Israel/Palestine
Related: About this forumWelcome, Diaspora Jews, to the Israel you’ve been avoiding
For too long, Diaspora Jews have been defending an imaginary Israel. The real one looks much more like the one described in the controversial nation-state bill.By Asher Schechter
Overall, not a particularly great week to be an Israeli. With the cabinet approving Israels highly-contentious nation-state bill, it seems the term Jewish democratic state has been finally put out to pasture, along with the unicorns, dragons and other mythical beings.
The bill in actuality, there are three different versions currently vying for approval aims to solve the innate tension between Israels identity as both Jewish and democratic by tilting the balance heavily toward the Jewish side. In effect, it is a right-wing attempt to affirm Israels status as the national homeland of the Jewish people in accordance with Israels Declaration of Independence, but sans pesky Greek traditions that only get in the way.
The version by Likud MK Zeev Elkin, the more extreme of the three and one of the two approved by the cabinet this week, removes the word democratic from the definition of Israels identity as a nation, makes Israels democratic principles secondary to its Jewish identity and allows the state to allow people belonging to one religion or nationality to set up separate communities.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/.premium-1.629032
Israeli
(4,148 posts)In a softer draft of the bill by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the one thats expected to win out, the words Jewish democratic do appear, but another key word is removed: equality. Instead of promising full religious, social and national equality to all citizens, regardless of gender, race or creed, as promised in Israels Declaration of Independence, Netanyahus bill includes the carefully-worded phrasing Israel will uphold the personal rights of all citizens in accordance with all laws.
The fact that the bill caused an acute political crisis that almost broke up the government has contributed to the absolutely panicked way in which the media, both in Israel and abroad, has covered the bill: the ruination of Israels democracy, the corruption of Israels moral character, no alarm bell was left unrung.
Since its founding in 1948, mused a self-described heartbroken New York Times editorial this week, Israels very existence and promise fully embraced by the United States and the world of nations has been based on the ideal of democracy for all of its people.
Wait, what?
Lets get this out of the way right now: The so-called nation-state bill that was approved by Israels cabinet this week and caused an international uproar is not the historic turning point its said to be.
What it is is an affirmation of a reality that has been entrenched for a very long time.
Israel, in many ways, has always been more Jewish than democratic. Even without a law like this one to codify it, its legal and legislative systems have often put the needs of Israels Jewish population before its adherence to democratic principles. Arab and other non-Jewish citizens of Israel have been systemically discriminated against for decades when it comes to access to education, land, infrastructure, water and political representation.
Even without legislative pieces that sound as if theyve been lifted from the personal diaries of Daniel François Malan, Israel has a legal system that has allowed hundreds of Jewish communities to reject non-Jewish applicants for housing on the basis of social suitability.
Arab Israelis didnt need new reasons to feel like second-class citizens, even if the current nation-state bill makes it all but official. The bill is not the ruination of democracy in Israel that ship has sailed long ago.
This is not to say that this bill isnt bad, or insignificant. It is bad because it codifies and institutionalizes Israels worst faults as a nation. It is bad because it lays the foundations for more discriminatory policies and legislation against non-Jews. It is bad because at the heart of it lies great political cynicism, a pandering to nationalist voters prior to the Likud primaries and an election that is expected soon.
I miss the racists of old, said Balad MK Jamal Zahalka during a Knesset debate in 2008. At least they werent opportunists who sought cheap popularity. This week Zahalka was forcibly removed from the Knessets podium by vice-speaker of the Knesset Moshe Feiglin, after calling the Likud MK a fascist. Any such act against the many Jewish MKs who have called Arab and left-wing MKs traitors, terrorist-lovers and worse over the years is unthinkable, of course.
So no, the new nation-state bill isnt the apocalypse. Israel has been a Jewish state with a democratic hobby for a very long time. In fact, something like this should have been expected by anyone who didnt turn a blind eye to Israels behavior in recent decades.
But it does have a silver lining: The proposed bill is so blatant, so clear, that it forces even Israels most adamant blind supporters to open their eyes.
