We are all Zuabi
Efforts to expel from the Knesset the Arabs who are representing their voters, in addition to racist laws the current Knesset is promoting, are liable to turn Israel into a new model of apartheid state.
By Zuheir Andreus
During the visit by leaders of the Palestinian community to Libya a few months ago, MK Hanin Zuabi (Balad ) stood out in particular - the only woman in the "Arabs of 1948" delegation invited to visit Muammar Gadhafi. When we met with Gadhafi in his tent in the town of Sert, this remarkable woman showed courage that is rare in these parts.
The leader preached to us and advised us to practice one of the tenets of Islam - marry four women and bring many children into the world to fight the Israelis. Zuabi, who is known for her struggle for the rights of Palestinian women in Israel, did not hesitate and pointed out to Gadhafi that his philosophy was not acceptable to her because it oppresses women. The tent went silent. It's not customary to interrupt the leader, we had been told in the briefing before the meeting. Gadhafi listened and simply went on with his speech.
This story proves that Zuabi is cut from tough and unyielding cloth - an uncompromising fighter for her party's principles both domestically and abroad.
It's only natural the targeted assassination campaign led by members of the Knesset, which transcends party lines and opinions and is aimed at expelling Zuabi from the Knesset, would gain momentum. Zuabi, like most Arab MKs, is a nuisance to the various racists, and the delegitimization campaign against her is an inseparable part of the official efforts, with a tailwind from the obsequious Hebrew-language press, to declare Balad illegal.
The remnants of what is called "Israeli democracy" are getting lost in the name of protecting the Jewish State of Israel. It's the Israelis' right to think what they want, but it's our obligation to defend our principles, even if this entails a high individual and collective price. The Palestinians in Israel will not agree to recognize Israel as a Jewish state. The Palestinians, the authentic owners of the land here, are an inseparable part of the Arab nation. They were here before Israel, they are not transients and they are certainly not guests in their native land.
The efforts to expel from the Knesset the Arabs who are representing their voters, in addition to the racist laws the current Knesset has promoted, are liable to turn Israel into a new model of apartheid state, like the despicable one that once reigned in South Africa.
Most of the anger toward Zuabi stems from her participation in the flotilla to the Gaza Strip. But in a properly run country they would have opened an investigation not against her but against the "anonymous individuals" who set up a Facebook group calling for her execution. Moreover, the Israelis must understand that Zuabi took part in the flotilla for breaking the blockade of Gaza because she believes that no law in the world gives an occupier the right, moral or otherwise, to put 1.5 million people in prison because of a soldier captured by the Palestinian resistance forces.
On the flotilla she represented the Palestinians in Israel, not only herself and her party. The Palestinians' Higher Monitoring Committee, the only body that faithfully represents them, chose her to represent more than a million Palestinians in Israel. So the campaign against her is a campaign against all the Palestinians in the Jewish state - hence the danger in it.
Astonishingly, Israel's knights of human rights are not speaking out, which is dangerous for both Israeli and Palestinian society in this country. If you support expelling Zuabi from the Knesset, we are sending you a razor-sharp message: We are all Zuabi.
The writer is editor of the Arabic newspaper Ma-Alhadat, published in Tamra in the Lower Galilee.
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Zuabi might be guilty of something, but that should be a call for the courts and justice system to act. To expel an elected member of the Knesset out of spiteful anger is beneath contempt.
Zuheir - all other arguements aside - you need to explain how you can stand for equal democracy with the same pen that writes "Palestinians are the legal owners of the land here". In a fair and equal country - the state owns the general land. It does not - should never - anywhere - belong to a nationality or religious group. Jews included. Exchanging a Jewish state for a Muslim state solves nothing. Exchanging peace and tolerance for our current problems though - gives us all a reason to bring more children into the world.
As envisioned by Zuabi, Andreus, and Haaretz encapsulates a version that dictates that freedoms are acceptable as long as you are "free thinking" in your belief that the Jewish State should be dismantled...by force if needed. Review the mindset of 99% of the articles and who the Haaretz faithful are. A who's who of global Jew hatred
The land does not belong to the arabs. Jerusalem is Jewish land. Our temple wall still remains there
is that Zuabi was in an enemy country, illegally, talking to a man explaining how to 'attack Israelis' and all she could object to was that his plan 'oppresses women'. That's what I got from this story.
