The ideas and experience that form Avnery's perspective of Israel and its place vis-a-vis the Palestinians, the region and the world, are predicated on his basic principles of post-Zionism, nationalism and humanism, colored by the events of history-including those in which he has participated. The following articles inform his thought and action.-SRR
November 22, 2003
(Instead of my usual weekly article, this time I am posting my acceptance speech on receiving, together with Sari Nusseibeh, the Lev Kopelev prize. The award ceremony took place last week in Cologne, Germany.)
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Ambassador of Palestine and the former Ambassador of Israel,
(I am sorry that I am unable to greet the present Israeli Ambassador, since he did not see fit to attend,)
Dear friends,
Every time I stand on German soil, I ask myself: What and where would I be now, if Adolf Hitler had never been?
Would I be standing here with Sari Nusseibeh? Would I be an Israeli at all?
I was born not far from here, in Beckum, Westphalia. My grandfather, Josef Ostermann, was the teacher of the small Jewish community there.
But my family originally came from the Rhineland. My mother once told me the name of the place, but I have forgotten it. Now there is no one left to ask.