Examining The Founding Mythology of Israel. Democratic Perspective welcomes Alice Rothchild back to the show to discuss the recent conflict between Israel and Palestinians. Rothchild is a physician, author, activist and filmmaker who has long served as a volunteer in Gaza and the West Bank. She provides an in-depth look at the plight of Palestinians and the lead-up to the most recent conflict.
Rothchild begins by stating, “I believe language is really important and calling it a battle implies there were two armies involved. It was more assault than battle.” She notes that Israel airstrikes targeted homes, schools, hospitals, critical infrastructure, a media center, even Gaza’s only Covid-19 testing center.
As for what led up to the missile attacks by Hamas, she explains, “Oppressed people have a right to fight their oppression. With all the talking going on, they get no attention. When they fire off rockets, people pay attention.” Regarding possible long-term solutions, Rothchild says, “Hamas wants a peace plan with recognition of Palestinian rights. This is not complicated. The question is how they are going to live together. It’s time to get over this idea that Palestinians are this violent group that wants to destroy Israel.”
She says, “I think we can take inspiration from native peoples in the US. Look at the founding mythology. That was a form of genocide. What Palestinians want is an acknowledgement of history.” Rothchild continues, “If you look at Palestinians, they’re just demanding an equal share. If you actually sit down and talk with Palestinians, it should be reassuring.” To that end, Rothchild refers listeners a Palestinian website: We Are Not Numbers. “It’s a really good way to know what they’re thinking.”
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Cole Interview – Podcast May 17, 2021
Advice From The Distant Past. Democratic Perspective welcomes Juan Cole back to the show to discuss his new book The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam – A New Translation from the Persian. Cole is a professor at the University of Michigan and commentator on the modern Middle East and South Asia through his website Informed Comment.
Cole’s research suggests Khayyam is what is often called a frame author. He says the poems were likely written by various people over centuries. But they were all attributed to Khayyam. Centuries later, the poems were discovered by Edward Fitzgerald who translated about 50 of them. They became beloved in Victorian England and the US during the Gilded Age. According to Cole, “By 1900 you had a new edition of the poetry coming out every day…it was tremendously influential. T.S. Elliot started writing poetry under its influence that was well thought of by all the modernists. And Robert Frost’s Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Night is actually an homage to this poetry.”
A careful reading of these 800-year-old poems shows another side of the Middle East and may dispel common stereotypes. They also have much to say about how to best live our lives. For example, by dismissing the “fear of hellfire and the hope of paradise,” Cole says the poetry seems to tell us not to worry about death and our own non-existence. “I think what Khayyam was saying is don’t spend a lot of time worrying about that. It’s that time you take away from living in the moment.”
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS