My answer:
Israel discriminates against Israeli citizens who are not members of the privileged religion and it brutalizes and kills (see these 4 posts for examples:
- What an Israeli soldier testified
- Physicians for Human Rights USA, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem all confirm the Israeli policy of targeting civilians
- Zionist Jews killed OTHER JEWS
- Israel Does Target Civilians and Always Has)
"Whenever I hear the statement that Israel is 'the only democracy in the Middle East' I marvel yet again at the power of mythology and miseducation ... Israel is, by definition, a Jewish State. As such, it cannot be simultaneously democratic. It is not a state "ruled by the people" since one fifth of its population is not Jewish and therefore prevented by law from acquiring full citizenship. There is the additional fact that Israel rules over four million Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and annexed East Jerusalem. That these people are denied even the superficial vestiges of democratic government is undeniable.
There are numerous concrete examples of the undemocratic nature of Israeli laws, including the prohibition on land ownership for non-Jews, or of running for political office if you espouse certain views such as that Israel should become truly democratic by being the state of all its citizens. There is the sobering and little known fact that 700 Arab villages in Israel (not the Occupied Territories) are unrecognized by the government. As a result, the inhabitants of these villages have no municipal services, are not included in government censuses, and crucially, are not allowed to vote. They must, however, pay taxes. That these villages are among the poorest and most backward areas in the country (in terms of literacy and birth/death rates, etc.) can be easily surmised.
Widespread discrimination against Arabs exists in all of the professions and at all levels of society. Arabs are underrepresented in academia, in medicine, law, politics, and business. Arab Israelis are among the poorest of the country's population. They are denied key benefits, such as a "retirement" equivalent because they do not serve in the country's military services --indeed are prevented from doing so.
Social and economic discrimination is, of course, anti-democratic, but is in one respect the least of the problems. We know from our own history how Black Americans were --and to a great extent are-- treated, not to mention other ethnic, religious, and political groups within our society. The fact is though, that there are and were mechanisms for internal change. Civil Disobedience is possible in Israel, to an extent. An Affirmative-Action-type program also exists in Israel for Arab Israelis, and yet, as long as the state remains "Jewish" the successes of such a program will be limited. What will happen when, as current demographic trends suggest, the Arab population --not only in Israel but in the Occupied Territories-- begins to outnumber the Jewish population? If the prevailing Israeli state ideology continues, the consequences for Arab Israelis and Palestinians of this natural population shift could be catastrophic. Some might say that such a comment is alarmist; those familiar with current and long-term policies both in the Territories and within Israel understand too well that programs such as "Transfer" in which the Arab populations are forcibly expelled from the region altogether are neither extreme nor unrealizable.
The idea of turning Israel into a single, binational, democratic state has been virtually abandoned by everyone. In part this is because of the unwillingness to accept a truly democratic state, and in part this is because of the unwillingness to accept a secular state. Israel, as has already been noted, is a Jewish state. For some, this is still at least partly a religious term. For most, however, it is an ethnic-ideological term precluding the admission of a Palestinian "co-culture" and, more importantly, of joint Jewish-Palestinian rule.
... the Occupied Territories: the bombings, the shootings, the destruction of civilian homes and businesses, the indiscriminate murder of children and adults, the ubiquitous checkpoints arbitrarily restricting all movement, the walls of "separation", the electric-wire fences, the nightly war outside the windows of people's homes, the 24-hour curfews, the endless power-cuts, the water-shortages, the food shortages, the growing dependence on international food aid as the economies disintegrate, as poverty reaches the 80% mark and unemployment rivals that." - Jennifer Loewenstein, Znet article: Jenin, Lebanon, and the only democracy in the Middle East
This is another good article: Israeli Repression and the Language of Liars: "I’m sorry, but I am over it. As a Jew, I am over it. And if my language seems too harsh here, that’s tough. Because it’s nothing compared to the sickening things said by Israeli leaders throughout the years. [see article for examples] ... democracy? the term is repeatedly used to describe Israel -- as in 'the only democracy in the Middle East.' This, despite the fact that Israel has no constitution; despite the fact that Israel is defined as the state of the Jewish people, providing special rights and privileges to anyone in the world who is Jewish and seeks to live there, over and above longtime Arab residents. This, despite the fact that Israel bars any candidate from holding office who thinks the country should be a secular, democratic state with equal rights for all. This, despite the fact that non-Jews are restricted in terms of how much land they can own, and in which places they can own land at all, thanks to laws granting preferential treatment to Jewish residents." - Tim Wise
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9 comments:
"despite the fact that Israel is defined as the state of the Jewish people"
When one merely critiques Israel, I will never call that person anti-semitic or even anti-Israel, because that is simply incorrect. However, the singling out of Israel for criticism, since it is called "The Jewish state" is clearly a form of international anti-semitism. The PA has called its official and sole religion to be Islam. The same applies to Jordan, Syria, Egypt, etc. In fact, the most liberal of these countries-Jordan, has a law that specifically bars all Jews from becoming citizens. Why don't you take Jordan to task? Israel is largely secular and provides freedom of religion to all. The term "The Jewish state" is no different than any other counrty wishing to define its national existence.
