'Current Knesset is the most racist in Israeli history'

[naomiglover]

The Israeli government passed at least 21 bills aimed at discriminating against the country's Arab citizens making the current Knesset as being the most racist Israeli parliament since the country's founding, according to a report released Sunday by civil rights groups.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1157857.html

Zionism is racism.

Edited March 21, 2010 by naomiglover

[Shady]

Any chance you'll give us some specific examples? Call me crazy, but taking the word of anti-Israeli "human rights" groups isn't the most logical thing to do.

[Mr.Canada]

You're simply jealous that you don't live there, living the good life. Better conditions for the majority, this is how it should be here too. If Arabs don't like it they can leave and come to Canada. This is making Israel look better and better place to move to. At least their government takes an active stance on protecting its own people. In Canada the government lets all our historic traditions erode away pushing them down while celebrating any that are foreign.

I may go to Israel sooner then planned. It honestly sounds like a utopia to me. I'll have to join the military of coarse and this would be an honor to do so.

Edited March 21, 2010 by Mr.Canada

[naomiglover]

You're simply jealous that you don't live there, living the good life. Better conditions for the majority, this is how it should be here too. If Arabs don't like it they can leave and come to Canada. This is making Israel look better and better place to move to. At least their government takes an active stance on protecting its own people. In Canada the government lets all our historic traditions erode away pushing them down while celebrating any that are foreign.

I may go to Israel sooner then planned. It honestly sounds like a utopia to me. I'll have to join the military of coarse and this would be an honor to do so.

Thank you Mr. Racist.

[naomiglover]

Any chance you'll give us some specific examples? Call me crazy, but taking the word of anti-Israeli "human rights" groups isn't the most logical thing to do.

How is the human rights group anti-Israeli?

[Mr.Canada]

Thank you Mr. Racist.

Socialists drive me crazy. They think it's racist to want to preserve traditions and current way of life as they do in Israel.

Jews were the most victimized race in history. I think they're entitled to their own safety. It wasn't until the 1790's and early 1800's that Jews were afforded "some" of the rights that other people had in Europe at the time. This wasn't that long ago. A few generations.

[Shady]

How is the human rights group anti-Israeli?

Ok. Let's pretend none of them are. Can you please provide some specifics regarding your first post. Please.

[Bonam]

Zionism is racism.

No, Zionism is the movement and belief that supports the existence of a Jewish national homeland. You may want to get some practice with your Orwellian redefinitions of words though, could use some improvement to be less transparent.

Edited March 22, 2010 by Bonam

[KeyStone]

How is the human rights group anti-Israeli?

Don't you listen to Glenn Beck?

If you did, you would know that terms like social justice, compassion, and human rights are code words for anti-semitism, dictatorships, and communism.

[M.Dancer]

Interesting thwe racist knesset...while the "Anti arab" laws are proposed..(a feature of proportional representation, where every wing nut is represented)..

This is a fait accompli

Publication of the findings coincides with a decision by the cabinet on Sunday to approve the largest economic development plan for the Arab sector in Israeli history, which will see the government address for the first time serious housing shortages in Arab communities.

Ministers allocated NIS 800 million for the scheme, which will also aim to tackle unemployment in the Arab sector and include funding for public daycare facilities - almost nonexistent in Arab towns, where only 18% of women are employed - as well as for improved public transportation.

[Shady]

I'm still waiting for some details.

[naomiglover]

Interesting thwe racist knesset...while the "Anti arab" laws are proposed..(a feature of proportional representation, where every wing nut is represented)..

This is a fait accompli

An interesting point you have brought up. Lets look at this situation:

Israel launches economic plan for Israeli Arab towns

The Israeli cabinet has backed a $214m investment plan for Israeli Arabs, who have long suffered inequality and a history of discrimination.

Israeli-Arab groups gave the news a cautious welcome but said some of the money just made up for cuts last year.

Israel is under pressure to tackle wealth gaps between communities as it seeks to join the OECD later this year.

"Underlying this plan is a dramatic change of direction in the government's policy," said Israeli Minister for Minorities, Avishai Braverman.

The plan commits 800m Israeli shekels ($214m) over five years to the areas of economic infrastructure, housing and transportation in 12 localities, together with an initiative to reduce violence within the communities.

Municipal services in many Israeli-Arab communities are inferior to those in Jewish areas, with classrooms shortages, ageing roads and a lack of local employment opportunities.

