The Zionisms of Israel

Abstract

Let us begin with a paradox: social complexity is often best presented and grasped in this way. At the heart of the questions of Zionism lie two seemingly contradictory sets of facts, and a question, ‘Why?’. To the broad lay public of outsiders with liberal or socialist sympathies, Zionism is the guiding ideology of Israel. This state emerged some decades ago as the Middle East’s chief bully, an oppressor of Arabs and a global ally of most reactionary regimes. The 1982 bombing of Beirut and other conduct sustain this image. But then, how does one fit into it the Tel Aviv demonstration of 400 000 who shouted their fury against the Lebanese war and blocked its further unfolding? What about the 2000 Israelis who pledged to go to military prison rather than serve in the army of occupation? After all, the mass of them were Zionists by self-definition, and indeed believed themselves to be defying their government becaus. of Zionism.

‘Until a people confronts its own past, it has no future.’.

(E. Genovese)

‘Hic Rhodus, hic salta.’.

This chapter is based on an early version published as ‘The Price of Suspension’ in U. Davis, A. Mack and N. Yuval-Davis, Israel and the Palestinians (London: Ithaca Press, 1975). The considerable changes introduced represent another decade of experience, and some new conclusions.