Zionism as the Negation of Jewish Indigeneity: Darryl Li on Racialization, Colonialism, and Resistance in Palestine
Jan 30, 2025
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Darryl Li, an anthropology professor and political activist, delves into his journey from an NGO worker to a scholar focused on Palestine. He discusses the global racialization of Jewishness and critiques the Law of Return, which benefits Jews at the expense of Palestinians. The conversation covers the evolution of resistance in Gaza, the effect of the Oslo Accords on anti-Zionist movements, and the shifting relationship between Palestinian labor and Israeli economic strategies. Li also examines the intersection of Jewish identity and the Black freedom struggle in the U.S.
Darryl Li's transition from an NGO worker to a political activist highlights the profound impact of personal experiences on political consciousness in Palestine.
The Law of Return exemplifies systemic inequality by granting superior rights to Jews while denying indigenous Palestinians their inherent rights to the land.
Li critiques the Palestinian Authority's complicity with Zionism as it undermines anti-Zionist discourse and hampers effective advocacy for Palestinian rights.
Deep dives
Daryl Lee's Journey and Palestinian Context
Daryl Lee discusses his transition from working as an NGO employee in Palestine to becoming a political activist and scholar. His experiences, primarily in Gaza and working with the Palestinian Center for Human Rights between 2001 and 2011, shaped his political awareness and writings regarding Palestine. Lee emphasizes the impact of global events on local struggles, pointing out that Palestinian identity and resistance are intricately tied to wider political narratives, including issues of labor and colonization. His insights reflect a deep understanding of the complexities of Palestinian solidarity activism and resistance, particularly in the context of external pressures and internal divisions.
Zionism as Colonialism
Lee articulates the connection between Zionism and colonialism, emphasizing that the ideology not only discriminates against Palestinians but also redefines Jewish identity in a global context. He explains that the Law of Return allows any Jew worldwide access to privileges and rights in Israel while denying indigenous Palestinians their rights. This colonial perspective highlights the systemic inequality within Israeli laws that privilege Jews based on a racial definition, regardless of their historical ties to the land. Lee stresses that understanding this colonial dimension is crucial for comprehending the ongoing conflicts and injustices faced by Palestinians.
Palestinian Authority and International Dynamics
The establishment of the Palestinian Authority under the Oslo Accords is critiqued for implicitly accepting Zionism and for creating a power dynamic that disempowers Palestinians. Lee argues that the PA's legitimacy hinges upon its acceptance by Israel, which undermines its capacity to advocate for Palestinian rights effectively. As a result, the PA has come to embody a complicity that limits anti-Zionist critique among Palestinians, inadvertently reinforcing the status quo of occupation. He highlights the precarious position of Palestinian leadership, which is often caught between external pressures and internal pressures, complicating attempts for genuine liberation.
Economic Conditions and Labor Dynamics
The conversation explores the historical and economic context of Palestinian labor within Israel, particularly since 1967, highlighting how Israel’s fluctuating reliance on Palestinian workers shapes resistance. Lee explains that the initial dependency on Palestinian labor allowed for leverage during the first Intifada, yet subsequent economic policies have shifted toward employing migrant workers instead. This transition has diminished Palestinians' ability to resist economically, as external labor sources become less politically invested in the region’s dynamics. Lee critiques this labor strategy as part of Israel's broader goal to weaken Palestinian identity and resistance through economic strangulation.
The Evolution of Armed Resistance in Gaza
Lee outlines the evolution of armed resistance in Gaza, noting the shifts in Israeli military strategies from direct confrontations to remote control tactics. Following the disengagement in 2005, Israeli military operations transformed to aerial bombardments and increased reliance on technology, distancing combat from ground-level engagement. This change marks a shift in how resistance has been organized, with new tactics emerging that utilize the density and population of Gaza itself. Throughout these transitions, internal divisions within Palestinian factions have influenced the forms of resistance, resulting in a complex landscape of struggle and survival.
In this episode, we speak with Darryl Li about some of his essays. We begin by discussing his work and experiences in Palestine. His transformation from an NGO worker in the early 2000s to a scholar and political activist. Li explores the interpolation of Jewishness into a racial category globally. He also explores the Law of Return, which allows any Jew in the world to not only settle in Israel but also to enjoy superior rights to the land than Palestinians. The conversation covers the evolution of Palestinian armed resistance, particularly in Gaza, and the shift in Israeli strategies from direct occupation to economic strangulation and remote control bombardment. Li explains how Israel's reliance on Palestinian labor has fluctuated, leading to the importation of migrant workers from other countries, which weakened Palestinian leverage in resistance negotiations. He also addresses the impact of the Oslo Accords, which created the Palestinian Authority, and how it has undermined anti-Zionist critique by implicitly accepting Zionism. Additionally, Li touches on the intersection of the black freedom struggle and Jewish assimilation in the U.S., noting how Holocaust memory culture—in service of zionist imperialism—has helped elevate anti-Semitism above other forms of racial, ethnic, and religious antagonisms. Darryl Li is active in Palestine solidarity work in the United States as an organizer, lawyer, and writer. He lived in the Gaza Strip from 2001 to 2002 and made regular visits until 2011 working for various NGOs, especially the Gaza-based Palestinian Center for Human Rights. Darryl's day job is teaching anthropology at the University of Chicago. He is the author of The Universal Enemy: Jihad, Empire, and the Challenge of Solidarity (Stanford University Press 2020). To support our work please become a patron of the show for as little as $1 per month at patreon.com/millennialsarekillingcapitalism Links: On Law and Racial Capitalism in Palestine Disengagement and the Frontiers of Zionism The Rise and Fall of Baby Boomer Zionism
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