JANPROP
"despite the fact that Israel bars any candidate from holding office who thinks the country should be a secular, democratic state with equal rights for all."
RepPress- Is this what you were paraphrasing in the comment board recently? What you wrote in the comment board was almost exactly what Tim Wise said except you slyly changed around one thing: You wrote that Israel bars any NON-JEW who thinks...etc. That is called twisting ALREADY twisted facts(and considering you're all over the media when they twist facts, I find this surprising)/
But not only did Tim Wise twist the facts, he made it up altogether. Israel never made any law that bars candidates from holding office if it wants a secular, democratic state with equal rights for all(disregarding the fact that Israel is already largely secular, democratic, and has equal rights for all citizens).
The law that I believe Tim Wise is referring to is the Israel Supreme Court ruling on May 2002 which barred candidates whose aims or actions, explicitly or by inference supported armed struggle by a hostile state, or a terrorist organization against Israel. It also barred candidates who incited racism and rejected the state of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. The fact that Israel is a Jewish state does not make it racist. It also does not make it not secular. Hence, you twisted already twisted facts.
"despite the fact that non-Jews are restricted in terms of how much land they can own, and in which places they can own land at all, thanks to laws granting preferential treatment to Jewish residents"
False. Before the ruling, this was indeed a problem of discrimination. However, in 2002, the Israel Supreme Court ruled "The principle of equality prohibits the state from distinguishing between its citizens on the basis of religion or nationality...The principle also applies to the allocation of state land...The Jewish character of the state does not permit Israel to discriminate between its citizens".
Im surprised after the 2009 Massacre of the Palestinians anyone can ask what is wrong in supporting Israel. Good God, what news are the American people fed to be so ignorant of world affairs?
Non jews are restricted from owning land. This is why Israel continues to take land on the west bank from non jews to expand its state. This is why the jewish state has a non defining state line, that all are suppose to acknowledge when they accept Israels right to exist as its own undefined borderless state. But the illegitemate US financially backed leaders of Jordan and Egypt support the zionist state as they know what they need to do if they expect to continue recieving foriegn aid and to stay in power. Besides Israel defining its national existence, it needs to register its national boarders with the UN, World Court, and then stick to them. Just like the US needs to remove its 900+ foriegn occupied military bases from other countries and stop its imperialistic motivations along with the EU and G.B. "Israel Supreme Court ruling on May 2002 which barred candidates whose aims or actions, explicitly or by inference supported armed struggle by a hostile state, or a terrorist organization against Israel." This would define most arab countries,especially those who have highly prized natural reasources, that will not bow to the the NWO and their dominating, directional aims for global domination of the markets and natural resources. As for the Jewish State those russian jews should be glad they were able to steel what they managed to and put a lid on it, if they would things would become much quiter. The world courts decision should be final, end of discussion.
A TREATISE ON THE NEED FOR A SEMITIC MODERN MASTURBATION MENTALITY
By Rebbe Moshe “hung so lo“ Rabeynu, March 23, 2009
