A need for moderation

February 2, 2009
By Duncan Robinson

The room was jammed. People were even standing at the back to get a glimpse of the speaker. Black and white scarves dominated the room, each wearer showing his or her solidarity with the Palestinian movement. There was a palpable sense of excitement among the crowd, an energy stemming from the feeling that history was occurring around them, and that they – by being here – were going to be part of it.

Had it not been for Israel’s attack on Gaza in December the talk probably would not have been so popular. In the fevered atmosphere, Norman Finkelstein – a polemicist and ardent critic of Israel – was a major draw. Finkelstein did not disappoint. His contempt for Israel manifested itself in a calmly spoken, but passionately felt condemnation of Israeli actions in the West Bank.

He called Israel a ‘Satanic State’ and asked the audience to remember the ‘incinerated’ children of Gaza, ‘since Israel has made their whole business out of provoking passions from the Nazi holocaust’. The people clapped. He was even given a standing ovation.

But it dawned on me as I was walking out, surrounded by people nodding in righteous anger: what had changed? Hundreds of people had come together and merely had their prejudices confirmed. Those who disagreed with Israeli policy still disagreed, while the few supporters of Israel present shrugged their shoulders at another anti-Israel evangelical. Put simply, the polemical nature of Finkelstein’s arguments rendered it useless.

Finkelstein had not helped his cause because his argument did not allow moderates with unformed opinions to be taken in. The overly emotive rhetoric left little room for any thoughtful analysis of the situation. Calling Israel a ‘Satanic State’ will cause some to nod in approval and others to anger, but it leaves the rest cold. Finkelstein simply preached to the choir, convincing no one other than the already convinced.

With an issue already as heated as the Israel-Palestine conflict, polemics are simply unnecessary. A rant will never convince, it will merely reinforce. A lesson that George Monbiot – an upcoming speaker during U of A’s international week – would do well to learn.

Monbiot, an outspoken environmentalist, does little to help his cause simply due to his penchant for ridiculous, over the top statements that can be dismissed out of hand. In 1999, Monbiot wrote that ‘flying across the Atlantic is as unacceptable, in terms of its impact on human well-being, as child abuse’. Rather than engaging frequent flyers in a debate over the impact of their actions, he compares them to paedophiles.

Statements such as these do nothing to win over sceptics. Even more damagingly they cause those who may agree with Monbiot’s sentiments – that tran-Atlantic flight is unjustifiably damaging to the environment – to actively disengage with the environmentalist movement as a whole, simply because loudmouths such as Monbiot are its most vocal exponents.

The same goes for Finkelstein. Israel is not a ‘Satanic State’, and saying so was simply a Reagenesque platitude designed to pander to an anti-Israeli audience. Israel needs to be criticised for many of its actions in the recent conflict, but criticism must be thoughtful, rather than emotive.

Men like George Monbiot and Norman Finkelstein should be a credit to their respective movements, but instead they are a liability. They drag the debate to the fringes of the extreme and in doing so leave behind the majority of public opinion. Whereas they could use their intelligence and charisma to engage, they use it to exclude and alienate those less radical than themselves. Some might say that, without men like these, their respective causes might not be heard. These men might be heard, but they are not listened to.

(This piece originally appeared here as well as here.)
Bookmark and Share

Related posts:

  1. Occupational hazard
  2. Cambridge ignores UCAS personal statements
  3. The trials of Tom Daley explain what’s wrong with state education

Tags: , , , , , ,

This website uses IntenseDebate comments, but they are not currently loaded because either your browser doesn't support JavaScript, or they didn't load fast enough.

694 Responses to “ A need for moderation ”

  1. Motrat Mustafa shqip on December 27, 2011 at 9:28 pm

    Thanks a ton for being the tutor on this subject. I enjoyed your article quite definitely and most of all enjoyed reading the way you handled the issues I regarded as being controversial. You’re always extremely kind towards readers much like me and assist me to in my everyday living. Thank you.

  2. Cory Patti on December 28, 2011 at 12:59 pm

    Thank you for taking this opportunity to mention this, I’m firmly about this kind of and i also appreciate discovering this subject. When possible, as you acquire facts, you should enhance this weblog along with new info. We have found that extremely helpful.

  3. Jaymie Gradwell on December 28, 2011 at 4:49 pm

    It is a excellent website. Good finished gui and also useful articles. I’ll be coming back again inside a little bit, was looking for great blog.

  4. Dierdre Wolfenden on December 28, 2011 at 9:08 pm

    Hello — I have to admit, I’m pleased with the web site. I had little difficulty directing through every one of the tab and information had been very easy gain access to. I discovered some tips i desired quickly in any respect. Fairly great. Might regards if you include community forums or something that is, it would be a great way for your clients to activate. Great job!

