nazis in the US. Both islamists and neo-nazis also peddle the lie that the Talmud encourages men to have sex with 3 year olds. It's a shame that the NS permit this neo-nazi / Islamist activity to continue on it's pages.

Tue, 2011-09-20 09:22 — Stuart Eels (not verified)

Moderator

Why has Maria's comment been removed, it seems to have greatly offended Herbert and he's allowed to make a comment about it. Will she be given a chance to defend herself. You can't censor her yet allow others to use some really rabid comments from others.

Tue, 2011-09-20 10:37 — swatantra nandanwar

The only view of Israel I want the world to see is from a Syrian Golan heights and Palestinian West Bank and Gaza, and a UN Free City of Jerusalem.
That'll be looking out on a more contained Israel rather than an expansionist Israel.
A better solution to the whole ME conflict would be a One Palestine, with the Jews and Muslims working together and not holding the whole world to ransom.

Mon, 2011-09-19 10:17 — Daniele (not verified)

To criticise the government of Israel's policies is now "extreme politics" and it is "wanting the destruction of a race of people".
How lunatic is this assumption?

Sun, 2011-09-18 13:31 — Richard Albright1

"the only way is my way, you're either with us or against us, we're not interested in what you have to say" weapon of mass distraction:
The Jews are not going to capitulate in the face of aggression and either are they going to walk into the gas chambers. So what is your way? What do the Jews have to do 'your way'.

Sun, 2011-09-25 15:51 — Benji Harman (not verified)

Herbert (25 September 2011 at 11:38): You forgot the worst atrocity carried out by Islamic fanatics against the Western infidels. September 11 !!!

Tue, 2011-09-20 12:37 — Herbert (not verified)

If Stuart Eels believes he is missing out he should log into the US Nazi Part's website or the US Islamist CAIR which carry the same lies that 'Maria' propagated about Jewish Bolsheviks having invented the Gas Chambers and then finding sanctuary in Israel. It is very telling that anti-israel, pro-Islamist extremists believe they have a right to disseminate any form of anti-Semitism to bolster their cause.

Tue, 2011-09-20 12:46 — Daniele1

Herbert: Your audacity is breathtaking.Criticism of Israel shouldn't be allowed on this page but it's all right for Zionists to abuse and vilify any body who doesn't agree that Israel is a paragon of democracy and human rights.
You can call people Nazis, racist, Islamist fascists without the slightest argument that they are (not to mention the torrents of personal abuse) but when thse people like me object to being abused, we apparently want to stop your "freedom of expression".I don't mind you making your arguments, by all means. it is the personal abuse which is unacceptable. talking about double standards.
You guys are a sick joke and you can't be taken seriously.But you are becoming a real nuisance.
Stuart Eels: no I don't think Maria's comment was removed. Still there. In any case I don't think there is a moderator on the NS page.
otherwise the likes of Flasbuck, Luddite and Herbert wouldn't get away with being so outrageously offensive.They certainly wouldn't on many other sites.

Tue, 2011-09-20 13:29 — Herbert (not verified)

Danielle enters the fray I assume from her rant above in support of 'maria's' contention that Jewish Bolsheviks invented Gas Chambers and fled to Israel. And she still wonders why people think she is a Nazi and an anti-Semite!

Mon, 2011-09-19 11:25 — El Ferhano (not verified)

Luddite, where in the world have you read anybody say they are, "wanting the destruction of a race of people?"

Nobody here has asked that Israel be bombed! In fact Danielle brings some very good points to the table. All that is being asked is that Israel stop their occupation of the Palestinian people.

We are all allowed differences of opinions, unfortunately yours are wrong!

Wed, 2011-09-21 18:14 — Herbert (not verified)

I'd love to know what point 'maria' is trying to make by 'revealing' the racial Jewish origin of Bolshevik leaders? And commiserations to her for having her post about 'Bolshevik Jews inventing the Gas Chambers and fleeing to Israel' removed because it was lying neo-Nazi propaganda.
By the same token could 'maria' perhaps enlighten us as to why 100% of those who butchered 400,000 men, women and children in Darfur because they were black - were all moslem?

