I am surprised at the TRIBALISM & PATHOLOGICAL NARCISSION practised in Israel

Just in case the world has forgotten what the Arab-Israel conflict is about, Professor Bashir Bashir, 32, is quick to remind that it is about half-a-century of forcible occupation of Palestinian homes by Israel. It is also about the daily humiliation and brutalisation of the Palestinian people who are forced to live in the biggest open air prison on the face of the earth. The Palestinian professor is an alumni of the London School of Economics and Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is an Israeli citizen and a research fellow in the Gilo Centre for Citizenship, Democracy and Civic Education at the Hebrew University and the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute. Bashir is co-editor of ‘The Politics of Reconciliation in Multicultural Societies', (Oxford University Press, 2008). Hardnews caught up with the professor mid-January in Vienna at the Bruno Kreisky Forum for International Dialogue where Bashir spoke passionately about the Palestinian cause.

Excerpts from the exclusive interview:

Mehru Jaffer Vienna , Hardnews

 Q: How do you apply the theory of the politics of reconciliation to practice?

A: If we are really serious about reconciliation then we have to first come to terms with historical injustices. To do this, courage is required to acknowledge the suffering of the Palestinian people. Next, we have to look at the Palestinian problem in a different way. The study of the politics of reconciliation gives us an opportunity to look anew and differently at solutions that have not worked in the past. The so-called peace process of the past is grounded more on conflict management rather than reconciliation. I admit that reconciliation is a much more demanding and profound form of settling historical disputes. Reconciliation demands a shift from a state of hostility, injustice and exclusion to a state of cooperation, justice and inclusivity.

There are two questions which require consideration. The first concerns Israel and its relationship to the Palestinian minority within the Jewish state. Today, Palestinians are 20 per cent of the Israeli population, and they are not treated as equal citizens. The second concerns the Palestinian national movement outside of Israel. These two concerns are intimately linked. Let me give you my opinion of the most discussed solutions.

Israel claims to be a ‘Jewish democratic state'. This is accepted by the international community. In my opinion, this view of Israel, both in terms of philosophical grounds of democracy and Judaism and in terms of the reality on the ground, is inconsistent. The truth is the practice by Israel of the inherent exclusion of the Palestinian minority. The most celebrated solution in terms of the Palestinian-Israel conflict is the ‘two-state' solution. I argue that the two-state solution is impractical and irrelevant, especially if seen in the context of the reality on the ground concerning Israeli settlements, the walls and Jerusalem. The two-state solution as discussed within the terms and limits offered by Israel is not viable.

Q: What do the Palestinians want?