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CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS MUST BE INCULCATED AS TO THE BENEFITS OF MASTURBATION IN THE ATTAINMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF A HEALTHY MIND AND A HEALTHY BODY! PENT UP SEXUAL FRUSTRATION IN CHILDREN HAS NEVER BEEN HONESTLY AND ADEQUATELY DISCUSSED AND DEALT WITH IN JEWISH DISCOURSE AND DOCTRINE. MODERN LIFESTYLES AFFORD INDIVIDUALS THE PRIVACY AND HYGIENIC FACILITIES NECESSARY TO MASTURBATE IN A PRIVATE, DIGNIFIED AND SANITARY MANNER. ONE CAN WELL UNDERSTAND THE IRE THAT WAS AROUSED BY MASTURBATING INDIVIDUALS FOUR THOUSAND YEARS AGO WHEN AN ENTIRE LARGE FAMILY LIVED TOGETHER IN A TENT IN AN ARID LOCATION. NOBODY WANTED TO HAVE A WAD OF FLYING JISSUM HIT HIM IN THE EYE OR LAND IN HIS HUMUS. WATER WAS SCARCE AND ONE HAD TO WALK , SOMETIMES LONG DISTANCES, TO THE WELL TO GET IT, IF IT WAS AVAILABLE AT ALL. UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES IT WAS A CHOICE OF WATER FOR DRINKING OR WATER FOR WASHING EJACULATE OFF OF ONE’S HANDS. THIS IS WHY THE EARLY SAGES WERE SO VOCIFEROUS IN THEIR CONDEMNATION OF MASTURBATION. WE JEWISH PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A HORNY BUNCH AND, IF THERE WEREN'T THESE SEVERE STRICTURES AGAINST MASTURBATION AT THAT TIME, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN ERRANT CUMSTAINS ALL OVER THE PLACE AND THE SMELL OF FRESHLY RELEASED JISSUM WOULD HAVE WAFTED FAR AND WIDE, EVEN WITHIN THE HALLOWED HALLWAYS OF THE SACRED TEMPLE ITSELF. TIMES HAVE CHANGED. IF PARENTS TODAY STRESS THE BENEFITS OF MASTURBATION TO THEIR CHILDREN, THEY WILL HELP LESSEN THE OCCURRENCE OF STDs, AND UNPLANNED PREGNANCIES. SCHOLARSHIP LEVELS WOULD INCREASE DRAMATICALLY WITH THE RELEASE OF PENT UP ADOLESCENT EJACULATORY TENSION. .WHAT PARENT HASN’T FRETTED AND WORRIED OVER THE MOODINESS AND SURLINESS OF HIS ADOLESCENT OFFSPRING? THERE IS REALLY NO MYSTERY AS TO WHY THE LITTLE BASTARDS ARE ACTING OUT SO WILDLY. THEIR HORMONES ARE CAUSING THEM HIGH LEVELS OF DISCOMFORT AND FRUSTRATION. INSTEAD OF MAKING THEM MASTURBATE FURTIVELY UNDER THE BEDCOVERS IN A NIGHTLY GUILT- RIDDEN FRENZY OF PENT-UP SEXUAL DESIRE, THEY SHOULD BE GUIDED TO A CIVILIZED AND GUILT-FREE MASTURBATORY REGIMEN. IF NECESSARY, PARENTS SHOULD SET AN EXAMPLE FOR THEIR CHILDREN AS TO THE PROPER METHODOLOGY FOR THIS ACTIVITY AND FOLLOW UP AND MAKE SURE THAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE MASTURBATING REGULARLY AT AN OPTIMUM FREQUENCY. KEEPING A MASTURBATION DIARY COULD BE A VERY USEFUL TOOL IN MAINTAINING THE PROPER SCHEDULE. EVERY PARENT SHOULD ASK HIS CHILDREN ON A DAILY BASIS, "DID YOU DO YOUR HOMEWORK AND MASTURBATE TODAY?" OH, OF COURSE, THE CHABADNIKS AND THE FRUMNIKS AND THE HAREDINIKS WILL YELL OUT, "BUT RAMBAM SAID THIS, AND RASHI SAID THAT AND RABBI AKIVA SAID THIS, AND THAT, ABOUT THE EVILS OF MASTURBATION." PROBABLY ALL THREE OF THEM WERE MASTURBATING WHILE THEY WERE WRITING THESE STRICTURES, ANOTHER CASE OF "DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO". WE MUST NOT CONTINUE TO LET OTHERS DO OUR THINKING FOR US UNDER THE GUISE OF DIVINE REVELATION AND RELIGIOUS EXPERTISE. WE CANNOT LET BACKWARD LOOKING ZEALOTS WITH THEIR ARCHAIC, OUTDATED AND ANACHRONISTIC MORALISTIC MISCONCEPTIONS CAST THEIR PALL OVER THE HEALTH-CONSCIOUS MASTURBATORS OF THE WORLD. SHALOM AND ZEI GEZUNT!
Israel is a Jewish state means the state of the Jewish nationality. Israel is simply a nation state, of the Jewish nation, and Judaism as a religion is the common religion of the Jewish people. Unlike other major religions, Judaism is a-missionary, and therefore the same (or so) ethnic-national group preserved its religion.
Therefore, Israel's "Jewishness" is not different from France's "Frenchness" and Romania's national identity as a romanian state.
In addition, Israel has no full separation of state and religion, mostly when it comes to merital issues - but this is not only a Jewish issue - Muslim citizens of Israel can only get merried through the Islamic establishment. Yes, the Saria law is in fact a part of the Israeli law.
The bottom line - the argument against a Jewish state as a "racist" state is bogus, since Israel is a nation state - just like any other nation state out there (most states in the world). If Israel being the Jewish state is racist, all nation states are racist.
"The principle of equality prohibits the state from distinguishing between its citizens on the basis of religion or nationality...The principle also applies to the allocation of state land...The Jewish character of the state does not permit Israel to discriminate between its citizens".
Isn't this quote from the oft maligned Israel Supreme Court an oxymoron i.e. a contradiction in terms? Recognising "...the Jewish character" or any character of a state as a basis for judgement, is to "discriminate between its citizens".
And by maligned I mean ignored and criticised by the Israeli Authority.
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