Wed, 2011-09-21 19:03 — Maria111

Herbert, "Bolshevik Jews inventing the Gas Chambers and fleeing to Israel" is your invention; the absurdity of this lie begins with the dates: Bolsheviks were the driving force in 1918, Israel was founded in 1948.
The point of racial origin of some prominent KGB bosses is an answer to your racially charged posts. My point was (and is) that "all ethnic groups have their share of psychopaths, torturers, and sadists,” including “chosen” people.

Tue, 2011-09-20 14:36 — Stuart Eels (not verified)

Daniele

I think you are probably right, I wouldn't consider your last comment any sort of rant at all.

Herbert

I have no wish to visit any nazi sites one of my uncles was amongst the liberating troops at Belsen, he never had a decent nights sleep for the rest of his life.

Those terrible war crimes against Jews do not give the Israeli "settlers" the right to steal land from the indigenous population "protected" by Israeli Government forces.

The only reason that Israel isn't a rogue state is that it's the USAs main ally in the Middle East.

I look forward to yiour next rant.

Mon, 2011-09-19 12:14 — Fergus Pickering (not verified)

Why do I read and comment on the site? Because, Mr Eels, it is my duty and my destiny to piss people like you off.

Sat, 2011-09-24 11:15 — Arminius (not verified)

Ironic that individuals who seek to demonise Muslims with hysterical, lurid "islamofascist" atrocity stories, get in such a froth when the Jewish origin of so many Bolshevik killers is pointed out to them. In Hungary, for example, a large number of prominent Communists, such as the odious Bela Kun, were Jewish. This does go some way to explaining why, in certain circles, Jews were and remain deeply unpopular.

Wed, 2011-09-21 20:53 — Daniele1

good [posts maria.
Don't let the bastards get to you.
Their lies and distortions are so appalling you might be forgiven if you thought they want to turn us all into anti-Semites.

Wed, 2011-09-21 23:03 — Herbert (not verified)

Daniele/Maria you are a pair of fucking little nazis.

Mon, 2011-09-26 01:04 — Maria111

Herbert, just for you, again: All ethnic groups have their share of psychopaths, torturers, and sadists, including “chosen” people. You are obsessed (like the deranged Norwegian who killed a large group of young people because of his racial lunacies) with Arabs and those who profess Islam. There is the same percentage of good people among Muslims as in any other ethnic group.
Up to date, the more than a hundred of US military bases in distant lands only make the US vulnerable. Moreover, according to the US high level military commanders, “The enduring hostilities between Israel and some of its neighbors present distinct challenges to our ability to advance our interests (Petreus) and that Netanyahu is not only ungrateful, but also endangering the US (Gates).

Mon, 2011-09-26 01:17 — Maria111

And if Herbert you still want to talk of Israel's victimhood, this is an article about Netanyahu, which is followed by the Americans' responses to Netanyahu's obscenities:

http://www.truthdig.com/avbooth/item/netanyahu_responds_to_palestinian_b...

Mon, 2011-09-19 13:52 — Stuart Eels (not verified)

Fergus Pickering

You are going to have to try a lot harder then, you Rodney.

Luddite

At one time, I actually thought you had some worthwhile comments to add to this site, I can see now that I was sadly disllusisonal back in the day. you are a very unpleasant person who can't string together a reasoned arguement so resort to the gutter, I bet you are proudly sat there now in front of your computer with your BNP and EDL badges all shined up you sad piece of work.

Thu, 2011-09-22 02:00 — Daniele1

Herbert:
Yeah right..Whateever...you deluded loser.

Mon, 2011-10-03 13:00 — Julia Harris (not verified)

Fatah leader: 1967 borders would mean end of Israel, but "keep it to yourself"

"Everybody knows that the greater goal cannot be accomplished in one go." On the contrary, Hamas is impatient. Islamic Jihad is impatient. But in any case, they all have the same goal.

http://www.jihadwatch.org/2011/10/fatah-leader-1967-borders-would-mean-e...