In other words: Welcome, Diaspora Jews, to the Israel youve been avoiding. For too long, you have been defending an imaginary Israel. The real one looks much like the one described in the new nation-state bill.
For many years, the money, influence and unwavering support of Jews abroad, particularly those in America, has enabled many of the behaviors that contributed to the kind of arrogant solipsism that made Israeli politicians believe they can get away with anything. Much of it was done in the name of an ideal Israel, an Israel that never really existed, a Jewish democratic country that could balance its dual identities.
Now that this image is being revealed for the illusion that it is, Diaspora Jews can use their considerable influence on Israeli politics to help bring about true democracy in Israel.
Its not going to be an easy battle. In his speech in the Knesset on Wednesday, Netanyahu remained adamant about his intentions to pass his version of the bill, saying to his detractors in a theatrically-shocked voice, I dont understand what your problem is.
And, really, what is their problem? Its not like Netanyahu is changing anything. Hes simply lifting the veil.
Source: http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/.premium-1.629032
Scootaloo
(25,699 posts)King_David
(14,851 posts)There's a little more to the Golah than 2% of Americans.
Israeli
(4,148 posts)One word missing that upsets us post zionists more than any other KD .....
In a softer draft of the bill by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the one thats expected to win out, the words Jewish democratic do appear, but another key word is removed: equality. Instead of promising full religious, social and national equality to all citizens, regardless of gender, race or creed, as promised in Israels Declaration of Independence, Netanyahus bill includes the carefully-worded phrasing Israel will uphold the personal rights of all citizens in accordance with all laws.
equality
The Son of my Eyes ....
THE CENTER of racism is the government itself. It is completely dominated by the most extreme Right indeed, there is nothing to the right of it.
Israel has no constitution. From the beginning, the religious-secular controversy has prevented it.
However, the declaration of independence adopted in May 1948, which has no legal status, defined Israel as a "Jewish State" and promised complete equality to non-Jewish citizens. Later, several Basic Laws defined Israel as a "Jewish and Democratic State", giving equal status to the two components, which often seem contradictory.
The diverse versions of the new bills define Israel as a "Jewish State" only, demoting the "democratic" aspect to second-class status. They abolish the word "equality" altogether. Arabic, which is now the second official language, will lose that status. Discrimination, now practiced clandestinely, will become legal and overt.
These versions were officially adopted last Sunday by the government. However, Binyamin Netanyahu promised to produce a more moderate version before the measure comes to the final vote in the Knesset.
Netanyahu rightly fears that the current versions might set off a world-wide reaction. The "only democracy in the Middle East" would become far less democratic. Tunisia might assume this title.
As far as is known at the moment, Netanyahu's version which will probably be adopted in the end - will restore the "Jewish and democratic" appellation, but omit the term "equality". The rights of individual non-Jewish citizens will be upheld, but not any collective rights of non-Jewish communities, concerning language, religion and education.
President Rivlin has denounced the bills squarely, much to his credit. Leading jurists have called them "superfluous", doubting that they would effect any real change. Liberal commentators have come out against them. "Moderate" coalition members have threatened to vote against them, or at least to abstain. Perhaps in the end very little will come out of the whole squabble.
But the fact that one can build a career on attacking democracy, on hatred of Israel's 1.7 million Arab citizens more than 20% of the population is chilling.
BY THE way, nobody has asked the seven million Jews outside Israel about their stand on the matter.
What do they think about Israel being the "nation-state of the Jewish People"? Do they believe that there is a "Jewish people? Do they want to owe allegiance to Israel? Do they fear being accused of dual loyalty? Do they want at least to be consulted?
But what the hell, who asks them anyway?
http://zope.gush-shalom.org/home/en/channels/avnery/1417210312/
Scootaloo
(25,699 posts)Point remains, the discriminatory policies of sirael are a larg part of American support for it.
Israeli
(4,148 posts)What kind of Americans ?
and which Israel ? ......mine or the one this Gov represents ?
MisterP
(23,730 posts)Americans also didn't actually like it until Entebbe: before it was a "friendly," but not a special country--more like a big Lebanon (I think Nixon even drew up invasion plans, but that may've been because he was Nixon)