Remembering 9/11

We at B"ZAYON don't think we can add anything novel to the commemoration of the horrific events of 9/11/01 perpetrated by radical Islamic terrorists, except to acknowledge it on this blog. May we be blessed with peace.

Fascists, Fundamentalists, and Anarcho-Zionism

Our readers are probably aware of the support given to Israel by many far-right groups. The picture above demonstrates the support given to Israel by groups like the English Defence League, a group that stages anti-Islamic protests and is quite possibly pseudo-fascist, although they are certainly extreme nationalists. They also seem to be anti-Semitic, as per the previous link. There are also the "Christian Zionists", who support Israel on a religious basis. B"ZAYON's relationship to these groups ideologically must be based on two facts- the reasons these groups support Israel, and whether their beliefs are compatible with ours. A group like the EDL, well known for it's anti-Islamic stance, may only support Israel as a form of attack against the Islamic world. The Christian Zionists support Israel due to their messianic, millenarian belief that an autonomous Jewish state will hasten the arrival of their messiah-god. At B"ZAYON, we believe that the state of Israel does and should have a positive existence- existence for it's own sake and not to just fight Islam or for some other goal. Furthermore, we are not by any stretch of the imagination Christian. However, some would argue, we have to take all the help we can get in the fight for Israel's survival. Not so, we say; if we compromise our most basic beliefs, then the existence of a Jewish state will be for nought. We can not, under any circumstances, compromise with fascists and bigots, because associations with enemies of liberty and equality are untenable to the Anarcho-Zionist. Hatred of moderate Islam and Muslims is unintellectual, xenophobic, and shortsighted. Opposition to radical Islam is a necessity- but we should not make blanket statements. Perhaps there is room for alliance with the Christian Zionists, as they are not inherently a threat to our belief system, so long as there is no proselytism. But we shouldn't repeat the mistakes of Lehi, the Freedom Fighters of Israel, who dirtied themselves by attempting to bargain with Nazi Germany. Lehi were not fascists, but in some ways they are guilty by association. Let us retain our beliefs, even in the face of tempting temporary support.

Jabotinsky- An Anarchist?

Starting tonight is the deathday of Vladimir Ze'ev Jabotinsky, the 29th of Tammuz . Jabo was and is often accused by the Left of being a fascist, and "enemy of labor". Here is an excellent defense against these distortions. Not to compare ourselves to Rosh Beitar, but we too have been labelled

a disgrace to ethical religious and secular Jews. They are no anarchists.
If Emma Goldman was alive today she would spit in their faces and denounce them as fascists.
By cheerleading the slaughter of our Palestinian brethren in Gaza, BYAZON shows their true colors as cheerleaders for a genocidal State. They are Kahanists. Look at their reading list. They are also sadists, as evidenced by their joy at the extrajudicial executions carried out by Israel. (Typos left in to emphasize idiocy of Mr. Levine)

by Mr. CJ Levine, who claims to be an anarchist. Well, sir, we are anarchists- not leftists of your variety but Zionists and Anarchists for whom, like Mr. Sam Dreen says

There's no conflict between the two [Zionism and Anarchism]. In fact my Zionism is my Anarchism. (As quoted in Anarchist Voices- a very worthy read!).

But back to the point- Jabo. Jabo was a genius, a masterful orator, writer, and translator. He was an anti-authoritarian individualist as well as the most significant Zionist after Herzl.

In the beginning, God created the individual. Every individual is a king equal to his fellow. It is preferable that the individual sin against the society than the society sin against the individual. Society was created for the good for individuals, not the opposite. The messianic vision is one of a paradise for the individual, a glorious anarchic kingdom, a contest between personal abilities ‘society’ has no rule but to help those who have fallen... [Jabotinsky, V. in "My Story," 1936 in Autobiography (Hebrew), p. 38]

A revolution is what I call a liberating uprising but there is no liberation except in freedom of expression, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. There is no liberation without the right of every citizen to influence, to change the regime; no liberation without equality of rights for every citizen regardless of race, religion and class.

My outlook is in essence the negation of the totalistic state. The state system that is the most normal and healthy as well as the most pleasant is the “minimal state.” That state acts only in case of real necessity. There is no basis for limiting the right of self-expression in the area of ideas.

My “yes” does not prevent you from declaring “no.” Of course, there is a need for extra flexibility. In times of war and crisis (economic as well as political), there might arise the need to expand the scope of what is to be considered the minimum. The instinctive ideal of man is a serene anarchy. As long as this ideal cannot be realized, democracy must be recognized as the form closes to the ideal.

An individual - this is the supreme concept, the highest value, that which was created “in the image of God”. The doctrine of communo-fascism states that man is part of state societal mechanism. Our tradition has it that in the beginning, God created the individual. Man is intended to be free. Democracy’s meaning is freedom and the goal of democracy is to insure the influence of the minority. [Jabotinsky, V., Introduction to the Theory of Economy - Part Two, 1934, in Nation and Society (Hebrew), p. 218-219]

Jabo wasn't an anarchist- he thought there was a need for (minimal) state power. He was similar to what today in the USA is known as a "libertarian". But although he didn't wholeheartedly accept Anarchist theory, he held it as the ideal, and learned from many of the great Anarchist theorists. May Jabo's yahrzeit be a day of contemplation for us all as we approach that mournful anniversary in our year- Tisha B'Av, when Jewish autonomy in Israel was destroyed.

Independence Day

We at B"ZAYON wish y'all a very merry 4th of July, and recommend that for a taste of real Americana you check out Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music, a great bunch of records if ever there were some...

The New Guards

These courageous Israelis are a wonderful example of love for our land. They aren't attacking our Arab neighbors, Jah forbid, but they are defending themselves and their properties. Kol Hakavod!

Baruch Dayan Emet

Jo Amar, one of the true greats of all Jewish music, passed away this Friday. May his memory and music foster greater Sephardic Pride among all Jews. His music may be enjoyed in the video posted at the bottom of the previous link, and in this video. Blessed is the True Judge.

The Root of the Struggle

Let me use the most simple words - the root of the struggle is the refusal to recognize Israel as the Jewish state. The initial Arab refusal was to a Jewish state in any location, before Israeli presence in the West Bank.

Bibi Netanyahu has finally spoken the truth. This conflict has never been about land, it is about whether or not a state of dhimmis can be allowed to exist by Islam in the heart of their world.