An open letter to roger waters
The Test of Roger Watersby Ben-Dror Yemini Support
for the boycott campaign against Israel in effect is support for the
prolonging of the occupation and suffering of the Palestinians. An open
letter to the rock star who is calling for a boycott of Israel. To Roger Waters, Greetings.
Look Mr. Waters, the Jewish People is already used to blood libels.
From using the blood of children for baking Passover matzah, to
directing world Communism, to directing world capitalism, to controlling
the media, and in the last generation, committing genocide, ethnic
cleansing, and crimes against humanity. A generation passes on and a
generation arrives, and the number of blood libels forever exist.
Israel, Mr. Waters, is not exempt from any criticism. We're the world
champions of self-criticism. There isn't another nation in which, in
every field - not just the Israel-Palestinian conflict - there is so
much biting, roiling criticism - often false and vicious. But even to
this we've grown accustomed. Usually we're proud of our democracy, even
when it's biting. But sometimes, Mr. Waters, we're fed up. We've
simply had it. Not from the criticism; it's essential for every
community, every society, every nation, like air to breathe.
We're fed up with the lies. For most of us - if you can read a little
beyond the slogans - were fed up with the occupation. So if that's
your thing you would find lots of partners in Israel - most Israelis.
But that's not the story - not for BDS, of which you've become a great
supporter, and not for the Hamas in Gaza, which only a year ago you
announced your support for those who went there to cheer them - another
campaign of useful idiots.
Let's start with the occupation. Only in the last decade Israel
announced its willingness to end it, again, again and again.
Completely. This began with the Camp David talks. The Palestinians
backed away from a serious discussion. Then Clinton offered his
proposal, which would have granted the Palestinians a state on 95% of
the territory. They decided to say"no". Right after that, at the Taba
talks all the giants of the the Israeli Left showed up. They went
another big step towards the Palestinians, but even that didn't help.
Two years ago another generous offer was made by Prime Minister Olmert.
He didn't even get a reply from Abu Mazen.
Back to the BDS. Listen to the leaders of the campaign. Read their
manifesto. They don't want two states for two peoples. Not the end of
the occupation, but the end of Israel. You can hear it in their own voices.
Yes, there are Israels among us who support this campaign. That's how
we are. Runaway democracy. Everything goes. So instead of marvelling
at our unparalleled democracy, you take advantage of the fact that
Israeli democracy allows demonstrations like this, and you go and join
the gang that is fighting against the very existence of the national
home of the Jewish People. That's the position of Ahmadinejad, Al Qaida
and Hamas. Is that your position? Have you gone crazy?
Are you in the peace camp, Mr. Waters? Here's a simple test for you.
Very simple. Ask your friends in the BDS one question: "Do you support
an agreement of two states for two peoples?" We've
got news for you: They oppose it. They don't want a Palestinian state
alongside Israel, they want a Palestinian state in place of Israel.
That's what's written in the manifesto of BDS. Read it, it's in
English. They write in it, "Right of Return",
which, loosely translated means "Destruction of Israel". To remove
any doubt, they have the right of return--to a Palestinian state
alongside Israel, not in place of Israel.
You and your ilk, Mr. Waters, are simply prolonging the suffering of
the Palestinians. You are encouraging the peace refuseniks among them.
You are encouraging their illusions.You are creating a new chapter of
the Palestinian disaster. Who knows, if it were not for this support -
by so many useful idiots - the Palestinians would have emerged from
their position of refusal. But when they see you, and you join up with
them, they continue to refuse peace.
So this is an opportunity for you, Mr. Waters, to prove that you're a
humanitarian and human rights activist. It's not complicated. Tell the
Israelis and Palestinians and BDS people one thing: the end of the
conflict will come only if the two sides recognize the two-state
solution. The side that refuses is the side that must be pressured,
even boycotted. Only when you say this simple thing to both sides will
you truly be in the peace camp. If you continue to support BDS, you are
supporting refusal and the continuation of occupation and suffering. A reply from you Mr. Waters, will be greatly appreciated. Ben-Dror Yemini (bdyemini@gmail.com), Maariv, daily newspaper