- Does Shamir exist? An article in a Russian weekly Zavtra
(translated by Eric Walberg) and your responses on this entertaining subject.
-
- Shamir
-
- _____
-
- The Shamir Legend
-
- By Ratibor Petrushkin Zavtra
-
- For a few years of Israel Shamir's publications in Zavtra,
the newspaper has received over ten kilogram of letters and megabytes of
email carefully and convincingly showing in diverse non-contradictory ways
and in sundry languages that such a person doesn't and cannot exist. Altogether
they produced some 27 reasons against Shamir's existence. There were deconstructions
and refutations, subtle sophisms, proofs to the contrary, fact comparison
analysis, content deconstruction, oaths and denunciations, exposes and
requests to confess the truth.
-
- These tangible letters with stamps and return addresses
made us think that their writers are real live persons whose existence
can't be doubted. That is why we began to doubt Shamir's existence. The
more letters we received, the more our doubts grew. Perhaps it is our Chief
Editor Prochanov who writes all these anti-Israeli articles under Shamir's
name, as hundreds of our respondents claimed? A Jew can't write like that
about the Jews. Or can he?
-
- Some factors only enhanced the confusion. First, the
incredibly broad range of interests of the author called 'Israel Shamir'.
It was shockingly, overwhelmingly extensive; one had to be enraptured with
his learning or otherwise consider a version of a collective using this
name. Indeed, Shamir is all over the place: he translates Joyce and Homer,
lives in Japan, works at BBC, fights Arabs and Soviet secret services;
he is a Zionist and antisemite; a socialist and a Talmud scholar: It is
too much of erudition for one man!
-
- Time and again, Israel Shamir would appear at the Zavtra
office and cause even more disturbing questions by his appearance. Aged,
but wiry, feline, but weary, tanned like a black, and curly-haired in the
same way, tenacious and contemplative at once, witty and profound, similar
to Prochanov and dissimilar, he drinks his vodka with cucumber, speaks
faultless Russian, but with a Jewish intonation; smiles guiltily somewhat
for not being sure what is he. When I first saw him I took him for a Cuban.
Once I asked him hesitantly 'Are you Shamir?' - 'Yes!' - he replied; but
my doubts just increased. To dispel my doubts, I searched out his biography.
It can be found at the "First unofficial Russian site of Israel Shamir";
an official site does not exist. Here it is:
-
- "Guide, translator, journalist and writer, Shamir
was born in Novosibirsk in 1947. He graduated from the elite High School
of Physics and Mathematics in Academgorodok, read math in Novosibirsk University
and law at Sverdlovsk Law School. Still a student, he befriended dissidents.
While at Law School he wrote a Bill of rights and liberties of man in the
USSR, and was expelled from the school for this work. This only strengthened
his will to sacrifice his life for a just cause. In the late '60s, Shamir
met Zionists in Moscow (who highly valued Shamir's experience in samizdat
(free media) and his conspiratorial abilities), and he became active in
the Zionist movement. In 1968 he protested against Soviet aggression in
Czechoslovakia and soon emigrated to Israel where he served in the elite
paratrooper unit and took part in the 1973 war. After the war he continued
his studies of law at the Hebrew university of Jerusalem. However, fate
meant that his career as a lawyer would be abandoned, but he fully realised
his potential as a journalist and writer.
-
- Israel Shamir cut his teeth as a journalist at Israeli
radio. Afterwards, as a freelance writer he often went to 'hot spots' such
as Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia. In 1975 moved to London and joined the BBC.
In 1977-79 he lived in Japan being invited by Japanese radio...
-
- Already in 1970s Israel Shamir grew disillusioned with
Zionism because of the discrimination of non-Jews in Israel. The Jewish
state reminded him of Stalinist Russia and rekindled the fire of protest.
That is why, returning to Israel in 1980, Shamir became active in politics.
He worked as press secretary for the Israeli Socialist party (Mapam) and
wrote for Ha'aretz. He translated Agnon (Nobel laureate) and Ulysses by
Joyce. His best known work is Sosna i Oliva (Pine and Olive), a historical
work on Palestine and the Arab-Israeli conflict published in 1988. In this
book he sharply condemns the Israeli aggressive and criminal policies towards
the Palestinians. In 1989-93 he returned to Russia as a Ha'aretz correspondent.
At first he was enchanted with perestroika, but the real perestroika foreign
policy worried him because of its strong pro-American tendency. At that
time he wrote his notorious and controversial articles in Pravda, Nash
Sovremennik, Den and Zavtra (under the pen name Robert David), arguing
that Soviet foreign policy was the best possible policy for the Soviet
Union and for the Third World. He condemned Yeltsin and his circle for
shelling the Russian parliament and called this action 'illegitimate and
illegal'.
