Mearsheimer Warns Of Apartheid In Israel

[Purveyor]

By Margaret Farris, Contributing Writer - The Brown Daily Herald

John Mearsheimer, professor of political science at the University of Chicago, predicted Monday night that "Israel faces a bleak future as a Jewish state."

His talk - "Greater Israel and the American Jewish Community" - focused on the future of Israel and the fate of the people who live there.

He proposed several possible outcomes for the current situation, saying the most advantageous for both Israel and the Palestinians would be the creation of two separate states. However, he said, this is an unlikely result.

"Most Israelis are unwilling to make the sacrifices necessary to create a Palestinian state," Mearsheimer said. "The prime minister and his allies are opposed to creating an independent Palestine."

Mearsheimer touched on what he called the "American impotence" in this debate. He claimed that the Israeli lobby - an interest group that has profound influence on American policy towards Israel -"makes it impossible for any American president to play hardball with Israel."

MORE...

http://www.browndailyherald.com/mobile/mearsheimer-warns-of-apartheid-in-israel-1.2344917

[Douglas Carpenter]

1. The Future of Palestine: Righteous Jews vs. the New Afrikaners

A lecture by John Mearsheimer at the Palestine Center in Washington. D.C. on April 29, 2010

Watch video or read transcript:

http://www.thejerusalemfund.org/ht/d/ContentDetails/i/10418

.

[RZM]

2. Some key facts/perspectives are missing from Mearsheimer's analysis

Or at least the cited reportage of it, which is surprising since he knows his stuff pretty well. This is of course the fact that the 'two-state solution,' as far as I can tell, does not have widespread support in the pro-Palestinian camp (anyone who disagrees should check out electronicintifada.net and see what they have to say about 'two states').

Hello!?!?! this is one of the main reasons we hear so many comparisons to S. Africa -- not just because the status quo now resembles apartheid, but because the endgame in S. Africa was not two separate states, but one state with democracy and given demographics there, this meant (and means) black rule.

[ProgressiveMajority]

3. Agreed, and why should they?

Not to mention the number of Palestinian refugees who will want to return once they are able to. The Palestinians by in large don't want a two state solution, so, logically there will be a one state solution. America won't be willing to back up Israel forever and stop this from happening. In not too long, Muslims will outnumber Jews as a voting constituency in America. That by itself ought to be a clear indication of where America's political winds are blowing.

http://www.muslimdemocrats.net/

[oberliner]

4. Two items of your post are not accurate

Firstly, Palestinians do support a two state solution, and, secondly, Muslims will not outnumber Jews as a voting constituency in America anytime soon.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

5. By some estimates there are already more Muslims than Jews in America

And while by others there are fewer, nearly every source I've seen suggests the number of Muslims is growing faster.

Of course, there's a lot of ambiguity because there are far more ethnic Jews than religious Jews in the USA.

[oberliner]

6. What about voting?

Do you have any estimates of percentages of each community who vote in elections?

[Donald Ian Rankin]

7. No, I'm afraid I don't.

But I'm not convinced that how many have voted in the past is a good measure of how many would vote if a specific issue close to their hearts were to become hot-button.

[whosinpower]

8. Muslims vs Jews in America - So what?

Firstly, you are insinuating that all muslims are against or are anti semitic towards jews. And because of this, IF, (and it is a big if), voting muslims outnumber voting jews - this would facilitate America rethinking its loyalty towards Israel.

I will remind you that Christianity is just as guilty, if not more, for its role in marginalizing and discriminating towards judaism. CHRISTIANITY. America is diverse, but I would suggest that the majority of Americans are christian. Hitler self identified as catholic - warped that it was - but still Catholic.

It makes no sense to make the leap that if more muslims are voting in America - this would mean the end of support towards Israel. Israel can and should count on the support it receives - FROM ITS ACTIONS AND BEHAVIOR. There are jews in this world who do not agree with all of Israel's policies and have voiced it.

I disagree with you that the palistinians do not want a two state solution. I disagree with you the number of refugees that want to return and the fear hyping of demographic time bomb scenario.

[ProgressiveMajority]

9. Who said Anti-Semitic?

I just said they favor Israel a lot less on average than American Jews (or modern day Christians) do. If you can't see this than I don't think this discussion is going anywhere. Hitler has nothing to do with it because modern day US Christians aren't motivated by his ideals (and if they are it's an exceedingly small number). Muslims on the other hand identify with their Palestinian coreligionists, you can see this in Europe where there are riots when Israel is doing some inhumane action.

Anyway, I would count this as a very positive development. It means America will treat Israel just like every other country, and stop making enemies of so many middle eastern countries by supporting Israel to such a degree.

[oberliner]

10. Muslims rioting in the US would be a very positive development?

What Muslim riots in Europe are you referring to exactly and why would you want to see that happen in the US?

If you think Muslims rioting in the United States will lead to the US treating Israel differently then I don't think you have a strong handle on the politics of this country.

[ProgressiveMajority]

11. I didn't say RIOTING would be positive

Though I can see how you misread me. I just meant to say the development of a politically active pro-Palestinian voting block would be a good thing in the US. In Europe they've been so active as to riot in the streets in response to Israel's actions, that's not a positive thing, but it demonstrates they feel a connection to the Palestinians.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=6f8_1231491000&c=1
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4994282
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4407688.stm

[oberliner]

12. The Muslim riots you've linked to don't have anything to do with Palestinians

With the exception of the first link.

The second two articles you've linked to are about Muslim riots in France from 2005 that were reactions to French police harassment of the Muslim population there, as well as the generally poor economic conditions and unemployment levels in much of that community.