One misunderstood facet of Zionist discourse, particularly in the Diaspora, is that a significant proportion of those who defend Israel against accusations such as being an apartheid state, are not happy with the occupation, the settlement enterprise and the Israeli right 1/

Variants of Liberal Zionism are dominant in many Diaspora Jewish communities such as the UK (although very far from being uncontested) and part of liberal Zionism is a concern that, without a two-state solution, Israel could become an apartheid state. 2/

So many liberal Zionist Jews who have reacted publicly and angrily to the HRW designation of the situation in Israel as apartheid, do not want Israel to remain this way. Why is it, then, that this report has been received so badly? 3/

To understand that, it's important to appreciate that Zionism is experienced as a work-in-progress and that the 'final' nature of Israel is seen as yet to be determined. In the case of liberal Zionism, this is part of a wider belief in incrementalism and reasoned dialogue. 4/

Liberalism's achilles heal has often been a difficulty in appreciating the actions of those who create irrevocable facts on the ground. The situation can always be turned round, no matter what. From that perspective, n Israel, the occupation can only ever be temporary. 5/

The HRW report clashes fundamentally with a liberal Zionist perspective as it argues that there is no way back, that the nature of Israel has been defined - and that that nature has a name. 6/

Compare this with Netanyahu: He has always understood what liberal Zionists need. He has therefore always created plausible deniability about the creation of facts on the ground. That's why, while politically many liberal Zionists are closer to HRW than Netanyahu...7/

...it is HRW's actions that are much more disturbing; because they argue that Israel is no longer a work in progress. 8/

For what it's worth, I think the term apartheid applies to some aspects of the I/P situation but it is very misleading in others. But this thread is not about what I myself think! 9/