Thu, 2011-09-22 03:54 — Maria111

Herbert,
Don't be hysterical.
It seems that you cannot face the fact that people are valued not for their ethnicity but for their character.

Tue, 2011-09-27 15:12 — Ari Rusila

I have my doubts to find sustainable solution for Palestine-Israeli conflict via UN process. Why so? The main part of political leadership and population both in Israel and Palestine area has other priority. In Israel big part of population thinks that Israel as strong Jewish state can best defence their interests and hard line government to implement their wish. Palestinian leadership is defending rights of local Muslim population, refugees and vision of Palestine state. Hard line Palestine groups – with remarkable popular support – is implementing their vision with terrorist acts. In outside power centres especially in Anglo-Saxon world Israeli and Palestinian interest groups are putting their pressure to western capitals. Many outsiders admit that both sides have good base for their claims. Besides politics I have strong doubts that the new Palestine could be sustainable at least economically which again could spark new conflicts.

So far resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has had two options on the top of agenda. The first is aim of two states for two peoples and the second is a bi-national Palestinian-Israeli state in which Palestinians and Israelis would have equal rights or a Palestinian-Israeli confederation, in which two states share joint political institutions – a one-sate option. Sadly – I do not believe any of these alternatives and from my viewpoint instead of dead road maps more pragmatic approach should be applied.

I have propagated long for sc “three-state” approach, where Gaza is returned to Egyptian control and the West Bank in some configuration reverts to Jordanian sovereignty. From my point of view this solution could also be more economically sustainable than other options. It could be a bit further developed by making a buffer zone between Israel and hard-liners in Gaza. With borders agreed by all main parties it is possible to look forwards, build new infrastructure to meet meet the needs of people with refugee status and transform them normal citizens with help of economic-social programmes backed with sufficient international Aid money. (More in The Three-State Option could solve Gaza Conflict-http://arirusila.wordpress.com/2009/01/06/the-three-state-option-could-solve-gaza-conflict/ ). If the outcome however will be the two-state solution so then in my opinion the best base is sc Olmert’s proposal on 2008 , which so far in my opinion cleared most part of obstacles to reach sustainable peace for Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

More about solutions e.g. in Israeli-
PaliLeaks, land swaps and desperate search of peace - http://arirusila.wordpress.com/2011/01/29/palileaks-land-swaps-and-despe...
and negotiation need in Palestinian Conflict – Negotiation Slot for a Month - http://arirusila.wordpress.com/2011/07/31/israeli-palestinian-conflict-n...

Tue, 2011-09-20 20:34 — Herring (not verified)

@Herbert
"Jewish Bolsheviks invented Gas Chambers and fled to Israel"! And the anti-Israel islamist hoodlums on this site just can't understand why normal people think they are a bunch of racist psychos?

Tue, 2011-09-20 20:43 — Daniele1

Herbert and Herring (same person?):
WHERE does Maria says :" Jewish Bolshevicks invented Gas chambers and fled to Israel" ??? I can't find this quote on any of her posts. If not her, who said that? WHO on this site has ever approved of the killing of Jews or expressed the remotest anti-Semite sentiment?
YOU, my friends, are inventing quotes and your paranoia is such that you no longer connect with reality and see anti-Semites everywhere, probably in your own bed!

Sun, 2011-09-18 11:48 — Yonmei

"despite massacres of their own population and restrictions on freedom of speech."

Israel has massacred thousands of its own population. Admittedly they were all people whom Gideon Barth evidently doesn't think of as "people" - the Palestinians of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip - but just because Gideon thinks of those thousands of dead people as unpersons who don't really count, that doesn't mean the rest of the world should.

Israel's determination to starve its own people - the Gazans who are locked in the largest concentration camp ever built - is possibly being carried out by "legal" methods, as Gideon Barth claims in this article, but it's a huge crime against human rights none-the-less.

