Identity Politics
Reader comment on item: Pretending There's a Country Called "Palestine"
in response to reader comment: Pretending!

Submitted by Alex (United States), Jan 6, 2006 at 18:42

Not only have there never been any political, economic, or other institutions corresponding to a country called "Palestine," but the identity politics associated with this supposed nation-state remain a tool in the hands of a greater, supra-national imperial campaign. During the Roman Empire, Caesars coined the name "Palestine" to undermine the reign of the Jews.

The modern British Empire used this name as part of a religiously inspired psycho-drama which initially led them to support the Zionist movement(s). Pan-Arabist leaders used the cause of "Palestine" to extend their own domains. Now, Islamists exploit the cause of "Palestine" as part of a long-term effort to wean people away from their sub-national, particularistic identities (family, clan, tribe, etc...) and follow a globalist, totalitarian ideology.

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