If it wasn't for Israeli democracy, neither the writer of this article, nor Zuabi, nor for that matter Haaretz, would be in a position to express their opinions. The problem with Zuabi is the sheer dishonesty - using Israeli democratic tools to undermine the very same state that gave her these tools. The author of the article writes that 'Palestinians in Israel will not agree to recognize Israel as a Jewish state' and furthermore she states that 'The Palestinians, the authentic owners of the land here, are an inseparable part of the Arab nation'. No, Zuheir Andreus, that is historically incorrect, and yes, you are a part of the Arab nation, the one that continues to fabricate lies and deceits without shame or honor. If you and your friend Zuabi don't like our democracy, there are plenty of Arab 'democracies' you could move to.
What part of JEWISH STATE dont you get?
Participating to the Gaza flotilla is an act of treason. This flotilla was put together by Islamist organizations that constantly threaten Israel's existence. Gaza is ruled by an organization whose goal is the destruction of Israel. Furthermore, claiming that Zuabi is representative of the whole arab population in Israel is ludicrous. BALAD is represented by 3 MK out of 120 or less than 3% of the voters. The arab israeli represent 20% of Israel's population. Zuabi is a traitor both to Israel as a whole and to arab israelis in particular.
As the author should know this blockade has nothing to do with Gilad Shalit its because there are rockets being fired into Israel from Gaza. Five years ago Israel pulled out of Gaza no strings attached and what it got was thousands of rocket attacks. MKS are not directly elected in regions they are appointed by their party based on how many seats they win that means that the residents of Sderot are just as much her constiuants as an arab in the Galilee the people who though are not her constituants are the residents of Gaza as they are not Israeli citizens. As an MK her first priority should not be for Gazans it should be protecting the lives of Israelis and the Gaza blockade is designed to stop weapons getting in which will be used against the people who she is supposed to represent. If this blockade limits the number of weapons getting into Gaza and less attacks against Israelis then supporting it she became an MK to represent Israeli voters. She was punished and head her diplomatic passport taken ( she wasn't thrown out the Knesset ) because she illegally took part in this flotilla. She is an MK she has to obey the law even ones she does not like not become a political activist and taking part in things that are banned because of it. If she wants to take part in these things the solution is quit the Knesset but she can't have it both ways. As for whats she said to Gadaffi who cares that was between him and her nobody else so I don't even know the relevance its supposed to have to this story other than the fact to show she is some kind of femanist sticking up for womens rights. Israels being a jewish state it doesn't matter what the arabs or Zuheir Andreus think the fact is that Israels chosen identity is of a jewish state. Thats what the UN knowingly voted in favor of creating in 1947. The UN were not under some illusion they were creating a western style state where religion and state are seperate. Zuabi was born in a jewish state. Life isn't always what we want it to be Israel is a jewish state and always has been some people like it others hate it but thats reality and in politics especially there are winners and losers in this case the arabs were the losers. Remeber you can please some of the people all of the time and all of the all of the people some of the time but you can't please all of the people all of the time thats how life and politics work. I am sick of leftists trying to turn zeros into heros because they break the law. Its like that idiot steward on the Jet Blue flight who got into a bad mood and decided to open the escape chute and go home he is a nobody who should be fired but instead some people call him a hero for his illegal actions. Zuabi is no hero representing democracy she is an idealis who chose to break the law.
Personally, I think ALL the arab MKs are a disgrace. As MKs, they could have had an effect on Israel if they were able to have built some sort of consensus. Instead, every session, they are they screaming about Israeli aparthield. Forget the palestinians for a second. What have they done for the arab-Israelis? Compare their stance with for example, the early black congressmen who fought for civil rights in the US. Imagine if those blacks came everyday to the congress to rant and rave about the evil and racist America! She was courageous? How far did she try to affect the political system in Israel? that's real courage. Some of these MKs are even chairmen of subcommittes in the Knesset. What have they done to highlight the problems of their communities besides shouting that they were on the land first and the wicked jews owe them?... There are many british and American legislators against war in Iraq/Afghanistan but you won't for example see them picketting/sabotaging military bases/equipment or going abroad to disparage their country just because they don't agree with it's policies.
this article by an arab in israel, makes it very clear that even those arabs who live in israel and who were born in israel, will never accept the legitimacy of the state of israel; nor will israeli arabs ever accept the historical truth that the state of israel is the national homeland of the jewish people. the bombastic claims put forth, such as the so-called "targeted assassination campaign" against zuabi, is perfectly illustrative of the mind frame of this culture which does not seem able to engage in productive dialogue. one needs only to read this article to understand the total failure of all attempts at peace between arabs and jewish israelis.
