To be a progressive student activist is to fight for a global system where justice reigns. Progressivism is an ideology without exclusion, guided by the religion of possibility without the constraints that racial and gender oppression and class hierarchy impose upon democratic ideals. Yet along with these ideals is the necessity of actualization to push that vision toward reality, forcing any progressive to also put forward a practical program for action. Cornel West, in reference to American politics, writes, "Progressives must present to the country a reform program that looks neither backward to the perpetuation of the liberal social programs nor sideways to the softening of the conservative free-market-agenda but forward to a practical vision of the reenergizing of democratic politics and the democratizing of the market economy of America."

In putting forward such a program in America or abroad, a true progressive must walk a careful line between irresponsible radicals and passive liberals by focusing on noble causes in pursuit of genuine social justice. This means working for justice, and in the case of the Middle East conflict, working for peace. As such, the peace process is the only means to actualize a progressive program in the Middle East.

Peace is the goal for progressive Zionists as well. Israel is a democratic nation and the foundation of the state rests upon progressive ideals intertwined within a Zionist framework. Some columnists argue that Jewish nationalism and progressivism conflict due to a gap between a universalistic agenda and a nationalistic one. However, this gap depends upon the faulty idea that progress is a zero-sum gain. Progressive Zionists often advocate policy that helps the Palestinian people and the Israeli people alike.

In a conversation on black nationalism between Michael Lerner and Cornel West, West draws a parallel between progressive black nationalism and progressive Zionism. As Cornel West writes, "A progressive black nationalist is like a progressive Zionist. They have a real solidarity with their people, but they also want to accent the humanity of others who are engaging in humane interaction across groupings. Their nationalism has an internationalist, universalistic dimension."

Yet some progressives fail to understand this reality of Zionism. In a letter "Occupation unites all who fight for social and economic justice" (05/06/02) in reference to Israeli control of the West Bank, Jackie Bray writes, "The fact of the matter is that economic imperialism, which I consider sweatshops to be, and the militarization and occupation of areas are integrally linked." If Bray considers Israel to be a tool of imperialism, she lacks an understanding of the ideological basis of the Jewish state. I suggest progressives study Zionist intellectuals like Ber Borochov and Ahad Ha'am, in order to acquire an honest understanding of Israel. Understanding Zionism by reading Edward Said is like trying to understand driving a car by walking. Read a Zionist to understand Zionism. When you do, you will see that the great Zionist intellectuals posit the legitimacy of the state on its democratic and progressive character.

True, Israel's democratic character is dependent upon ending Israeli control over the West Bank and Gaza. But this is not a new idea, it is a concept endlessly promoted by Israel in pursuit of peace. Israel wants Palestinian self-rule and Israel's future as a Jewish and democratic state will only be secure through peace with a stable Palestinian neighbor. The United States and other parties of goodwill should provide extensive reconstruction and development assistance to shattered Palestinian communities as they work toward the creation of a Palestinian state prepared to live in peace with Israel.

So how do we actualize this common agenda? If mainstream Palestinian supporters and Zionists want to see a two-state solution tied into productive economic development and harmonious relations, how can the two groups work together?

Divestment from Israel is not our answer. Adopted as a strategy at the first annual conference of the Palestinian Solidarity Movement, divestment is a blunt tool for those who make the offensive comparison between Israel and Apartheid South Africa. Divestment is an intellectually dishonest tactic that has failed at universities nationwide. It will continue to fail for the simple fact that Israeli policies are not similar to those of Apartheid South Africa. Apartheid discriminated against black South Africans, while the Israeli legal code does not discriminate against Arab Israelis. The law provides for the equal treatment of both Jewish and Arab citizens. In South Africa, the government butchered blacks when they protested governmental policies; Israel has done nothing to either Israeli Arabs or Palestinians in the West Bank comparable to that level of repression.