Jafar Farah of the Mossawa Center, which advocates for the rights of Israeli Arabs, said the announcement was the result of "years of campaigns".

But, he said: "We have long experience that shows that most governmental decisions [to improve the situation for Israeli Arabs] - and even legislation - haven't been implemented."

Mossawa said budget cuts last year reduced Arab councils' funding by 250m Israeli shekels ($67m). Mr Farah said the new plan was essentially "giving back the funds that have been cut".

Israel is on track to join the group of rich countries, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, following assessments of its economic performance.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8576282.stm

[naomiglover]

Ok. Let's pretend none of them are. Can you please provide some specifics regarding your first post. Please.

There is no pretending. If you think they are anti-Israel, tell me how they are.

Specifics? Let's pretend that you care about the specifics: http://www.mossawacenter.org/default.php?lng=3&dp=2&fl=31&pg=2

[M.Dancer]

Cut 250 IS add 800 IS.

Net increase, 550 IS

[naomiglover]

Cut 250 IS add 800 IS.

Net increase, 550 IS

The cut is yearly. The proposed funding is over 5 years. Do your calculations again.

Not to mention:

"We have long experience that shows that most governmental decisions [to improve the situation for Israeli Arabs] - and even legislation - haven't been implemented."

[Gabriel]

naomiglover - How do you expect anyone to take you seriously when you make absurd statements such as "Zionism is racism"? You and I have had our share of contentious exchanges on this board, but why not make an honest effort to examine this situation rather than being so dogmatic in your anti-Israeli/anti-Zionist rhetoric? As far as I'm concerned, being anti-Zionist is synonymous with being anti-Semitic - I don't care if you say you're Jewish. Being Jewish by birth (or by choice, if you sincerely identify yourself as a Jew), doesn't give you any immunity from being described as anti-Semitic based on your statements.

An off-topic question to examine your personal convictions on these matters - are you opposed to the Jewish people having a state of our own? If you are, do you also strongly oppose other forms of nationalism that are rooted in ethnic/religious/cultural/racial identities?

[naomiglover]

naomiglover - How do you expect anyone to take you seriously when you make absurd statements such as "Zionism is racism"? You and I have had our share of contentious exchanges on this board, but why not make an honest effort to examine this situation rather than being so dogmatic in your anti-Israeli/anti-Zionist rhetoric? As far as I'm concerned, being anti-Zionist is synonymous with being anti-Semitic - I don't care if you say you're Jewish. Being Jewish by birth (or by choice, if you sincerely identify yourself as a Jew), doesn't give you any immunity from being described as anti-Semitic based on your statements.

An off-topic question to examine your personal convictions on these matters - are you opposed to the Jewish people having a state of our own? If you are, do you also strongly oppose other forms of nationalism that are rooted in ethnic/religious/cultural/racial identities?

Thank you for keeping this civil.

Zionism is a racist and irredeemable movement, like Bolshevism, Nazism, and Apartheid. Zionism does not and should be identified as a Jewish idealism.

I don't consider myself Jewish by religious beliefs and even though I used to think differently, now I am of the opinion that no land should be allocated to a specific group. Just so there is no misunderstanding, I don't believe in dissolving or removing Israel. Israel is a wonderful country in many ways but that is overshadowed by the arrogance and selfishness of the zionist ideology. Israel could have become to exist without most of the black marks in its short history.

Israeli governments have always been dominated by the right. At least when it came foreign policy and the occupied territories. Most Israelis could care less about the settlements and the settlers. Especially the younger generations. Unfortunately, the government is still heavily influenced by extremist groups, whose votes sway the ruling parties even more to the right.

Zionism will not last long. In all aspects of political, social, economical and ethical, it is unsustainable and the wheels will fall off within the next decade.

[M.Dancer]

I used to think differently, now I am of the opinion that no land should be allocated to a specific group.

So which will you denounce first? first nation land claims or just land cvalimed by Israel?

[naomiglover]

So which will you denounce first? first nation land claims or just land cvalimed by Israel?

What's done is done. We can't go back and change what was done over a 100 years ago or even 60 years ago. What we can do is to follow our well defined laws that have been put into place. We have created these laws so there would be no confusion about land claims.

When it comes to East Jerusalem, the law is clear: it's occupied Palestinian territory, because it was acquired in the course of a war. Under international law, it's inadmissible to acquire territory by war. The status of Occupied East Jerusalem was backed in 2004, the highest judicial body in the world, the International Court of Justice.