One difficulty with condemning Israel via the UN, which would explain the multiplicity of UN resolutions, is that no matter what crimes Israel commits against its own people, the US will always refuse to condemn it. One difficulty with making peace in the Middle East is that Israel is an aggressive, wealthy, militaristic nation that invades and conquers other countries - not conducive to making peace: and the superpower with most authority in the region invariably takes Israel's side in any dispute.

Sun, 2011-09-18 12:14 — Freeman2

How many UN members are occupying territory conquered in war? How many refuse to give up their occupation?

'There are obviously times when loss of life happens...' The passive tone is always the sign of the apologist. 'Just one of those things... no-one responsible really.'

Sun, 2011-09-18 12:30 — charlesfrith

Is it a democracy if Palestinian political wishes are quashed? Is democracy anything more than the ability for Western democracies to manipulate changes in power in pursuit of the perpetual war central banking model?

Sun, 2011-09-18 12:31 — Richard Albright1

Why isn't the UN debating China's illegal occupation of Tibet? Or Russia's resent brutalisation of the Chechen people, and why are some brutal and repressive regimes around the world even allowed to be members of the United Nations; Needless to say these "free nations" will roundly condemn Israel's illegal occupation of parts of the west bank!!

Sun, 2011-09-18 12:32 — Actionfitz

wow. so we are supposed to sympathise with Israel because there are other UN countries who commit atrocities too but get less press?

You haven't even tried to refute any of the accusations.
For the record, I find the situation in Syria to be no less worthy of condemnation than the treatment of the people living under Israeli military occupation.

You describe the UN as "a propaganda tool for anti-Semites". Nice.
You do know there is more to being anti-semite than merely being critical of Israel right? Not all Jews are Israelis. Im quite sure that not even all Jewish people in the world support Israeli policy towards its arab population. The works of Gideon Levy come to mind.

"is Israel really so bad?"

Ask the people in Gaza who can't own property for fear it will be demolished to make way for more illegal settlements, and the 'security walls' to ring fence them. Ask the Palestinian youth who are born into this conflict with no hope leaving Gaza or building a life for themselves.
Ask the activists who are shot for having the nerve to make a principled stand against inhumane treatment of their fellow man.

Im no apologist for arab violence against Israeli civilians, rocket attacks and bombings will do little to further their cause.
I'm Irish. Specifically im from Northern Ireland. Born and raise and have spent my adult life in Belfast - im 32 years old.
In my lifetime, my countrymen both Unionist and Republican have managed to close the door on generations of violent sectarian conflict, come to an accord, decommission weapons and begin to build a common future together.
My hope is that the people of Israel and Palestine can do the same.

It's hard to imagine that future however when one side has a global superpower in its corner to write blank cheques, and veto any UN accord on the matter.

Sun, 2011-09-18 12:32 — weapon of mass ...

Why is the New Statesman even publishing this rubbish? This is not journalism, it's propaganda.

If this was included on your site in the name of balance and neutrality, it was a misguided decision. It doesn't make you look impartial, it makes you look foolish.

Sun, 2011-09-18 12:48 — Andrew Fox (not verified)

The 'others are worst' argument doesn't wash with me. You wouldn't let a murderer off just because someone else has committed a more brutal murder. Nor does 'they are surrounded by terrorists' argument. If anything, attacking civilians, with for example, white phosphorus is likely to create more terrorists.

Sun, 2011-09-18 13:03 — Richard Albright (not verified)

Believing in absolute truths often gets people killed "weapon of mass distraction" there's nothing misguided about open and honest debate, it's the enemy of bigotry. Israel is a young democracy surrounded by many hostile nations. The real hope for lasting peace is if these hostile nations can embrace democracy. Israel will become less fearful and more accommodating to the Palestinians justified demands.

Sun, 2011-09-18 13:12 — weapon of mass ...