Your view is myopic and you would do well to remember the attack by that russian pitbull in the Knesset, Michaeli, who jumped up from her seat and verbally attacked Zuabi screamng at her to get out and move to Gaza. Likely,Zuabi has relatives there today after being expelled in 1948. So, madame, i would suggest you look to the likes of michaeli and then get back to us about the "mind set of this culture". Ot p[erhaps pay a visit to that bastion of humanity, the zionist enclave in the Hebron casbeh and then talks to us about "culture".
Palestine was to be the homeland of the Jewish people. The state of Israel was the result of the Zionist movements effort to create a Jewish state. A state that is based on a religious and racial belief can't be a democracy unless it accepts the views of its minorities. The attacks on Ms. Zuabi are anti-democratic and show a dark side of Israel and the Jewish faith to the world.
Arabs have never learnt any democratic rule. Jordan constitution determines that no Jew is allowed to live there. How many Jews are allowed to live in Saudi Arabia? Democracy means freedom of speech but not illeagal actions against the country. Abbas sais that no Jew is allowed in his country (if he ever gets his country). This is Arabian democracy. In Arabic countries if you speak anything against the governement you go to prison. Arabs expelled close to million Jews, be happy that you live in democratic Israel. If Israel would behave like Arabs, no Arab would live in Israel. Arabs are working to make apartheid, not Israel.
You omit the fact that Jews lived in nearly all the countries in the MIddle East, and made up sizable proportions of the population until 1948, when the expulsion of Palestinians led to the expulsion of millions of Jews from countries that had been their home for centuries. IF Israel had not acted so aggressively, or if Jewish settlers in Palestine had only wished to live close to God and not embrace National Zionism then not one of the problems concerning anti-semitism (in both the applied and literal senses) would have occured. The gestures you describe are a reaction to 62 years of Israeli aggression against Arab countries as much as Arab hostility against Israelis.
Ever read the constitution of Jordan? It doesn't even mention Jews. Here are a few of the things it DOES say, and I recommend Article 6(i) as a model for Israel if it ever gets around to writing a constitution. 6(i) Jordanians shall be equal before the law. There shall be no discrimination between them as regards to their rights and duties on grounds of race, language or religion. 14. The State shall safeguard the free exercise of all forms of worship and religious rites in accordance with the customs observed in the Kingdom, unless such is inconsistent with public order or morality. 21.(i) Political refugees shall not be extradited on account of their political beliefs or for their defence of liberty.
Ms Zuabi crossed the line of integrity and trust we must demand from every MK. While on the ship, she saw the preparations for assaulting the soldiers when they boarded, and she also witnessed the attempts to lynch some of the soldiers as they came down the ropes, one by one. Yet at her press conference, she blatantly lied, in a foolish attempt to keep up the pretence that the flotilla had been entirely peaceful. Many people like myself agree that it is immoral and pointless to besiege one and a half million Arabs in Gaza - but I cannot agree that Arab attempts to lynch Israelis (NOT the first time) is an acceptable method of breaking the siege. Much less can I accept an Israeli MK supporting that lynching effort, and then trying to cover it up with lies.
You do not seem to know what "lynch" means. It means "to kill without legal sanction". Not only was no IDF commando killed, the three who were captured had their injuries tended and were then handed back to the troops who were attacking the ships. BTW, an attacker cannot claim that he is being attacked if his victim fights back. The commandoes were attacking a civilian ship in international waters. The passengers had every right to defend themselves, armed as they were with only some sticks and bars cut from railings.
Since you like defining terms, I figured you would appreciate knowing that saying that the IDF attacked is as inexact as saying the passengers lynched anyone. It would be nice if people could be fair.
A pure hate message. Thank you for telling us the truth that you all think the same and do not accept a Jewish state in Israel. With people who think like you there is no solution just continual violence
to what he had to say. He lives in Israel. He knows in his bones from everyday experience that it is a "Jewish" state. You those you taut as the world's greatest democrats are constantly, ad nauseum, reminding him of that and how he, born in the country, is not quite part of the society in the same way you are. There is nothing of violence in what he is saying here. Again, that is a creation on your part that you desperately need to bolster up a justification for your ideolology.
