Re: Alex/ Johannes/ Palestine

["Tom O'Lincoln" <suarsos@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>>That was *Johannes* who asked you what the
connection between b/c and their position
on Palestine is, not me.<<

Ack. Apologies to you both. I think by the time I got home and set about
replying, Johannes' post was no longer among the "100 most recent" on the
archives and my memory betrayed me.

>>Myself, I don't see any organic connection
between what scholastic position somebody
develops on the Russian question and their
actual political practice.<<

I agree with the points you make about this. On the other hand, sometimes
there are patterns. When the same patterns appear among the old
Schactmanites, and again among Workers' Liberty, they might be worth
analysing.

>>it's a bit silly for the rest of us to be formulating
a position beyond "end the occupation" and "stop U.S.
aid to Israel."

But "end the occupation" will be taken to refer to the West Bank and Gaza.
And there are Arabs inside Israel, and many many Palestinians in exile. The
minute we start to think about their situation, the question of more
comprehensive solutions will arise.

>>Not that a single secular state doesn't sound like a
fine abstract ideal, but it's just a bit goofy for us
to speak for Palestinians.<<

Despite my previous comment, I agree with this to a considerable degree.
Debates about detailed solutions in parts of the world where we have just
about zero influence can be incredibly arrogant. If they have some value
it's usually for our own clarification. Why does that matter? because if I
start demanding that Israel ends the occupation, people do ask me "so
what's your solution?" If I have no answers, that can look goofy too.