New Consciousness Review Spring, 2017 | Page 60

PURPOSE

powers gave away land that was not theirs to give because of a combination of guilt over having done little or nothing to save Jews in the holocaust , and a latent anti-Semitism – “ the Jewish Problem ” – that quite liked the idea of being able to get rid of one ’ s Jews .
Referring to the Zionist movement that initiated immigration to Palestine in the early 1900s , she asks , “ does a national settler movement triggered by European anti-Semitism , that is grounded in the privileging of Jews and the belittling , dehumanization , or hatred of Arabs , inexorably lead to where we are today ?”

In describing the story behind the establishment of Israel , Rothchild writes of helpless Palestinians driven from their ancestral homes during the war of independence in 1948 and 1967 through brutal actions by Israeli military operations that were intent on ethnic cleansing of as much territory as possible in the establishment of a purely Jewish state .

Rothchild ’ s book , Condition Critical is based on her audio diary and blog maintained during multiple trips to the region .

Rothchild ’ s book , Condition Critical is based on her audio diary and blog maintained during multiple trips to the region . It describes the many forms of humiliation and suppression imposed on Palestinians in the conquered territories as well as on Israeli citizens ethnically Palestinian . She describes unconscionable callousness and brutality against civilians , and a systematic policy of suppression of building and other economic activities that could allow them to prosper . Being a physician and a woman , her exchanges with Palestinian doctors and women , especially about the blockade and bombardment of Gaza city , were particularly poignant and painful to read . God knows there is no shortage of oppressive regimes in the world , but she feels strongly that having suffered so deeply as a nation during the Holocaust , it is more incumbent on a Jewish state to exhibit compassion and empathy than other countries .
In describing the story behind the establishment of Israel , Rothchild writes of helpless Palestinians driven from their ancestral homes during the war of independence in 1948 and 1967 through brutal actions by Israeli military operations that were intent on ethnic cleansing of as much territory as possible in the establishment of a purely Jewish state . The alternative narrative , which she dismisses , is of idealistic pioneers tired of centuries of anti-Semitism and persecution returning to their ancestral home in the land of the Bible , hoping to become a nation state whose citizens can hold their heads up in pride ; the growth of militarism and the fortress mentality were forced upon the Israelis by terrorism and the implacable enmity of not only the Palestinians but all of the surrounding Arab countries . The sad reality is that both of these narratives are true . Both communities live in fear and distrust of the other and yet the citizens of both sides want only to live their lives out in peace . Where is truth and justice in this equation ? Rothschild lays out
60 | New Consciousness Review