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all nationalism is superficial...even Israeli

Reader comment on item: The Year the Arabs Discovered Palestine [Short version]

Submitted by russ (Egypt), Dec 6, 2008 at 08:26

Nationalism has ALWAYS been a response to foreign occupation or threat of it, the desire to solidify identity as a rallying point against an oppressor. Palestinian nationalism shallow? superficial? it sprung up around the same time the Jewish state did in response. Is Israel's nationalistic claim any deeper? They are not the people of the Bible. Proponents of Zionism had no common languange (unlike Palestinians), no land (unlike Palestinians), no singular culture (unlike Palestinians), and many other elements which are usually contingent upon forming a nation-state. Israel is an anomaly in this sense. NO nationalism is inherent: Israeli or Palestinian. It is all constructed, and Israel's happened to have enough money and political sway to win over the Palestinian's nationalist ambitions.

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Reader comments (30) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
Brilliant article! [35 words]Jo Alex SGSep 15, 2021 15:47274701
Do you still think that the Palestinian national identity could disappear as quickly as it started? [16 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Dian KjaergaardJan 21, 2014 05:55212748
Palestinian nationality exists, "Israeli"-not so much [44 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Isa AlmisryJan 5, 2017 02:29212748
Palestinian National Identity [40 words]Andy ConnerSep 26, 2022 12:27212748
'Palestinian' National Identity Does Not Have Historical Validation - Term Appropriated Centuries Ago When True Ethnic 'Philistines' Disappeared [139 words]M ToveySep 26, 2022 18:47212748
Asking for Dr Pipes opinion [124 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
PrashantDec 15, 2011 23:28191731
Palestinian Nationalism [62 words]SarahFeb 25, 2009 02:04151117
Actually, yes it does diminish it. In fact it is thusly dismissed as a reactionary Arab political ploy! [127 words]DanielDec 11, 2011 20:53151117
Please Try To Use Your Mind [115 words]San ManDec 18, 2008 05:25145357
5Mr. San Man, get an education and stop accepting what uneducated Mullahs invent.... [238 words]Truth in HistoryAug 18, 2009 14:12145357
2Palestine? [112 words]Michael DarDec 12, 2011 00:05145357
1Re to Mr. Man [118 words]Michael DarDec 12, 2011 23:40145357
all nationalism is superficial...even Israeli [121 words]russDec 6, 2008 08:26144497
2Re to Russ [133 words]Michael DarDec 13, 2011 23:34144497
Did Arabs really envision or strive for an "independent Palestinian state" before 1964? [59 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
DrRJPJan 29, 2008 20:55119253
1British passport - Palestine [155 words]slayhyDec 16, 2011 07:40119253
2Yes, British passport- Palestine... Jews called themselves that!!! [167 words]saraDec 16, 2011 17:37119253
Palestine in question [400 words]slayhyDec 18, 2011 02:51119253
brief history of Palestine and the Jews [475 words]slayhyDec 18, 2011 03:05119253
2It is you who are woefully ignorant of the facts Slayhy [721 words]saraDec 18, 2011 17:06119253
get proper sources [45 words]slayhyDec 19, 2011 03:52119253
1Is that all you have to say...? [110 words]saraDec 19, 2011 18:21119253
Palestine [324 words]slayhyDec 20, 2011 06:18119253
Quo usque tandem [68 words]UgriDec 20, 2011 14:31119253
1Just the FACTS Mr Slayhy [692 words]saraDec 20, 2011 16:53119253
Biased sources [37 words]slayhyDec 21, 2011 02:01119253
2A question about the British passport palestine [37 words]AhmadJan 9, 2013 01:13119253
2Attempts to Change History [187 words]L.Mar 25, 2005 12:5521166
1Once more, your prediction comes true. [85 words]Rachel NeuwirthOct 19, 2002 10:583144
3Your Historical References are Great! [77 words]Saul PfefferJul 2, 2002 11:301103

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