Well that's just ridiculous
without regard to Michael Starr's comments - Zuheir Andreus seems to be saying that the only way to remedy the current inequality, is to replace Jewish racism with Arab racism... I've also lived most of my life in Israel (currently stuck in the snow in Canada) - it's my country as well. Coexistance should be our goal - not wiping the "other" side out.
That they need to assasinate her character, that this Michaeli womena from Russia must rise from her Knesset sit and bark at her to leavve the country, a country I might add that Zuabi was born in while the michaelii person comes from the suburbs of Moscow. Zuabi stands for something that rises above the level of tribal atavism and racial contempt and for that they hate her and must stop her voice from being heard. This is precisely the kind of thing that groups like the pitbuls of Im Tirtzu must counter and they can only counter it by mob actions and violence because their cause is no longer credibile and their racism is transparent. The voice and conscience of Zuabi is a threat to them and they must do all they can to silence her and distort the reasons for their hatred of her.
"zubai stands for something that stands above the level of tribal ativism..." no one can take this statement seriously. zubai is the consumate tribal ativist, if such a thing exists outside of the world of far left propaganda machines. why don't you learn to write about concepts, rather than use mindless slogans.
What Israel has is not really a democracy although it is a good PR move to call it one. In a democracy, you need to have safeguards in place to protect people from a vicious and vengeful majority. America does it with a constitution, bill of rights, and balance of power. Israel doesn't do any of this. The majority is free to do whatever they like, including making it law that they remain in power forever. That is a joke not a democracy.
view. If they do they should be put under Non-Israeli - WBank jurisdiction.
Ms. Zuabi is free to part take in any activities she wishes to do so. This is the freedom alloted in a democratic Israel, HOWEVER Ms. Zuabi as a parliament(knesset) member has the foremost responsibility to uphold the office she swore to uphold. Ms. Zuabi draws her salary and whether she likes it or not is a representative of Israel the nation she and many of her Arab brethren despise. Her actions are inexusable and probably borders on treason. She should be glad she did not receive harsher punishment. These Arabs Zuabi, Tibi and Bishara are using their positions in government to deligitimize and defame the very nation that gave them the chance to hold office. This is the utmost arrogance and treasonous behavior one can imagine. Lets see what would happen if she was an Iranian or Egyptian Diplomat criticizing her respective country. She would be glad if her head was still attached to her neck.
Zuabi is a traitor a disloyal MK who has no place in any democratic cxountry. No country would allow a member of the Parliament to associate and support with terrorists . Zuabi would have been hanged in any Arab country.
Hanin Zuabi is a voice for high treason which is punishable in any democratic country including Arab countries. Zuheir has got it all wrong, a load of nonsense
I have a lot of admiration for Mr.Azmi Bishara,the former leader of Balad and now for Ms.Zuabi.I sure will vote for Balad in next elections but i'm sure that the votes for Arab parties are not counted in the only Jewish towns in Israel.Ms.Zuabi gave a lesson of courage and humanity in her standing against the hooligan members of Israeli Parliament and in her participation in Flotilla aid to blocked Gaza.
The author openly proclaims that she and Zubai are not Israeli. I propose a just solution: exchange the Arab Triangle of the Galilee for the settlement bloc...dunam for dunam. It's a win win. The settlers get to stay and the Arabs get to be governed by the Fatah/Hamas terrorist they so crave. And Zubai gets to be a minister in a government more to her liking. Of course, she will be restricted there because she is a woman and be declared unfit unless she wears the bhurqa, but one must make sacrifices.
You don't seem to be know much about Palestinian women, who stand for office, serve in their parliament, and are very independent minded - just like Zoabi. And burkas? What are you talking about? When did you ever see a Palestinian woman in a burka? There are no morals police running around the West Bank spitting on people or policing women's dress like in some haredi neighborhoods in Jerusalem. Even in Gaza, some women do not wear scarves.
is that Zubai is not an Israeli. Therefore you uphold the argument that she has no place in the Knesset! Thank you for your agreement.
In that very statement alone, the author admits that they are not Israelis in any manner and by that admission that Zubai has no place in an Israeli government.
...in Palestine, in America, in Europe, in South Africa, and in the rest of the free world. Haneen Zoabi is now a globally recognizable civil rights leader, like Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Martin Luther King, and Bobby Kennedy.
We are all anti Zuabi who is a traitor
for his support of Israel. or MLK who opposed anti-Zionism?
