No one is questioning Israel's legitimacy
Uncritical usage of the term 'delegitimization,' which is characteristic of Israel's political discourse, the government's public relations efforts and the activity of overseas Jewish organizations, does damage to Israel.
By Shlomo AvineriA very senior minister, who belongs to neither Likud nor Yisrael Beiteinu, voiced his concern to me some while back over the possibility that the General Assembly of the UN would decide to recognize a Palestinian state in the June 1967 borders. Such a decision, he said, would amount to delegitimizing Israel.
Such uncritical usage of the term "delegitimization" is characteristic of Israel's political discourse, the government's public relations efforts and the activity of overseas Jewish organizations, some of which have set up special task forces on "the war against delegitimization." Despite the best of intentions, all of this does damage to Israel.
There is no doubt that UN support for establishing a Palestinian state without negotiations would pose a difficult problem for Israel. But such a decision would not delegitimize the state of Israel. Indeed, one could even argue the opposite: Recognizing a Palestinian state within 1967 borders also means recognizing that Israel's borders are the 1967 lines. These borders include West Jerusalem, thus effectively recognizing it as part of Israel - something even the country's best friends have hitherto been unwilling to do.
The truth is there are no significant moves afoot anywhere on Earth to delegitimize Israel. There are small, marginal groups, primarily among extreme left wing academics, that are nourished in part by Arab propaganda and cast doubt on Israel's right to exist. But no country that maintains diplomatic relations with Israel has ever made any claim against its legitimate existence, and Israel's membership in the UN is the best possible proof of this.
Israel's government has turned delegitimization - an issue located on the vocal but ephemeral margins of international political discourse - into a problem that must be dealt with. It has thereby granted a marginal, unimportant position a status out of all proportion to its true dimensions.
Even Adm. Eliezer Marom, the commander of the navy - who is a bold warrior, but not exactly an expert in political theory or international law - warned that the latest planned flotilla to the Gaza Strip is meant to delegitimize Israel. This is far too reminiscent of the (failed ) tropes of Soviet propaganda, which presented every criticism of the Soviet Union as an assault on the Soviet state's very right to exist. Such claims are completely delusional: Criticism of the naval blockade on Gaza does not constitute delegitimization of Israel.
It's clear why right wing political figures have an interest in inflating every criticism of Israel and raising it to the level of delegitimization: Most criticism of Israel relates to its settlement policy, which is a cornerstone of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, but is far from being accepted by the entire Israeli political spectrum.
Since it is hard to defend this policy overseas, partly because there is so much domestic criticism of it, nothing could be more convenient than mobilizing a consensus for the battle against delegitimization instead. But this effort is foolish, cynical and dangerous for Israel. For we thereby confer legitimacy on the very discourse that doubts the Jewish nation-state's right to exist.
The expected campaign at the United Nations must be waged honestly, and most Israelis would agree that a solution of two states for two peoples can only be reached through negotiations. There is no need to be dragged into the realm of demagoguery and lies, or to intimidate Israel's citizens.
There is criticism of Israel's control of Palestinian territory and its settlement policy. But that is what the argument is about, not Israel's legitimacy. No one is seriously questioning the latter.
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Prof. Avnieri makes his point but he does not live in the Diaspora. Those of us who do know that these groups who engage in the boycott and disinvestment campaign, engage in the Gaza flotilla, use the media to spread lies about Israel do indeed seek its' destruction. Many are anti-semites who see this as a legitimate way to mask their true feelings.
"These borders include West Jerusalem, thus effectively recognizing it as part of Israel - something even the country's best friends have hitherto been unwilling to do." -- Not only the country's best friends but everybody with diplomatic relations recognizes WEST Jerusalem as part of Israel. What is not recognized and condemned by UNSC resolution is the Israeli view that also East Jerusalem and surrounding parts of the Westbank are part of Israel.
It is foolish of Israel to play the legitimacy card when no-one has ever questioned the right of the state of Israel to exist. However, having used the word you can bet people will ask themselves the question:'Well, is Israel legitimate?' And the answer they are likely to come up with is No. Not really. Certainly not morally and possibly not legally. So the only sensible thing for Israel to do is to ensure that it is legitimate by negotiating legitimate borders for itself and then the question is answered once and for all. Few people would question Israel's right to exist like any of the other historically recent colonisers like the US, Canada etc., but they certainly do question its right to maintain an occupation and continued colonisation of Palestine or to create an apartheid State which is what it is seeking to do. Israel's can be legitimate in an instant and removed from the stigma of world pariah by ending the occupation and negotiating final borders for Israel. Simple as that.
I guess Shlomo doesnt read the comments section here in Haaretz
Leftism is not about read and learn, it is about sloganeering only.
nice slogan, sergey
I disagree. It is true that some Israeli conservatives have a clear interest in diverting attention from "67" by saying it's all about "48". I would say it's about both. Contrary to what Shlomo Avineri says, in Europe, the discourse on questioning Israel's right to exist AS A JEWISH STATE is well underway, even in Germany. The alleged parallels to South Africa under apartheid are pointed out all the time. It's not government policy yet, but that may come. I wrote an article on this in the January 2011 issue of Politische Meinung (google it). In the end, even paranoids have real enemies.