-
- Soon, thanks to recommendations of two extremely different
writers, Lev Anninsky (left) and Stanislav Kunyaev (right), Shamir joined
the prestigious Russian Writers' union. In 1993 he returned to Israel and
settled in Jaffa. In addition to his many articles for Israeli and Russian
newspapers, he translated the classic Homer's Odyssey, which was published
in 2000 in St Petersburg. His next big project was (is?) a translation
of a 15th century Talmudic manuscript into English. In his most recent
articles, Israel Shamir criticizes the Israeli left and their "Two
States' solution" (the partition of Palestine into an Arab and a Jewish
states)." End of the biography from the unofficial site.
-
- At the beginning of the 20th c, such a fiery Jew could
have existed; we can imagine him at that time: his thirst for greatness,
dreams of a real life and heroic death; escape from a boring schtetl to
the capital city, to the revolutionary circles, into human turmoil; the
wind of revolution beat hot on his tempestuous, curly head; calumnies,
pursuit, exile; decisive battles and victories; grandiose plans of both
heaven on earth and world conflagration; decrees and meetings, wild exertions
at work; early frictions, disagreements, resignation; challenge issued
and terrible death - or reconciliation and a long peaceful old age somewhere
on the shores of the Amur River among hills so beautiful in September...
But such a life today? Impossible. This bio just raises more questions.
-
- And it is the writings of this author that create the
most confusion. Russians often criticise Russia, and readers explain their
position by Russia's wrongs or by non-Russian soul of the Russian critics.
But when a Jew steeped in the Bible and Talmud criticises not only the
state of Israel but the very concept of 'the Jewish People', the familiar
world around us collapses and the situation requires immediate re-interpretation.
-
- The word "traitor" is the most frequent one
in the pile of letters whose authors, using strict rules of logic, simultaneously
argued Shamir's betrayal of the Jewish cause AND the impossibility of his
existence as a person. They hated someone who, in their opinion, never
existed. But that is the simplest interpretation.
-
- Of course, in history and literature, we know such instances
- the blind Borges in his Story of a Warrior and a Captive convincingly
argues of "the obscure heart's desire overriding any reasons"
and of stupendous difference between treason and revelation, between a
turncoat and a new adept. But in Shamir's case, it is not treason because
it is not clear who is the real traitor - Shamir, the state of Israel or
world Jewry.
-
- From philosophy courses, we all know the sophism about
the Cretan stating that all Cretans are liars. Not every student could
extricate himself from this vicious circle. Shamir's texts manifest that
a Jewish state is a misnomer, while 'the Jewish people' is not a reality,
but an imagined idea. Shamir's presence in the world elevates this hypothesis
to the status of proven theorem. If a non-Jew wrote this he would be a
liar. But if a Jew writes it, then Israel the State is based on a lie and
the Jews as we know them don't exist. So we have a difficult choice: either
Shamir or Israel doesn't exist, and who knows who will win. If one accepts
existence of Israel the Man one has to doubt existence of Israel the State.
-
- Or maybe Shamir is the only really existing Jew nowadays,
and Berezovsky, Soros, Wolfowitz and Rabinovich: well, it's not at all
clear WHO they are. Maybe the real state of Israel is trying to manifest
itself in the world through such a person as Shamir, and the likes of Sharon
are only getting in the way? Maybe Jews do not exist, and Shamir, after
proving this, at a given moment, is already dissolving forever into the
ringing Palestinian heat. Shamir himself can't reply whether he is real
or not. More likely he'll agree that he doesn't exist, and will repeat
the words of Joyce: I am not I, since all my molecules have changed. (First
published 6-20-3)
-
-
-
- From Joh Domingo:
-
- Hi all,
-
- This attack on Shamir is really going to leave these
guys with egg on their faces. The question for me is will they display
the same abhorrence at interacting with Jewish National Socialists as they
do at interacting with White National Socialists? Anyone with half a brain
will read the searchlight archives and realize that it is Jewish National
Socialist Site masquerading as an anti-Fascist magazine. Yet its propagandistic
hit piece is being touted as if it is a newly discovered Palm of David.
If they feel icky at the thought of association with Shamir, they must
be installing Japanese baths to cleanse the stench of their association
with M*SS*D. The last time it was CAMERA. Who said they weren't upwardly
mobile?
-
- Eisen's piece was brilliant and timely. It reminds us
of when Said and Ish were about the only heretics heard consistently on
One-State. Perhaps we should start digging and provide some history l essons.
