Palestine/Israel response: Two pamphlets on internationalism
As Israel rains bombs on civilians, international politics are on everybody's mind. Fightback is therefore releasing two pamphlets on internationalism: one free pdf, and one magazine mailout to paid subscribers.
On the topic of Palestine/Israel, there is never a justification for killing civilians anywhere. However, various forces complicate discussions of Palestine/Israel: imperial apologists cast all critics of Israel as anti-Semitic (including the many Jewish people who do not support Israeli policies), anti-Semites legitimise this myth through dog-whistles like calling all Jewish people 'Zionists', and minority groups are pitted against each other.
Fightback's pamphlets this month address international struggles which are not limited to the Middle East, but have particularly sharp edges in the region. We hope that these pamphlets help to clarify a complex situation:
Fighting Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism (2019): This magazine issue was originally released as a response to the Pittsburgh synagogue attack and Christchurch mosque attack, which occurred within months of eachother. Yet four years later, the underlying problems exposed by these attacks remain relevant. For example, the magazine includes a brief primer on how to criticise Israel's actions without supporting anti-Semitism.
This pamphlet was previously held behind a paywall. In response to the current crisis, we are now releasing it free of charge (see here).
Against Campism - For a New Internationalism (2023): Fightback is also releasing a new print magazine for paying subscribers.
Although the pamphlet is not specifically focused on Palestine, it addresses broader questions of international solidarity. With the world divided into exploitative imperialist blocs, the choice between the USA and Russia is no choice: for example, the Putin regime supports the Israeli government. Instead of supporting one imperialist bloc against another, we support revolutionary uprisings on every side of the various geopolitical divides.
The pamphlet is bookended by two key articles by Daphne Lawless, on rejecting 'campism' and developing a new internationalism respectively. It also includes two reviews by Ani White of books on the Syrian Revolution, and two reviews by Victor Osprey of books on Post-Soviet Eastern Europe.
The pamphlet also includes a new article which will initially be limited to paid subscribers. Daphne Lawless' review of the book Stalinist Realism and Open Communism – Malignant Mirror or Free Association, by Ian Parker of UK group Anti*Capitalist Resistance, finds common ground with our perspective.
The latter review will initially be included in our printed magazine, and mailed out to paying subscribers. One month after this mailout, the review will be released free of charge through the website/newsletter you're currently reading (subscribe here if you haven't already).
If you are already a paid subscriber and want the print pamphlet Against Campism: For a New Internationalism, please fill out this form.
We hope that this email finds you all well, and that our publications help people fighting for justice everywhere.
We oppose all attacks on civilians, and stand for a free Palestine, as a key part of broader international revolutionary struggles. We hope to see you at the upcoming solidarity actions!
