Israelism Screening and Discussion with Gabor Maté, Naomi Klein, and Simone Zimmerman

Summary

The transcript captures a panel discussion acknowledging the Jewish holiday of Tu Bishvat and the significance of land recognition. It addresses the historical and ongoing issues of Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including the impact of Gold Corp's mining operations on indigenous communities. The panel, featuring Dr. Gabor Maté, Naomi Klein, and Simone Zimmerman, emphasizes the need for decolonization, challenging dominant narratives, and supporting Palestinian rights. They discuss the importance of education, solidarity, and the role of Jewish voices in promoting peace and justice.

Takeaways

• 📅 The event begins on the Jewish holiday of Tu Bishvat, known as the New Year for trees.
• 🌳 The location, Musqueam land, is acknowledged for its historical significance as a place of big-leafed maple trees and as unceded territory.
• 🏢 The venue, Gold Corp Centre for the Arts, is criticized for being named after a company with a legacy of harm to indigenous people and environmental degradation.
• 🌱 The importance of recognizing and renaming places in the spirit of decolonization is emphasized.
• 📽 The film screening is part of an effort to raise awareness and promote dialogue about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• 👥 The panel features a diverse group of speakers, including Dr. Gabor Maté, Naomi Klein, and Simone Zimmerman, who share their perspectives on the conflict.
• 🤝 The event highlights the solidarity of Jewish and non-Jewish voices in advocating for justice and peace.
• 🔥 There is a call to action for the audience to engage with the material presented, seek out further screenings, and discuss the issues with others.
• 🌟 The film and discussion underscore the need for challenging narratives, recognizing trauma, and working towards collective healing and justice.
• 💡 The event concludes with a call to support organizations working towards justice in Palestine and to continue the conversation in communities.

Q & A

What is the significance of Tu Bishvat in the context of the discussion?

Tu Bishvat is the Jewish holiday of the New Year for trees. It is significant in the context as it relates to the acknowledgment of land and nature, and the speaker hopes to honor this holiday by recognizing the land where maple trees once stood before it was stolen.

What is the meaning of 'kcalay' and why is it mentioned in the script?

Kcalay is a word that roughly translates to 'the place of the big-leafed maple trees'. It is mentioned to highlight the historical and cultural significance of the land where the event is taking place, and to connect with the indigenous history of the area.

Why is there a call to rename the theater and cultural center named after Gold Corp?

The call to rename the theater and cultural center is due to Gold Corp's legacy of harmful practices, including environmental degradation, displacement of indigenous communities, and corruption. The speaker suggests that renaming the center is a step towards decolonization and recognizing the ongoing harm caused by such companies.

What is the role of Dr. Gabor Maté in the event?

Dr. Gabor Maté is a speaker at the event and is introduced as a bestselling author, a survivor of the Nazi Holocaust, and a longtime critic of Israel's policies that harm Palestinians. He is also recognized for his work with patients challenged by drug addiction, mental illness, and HIV in Vancouver.

What is the importance of the film being screened at the event?

The film is important as it serves as a medium to facilitate a conversation about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the role of Jewish voices in this conflict, and the need for acknowledgment and change. It is a tool for education and a catalyst for dialogue.

What does Naomi Klein mean by 'open warfare against objective reality'?

Naomi Klein refers to the denial of factual information and reality by certain groups or narratives that favor a particular agenda. In the context of the discussion, it likely pertains to the denial of the realities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by some Jewish leaders and the media.

Why is there a focus on the trauma experienced by Palestinians?

The focus on the trauma experienced by Palestinians is to highlight the ongoing suffering and psychological impact of the conflict. It underscores the need for understanding and addressing the human cost of the conflict beyond political discussions.

What is the connection between the Jewish Community Center and the Israeli flag mentioned in the script?

The connection mentioned is that the Jewish Community Center displays Israeli flags, symbolizing a conflation of Jewish identity with the state of Israel and its policies, which some participants take issue with as not representative of all Jewish people's views.

What is the significance of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising in the context of the discussion?

The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising is mentioned to draw a parallel between the resistance against oppression in the past and current resistance movements. It highlights the diversity of Jewish responses to oppression and the historical continuum of struggle.

What does the speaker mean when they say 'the never again for anyone'?

The phrase 'the never again for anyone' refers to the idea that the post-Holocaust sentiment of 'never again' should apply to all people, not just Jews. It emphasizes the universality of human rights and the importance of preventing all forms of genocide and mass atrocities.

How does the speaker suggest dealing with the rise of the far right and white supremacy?

The speaker suggests that dealing with the rise of the far right and white supremacy involves building solidarity across movements, fighting anti-Semitism within left-wing movements, and creating counter-power through community organizing rather than relying solely on electoral politics.