The Daily Bruin sat down with Israeli Minister of Knesset Natan
Sharansky to ask him about his role in government and the state of
the Middle East peace process.
***
Daily Bruin: What is your role in the Israeli government?
Natan Sharansky: I am minister for Jerusalem and Diaspora
affairs. My role as minister for Jerusalem is clear. Though
it’s a city, there are many international aspects ““ we
are talking about security, integration, the relationship between
different churches and defense, of course. As for Diaspora affairs,
the main issue now is combating anti-Semitism. So I have created a
global forum, which is a forum of all Jewish organizations dealing
with anti-Semitism, to discuss strategies and tactics. DB: What
do you see as the difference between anti-Semitism and legitimate
criticisms of Israel? NS: The new anti-Semitism makes almost
inseparable the classic anti-Semitism ““ attacks on individual
Jews ““ and the new anti-Semitism ““ attacks on the state
of Israel. And because there are so many denials of the existence
of Israel and attempts to say that they are only a part of
legitimate criticism, I felt it is important to formulate where the
line is. A year and a half ago I came up with a formula which is
more and more accepted ““ I proposed to see a so-called
three-D principle: demonization, discrimination, delegitimation.
The typical tools of anti-Semites was demonizing, discriminating
and delegitimizing. And if you look today at how Israel is
demonized ““ the daily comparisons to a Nazi state ““
it’s something that practically every day can be seen in the
so-called liberal press ““ that’s a typical way of
demonizing. Discrimination is when Israel is treated differently
than any other country by the international community. If Israel is
condemned for violations of human rights more than all the
dictators combined in the world, it’s clear that there must
be very different standards. Israel is also the only country in the
world which is not accepted as a full member of the Red Cross. And
delegitimation are the denials of the right of Israel to exist as a
legitimate country. So what I propose is, look at the issue like a
3-D film ““ you can’t see it … without the special
glasses. So whenever we hear, “Is that legitimate
criticism?” I say, look to see if you can see real
demonization, discrimination or delegitimation. DB: What is the
role of the United States in solving the conflict, and do you think
a two-state solution is the best course? NS: The role of the
United States ““ exactly as President Bush proclaimed two
years ago ““ is to encourage freedom and democracy. And of
course, America is the biggest promoter of freedom and democracy,
so it can play an extremely important role. As for a two-state
solution, I want to give to Palestinians all the rights except for
the right to destroy me ““ and the best defense is of course
democracy. That is why I agree and accept what President Bush says,
which is if Palestinians embrace democracy they will get a state.
DB: What has the death of Yasser Arafat done to the peace
process? Has it opened a window of opportunity? NS: There is
no doubt that it did open a window; the only question is if it will
be used or not. It will be used if the free world makes it very
clear to the new leadership that they will embrace them and support
them if the Palestinians will embrace democratic reforms ““
which include taking Palestinians from refugee camps, creating new
jobs, introducing modern education, and prohibiting the teaching of
hatred. But if this doesn’t happen, they will get no
legitimacy and no support. If the position of the free world were
clear on this, I think we would have a very good chance that the
new leadership would choose a constructive path. DB: What is
the role of college campuses and college students in dealing with
this conflict? NS: I think the question of human rights is
very close to the youth. One of the problems on campuses is that
the question of human rights has become more and more estranged
from the question of free society. So I hear people talking about
human rights but supporting dictatorships, people who believe in
the rights of women supporting societies where honor killings are
allowed, people who believe in the rights of gays but support
societies where gays are killed. I believe that the banner of human
rights needs to be returned to the struggle for free societies.
Interview conducted by Derek Lazzaro, Daily Bruin senior
staff.