There is a serious debate going on in the western world. Are nations simply a host of people and opinions? If there are no limits to freedom of speech and opinions, why not just have no limits on borders? Do other 'democracies' allow ANYONE to run for parliament? Would openly declared neo-nazis be allowed in Germany? Would openly racist people be allowed to run in the UK? The UK recently made a law that allows it to reject people "on national security grounds". Does that mean if some extremist preacher, or hezbollah supporter are blocked, yet they are only spiritually supportive (and urge others to be) of mass murderers but did nothing themselves that we should stand by? Freedom of speech is about the principle that one should not be haunted for having legitimate disagreements. It does not mean that nations should commit suicide by allowing themselves to corrode in to anarchiac regions where 'everyone with an opinion', no matter how dangerous, hateful, or corrosive can do what they want if they can get 20,000 people to vote for them. I bet you didn't care much when Kahana was blocked from the Knesset. Yet if it's against an Arab that promotes the destruction of the state? That's just discrimination isn't it? This is simplistic nonsense that ignores the difficult choices that democracies are having to discuss. What is a nation state? If there is full freedom of action, full freedom of opinion, is there a nation state? A nation is more than the sum of a bunch of political opinions, and in nations, and I mean reasonable nations, there doesn't have to be an "ANYTHING GOES" policy just because someone shouts out "freedom of speech". We're not talking about a dictatorship, where anything said can land you in jail, we are talking about removing the elective rights of someone trying to completely destroy the nation they have been elected to.
The answer is "Yes," so long as they are UK citizens. In a democracy, people are allowed to offer themselves for election, whatever their views and policies. The voters can then choose whether to support them or not. Racist statements might however result in prosecutions uner the UK Race Relations laws.
As you yourself pointed out, they would not succeed in running due to their political stances resulting in massive legal issues. This is the same point. There are also more issues than the ones you described, but your own point made strengthened my point. Furthermore, MPs have to swear an oath to the queen and her family. What happens to an MP who thinks the queen should be hung? Will he be allowed to be an MP? And if he/she is, is that because they overlooked the law rather than enforced it? While personally I don't think that oath quite covers what the job reflects, the point is that the role is not simply to represent the electorate like some tribal lord, but to represent the electorate within the accepted norms of the society and it's ruling methods, including those of an MP (or MK in Israel). That does not in any way mean you cannot make changes, otherwise it would be pointless to become a legislator! But the powers are given from their origins, the origins of the state, it's founding laws, it's subsequent laws and principles. Previous agreements with the world etc etc etc etc... On all accounts she in has betrayed those, attempted to corrupt them, rejects them and wants them destroyed. She therefore can, very reasonably, be removed from her position. She can shout from her rooftops her opinions and call for more violence against Israel, but she should not be allowed to work towards destroying Israel while being a representative of the people in Israel.
No, I am not wrong. An openly racist statement might be taken to be an 'incitement to racial hatred' which is a UK crime, and so the parliamentary candidate might be charged with an offence. However, he would still have his name on the ballot paper and people could still vote for him. Theoretically, he could even be elected. Sinn Fein MPs have been elected to Westminster for many years but have refused to take the oath and thus have not attended parliament - but that is their choice, they have not been refused admittance.
we are too different, the Arabs and the Jews. He commends Zuabi for standing up for women but not a word going against "fight the Israelis". He cries out about rights but does not condemn the Arab facsination with violence. I do not support what the knesset did to Zuabi. It was based on emotion and revenge. It was not how a true democracy should act. But how can we approach rights when all we hear from Palestinians is posturing and exageration- we are trying to throw out all the Arabs?!!!
In a democracy, whether you agree with her or not, Ms Zuabi has the right to take any lawful action that she sees fit to represent her constituents. If Israel is a democracy this right will be respected. The right to protest and to take positions not in agreement with the majority opinion is a basic requirement of democracy. So, if Israel is "the only democracy in the Middle East" I am sure her rights will be protected by even those who disagree with her.
it was in international waters and aimed to break a blockade. Unclear whether any of it was legal according to Israeli and/or international law.
Another attribute of democracy, don't you think ?
The writer says that Palestinians in Israel will not recognize Israel as a Jewish State. But, the UN resolution (GA 181) which is the basis for Israel's existence partitioned what was left of the British Mandate into a Jewish and an Arab State. Sorry folks, Israel is a Jewish State whther you like it or not. What happend to the "Arab State:? Jordan occupied and annexed it in 1948 - too bad for the Palestians.