  5. Cathi City on December 29, 2011 at 1:53 am

    Your internet site has become mentioned inside my discussion board as being a recommended reading through. I am glad My partner and i went by to determine that.

  6. Joesph Pryde on December 29, 2011 at 8:26 am

    Typically I would not submit upon weblogs, however wish to state that this kind of post truly compelled me personally to do this. Really nice publish!

  7. Hassan Chapp on December 29, 2011 at 11:39 am

    Typically I don’t submit upon blogs, even so would choose to state that this kind of submit truly compelled myself to accomplish this. Very nice post!

  8. Felice Misek on December 29, 2011 at 8:17 pm

    I have taken notice that in digital camera models, special detectors help to aim automatically. Those kind of sensors connected with some cams change in contrast, while others make use of a beam of infra-red (IR) light, especially in low lighting. Higher specs cameras often use a combination of both techniques and likely have Face Priority AF where the video camera can ‘See’ a face as you concentrate only upon that. Thank you for sharing your thinking on this blog.

  9. Dillon Mcmeekin on December 30, 2011 at 5:39 am

    This is the fantastic internet site. Good polished gui and also educational articles. I am coming back in the tad, thanks for the excellent website.

  10. Cesar Klumpp on December 30, 2011 at 8:57 am

    Hello there : I have to admit, I’m impressed with the website. I had created no trouble navigating by means of every one of the tabs and information was quite simple to reach. I stumbled upon what I wanted right away by any means. Fairly awesome. Would certainly enjoy it should you include forums or something that is, it could be an ideal means for your clients to interact. Great job!

  11. Dorinda Kottler on December 30, 2011 at 12:21 pm

    This kind of post had been really properly written, and in addition it consists of numerous useful information. My partner and i loved your expert way with words this submit. You earn it quite simple for me to understand.

  12. Clarita Solman on December 30, 2011 at 4:44 pm

    It is a excellent website. Good refined graphical user interface and intensely educational articles. I am finding its way back in a little bit, wanted great weblog.

  13. Basil Schilsky on December 30, 2011 at 9:07 pm

    Usually I would not publish about sites, however would like to claim that this submit really compelled myself to do so. Really nice publish!

  14. Heather Naron on December 31, 2011 at 2:25 am

    Great post ! Appreciate your, publishing on my blog page guy! I am going to message you a long time. I didnrrrt understand in which.

  15. Daryl Maciasz on December 31, 2011 at 6:05 am

    Great submit ! Appreciate your, publishing in my blog page man! I’ll information you time. I didnrrrt understand which.

  16. Thurman Dimick on December 31, 2011 at 9:29 am

    Awesome post ! Thank you for, posting in my webpage man! I’ll message you a while. I didn’t appreciate which.

  17. Mason Pepe on December 31, 2011 at 12:55 pm

    Cool publish ! Thank you for, publishing in this little webpage gentleman! I am going to information an individual a long time. I did not realise that.

  18. Dane Correiro on December 31, 2011 at 5:34 pm

    Should you can message myself along with any suggestions on how you have made this blog web site look this particular great, I’d have fun here.

  19. Colby Needleman on December 31, 2011 at 10:10 pm

    Usually I wouldn’t publish on blogs, but I would like to declare that this particular post really forced me to take action. Very nice publish!

  20. Noah Albarez on January 1, 2012 at 2:28 am

    This kind of submit was really properly composed, and in addition it includes several useful details. I loved the professional way of writing this submit. You cash in on that quite simple will be able to realize.

  21. steam carpet cleaner on January 2, 2012 at 6:41 am

    I’ve recently started a web site, the information you provide on this website has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.

  22. Nora Flipp on January 2, 2012 at 1:41 pm

    Somebody essentially help to make seriously articles I would state. This is the first time I frequented your web page and thus far? I surprised with the research you made to make this particular publish amazing. Wonderful job!

  23. Karpacz noclegi on January 3, 2012 at 8:14 am

    Huhu, sehr interessanter Beitrag. Ich liebe dieses Themengebiet und warte gespannt auf mehr Artikel zu dem Thema.

  24. ???????? ?????? ?????? ??????? on January 4, 2012 at 8:21 pm

    Simply desire to say your article is as astounding. The clearness in your post is simply spectacular and that i can suppose you are a professional on this subject. Well with your permission let me to snatch your RSS feed to keep up to date with coming near near post. Thanks one million and please keep up the rewarding work.

  25. Mimi Letko on January 5, 2012 at 8:04 am

    Great publish ! Thanks for, publishing on my own web site gentleman! I am going to information a person time. I did not understand which.