I don't agree that all this kafuffle is distracting from the One-State
agenda. People are too pompous. What is the One-Sate agenda, convening
a UN sponsored conference about it?
-
- No, we are in early stages yet, the goal must be to attract
disaffected recent converts to the left movement. You guys are all veterans
and you must by now realize that the left has attracted an army of disaffected
Zionist and ordinary people turning on to alternative opinion. These types
of people are there primarily because the stench of hypocrisy in mainstream
discourse is churning their stomachs. The left is a charnel house when
it comes to hypocritical positions. The message should be: "Hey guys,
we don't care what you are, or who you are, we think you can support this
regardless because it is right." There should be no vetting process
and all that shyte, hell, even MOSSAD can join at their peril. They are
going to join anyway. Disaffected people respond to emotive pieces full
of taboo imagery that fuels rebellion. The sixties and seventies had Dylan
and Hendrix, we need to create our own rebellious culture, and the circumstances
are perfect. We need gurus, not facile intellectual prima donnas. One can
buy manuals about how to construct an equitable society - "Justice
and Equity for Dummies". Who needs hypersensitive professors to tell
us what we already know?
-
- Speaking of history lessons, anyone remember this piece
by Jack Ross in Pravda? I found it again after typing in "Israel Shamir"
on Google as Roland suggests. I think we need to keep encouraging people
to type in "Israel Shamir' on Google, our slogan should be, "Type
'Israel Shamir ' on Google today!" Let's sell the sizzle, not the
steak. To date we have been waxing eloquent on the technicalities of making
hamburger.
-
- http://english.pravda.ru/main/2001/11/28/22291.html
-
- http://english.pravda.ru/main/2001/11/29/22292.html
-
- JohD
-
- PS I saw the 'Swedish expose' on antiwar.com blog, so
even if it is one or two, it is mud, and mud is slung because it sticks.
It is designed to damage Shamir's reputation and deflect people from his
message. The response must therefore be designed to make such smears counterproductive.
We must work to brand those that spread such smears as the crypto-Zionist
they are. If it walks like a duck and acts like a schmuck......
-
-
-
- Dear Mr. Shamir:
-
- I have not personally met you, but I know that you are
a real person. Not only that, but I also consider you a friend, and I
always look forward to receiving your messages. As a matter of fact, you
are one of the very few who can be described as true human beings. You
have successfully surpassed the limitations imposed on individuals by all
religions and cultures to maintain control over people in the hands of
those who benefit from dividing the human race into clashing civilizations,
religions, nations, and ethnicities. You are real, my friend, and their
attempts to deny you confirm your success in refuting their lies. They
know that they lost the debate with you, and their only way to reclaim
a "win" is to go behind your arguments and attack you - a typical
tactic of transforming an objective debate into a subjective attack!
-
- I like your challenge to those who doubt the truth, and
I hope that millions will accept your challenge and act accordingly - you
will become a rich man, and the doubters will be converted into believers.
Not-surprisingly Brilliant!
-
- Monzer Zimmo
Ottawa, Canada
-
-
-
- Thanks for your message - the Searchlight story was a
desperate ( and desperately badly written) but nonsensical attempt to discredit
you and your message.
-
- best regards,
Ian, England
-
-
-
- Israel Adam,
-
- 1. I suppose you should be honoured by all the fuss,
considering the source.
-
- 2. Frankly, Lyle and I think you should have a whole
plethora of alternate identities and addresses: we worry very much for
your safety as it is.
-
- 3. I LOVE your challenge -- it's just simply perfect.
-
- Nancy
-
-
-
- And one day, my brother, I hope to be among those who
will come and meet you. Meanwhile, I pray that Allah keeps you safe from
your enemies and uses you in this work of trying to make justice prevail.
I was speaking to a young friend today who said that we should aim to create
peace. I told him that peace was not a real goal. Peace is actually an
outcome of justice. When there is justice in the land, peace is a consequence.
So the real goal is justice. And for that sometimes we have to temporarily
sacrifice peace. So that when it comes, the peace will be permanent. Or
at least as permanent as anything can be in this impermanent world of ours.
-
- All the best from one of your many readers.
- Yawar Mirza Yawar
- Baig India
-
-
-
- I know for a fact that you are alive, because my son
attended one of your lectures in Houston and I know you cannot be a Mossad
agent because no matter how well they camouflage themselves, they cannot
totally hide their inner sentiments and as such could not be so prolific
in writing about what is peaceful and serene and beautiful in the holy
land which, once in commenting on my being a Syrian, referred to it as
being part of Bilad Al Sham, in one of your letters to me. No Mossad agent
would commit such blasphemy.
-
- Like the Christ that you chose to follow, you will be
denounced by the Pharisees but respected by the people who seek truth and
enlightenment and peace.
