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Mon - Nov 15 -

MASSAD'S JEWISH PROBLEM -

This is in response to an essay presentation by Prof Joseph Massad of Columbia University called Intimidating Columbia University which has been published at Al Ahram and on the professor's website. The essay presents "his side of the story" involving a recent controversy in which he has become embroiled. I have not seen the film mentioned; my remarks are in reaction solely to his essay.

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Prof Massad believes that the controversy came about because his criticism of Israel was equated with anti-Semitism, but further down in his essay, we encounter a notorious Nazi locution, "the Jewish Question." Using famous phrases closely associated with the Nazis is apt to be a lightening rod inviting hostile reactions. So, no surprises here.

What is "the Jewish Question?"

It is: Are the Jews a true Volk?

This question, a Nazi classic, was long debated by Nazi ideologues. According to their theories, in order to qualify as a true Volk, a group would have to demonstrate they have a group soul or Geist. The problem is: there is no such thing as a Volk; it was just a Nazi concept, an abstract idea, an intellectual construct which has been since discredited.

[For further information about this topic, refer to the published work of Prof George L. Mosse which is heavily documented with abundant citations.]

What are the Jews? The Jews are a Faith Community.

Massad goes on to say that he links the Palestinian Question to the Jewish Question. Then, what are the Palestinians? They're not a Volk because there is no such thing. The Philistines were a Tribal Identity. Thus, Massad wants to link a Faith Community with a Tribal Identity and somehow equate the two. That's like linking apples and oranges. Moreover, there are numerous tribes living in Israel as well as in the other Middle Eastern countries. And not all tribes have their own country.

Massad contends that the Jewish Question persists because anti-Semitism persists. I would argue that there is no such thing as the Jewish Question, and that this locution persists because Nazism persists.

Justice Robert Jackson, I believe, commented on this locution when he explained that there was no such thing as the Polish Question. It never existed in reality; but the Nazis concocted it as a pretext to invade Poland and kill Polish people. In other words, it was just a fabricated figleaf used to justify criminal behavior or anti-social aggression against Polish people.

The crux of the underlying conflict between Israel and the PLO is: Jewish Autonomy.

The purpose of Zionism was to establish a place for Jewish Autonomy. And the State of Israel was established for that purpose.

The PLO is an irredentist organization. They aim to capture all of the Palestine Mandate Territory and control that state. Their aim is in direct conflict with the purpose for which the State of Israel was established because it would vitiate Jewish Autonomy.

If the UN were to cancel the Jewish Autonomy of Israel, they would, by extension, be cancelling the Moslem Autonomy of the State of Pakistan which was "artificially created" for the purpose of establishing a state for Moslem Autonomy in that region. Pakistan does not represent all Moslems; it is just a place where Moslems are autonomous.

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I don't want to digress into extraneous issues, but I feel it is obligatory to comment on two points expressed by Prof Massad.

First, he asserts that Columbia University is the "most prestigious centre for Israel and Jewish studies in the country." I strongly disagree. Yeshiva University would better fit that description. Or, maybe, secondarily, Brandeis. In any case, the Presbyterians do not embody Prestige.

Let's get something straight here: I am
the expert on me.

Columbia University is sponsored by the Presbyterian Church which is an expert on: the Presbyterian Church. Not the Jews. I take great offense at this.

Moreover, the Presbyterian Church has never been especially friendly to Jews in my lifetime, and I have seen no recent changes in that regard. I could go further in this vein but, for the sake of civility, I won't.

The second point I can't let pass without comment is Prof Massad's blanket smear of the Baptists. The Baptists as a whole are not anti-Semitic. Nor are they monolithic. There are at least three Baptist Conventions or groups I know of. Only one of these groups has a stated policy of converting Jews. Two of the three groups are friendly to and supportive of Jews.

The Baptists believe in the Bible. They believe it is a violation of their religious faith as Christians to be anti-Semitic. And in recent years they have even added some Jewish customs such as Passover seders to feel closer to Jesus and his people. The Baptists believe in the religious dictum: "Those who bless the Jews will be blessed; and those who curse the Jews will be cursed." They believe they have a religious responsibility to the Jews. This is not a conspiracy.

* * * * *

My first suggestion is that Prof Massad's course should be refocused on his area of expertise: the culture, customs and politics of the Palestinian people.

He doesn't seem to understand the ground of the debate or crux of the conflict between the PLO and the Jewish State. So, let's skip that. I would like to believe he does know more about the Philistine Tribe or Palestinian people which is a worthwhile topic in itself. Let's concentrate on his strengths.

Second, Prof Massad needs to understand that the use of infamous Nazi terminology (like "the Jewish Question") is incendiary and consequently should be avoided. It's not a Chick Magnet.

I am not trying to silence Prof Massad. In general, I am an active supporter of FA/FOE.

But I am not an Absolutist. We live in a complex society often in context with Competing Rights. Your Right of Expression does not exist in a solitary vacuum. Thus, your right to swing your arm extends to the tip of your neighbor's nose. Sometimes, we need to negotiate so we can all coexist together peacefully.

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