The discussion about legality of a jwish state of Israel instead of a demcratic state of Israel (they are contadictionary) doesn't proof a delegitimization. It just means that Israel is viewed like all other countries, and proofs her existance is not the issue.
The discussion about legality of a jwish state of Israel instead of a demcratic state of Israel (they are contadictionary) doesn't proof a delegitimization. It just means that Israel is viewed like all other countries, and proofs her existance is not the issue.
The attack on legitimacy of Israel as a Jewish State is a powerful one. Some PA 'partners' are willing to accept Israel as a legitimate state but insist that it allow descendants of Arab refugees to enter the country, demand changes in the Law of Return and the de-Judaizing of Israel's culture. This is what we need to recognize.
The radical far-left activists against Israel do question it and call for a one-state solution to destroy Israel. You are dishonest.
"The radical far-left activists against Israel do question it" -- Which country and which government are run by these 'radical far-left activists'?
I have been very critical of some of Avineri's recent articles, but this one is spot-on.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13701636 Mr Obama has criticised the Palestinian push. In his major speech on the Middle East he dismissed it as "symbolic actions to isolate Israel at the United Nations". http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=185860 Blair: Delegitimization of Israel is affront to humanity
Ahmadinejad and Mashaal. They question our legitimacy. And you know what? There are many europeans that basically believe that the creation of the State of Israel was illegal and an abomination. "The jews stole the land from the arabs." Again - many europeans hold this truth to be self-evident. And you often hear that Israel has "no right whatsoever" to do anything in or around Gaza. They don´t argue, for instance, about the details in Cast Lead - they question Israels right to act in Gaza, period. And some question Israels right to operate in Safed and Lod. But extreme rightwingers are saying that the whole world hates the jews. That too, is wrong and silly.
If you had paid attention to Professor Avineri's extrapolations you might have noticed that he did make allowances for marginal groups trying to put into question Israel's right to exist, but that no legitimate country in the world with whom Israel has diplomatic relations and who is a member of the U.N. ever publicly or through diplomatic channels ever voiced such diatribes.
And I would also challenge and question the definition of "marginal groups trying to to put into question Israels right to exist". So my information to you, S. Lahat, is: There are in fact many not so marginal groups that seriously questions Israels legitimacy. This does not constitute a threat today, but we have to be vigilant. Things change, you know. And i have met many seemingly intelligent and moderate people in Europe that strongly believe that the jews stole the land from the arabs. And this sentiment is also alive within the PA. Abbas want to get his Safed home back.
Well put indeed.
It is a pleasure to read such a sensible and rational debunking of the prevailing hysterical rhetoric.
Very sober and honest analyses. As Mr. Avineri says: "It's clear why right wing political figures have an interest in inflating every criticism of Israel and raising it to the level of delegitimization: Most criticism of Israel relates to its settlement policy, which is a cornerstone of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, but is far from being accepted by the entire Israeli political spectrum."
I have criticized Israel's official policies for years, but never her existence. In fact, I rely upon the people of Israel to change their government and do away with those policies which are presently destroying the State of Israel. Can I rely upon her people and simultaneously deny her exitence? Nonsense!
Shlomo Avineri has perfectly and astutely defined the abuses of the term "delegitimization" in this article. Whether by design or by having stumbled upon the emotional effectiveness of this term in connection with the viability of the State of Israel it has been grossly and incorrectly abused in the media and especially by government sources. To invoke and to feed upon the already inherent and ever-present apprehensions of a people who have been historically persecuted over ages is unconscionable and represents demagoguery in its most virulent form. As Professor Avineri points out correctly: there is no basis in fact that would support the theory that Machiavellian forces are at work to "delegitimize" the State of Israel. It simply can't be done. What can be lost though is credibility as a working democracy by supporting and instituting discriminatory legislation and human and civil rights abuses. That trend is in dire need of being reversed!
The first rule of Hasbara: If you're a non-Jew and you dare criticize Israeli national policy, you're obviously guilty of antisemitism. The second rule of Hasbara: If you're Jewish and you dare criticize the policies of the State, you must be a self-hater or an Israel-hater. Anybody can play, as long as they remember to throw cold water on free expression of critical thought.
Because these same people or groups criticze no one else. Most israelis criticize Netanyahu, normal in a democracy. Prof. Avnieri makes his point but he does not live in the Diaspora. Those of us who do know that these groups who engage in the boycott and disinvestment campaign, engage in the Gaza flotilla, use the media to spread lies about Israel do indeed seek its' destruction. many are anti-semites who see this as a legitimate way to mask their true feelings. Sorry to disagree Michael.