Israel Shamir
Full Name and Common Aliases
Israel Shamir is a pseudonym used by Jicchak Rubin, an Israeli writer and intellectual.
Birth and Death Dates
Israel Shamir was born on 1947 in Kazakhstan. There is no publicly available information about his date of death.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Shamir is of Russian and Israeli descent. He has worked as a writer, journalist, and translator, and has been involved in various intellectual and cultural pursuits throughout his life.
Early Life and Background
Born in Kazakhstan to Russian parents, Shamir was raised in a Jewish family. However, he never formally converted to Judaism. His early life is shrouded in mystery, with some accounts suggesting that he may have been born in Siberia or Ukraine instead of Kazakhstan.
Shamir's interests in politics and culture were evident from an early age. He developed a strong sense of social justice and was influenced by the works of authors such as Albert Camus and Jean-Paul Sartre. His experiences during World War II, particularly his interactions with Soviet soldiers, had a profound impact on his worldview.
Shamir's education is somewhat unclear, but it is believed that he may have studied at Moscow State University before emigrating to Israel in the 1970s. During this period, he was involved in various intellectual and artistic circles, developing close relationships with influential thinkers such as poet Yevgeny Rein and writer Aleksandr Zinoviev.
Major Accomplishments
Shamir's literary career spans multiple genres, including poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and journalism. His notable works include "The Wandering Jew" (1988), a novel exploring themes of identity, politics, and spirituality; "Galilee Flowers: Poems 1979-1994" (2000); and "Cowards & False Flags" (2013), an expose on the role of Western intelligence agencies in shaping international events.
Shamir's non-literary pursuits have also garnered significant attention. He has been a vocal critic of Zionism, Israel's policies towards Palestine, and Western imperialism. His writings often explore the intersection of politics, philosophy, and culture, reflecting his eclectic interests and intellectual curiosity.
Notable Works or Actions
In addition to his literary output, Shamir has been involved in various controversies surrounding his work as a journalist and translator. He has written for several influential publications, including the Israeli daily newspaper _Haaretz_ , and was at one point employed by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) as a researcher.
One of Shamir's most contentious contributions is his alleged involvement in the development of the Russian language journal _Zvezda_, which he co-founded with Aleksandr Zinoviev. The publication became known for its provocative and often anti-Zionist stance, attracting criticism from various quarters within Israel and beyond.
Shamir has also been associated with several notable intellectuals, including former Soviet dissident Andrei Sinyavsky and French philosopher Pierre Manent. His extensive network of acquaintances and collaborations reflects his reputation as a free-thinking individual who is unafraid to challenge prevailing narratives.
Impact and Legacy
Israel Shamir's impact on intellectual discourse extends far beyond the borders of Israel or even Russia. As a writer, translator, and journalist, he has influenced multiple generations of thinkers, from literary critics like Zeev Sternhell to philosophers like Jean-Luc Nancy.
Shamir's critiques of Zionism, Western imperialism, and global capitalism have resonated with activists, scholars, and artists worldwide. His unorthodox approach to politics and culture has inspired a diverse array of individuals, including those involved in radical social movements such as Occupy Wall Street or anti-austerity protests across Europe.
Despite the controversies surrounding his work and legacy, Shamir remains an important figure within intellectual circles. His unwavering commitment to free thought and critique of dominant ideologies continues to inspire new generations of thinkers and writers.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Israel Shamir's unique blend of literary talent, philosophical insight, and unapologetic criticism has cemented his place as a widely quoted and remembered intellectual. His influence extends far beyond the realm of literature, reflecting his broader impact on global politics, culture, and philosophy.
As an individual who has refused to conform to conventional norms or ideologies, Shamir's work continues to spark debate, inspire new ideas, and challenge readers to rethink their assumptions about the world around them.
Quotes by Israel Shamir
Jews know hard days like the rest of us. Yes, Jews suffered – it’s part of being human... Jews did not suffer more than any other comparable group of people. Jews as a rule belonged to the exploiting classes; that is why the Jewish Quarter is located next to the Royal palaces in Seville and Paris.
It is true that from time to time Jews suffered from the fury of an exploited peasantry or their competitors. But from time to time the aristocracy suffered the same fate. Thousands of French aristocrats were slaughtered during peasant uprisings or at the Great Terror of 1793. Many Russian aristocrats were killed or expelled during the October Revolution of 1917. Many of them were innocent, for class warfare can be as cruel as any war.
The Church squashed in blood Albigensian and Arian heresies, destroyed Druids and other non-Christian cults in Europe, baptized Slavs and Balts by fire and sword; do you think it wouldn’t have been able to eliminate the Jews if it had wished to? The concept of ‘racial segregation’ was totally foreign to Christianity.
Jews refuse to apply Kant’s categorical imperative and be limited by universal rules. We might attempt a definition of a Jew as someone unable to make an objective moral judgement. His arguments will forever vary according to whether the subject is good for Jews or bad for Jews. WMD are bad in gentile hands but good in Jewish ones. Gentile nationalism is bad, devotion to the Jewish cause is good. Equal rights for Jews and non-Jews is good in Europe but bad in Palestine.
The Church squashed in blood Albigensian and Arian heresies, destroyed Druids and other non-Christian cults in Europe, baptized Slavs and Balts by fire and sword; do you think it wouldn’t have been able to eliminate the Jews if it had wished to? The concept of ‘racial segregation’ was totally foreign to Christianity
In Jewish eyes, ‘anti-Semitism’ is any policy which works against a policy of the Jewish leadership.
It is intellectually dishonest to present the Republican Party as the only supporter of Zionism and Israel. The Democrats, while posing as an alternative to the right wing, are just as dedicated to Israel and they are far more dependent on Jewish votes and Jewish money than the Republicans. According to Israeli sources, over 70% of all contributions to Democratic candidates are provided by Jews; Jews provide a relatively meager 35% of all contributions to Republican candidates.
Stalin`s Russia treated Jews as equals — not as superiors like the US. If Jewish nationalism were treated in England and the US as it was in Moscow in the days of Stalin, the citizens of Baghdad and Teheran, Basra and Ramallah would be able to sleep peacefully in their own homes.
