The United Kingdom and Israel are currently under the sway of massive political unrest. In both countries, the cause of this is systemic economic problems, reflected in increasing public dissatisfaction with neoliberalism, but the contrast between the nature of the unrest is striking: the UK gets riots, while Israel gets some of the most inspiring political protests in generations. Why the difference, and what lessons can be drawn from it?

Socio-economic factors alone do not provide the answer. The failure of neoliberalism justifies massive political protests but it does not justify rioting. The people of Beer-Sheva's Schunat Daled live in equally poor conditions to the people of London's Tottenham. Contrary to what Eyal Clyne intimates, however, there is little sign that Israelis will turn on one another in the way that the rioters in the UK have done. So while economic distress explains the timing of the unrest, we have to look deeper into the political cultures of both countries to answer why Britain witnesses unfocused rage while Israel sees the possible birth of a new political movement. My unfashionable explanation for the difference, having lived in both countries, is that Israeli is a...More >>

Israel is aflame. Figuratively.

It began weeks ago, with doctors protesting their low salaries; then the nurses joined in complaining there are not enough staff positions to cope with overcrowded wards. Then a national campaign began because of the high price of dairy products, and that soon spread to other consumerables. Recently “the students” (a wide-ranging designation if ever there was one) began a campaign to achieve affordable housing. They were joined by “young couples”, and then by single mothers, working mothers, the aged, the disabled, the unemployed – all yelling for price reductions, lower taxes, affordable health care, affordable housing.

The protests have been largely a-political, although it didn’t take long for politicians to spot the niche. Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is taking flak from all sides, even though the situation – a result of years of social justice errors and geo-political issues – is far from his making.

Israel’s economy is strong. Israel recovered quickly from the world financial crisis, and real estate prices have remained stable (part of the problem apparently). Israel’s currency stands up well to market forces and unemployment is at an all-time low. Tourism is at an all-time high, restaurants are packed, hotels booked...More >>

Think the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a simple story of "greedy Zionists" living on stolen Palestinian land? Think again.

Fact #1: The name, "West Bank", was coined by Jordan during its illegal occupation of the area between 1949 and 1967. For thousands of years, the area was known as Judea and Samaria, the birthplace of Judaism...

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When I recently called for the Freedom Flotilla "activists" to do some actual good and perhaps bring help by sea to Syria's suffering refugees, I had no real expectation that any would take me up on it. And they haven't, though some have indeed arrived in the Syrian capital to... oh, this is too good.

Wait for it... wait for it...

To stand in solidarity with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against "the schemes being plotted against him."

They're not even trying to hide what they're about anymore. 

The Flotidiots have proudly revealed themselves as staunch defenders of a regime with a bloodthirsty reputation for repression, torture and mass killing and an ideology suffused with a totalitarianism, anti-Semitism, and daydreams about genocide.

Let their comrades already slinking back to their own countries in defeat try to explain this latest disgrace. They are known by the company they keep.

Jonathon Narvey is the Editor of The Propagandist

H/T EoZ...More >>