[M.Dancer]

What's done is done.

When it comes to East Jerusalem, the law is clear:

Whats done is done.

East Jerusalem has never had an independant status and has been in Israeli control for 43 years.

When it comes to East Jerusalem, the law is clear: it's occupied Palestinian territory

The Vatican has a better claim on Jerusalem that the Palestinians. It was not allocated to either the Jews or the Arabs when partition was made law......the Jordanians occupied east J, ethnically cleansed it, and now they don't.

So sad too bad....Jerusalem is united.

[naomiglover]

Whats done is done.

East Jerusalem has never had an independant status and has been in Israeli control for 43 years.

The law says East Jerusalem is Occupied Palestinian Territory. Deal with it.

[Guest American Woman]

Thank you for keeping this civil.

Translation: Thank you for not responding with insults like I invariably do when people disagree with me.

[DogOnPorch]

ame='M.Dancer' date='23 March 2010 - 03:41 PM' timestamp='1269378804' post='522973']

Whats done is done.

The law says East Jerusalem is Occupied Palestinian Territory. Deal with it.

Jerusalem has never been 'Palestinian territory'. Deal with it. As the song goes...

Take me back to Constantinople

No, you can't go back to Constantinople

Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople

Why did Constantinople get the works?

That's nobody's business but the Turks'

So...when are you leading the charge to get the Hagia Sophia reverted back to a X-tian church?

[M.Dancer]

ame='M.Dancer' date='23 March 2010 - 03:41 PM' timestamp='1269378804' post='522973']

Whats done is done.

The law says East Jerusalem is Occupied Palestinian Territory. Deal with it.

cite that law....cause most of the world disagrees with you.

[Gabriel]

Thank you for keeping this civil.

Zionism is a racist and irredeemable movement, like Bolshevism, Nazism, and Apartheid. Zionism does not and should be identified as a Jewish idealism.

I never said Zionism was a Jewish idealism. How can you not understand that Zionism is simply a nationalistic movement for the Jewish people? We don't need your permission to view ourselves as a distinct nation and desire our own right to self-determination, which has manifested itself in part through the formation of a state of our own - Israel. I don't know what your level of education is with respect to political science, but I'll assume you don't know much (no offence intended). When I use the term "nation", I am describing a group of persons who typically share a sense of history, common purpose, and destiny. Additionally, nations typically have other cohesive elements, including but not limited to religious beliefs and cultural/political/social values, language(s), and cuisine. Unfortunately, Jewish history is marred with horrendous persecution - which contributed greatly to the Zionist movement. If the world won't allow us to live as equals among them in their states, then we must have our own where we can live freely amongst ourselves. To compare the movement of Zionism, which has persevered towards an amazing goal in the face of major obstacles - to Bolshevism, Nazism, Apartheid and other horrendous ideologies is absurd. Nobody will take you seriously if you sincerely hold such a ridiculous perception of Zionism. There is no legitimate argument to be made in support of your statement drawing equivalence between Zionism and racism. Is Canadian patriotism racism? Was America's movement and war for independence racism? Are Palestinian desires for full-autonomy and their own state racism?

At best, one can criticize the means that some Zionists utilized towards achieving the goal of Zionism, but to describe the movement itself as racist is simply incorrect. If you cannot understand this basic component of the story of Israel, you have no place even engaging in a discussion about the Israel - Palestinian/Arab conflict.

I don't consider myself Jewish by religious beliefs and even though I used to think differently, now I am of the opinion that no land should be allocated to a specific group. Just so there is no misunderstanding, I don't believe in dissolving or removing Israel. Israel is a wonderful country in many ways but that is overshadowed by the arrogance and selfishness of the zionist ideology. Israel could have become to exist without most of the black marks in its short history.

Why don't you just come out and identify yourself as an atheist?

How can you say "no land should be allocated to a specific group"? What do you think a country is? Does Canada belong to Canadians? I expected that my sincere probing into your fundamental beliefs/opinions would reveal nonsense. I'll assume that many historical events which you would describe as "black marks" were indeed heroic and necessary towards the birth of Israel. You're getting off-topic, anyways. You still have not answered one of my basic questions - are you opposed to all forms of nationalism rooted in racial/religious/ethnic/cultural identity?

Edited March 23, 2010 by Gabriel