-
- Keep up the good work.
Usama Al-Azm
-
-
-
- Dear Israel,
-
- I confirm that you are very much alive and I am very
happy that this is so!
-
- Don't let them bring you down! I hope you and your loved
ones are well!
-
- Best wishes,
- Eva, Paris
-
-
-
- Hello,
-
- I am flabbergasted (and fed up I must confess) to receive
this kind of stuff about excellent I.A. Shamir.
-
- Met him in Paris three or four times, doesn't seem an
extra-terrestrial alien to me, as far as I am concerned. Friend of mine
met him in Jaffa two hours after having taken an appointment with him.
Possible for somebody living in Tel Aviv or Jaffa, quite impossible for
anybody leaving in Stockholm or Gothenburg.
-
- But, perhaps, I. Shamir has got a very special space
ship that he didn't ever show us!?!
-
- What a suspense ! I'm waiting for the explication by
M. Abraham Weizfeld.
- M. Charbonnier
-
-
-
- From Bob Green in Vermont
-
- yo, Adam, I know you exist! You spoke in my town! If
Shakespeare didn't write Shakespeare's plays, and another guy named Jerry
Smith did, are they less entertaining? bg
-
-
- Dear Israel, You obviously have become a very important
human rights activist and I am proud to receive your e-mails. Today's world
needs more than ever light towers like you to draw attention to social
justice so that our grand children can live in peace and harmony.
-
- Best Regards,
- Alfred Australia
-
-
-
- Hello my old friend!
-
- Tell those horribly persistent pests that I have a phone
bill which proves that you are definitely where you say you are!
-
- Love you and miss you,
- La Vonda
-
-
-
- If Mossad is really writing the Israel Shamir essays,
then I say, "Well done, Mossad! Keep those insightful and thought-provoking
essays coming!"
-
- Lubomyr Pritulak
-
-
-
- Bravo, Mr. Shamir,
-
- Just when it appears that I have been enveloped by darkness,
an email from Israel Shamir brings light.
-
- I was born of Jewish parents and my mother was a rabid
Zionist. A long and winding road has taken me far from my roots - through
many religions, including a baptism in 1991.
-
- At this point, I look upon organized religion with distaste.
Religions have perverted the messages of the ages and sages - messages
of peace, love and unity.
-
- I weep for the Palestinians. And....... I weep for the
brainwashed Jewish people who have been frightened to death by the Holocaust
Industry.
-
- Thank you for your wisdom, courage and integrity.
-
- Peace,
- Judy
-
-
-
- Rachel Smith wrote:
-
- The truth about "ISRAEL SHAMIR" http://www.geocities.com/rachel_ism/israel_shamir_does_not_exist.htm
-
-
-
- From: Jeff Blankfort
-
- To: Rachel Smith Subject: Re: Israel Shamir DOES NOT
EXIST!!!!
-
- Well, this email is a hoax because two years ago, Israel
Shamir came to to the San Francisco Bay Area where he spoke at St. John's
Church on Irving Street and participated in a discussion at UC's SF campus
and where I met him. And he plans to return this summer. People have servers
and web addresses in places other than where they live and in Shamir's
case with the number of Zionist crazies out there, this email being just
a minor example, it insures his physical safety.
-
- Jeff B
-
-
-
- Israel Shamir does not exist? How so like a Zionist
to deny reality when it doesn't fit into his or her concept of the world
(i.e. that everyone and everything should be at the service of ``the only
democracy in the Middle East").
-
- I had coffee Israel Shamir and interviewed him almost
exactly a year ago at an Internet café near Bab Ijdeed. He's a pretty
joyful and funny guy. It was just before Easter and the Old City was filled
with heavily armed military occupation creeps who stopped people from moving
freely to the Holy Sepulchre and other churches to practice their religion
and celebrate their holy day, under the pretence that they, the soldiers,
had been warned that there would be ``incidents of terrorist violence"
(yawn). Israel wrote an article about it, telling it like it was, as usual:
that the occupation creeps were there not to protect people, but rather
to be obnoxious and arbitrary, and to push people around and humiliate
them in the hope that they would provoke a violent response. Happily, they
failed.
-
- Gale
-
-
-
- Dear Shamir, If you were a Mossad agent :) I very much
doubt that Searchlight would have outed you. You'd be in the Zionist media
all the time, instead of trying at great personal cost to change the world.
I believe that you're an honest man, and true to your ideals. I also admire
your policy of inclusion of all instead of staying in the "left-wing
ghetto". A mensch, first.
-
- Love,
- Naseer Ahmad, MD (MA), DSc. :)
|
