I wasn't alive then, but I suspect the *exact* same discussions were had regarding native Americans.

[redgreenandblue]

I think there are strong parallels between the founding of the USA and the founding of Israel.
I think the history of both can be simplified as follows:

Once there was a place where
a mostly nomadic population was living on the ruins of ancient kingdoms. Then a stream of
settlers from Europe showed up. Some of them refugees escaping from persecution by other
white people, with very good reasons for wanting to leave. Some religious fanatics. Some
simply people looking for cheap land. The settlers came armed with a religion that contained
a justification for possessing the land and were backed
by the military might of a colonialist empire. At some point the legal structures of the white
man were employed to formally create a new nation and codify that the movement of the locals should
be restricted to certain areas. When the pushback came, this pushback was used as justification for
further seizing of land and resources, re-locations and the like. Rinse, repeat, until the natives were left
with nothing except small "reservations" in which terrible living conditions existed.

I'm sure all the same rationalizations were employed as they are today. The more radical elements
which developed among the native population were used as a pretext for expansion, as was their
"savagery". "If they had accepted the borders of 1737, we wouldn't have been forced to establish
the borders of 1759". Also, I'm pretty sure that, as today, a number of people who belonged to the
liberal wing of the political spectrum of the time were far-right when it came to native issues.

I think the explanation why US congress today would never consider doing anything other than
fully backing Israel is simple: It is because Jews in the US for the most part have access to the
levers of white privilege, while Arabs for the most part don't.

[CBGLuthier]

1. I view it more like Texas

The Texans came in, declared the place theirs, fought everyone off and now want to build a fence to keep the original inhabitants from coming back. All while convincing the world they were noble and heroic in their actions.

But your analogy works too.

[2banon]

5. Sure, Texas too. essentially, the same principles apply to both..

[alcibiades_mystery]

2. We do have massive archives of 18th and 19th century writing

for you to test your hypothesis.

Just sayin'.

[redgreenandblue]

3. I'd love to research it...

If only I had the time

[annabanana]

4. interesting hypothesis

I hope someone runs with it, academically speaking.

[archaic56]

6. you got it

The American people and the world do not realize, that what was done to our peoples, is now being done to all. It's all about money , power and control.It's the corporations against the rest of us. This am Robert Reich called our POTUS a : "Lame duck" Now, I don't know about you but in First Nations communities (Native Americans) kicking a man when he is down is not a nice thing to do.I like Reich but was horrified to see anyone on the left do this. GUess the right wing money used in the Divide and conquer games is working. Too bad you all didn't listen to our peoples way back. The world would be a better place.

A humble Tsalagi (Cherokee)

To the above poster ..you are dead on brother.Absolutely dead right.
True history of why we were annihilated is the same reason you all are going through hell.. MOney ..corporate money.

[JustAnotherGen]

8. Well said!

[redgreenandblue]

9. Thanks.

[noiretextatique]

7. it has always been the sos

demonizing the other and claiming your brand of killing is holy and moral.

[Bonobo]

10. "Jews in the US for the most part have access to the levers of white privilege"

I am just going to leave that there.

[redgreenandblue]

13. So you are saying it is not true?

Such high levels of support as Israel gets from the USA begs for an explanation. And at least part of the explanation is structural racism against Arabs. In the context of the Israel/Palestine conflict, Jews are perceived by the white American establishment (in favor of which much of American life is still rigged) as "part of us", while Arabs are "the other". - Palestinians are opposed, by and large, for the same reasons for which the civil rights movement was opposed.

[Behind the Aegis]

14. Only 2% of the US population is Jewish.

[redgreenandblue]

17. Roughly the same as the Mormon population.

If you put Mitt Romney, Bill Maher and Anthony Weiner beside each other and told me that one was a Mormon and two of them were Jewish, I could not tell you which was which if I didn't already know. None of them would necessarily look out of place at a cocktail party at a Golf club in Texas.

And if Utah went to war with the First Nations, I think it would be pretty clear who Washington would back.

[Bonobo]

15. I am saying that

When the US supports Japan, you don't hear talk of the Japanese control over the media and the banks and the levers of power.

Same for France, England, etc. they are allies and Israel is an ally surrounded by countries that have tried repeatedly to destroy it.

No one talks about the pernicious influence of the Japanese or Korea or france. But with Israel well... Da Jews.

[archaic56]

18. valid point

I think racism plays a huge part in much of what goes on in this world. Yet I won't hold my breath for everyone to agree with me.That would be deadly*L*

Our media is a tool of the corporate structure that would like us all fighting each other all the time.Cause, don't ya know Cheney needs more bucks for Haliburton.. Wat was that warning Eisenhower gave us *winK*

Tell ya something for nothing.These last ten yers have taught me I can trust my own intuition and powers of discernment, far more than I can trust the media.. BUt then ..I don't even watch tv except PBS

[nomorenomore08]

16. I found that to be the one questionable line in the OP.

Do most Americans have a more favorable view of Jews/Israelis than of Arabs/Palestinians? Considering the vitriolic hatred directed at the latter by many, I'd think the answer is probably "yes." But I'm not sure that translates into something one could call "privilege."

[NaturalHigh]

19. That stood out to me too.

All the right code words in this OP.

[KG]

11. both countries built on land theft and ethnic cleansing - based on some twisted religious logic

the parallels haven't escaped me.

[archaic56]

12. yes!

nice to see folks get it. Was watching a Dick Gregory video last night.The man is so deep.. I mean deep thinker..Most times I have to take it in in increments.. He said "it's always been about white supremacy" I'd say that I have to agree with him.. part of my family Cherokee (actual correct name Tsalagi) and the other bit the Norman rapists and pillagers.. one one side are the inbred royals and the other the people who were here first. Ha sled me to think and look at all sides before making assumptions..


This country and most of the ones settled by the Europeans have blood on their hands. Not to say all folks of paler hue are responsible... MY relatives would say complicit.. and that I have to agree on that. This is why I have taken on raiising awareness for my peoples. trying to pay Grandfather back for what he was not allowed to say for fear of being lynched in Alabama. (he had to pass as white to survive that state)


WE believe that we all are connected and what happens to one shall happen to all. I have to say recent events bear that out