Interview with Professor Noam Chomsky : Shared by Baquer Namazi

 

In this interview with Amy Goodman at the United Nations, Professor Noam Chomsky discusses the role of the United States in the Israel-Palestine conflict and the legal and tactical avenues for change.

The Role of U.S. Law and Policy

Chomsky emphasizes that the United States should be pressured to adhere to its own laws regarding international aid and human rights.

• The Leahy Law: He points out that under the Leahy Law, the U.S. is prohibited from providing weapons to military units involved in human rights violations. He argues that the Israeli military's actions fall into this category, making current U.S. arms shipments a violation of domestic law [01:16].

• Tax-Exempt Status: Chomsky critiques the tax-exempt status given to U.S. organizations like the Jewish National Fund, which he claims are involved in discriminatory practices and activities in occupied territories [02:15]. He notes that a tax exemption is essentially a public subsidy, meaning U.S. citizens are unknowingly funding these actions [10:06].

Media Influence and Public Opinion

Chomsky discusses the shifting landscape of public perception and media coverage in the U.S.

• Media "Indoctrination": He critiques the media for framing the conflict in a way that prioritizes Israeli self-defense while ignoring the exhaustion of peaceful means, which is a legal prerequisite for the use of force [05:29].

• The "Honest Broker" Myth: He argues the U.S. is not an "honest broker" but rather acts as "Israel's lawyer," and suggests that serious negotiations would require a neutral party like Brazil [06:59].

• Shifting Opinions: Despite media bias, Chomsky observes a significant shift in public opinion, especially among younger people [08:13]. He notes that where he once required police protection to speak on these topics, he now finds enthusiastic and engaged student audiences [08:29].

The BDS Movement and Activism Tactics

Chomsky offers a nuanced perspective on the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, distinguishing between "tactics" and "principles."

• Effectiveness Over Principle: He argues that tactics should be chosen based on whether they actually help the victims, rather than just because they feel right in principle [11:07].

• Successes and Failures: He notes that actions directed against the occupation have been very successful [13:24]. However, he suggests that demands like the right of return for refugees have seen little success and can lead to a backlash that harms the cause [13:52].