  26. kostenlose Waren on January 7, 2012 at 12:44 am

    There are some attention grabbing closing dates in this article however I don’t know if I see all of them center to heart. There is some validity however I’ll take maintain opinion till I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we wish extra! Added to FeedBurner as effectively.King Regards Anna

  27. Mirna Miller on January 7, 2012 at 7:51 pm

    Cool publish ! Thanks for, submitting on my small website gentleman! I am going to concept you a long time. Some understand that.

  28. Eleni Coard on January 8, 2012 at 9:52 pm

    This can be a great website. Good finished interface and intensely useful posts. I’ll be ever coming back within a bit, just excellent website.

  29. Faustino Cerrito on January 9, 2012 at 4:07 pm

    That is a great web site. Good refined user interface and very educational content articles. I am finding its way back in a bit, wanted great blog.

  30. Barrett Marwick on January 10, 2012 at 3:49 am

    In case you can concept myself together with any kind of suggestions on what you’ve made this web site site look this good, I’d personally have fun here.

  31. Twanna Malocha on January 10, 2012 at 5:22 pm

    Getting a beneficent stygian produce is concluded of the most honoured accessories in our corporeal as our astute and putting together both evasion the someone’s own packed blocking to pick proper

  32. Martin Beskom on January 11, 2012 at 12:41 am

    Hello there — I have to admit, I’m pleased with your web site. I did little difficulty navigating through all of the tab and data has been a breeze gain access to. I found a few things i needed in no time at all. Pretty amazing. Might regards if you increase discussion boards or something that is, it will be the perfect path for customers to activate. Best wishes!

  33. Phoenix injury doctor on January 11, 2012 at 6:51 pm

    Thanks for every other informative site. The place else may just I get that type of information written in such a perfect method? I have a challenge that I’m simply now operating on, and I have been on the glance out for such info.

  34. Isidro Coad on January 12, 2012 at 2:26 am

    Appreciation for investing in this probability to discuss this, I feel highly about this particular and that i appreciate researching this matter. If possible, when you obtain facts, make sure you complement this website along with fresh info. My partner and i discovered that very useful.

  35. taniec on January 12, 2012 at 11:48 pm

    I must say i appreciate this post. As well as scouting around just for this! Good think I discovered it on bing. You have made my day! Many thanks

  36. vegas videos on January 13, 2012 at 1:59 am

    Fantastic blog here! Also your website loads up quick! What host are you utilizing? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my web site loaded up as quick as yours lol 350061

  37. Denver SEO Company on January 13, 2012 at 11:08 am

    Hello, you used to write great, but the last few posts have been kinda boring?€¦ I miss your super writings. Past few posts are just a bit out of track! come on!

  38. Margaret on January 14, 2012 at 12:38 am

    Fine details! I have been seeking for some thing such as this for a while currently. Many thanks!

  39. Chance on January 15, 2012 at 12:04 am

    Never say never.

  40. Denny on January 15, 2012 at 2:35 pm

    Amazing contribution, I really count on updates of your stuff.

  41. Edmund Ornedo on January 15, 2012 at 9:06 pm

    Undoubtedly,Chilly spot! We stumbled on the cover and I’m your personal representative. limewire limewire

  42. Elna Corderman on January 16, 2012 at 1:36 am

    We truly much like your weblog.. great shades & theme. Have you produce this site yourself? Plz respond again

  43. Allene Odriscoll on January 16, 2012 at 8:12 am

    You must take part in a contest for the most effective blogs on the web. I will suggest this site!

  44. Romana on January 16, 2012 at 10:37 pm

    You made some nice points there. I looked on the internet for the topic and found most guys will agree with your site.

  45. Rosa-Maria on January 17, 2012 at 12:15 am

    I enjoy, cause I found exactly what I used to be taking a look for. You have ended my 4 day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye

  46. Madie Kindig on January 20, 2012 at 10:29 am

    You truly ensure it is seem quite simple using your demo but I find out this kind of subject to become really a very important factor

  47. dj na wesele wroclaw on January 20, 2012 at 1:13 pm

    An fascinating discussion may be valued at comment. I do believe which you simply write read a lot more about this topic, it might not often be a taboo topic but normally persons are too few to dicuss on such topics. To a higher. Cheers

  48. Fotograf slubny on January 20, 2012 at 4:28 pm

    The great intreguing articles maintain me coming back here time and time once more. thank you so a lot.

  49. Michal Kratofil on January 21, 2012 at 1:09 am

    An intriguing discussion is price comment. I believe that you must write extra on this topic, it may well not be a taboo subject but normally individuals are not enough to speak on such topics. Towards the next. Cheers

  50. Na on January 22, 2012 at 1:24 am

    This is exactly a little something I must do more research into, appreciation for the blog post.

Leave a Reply