Assignment 2.doc

Kallie Francke, 2:15-3:30 October 28, 2009 ?Post-Zionism in the Periodicals? Wolf, Arnold Jacob "Post-Zionism in the Periodicals." Judaism 50.1 (2001): 104. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 28 Oct. 2009. Analytical: This article, written by Arnold Jacob Wolf discusses the many issues of Zionism and its effect on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict thus far. Wolf references a variety of sources, which support his major ideas and arguments of how Zionism and Jewish Nationalism served as the root or origin of this conflict. The religious devotion of the Jewish people created a major tension between the opposing actors. Yoram Hazony, a writer documented in Azure, wrote about the importance of the ongoing Zionism battle and how it impacted Israel?s cultural and intellectual life. Others joining Hazony in the observance of this conflict were Judah Magnes and Martin Buber. Magnes advocated central traditionalism and believed in Jewish assimilation toward a personal Zionism. In his Israeli journal, Theory and Criticism, he states ?law is born out of violence that establishes it, and is maintained by violence that preserves it.? This idea of opposing religious beliefs and values is what caused the need for political action to resolve the disputes. Buber, on the other hand, states in his arguments the importance of national sovereignty and strong culture in order for a society to grow. However, this national sovereignty would create the need for militaristic principles to be put to use. Buber believed that the problem between sides arose from how suddenly and quickly the Jews migrated into Palestine. While they should have slowly begun to act upon their views and perceptions of the world, the cultural differences led each side to vie for dominance. While Wolf accurately presents many sides to this argument, he fails to do so in an orderly fashion. The various periodicals and intellectuals quoted each present a variety of pertinent facts about the conflict. However, the formatting in which Wolf presents them is somewhat unorganized and difficult to follow. There is also a strong sense of bias that appears throughout the article. The article strongly supports contemporary Jewish thought and even encourages readers of Judaism to read from other major journals that pertain to this topic. Additionally, all of his sources are strictly of Jewish reference. At no point does he quote a Palestinian periodical to state claims from the Palestinians beliefs or values throughout the ongoing conflict. Interpretive: Throughout history, this conflict has encountered a wide variety of events, each of which has greatly impacted the dispute in some form or another. This article, specifically, was written in 2001, which was when Israel and Palestine were still engaged in conflict. In 2000, the Second Intifada began when we witnessed the second Palestinian uprising. An Intifada meant intensified military and civilian arms used by the Palestinians. During this immense violence between Israel and Palestine they fought over religious issues, specifically, over the Holy Site, which Jews would have to cross to reach the capital. This event may have been the drive behind Wolf?s passion to write about Jewish Nationalism and the need for Jews to establish their culture in the proper manner. The article relates to culture in multiple ways. In showing the goal of the Jews to create their own state, he captures the important elements such as religion and nationalism and how they can greatly impact the dimensions of a society. He not only discusses how religious disputes can lead to conflict, but also, the need to be ethical when institution Jewish values in Palestine. Wolf additionally states how intellectual organizations using literature, art, and media and influence the nation. Other disciplines such as political science, history, and geography can also be found in the article. Second to culture, this article focuses on political science ideas. One example that demonstrates this is evident in Magnes?s creations of the association, Ihud (Union). This publicly supported a bi-national plan, which sought to establish a Jewish national home in Palestine, and also agreed to promote a government that established ?equal political rights for the two peoples.? Normative: The importance of Jewish Nationalism to the Israeli state is what led to Magnes?s bi-national plan. As stated before, the speed of immigration seemed to be a major issue and causation for conflict. Magnes?s plan intended to find peace between Arabs and Jews in order to clam tensions and Palestinian fear of being wiped out by Jews. This plan would allow Jewish refugees to come to Palestine and political and cultural balance would remain intact. Another approach was created by, David Ben-Gurion who insisted on implementing the Biltmore Platform. This platform desired creating a Jewish state in Palestine with total Zionist objectives in an attempt to provide Jews with power in Palestine. However, this would ultimately lead to further war with Arabs and inevitably no resolve the issue. Also, efforts were made to create intellectual organizations that promoted peace and reconciliation in Israel/Palestine. I believe that the creation of these organizations is a smart idea in the sense that it raises awareness to the dispute and opens the opportunity for support from the people of these arguing nations. I also think it is extremely necessary and vital to force opposing sides to confront one another face to face in a reasonable manner in order to achieve peace. Without confronting one another in person there are too many barriers that can harm the flow of information. My Position: I agree conflict is inevitable with competing cultures. This article led me to consider the process of promoting a culture and the effects it has on not only the people, but also, the geographical and political aspect of society. I strongly believe this Israeli-Palestinian conflict is strictly the result of battling beliefs and values and all that follows is secondary to what is most important (culture). This led me question the most efficient way to seek peace when dealing with a conflict. Is conflict ever avoidable in a situation such as this or is conflict always inevitable?