I'm all for open and honest debate, Richard, in fact I think it's the only way out of the Israel/Palestine impasse. But that usually entails a two way dialogue, with both parties respecting each other's views and listening.
This article (I use the term loosely) is just reinforcing the same old neo-con approach to the I/P situation - the only way is my way, you're either with us or against us, we're not interested in what you have to say.

Open and honest debate it certainly ain't.

Sun, 2011-09-18 13:58 — Freeman2

Richard Albright writes, ' Israel is a young democracy surrounded by many hostile nations. The real hope for lasting peace is if these hostile nations can embrace democracy.

Or to put it another way, 'Israel is a young state propped up by American money and arms. The real hope for lasting peace is if these hostile nations just do what Israel tells them to do and shut the fuck up about the Palestinians.'

Sun, 2011-09-18 13:59 — Freeman2

Richard Albright writes, 'The Jews are not going to capitulate in the face of aggression and either are they going to walk into the gas chambers.'

So it's the old story - the Israelis have never forgiven the Arabs for what the Nazis did to them.

Tue, 2011-10-04 22:58 — Julia Harris (not verified)

A must watch...

http://www.pjtv.com/?cmd=mpg&load=6057&mpid=457

Sun, 2011-09-18 14:02 — IC (not verified)

"Believing in absolute truths often gets people killed"

Oh, the irony. But I suspect Richard Allbright doesn't do irony.

Sun, 2011-09-18 14:11 — weapon of mass ...

But he certainly does do a nice line in hyperbole! cf. his 'capitulating in the face of aggression and walking into thegas chambers' remark.
Oh dear.

Sun, 2011-09-18 14:25 — IC (not verified)

I wouldn't call it hyperbole, for it to be hyperbole there would have to be some kind of truth to exaggerate.
I'd call it hysteria.

Sun, 2011-09-18 15:04 — Fergus Pickering (not verified)

'It's not journalism. It's propaganda.' But I thought propaganda was what the Staggers did, socialist propaganda. You surely don't believe the NS deals in facts.

Sun, 2011-09-18 16:44 — Stuart Eels (not verified)

So why are you bothering to read and comment on the site Fergus Pickering?

The Iraeli State has to be right up there with Iran as a threat to Middle East peace.

The Nazis wanted living space for the Ayran Race and decided to butcher or push out the inferior races to the east. Much like the Israeli State since their gangster inception.

Wed, 2011-09-21 03:37 — Maria111

My post was directed against racists in general, though it was an answer to racist ranting about Muslims in Europe. Namely, I wrote that all ethnic groups have their share of psychopaths, torturers, and sadists. The history of the Soviet Union bears evidences of dehumanizing cruelty by people from different ethnic groups including Jews. There were prominent NKVD [KGB] bosses of the Jewish origin: Yritzki, Unschlicht, Katznelson, Berman, Agranov, Spiegelglas, Schwarz, Asbel, Chaifetz, Pauker, Mayer, Yagoda.
Ethnicity per say is not a moral dispensation.
Author Sonya Margolina ("the daughter of a Jewish Bolshevik) wrote in her book “Das Ende der Lügen: Rußland und die Juden im 20. Jahrhundert (Siedler, Berlin 1992): "The tragedy of Jewry is that there was no political option to escape the vengeance for the historical sin of the Jews, namely, their enthusiastic cooperation with the Communist regime. The victory of the Soviet regime saved them for a while, but vengeance still lurked ahead."
http://www.media.fourwinds10.com/siterun_data/history/zionism/doc1263850...

Wed, 2011-09-21 03:56 — Maria111

Herbert,
The prominent role of Jews in the Russian Revolution of 1981 is not a lie.
This is a story of Kaganovich, one of the most prominent comrades of Stalin: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lazar_Kaganovich
This is the story of NKVD [KGB] boss Yagoda: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genrikh_Yagoda
There are other names: Trotsky, Sverdlov, Zinoviev, Kamenev, Radek, …

Stop slandering other people. There is no such thing as virtue by ethnicity but only personal virtues of decency and courage.