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Fighting between 1988 and 2001, Palestinian boxer Johar Abu Lashin wanted to use his sport to pursue “peaceful co-existence” between Palestinians living in Occupied Israel and Israeli citizens. His victories, he hoped, could be used as inspiring and harmonizing moments for “all the people of Israel, both Jews and Arabs” to promote a sense of togetherness and unity. Boxing in America, however, meant navigating the pervasive force of the nation’s Orientalism. As Edward Said explains, Orientalism represents a “Western style for dominating, restructuring, and having authority over the Orient.” In America, Abu Lashin would labour under the weight of prevailing, deeply entrenched, anti-Arab discrimination.
One night, quite by accident, Abu Lashin entered the ring with the Israeli flag. His entourage had carried it in. As long as American fans thought Abu Lashin was Jewish, the opportunities seemed endless. He was nicknamed the “Israeli Kid,” which he embraced. He wore the Star of David on his trunks and sang the Israeli national anthem before fights. Abu Lashin never claimed he was Jewish, Americans – including fans and promoters – just made the leap, guided by an Orientalism deeply entrenched in their culture. When Abu Lashin explained he was Arab, the fights disappeared. Potential television contracts evaporated. Back home, his efforts toward “peaceful co-existence” were almost universally viewed with suspicion. This paper uses the work of Said to examine Abu Lashin’s ambitious political objectives and their ultimate failure.
