Whether Arafat was Palestinian or no, he was a terrible leader and brought nothing but grief on the Palestinian people—and yet they have admired him greatly.
There will be a follow-up article but this stands on its own. The evolution of a Palestinian identity deserves a dedicated article and this one merely corrects a common galaxy about Arafat himself.
Agreed, this argument always bothered me. Much more persuasive: the Palestine Liberation Organization was established in 1964, three years before any “occupation”. Exactly which land did they want to liberate?
But doesn’t that just reinforce the point - it’s not really about the “occupation” at all, but the very legitimacy of the Jewish state. Their entire narrative relies wholly on the inversion, invention and appropriation of history.
Perhaps the reason why the argument has gained traction is because the Soviets falsified Arafat's birthplace. But it's still a weak argument.
Also, that the Soviets didn't create the PLO doesn't automatically grant it legitimacy, even as some kind of representative of Palestinians. Per Hussain Abdul-Hussain, Nasser was the driving force behind its creation; and his motives were more about Egypt dominating the Arab world by creating an additional member for the UAR, than about the Palestinians. https://hussainabdulhussain.substack.com/p/the-palestinians-must-apologize-to
Sheri's article underscores the importance of accuracy for pro Israel advocates. All too often, those that oppose us feast on an inconsequential error to avoid having to rebut the argument made. We see the same thing in wars and geopolitics. When inevitable errors are made, by mistake or even isolated bad actors, Israel's opponents jump on them to deflect from recognition of the central evil Israel faces and its need to root it out.
Well done Sheri for always making clear what should and should not be in our rhetorical quivers.
Thank you for the clarification, Sheri. I fell for the Cairo story, truthfully. It was posted in some of the newsletters I currently receive. Since my personal intense dislike, distrust (the kindest words I can use) of the man for nearly fifty years Even long after his death! I allowed myself to be captured by that narrative. Live and learn. Todah. And Shabbat Shalom.
I have been trying to stop reading everything I come across, so your articles are more important than ever, you do the work, honestly,(imagine that!) Thank you.
Golda was a Jew. It doesn’t matter where she was born. The goal of Palestinianism is to deny Jewish history, Jewish indigeneity, and Jewish sovereignty in Eretz Yisrael.
The book, “History Upside Down: The Roots of Palestinian Fascism and the Myth of Israeli Aggression” by David Meir-Levi is a very good read. Just 100 pages and impressive notes and bibliography.
I agree with Jerry Seinfeld. There is no such country as Palestine. I doubt there ever will be.
As Golda Meir said, the Palestinians have a country. It’s called Jordan.
I agree، but that is not the point of this article.
Whether Arafat was Palestinian or no, he was a terrible leader and brought nothing but grief on the Palestinian people—and yet they have admired him greatly.
I understand but what is the next step in your argument?
There will be a follow-up article but this stands on its own. The evolution of a Palestinian identity deserves a dedicated article and this one merely corrects a common galaxy about Arafat himself.
Agreed, this argument always bothered me. Much more persuasive: the Palestine Liberation Organization was established in 1964, three years before any “occupation”. Exactly which land did they want to liberate?
Only problem is that the plo is only the umbrella organisation over other organisations that already existed since 1948.
But doesn’t that just reinforce the point - it’s not really about the “occupation” at all, but the very legitimacy of the Jewish state. Their entire narrative relies wholly on the inversion, invention and appropriation of history.
Of course, but that's the subject of a separate dedicated article
Looking forward 💪
Perhaps the reason why the argument has gained traction is because the Soviets falsified Arafat's birthplace. But it's still a weak argument.
Also, that the Soviets didn't create the PLO doesn't automatically grant it legitimacy, even as some kind of representative of Palestinians. Per Hussain Abdul-Hussain, Nasser was the driving force behind its creation; and his motives were more about Egypt dominating the Arab world by creating an additional member for the UAR, than about the Palestinians. https://hussainabdulhussain.substack.com/p/the-palestinians-must-apologize-to
Absolutely agree with you re the PLO and Nasser. That will be included in a follow-up article
Sheri's article underscores the importance of accuracy for pro Israel advocates. All too often, those that oppose us feast on an inconsequential error to avoid having to rebut the argument made. We see the same thing in wars and geopolitics. When inevitable errors are made, by mistake or even isolated bad actors, Israel's opponents jump on them to deflect from recognition of the central evil Israel faces and its need to root it out.
Well done Sheri for always making clear what should and should not be in our rhetorical quivers.
Thank you. Accuracy in details is important to me. Glad you see the value in this.
I believe Abba Eban’s wife Suzy was born in Egypt and raised in Cairo where they met. I doubt he introduced her as his Egyptian wife.
What a pointless debate. It has zero impact on today's reality. Focus on things that actually matter.
I've been saying it for years.....bringing up Arafat's *spit* birthplace doesn't do us any favors.
Crazy that some people don't get that.
Thank you for the clarification, Sheri. I fell for the Cairo story, truthfully. It was posted in some of the newsletters I currently receive. Since my personal intense dislike, distrust (the kindest words I can use) of the man for nearly fifty years Even long after his death! I allowed myself to be captured by that narrative. Live and learn. Todah. And Shabbat Shalom.
I have been trying to stop reading everything I come across, so your articles are more important than ever, you do the work, honestly,(imagine that!) Thank you.
Thank you for this amazing comment in support of my efforts
Golda was a Jew. It doesn’t matter where she was born. The goal of Palestinianism is to deny Jewish history, Jewish indigeneity, and Jewish sovereignty in Eretz Yisrael.
The book, “History Upside Down: The Roots of Palestinian Fascism and the Myth of Israeli Aggression” by David Meir-Levi is a very good read. Just 100 pages and impressive notes and bibliography.
What you raise is a different issue than what i talked about in this article.
Thank you very informative
An interesting article, it makes you think and perhaps look at it in a different way.
I dream of the day when the Musim Brotherhood is a paragraph. Until then, Thank you for your insight.