"Most of all, there is the widespread acceptance on the part of university leaders and administrators that Zionism can be legitimately demonised without qualification..." This particularly resonated. There is effectively one accepted 'truth' that has been carefully curated and manipulated through a highly politicised and biased ecosystem. And what we've witnessed on the streets of Western cities over the past two years is a direct reflection of the overspill of that ecosystem.
I was in Hodges Figgis in Dublin over Christmas, and the section on Middle Eastern History is dominated by anti-Israel polemics and one-sided narrative fetishisation of Palestinians. Good luck to any curious mind in that environment.
Thanks very much, Alan. A few months ago, I went into a medium-sized bookshop in Castlebar. I can't remember what it's called, but it has a nice cafe and very friendly staff. The Middle Eastern section was exactly as you describe. There wasn't a single work by a serious historian, or a single book that wasn't a shallow piece of activism. It's a weird experience. Everywhere else in the bookshop, there is the ordinary mainstream fare, the jostling of ideas, the odd leftfield work. But this one section was full of the kind of simple-minded counterhistory you would expect to find on the shelves of a fringe political radical.
"Most of all, there is the widespread acceptance on the part of university leaders and administrators that Zionism can be legitimately demonised without qualification and that Jewish students who reject the aggressive sloganeering of the antizionist protestors can be subjected to any level of harassment." Very relevant Donal, yes.
And I liked the story about Boris Kochubiyevsky, that lad had courage, and he was 31, not too old to take such a risk. Incredible. I very much enjoyed this. Keep it up lad :D
Interesting piece. Will be getting that book. As a family we talked about the refuseniks in the 70s and 80s. It always struck me as uniquely awful - not being allowed to leave is being in prison
So powerful. I want to memorize the last paragraph by heart and share with everyone I know
Thank you very much.
Another fantastic piece, Donal.
"Most of all, there is the widespread acceptance on the part of university leaders and administrators that Zionism can be legitimately demonised without qualification..." This particularly resonated. There is effectively one accepted 'truth' that has been carefully curated and manipulated through a highly politicised and biased ecosystem. And what we've witnessed on the streets of Western cities over the past two years is a direct reflection of the overspill of that ecosystem.
I was in Hodges Figgis in Dublin over Christmas, and the section on Middle Eastern History is dominated by anti-Israel polemics and one-sided narrative fetishisation of Palestinians. Good luck to any curious mind in that environment.
Thanks very much, Alan. A few months ago, I went into a medium-sized bookshop in Castlebar. I can't remember what it's called, but it has a nice cafe and very friendly staff. The Middle Eastern section was exactly as you describe. There wasn't a single work by a serious historian, or a single book that wasn't a shallow piece of activism. It's a weird experience. Everywhere else in the bookshop, there is the ordinary mainstream fare, the jostling of ideas, the odd leftfield work. But this one section was full of the kind of simple-minded counterhistory you would expect to find on the shelves of a fringe political radical.
A nationwide observation, no doubt. Unfortunately, it sounds like Ireland itself is the simple-minded radical in this picture. Keep up the great work.
Good man Donal, good to see not everyone in Ireland is a raving antisemite.
I’m so great that I’ve found you!
Likewise, glad to be connected!
"Most of all, there is the widespread acceptance on the part of university leaders and administrators that Zionism can be legitimately demonised without qualification and that Jewish students who reject the aggressive sloganeering of the antizionist protestors can be subjected to any level of harassment." Very relevant Donal, yes.
And I liked the story about Boris Kochubiyevsky, that lad had courage, and he was 31, not too old to take such a risk. Incredible. I very much enjoyed this. Keep it up lad :D
Yes, I'm full of admiration for Kochubiyevsky and the other refuseniks. Their stories are truly inspiring.
Amazing read, thank you.
Thank you, Sandy. Glad you liked the review.
Interesting piece. Will be getting that book. As a family we talked about the refuseniks in the 70s and 80s. It always struck me as uniquely awful - not being allowed to leave is being in prison
Thank you. Definitely a strange utopia that you're not allowed to leave.