1. The defects of Liberal Zionism are evident in this interview with David Grossman, one of the first liberal zionists to acknowledge that Israel is committing genocide: 🧵
2. Denial and delaying criticism: "I have done everything I could to avoid having to call Israel a genocidal state" (echoes Omer Bartov in NYT article).
So you have been part of the problem when others were screaming into the void.
3. Despite denial (in the face of mounting evidence of mass atrocities) no acknowledgement of the moral failure: "I am still a moral person, I am speaking up"
(after 18,500 children killed, after 90% of Gaza was destroyed and when population is crammed into 12% of territory)
4. No self-doubt, no self-criticism
5. No acknowledgment of the original sin: the Nakba. Instead the problem starts with the 1967 occupation.
6. Blaming the victim, revisionism and self-justification: it is not about Israel's policies (annexation, denial of self-determination, 16 year siege on Gaza, and right wing turn in Israeli society): it is Palestinian fanaticism and choices
@Alonso_GD PS - what happens in situations of "crisis" or "trauma" like 7 October is that under the banner of "patriotism" (or genocidal sense of victimhood) the line separating between liberal and right wing Zionism collapses. Now they seek to reassert it:
@Alonso_GD PS 2: Liberal Zionists are part of the problem and the reason why we are here today: they granted Israel a veneer of respectability despite the consolidation of apartheid and increasing brutality of occupation:
Israel's genocidal intent is evidenced by the existence of a genocidal consensus since October 2023. This consensus is clear in the ongoing public production of incitement to genocide, for 660+ days, coupled with the failure of the state to prevent or punish this incitement. 🧵
South Africa in its submissions to UN Security Council in May 2024 and February 2025 included examples of incitement to genocide by journalists and pundits and popular culture.
1. Now that even @nytimes cannot hide the effect of Israel-made starvation, it is important to remind all those who are "appalled" now, that they should have been appalled earlier. Here is what the ICC said in the arrest warrants of Nov 2024 re Israel's conduct till 20 May 2024:
2. "that both individuals intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity, from at least 8 October 2023 to 20 May 2024"
3. "decisions allowing or increasing humanitarian assistance into Gaza were often conditional. They were not made to fulfil Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law" and "were not sufficient to improve the population’s access to essential goods."
Do not forget the ideological mindset, including his government's guiding principles in Dec 2022. Bibi is not merely an opportunist, but also a racist and an extremist.
The ICJ is failing Palestine like it failed Bosnia.
1. What is the point of the @CIJ_ICJ? Despite the urgency, they are yet to issue their opinion on Israel's obligations towards the UN, including its humanitarian organisations, in Palestine.
2. The timid states did not want to do anything concrete to pressure Israel so they went to the UNGA to refer Israel to the @CIJ_ICJ and then their lawyers made forceful speeches. They passed the ball to the court and the court is dragging its feet.
3. The @CIJ_ICJ can also act on its own initiative ("in propio motu") in the genocide case, South Africa v. Israel, and yet declines to do so, despite the extreme urgency that is clear to anyone with a phone and a conscience.
1. Notice how genocide-deniers/ Zionist propagandists are simply rehashing same claims we've heard since Jan. 2024, as if nothing has happened since then?
2. See, e.g., how Stephens dismisses genocidal statements as simply "furious comments in the wake of Oct. 7 atrocities" when we have over 650 days of statements of intent. See South Africa, 227 p. dossier,
3. Quoting actual statements by Israeli leaders will be embarrassing to the denial narrative: e.g. "Israel's policy is clear: no humanitarian aid will enter Gaza" (Israel Katz, Apr. 2025); "total annihilation" + "Gaza will be entirely destroyed" (Smotrich, Apr./May 2025).