Session Three: Whites, Jews, and Us
Book cover of Whites, Jews, and Us
Please join us for the third session of our study group series on Zionism! Everyone is welcome. Send us your email, and we will send you a link to the Jitsi video meeting.
When: Sunday, April 20 at 1:30PM ET
Materials:
Whites, Jews, and Us by Houria Bouteldja
PDF (Sections: pages 42-46, 66-72, & 122-126)
Discussion Questions:
You, the Whites (pg. 42-46)
On pg. 43, Bouteldja introduces the concept of “the white immune system.” Have you encountered a “Zionist immune system” in your organizing? If so, what does it consist of?
On pg. 45-46, Bouteldja outlines the “deal” between the white bourgeoisie and white proletariat that is the foundation of whiteness itself. What “deal” is at the heart of Zionism? What various Jewish groups are parties to this deal?
How might the coalition built by the Zionist “deal” break apart? What contradictions exist within it?
You, the Jews (pg. 66-72)
On pg. 66, Bouteldja predicts that what will sway most Jewish people definitively away from Zionism is “self-love.” How has Zionism historically weaponized the human desire for “self-love”? How can the anti-Zionist movement honor that same basic need in a positive way?
Pg. 67 - In what ways is Israel “disappointing the empire?” Can you think of any ways those disappointments could be leveraged to benefit the Palestinian liberation movement?
Pg. 69 - Bouteldja calls Israel an “open air prison.” Do you agree with her analysis? Why or why not? If we think about Israel as a prison, does that open any possibilities in our organizing?
Pg. 70 - What are some features of the “infernal cycle in which Zionism and antisemitism feed off each other endlessly?” What are some points where we can break that cycle?
We, Indigenous People (pg. 122-126)
Pg. 122 - Bouteldja calls for “an international division of activist labor.” Do you see something like this forming today? Where do you feel JAWS fits or should fit into this division of labor?
Pg. 124 - “The development of a decolonial force will reinforce the most racist and reactionary fringes.” Are we seeing evidence of this today? How do we resist and prepare for it?
Overall
Why do you think Bouteldja decided to break up her book into various sections addressing various audiences directly (Whites, Jews, Indigenous Women, and Indigenous People)? Do you think this is an effective way to communicate a political message and vision? What are the benefits/drawbacks? Any lessons from this approach we could apply in our organizing?