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Last update - 02:33 30/12/2008 Not a test of citizenship By Haaretz Editorial Tags: Gaza, Arab MKs, Israel News  The argument that raged in the Knesset yesterday between MKs from the right and their colleagues from the Arab parties (joined by Arab representatives from the Labor Party) did not gain the speakers any prestige. Even worse, it added another unnecessary layer of suspicion, score-settling and hostility between the state and its Arab citizens. A war between Israel and her neighbors places Israel's Arab citizens time and again under wrenching, burdensome scrutiny. Even those who believe that the attack on Hamas' centers of operation in Gaza is justified cannot harden their hearts to the heavy price in blood this military action exacts. They must take into account that anyone who views these images does so with a torn heart. The distress of Israel's Arab citizens has worsened in recent years because the establishment's promises about closing the socioeconomic gap between the Arab and Jewish populations have all been broken. The bitter memory of the events of October 2000 and the recommendations by the Or Commission (established after the riots) that have yet to be enacted exacerbate the sense among this 20 percent of the population that it is viewed as a second-class community. Advertisement Government after government neglected this constituency and its villages, town and cities, abandoning their educational, welfare and even municipal councils to the hands of private organizations, among them religious or nationalist extremists. The price of this dereliction is steep, and it attests to the growing alienation of many youths from the State of Israel and its institutions. What was yesterday's barrel of explosives that fostered a sense of persecution is likely to erupt now in a flame of disappointment, insult and anger. A burning torch was thrown into this danger zone yesterday by Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu and Yisrael Beiteinu chief Avigdor Lieberman, though no less by the heads of the Arab parties. Acting with total irresponsibility, Netanyahu promises to handle "Hamas' supporters from within - with an iron fist," as if he does not understand that this is not support of Hamas but rather empathy for the tragic fate of Gaza's residents. Lieberman and all the Arab lawmakers, for their part, exchanged verbal low blows. There is no doubt that the hardening of stances is encouraged by the coming elections, and it is clear that Netanyahu, Lieberman, Mohammed Barakeh, Ahmed Tibi and others do not express the feelings and desires of most of Israel's citizens, Jews and Arabs. This is not the first time the Arab leadership in Israel is guilty of adopting more extreme positions to the detriment of the constituency it claims to represent, yet a strong democracy is not supposed to be frightened of an ostracized portion of the population, even in times of crisis. Rather, it must work to dissolve the forces of ostracism. As long as Israel does not lift a finger to rebuild the trust between it and its Arab citizens, it must not blame them for failing any faux loyalty tests it sometimes subjects them to. On the contrary, it must show restraint despite the difficulty in doing so, and it must view their pain and protests with understanding. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Iranian Jews protest Members of Tehran's small Jewish community demonstrate against IDF operation in Gaza. Missile's view Watch Israel's attack on Gaza from the perspective of the missile.   1.   Why Israel is better than the Arab Regimes 06:57  |  Fred 30/12/08   2.   yes it`s a second class community 07:54  |  deborah 30/12/08   3.   The test of the Israeli peace partner 12:44  |  Bruce 30/12/08   4.   Wrong wrong wrong 19:51  |  Ofer 30/12/08   5.   Wrong or right 21:26  |  Yvan 30/12/08   6.   the crisis goin on 22:44  |  Flemming Schertiger 30/12/08   7.   deborah 00:17  |  Joe 31/12/08   8.   Arab Citizens of Israel- A TWO WAY STREET 03:08  |  Rich 31/12/08   9.   The "Israeli" Arabs Are A 5th Column 09:23  |  Yishai Kohen 31/12/08

Read & React Gideon Levy: Are Israel's pilots callous and blind to Gaza's suffering? Responses: 117 Iran Jews stage pro-Palestinian rally near UN offices in Tehran Responses: 72 Israel rejects French proposal for 48-hour Gaza truce, but allows aid transfer Responses: 49 Gaza rocket strikes school in Be'er Sheva Responses: 62 ANALYSIS / Hamas winning battle of public opinion in Arab world Responses: 29 ANALYSIS / Rivalry among Israel's leaders at root of row on Gaza cease-fire Responses: 15 More Headlines 13:46 Gaza rocket barrage hits Ashkelon, Be'er Sheva 14:09 Israel rejects proposal for 48-hour Gaza truce, but permits transfer of aid 15:06 Air strikes in Gaza continue as IDF readies for ground push 13:27 Get up to the minute coverage of the warfare in Gaza directly to your email 13:24 Shin Bet: Hamas has been hit under IAF's Gaza offensive like never before 12:05 ANALYSIS / Rivalry among Israel's leaders at root of row on Gaza cease-fire 13:24 GIDEON LEVY / The IAF, bullies of the clear blue skies 10:29 ANALYSIS / After sterling start to Gaza op, Barak proves to be a petty politician 14:18 Protests abound at T.A. and Haifa Universities; Be'er Sheva students flee Gaza rockets in droves 13:38 As rockets fall, Peres tours Ashkelon and vows IDF is ready for anything 14:52 Arab states meet in Cairo to seek common stance on Gaza 03:57 Hundreds across U.S. protest Gaza operation 00:11 Ex-U.S. Army engineer Kadish pleads guilty to spying for Israel 09:26 ANALYSIS / Hamas racks up its first diplomatic victory in Gaza campaign 14:21 Fatah loyalists: Gaza op is 'Allah's revenge' for Hamas actions 02:17 Mayor of rocket-battered Netivot calls for talks with Hamas 06:36 Eichmann trial transcripts now available on Justice Ministry Web site Previous Editions Select Day 30 dec 29 dec 28 dec 26 dec 25 dec 24 dec 23 dec 22 dec 21 dec 19 dec 18 dec 17 dec

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