The sin of normalization

The PBS evening "NewsHour" had a segment this week about the wonderful music young Palestinian and Israeli musicians have been making together in recent years under the tutelage of maestro Daniel Barenboim. They travel the world, working together, talented young artists, practicing their profession and enjoying the camaraderie of their peers.

One young Palestinian woman reported, however, that at home in the Palestinian territories they were criticized because their work bespoke and might lead to "normalization" between the countries.

What a pathetic reaction — as if normalization was not a goal but a hindrance to, what? More war, threats, hatred?

How about a cheer for the joy of art, and for “normalization”?


Ronald Goldfarb is an attorney, author and literary agent based in Washington, D.C., and Miami.

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