Uri Avnery

Uri Avnery is a longtime Israeli peace activist. Since 1948 he has advocated the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. In 1974, Uri Avnery was the first Israeli to establish contact with the PLO leadership. In 1982 he was the first Israeli ever to meet Yasser Arafat, after crossing the lines in besieged Beirut. He served three terms in the Israeli Knesset and is the founder of Gush Shalom (Peace Bloc). Visit his Web site.

The War of Lies

Thirty years ago this week, the Israeli army crossed into Lebanon and started the stupidest war in Israel’s history. It lasted for 18 years. About 1,500 Israeli soldiers and untold numbers of Lebanese and Palestinians were killed. Almost all wars are based on lies. Lies are considered legitimate instruments of war. Lebanon War I (as … Continue reading “The War of Lies”

A Bird’s-Eye View

On May 15, the anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel, its Arab citizens observed a day of mourning for the victims of the Nakba (“catastrophe”) — the mass exodus of half the Palestinian people from the territory that became Israel. Like every year, this aroused much fury. Tel Aviv University allowed Arab … Continue reading “A Bird’s-Eye View”

Stupid and Mean and Brutal

“In blood and sweat / A race will arise to us / Proud and generous and brutal….” Thus wrote Vladimir (Ze’ev) Jabotinsky, the founder of extreme right-wing Zionism, who was also a writer and a poet. Present-day Likud leaders see him as their forefather, much as Stalin saw Karl Marx. The world “brutal” stands out, … Continue reading “Stupid and Mean and Brutal”

A Palestinian Mandela

Marwan Barghouti has spoken up. After a long silence, he has sent a message from prison. In Israeli ears, this message does not sound pleasant. But for Palestinians, and for Arabs in general, it makes sense. His message may well become the new program of the Palestinian liberation movement. I first met Marwan in the … Continue reading “A Palestinian Mandela”

All Quiet on the Southern Front

“What have you learned in school today, my son?” “There was no school today. There is an emergency!” “And what have you learned from that, my son?” Actually, quite a lot. This week’s “round,” as the army likes to call it, followed a well-established pattern, as formal as a religious ritual. It started with the … Continue reading “All Quiet on the Southern Front”

Adnan’s Victory

A Palestinian village, somewhere in the West Bank. In the middle of the night, banging on the door and shouts in Arabic: "Israeli army. Open up!" Somebody — most often the mother — opens the door. The heavily armed soldiers rush in and drag the victim out of bed. They throw him to the floor … Continue reading “Adnan’s Victory”

Thou Shalt Not Kill (Thyself)

After the founding of Israel, God appeared to David Ben-Gurion and told him: “You have created a state for my chosen people in my holy land. This merits a great reward. Tell me what you wish, and I will grant it.” Ben-Gurion answered: “Almighty God, I wish that every person in Israel shall be wise, … Continue reading “Thou Shalt Not Kill (Thyself)”

Israel Needs Blockbusters

“Israel has no foreign policy, only a domestic policy,” Henry Kissinger once remarked. This has probably been more or less true of every country since the advent of democracy. Yet in Israel, this seems even truer. (Ironically, it could almost be said that the United States has no foreign policy, only an Israeli domestic policy.) … Continue reading “Israel Needs Blockbusters”