When GA181 was written, there was no "Israel", so how should the UN have referred to the two proposed states? The adjectives "Jewish" and "Arab" were used only to differentiate the states, they had to call them something, not to imply anything at all about their future constitutions.
Very well put Sir, but, when did facts matter to the pals? They couldn't tell the truth if their lives depended upon it. Don't confuse them with facts, they make up their own.
... she is certainly an intrepid fighter for the rights of Pals, both Israeli-Pals and those in the occupied territories... which is admirable... ...however, she made a huge gaffe by ignoring the fact that she is an Israeli lawmaker in the Knesset, yet she boarded a flotilla to goad on the Turks against her country, Israel... this is totally unacceptable behaviour, to say the least of it...
Zuabi behavior should be judges by this code for she is not just a private citizen. also what was brought in the article as a example of Zuabi's bravery is actualy an example of her rudenessand arrogance: it is not appropriate to interrupt the speaker even if you disagree.
That's right, just like every American has a right to go overseas and fight with the Taliban. Though guess what happens when they get caught, doh!
By participating in the Gaza -bound flotilla, Zoabi colluded with a terrorist group. Just like in the United States, support for a terrorist organization is illegal and should not be tolerated. Zoabi’s opposition to the Gaza blockade or settlements did not result in the removal of some of her privileges, direct support and advocacy for terror-linked activities was.
This article greatly interested me. The More I got into it - it became humorous rather than meaningful. there is this adamnt reject of Israel's right to exist and you have rewritten history in order to deny the 3,000 year old connection of Jews to the Land of Israel. I find it interesting that prior to the 1967 Arab Israeli war there was no serious movement for a Palestinian homeland? Thats true isnt it? In the Six-Day War, Israel captured Judea, Samaria and East Jerusalem. BUT THEY DIDNT CAPTURE THESE TERRITORIES FROM YASSER ARAFAT..... They captured them from Jordan's King Hussein. I can't help but wonder WHY all these Palestinians suddenly discovered their national identity after Israel won the war. The truth is that Palestine is no more real than Never-Never Land. The first time the name was used was in 70 A.D. when the Romans committed genocide against the Jews, smashed the Temple and declared the land of Israel would be no more. From then on, the Romans promised, it would be known as Palestine. The name was derived from the Philistines, a Goliathian people conquered by the Jews centuries earlier. It was a way for the Romans to add insult to injury. They also tried to change the name of Jerusalem to Aelia Capitolina, but that had even less staying power. Palestine has never existed -- before or since -- as an autonomous entity. It was ruled alternately by Rome, by Islamic and Christian crusaders, by the Ottoman Empire and, briefly, by the British after World War I. The British agreed to restore at least part of the land to the Jewish people as their homeland. There is no language known as Palestinian. There is no distinct Palestinian culture. There has never been a land known as Palestine governed by Palestinians. Palestinians are Arabs, indistinguishable from Jordanians But that's too much for the Arabs. They want it all. The solution to the Mid east difficulty is for once tell the truth! Treating a 5,000-year-old birthright backed by overwhelming historical and archaeological evidence equally with illegitimate claims, wishes and wants gives diplomacy and peacekeeping a bad name
...the Palestinian Arabs have a much more recent connection, which is why there are so many of them still living inside Israel. The pain of 1948 is far more real than some ancient biblical story from 3,000 years ago.
...the Palestinian Arabs have a much more recent connection, which is why there are so many of them still living inside Israel. The pain of 1948 is far more real than some ancient biblical story from 3,000 years ago.
...the Palestinian Arabs have a much more recent connection, which is why there are so many of them still living inside Israel. The pain of 1948 is far more real than some ancient biblical story from 3,000 years ago.
Israel wouldn't exist either without US support. In the far, far distant past, it was only a vassal of great empires on either side gaining some level of autonomy when their powers declined. Hence all the captivities and destroyed temples.
Certainly, Zuabi is playing an honest role in expressing the feelings of Israeli Arabs. These are also expressed in Hizballa and Hamas open support in Israeli Arabs demonstrations. I personally was appalled by her unwillingness of taking a letter to Shalit by his parents. On the other hand, attacking her or diminishing her parliamentary rights is stupid, futile and wrong. The situation today is that the vast majority of Israeli Arabs support the Hamas chart, and cheer up when terror acts succeed. In case of a new war in which Israel might loose, they will obviously join forces with Arab armies to kill all Jews here. To put it simply, Israeli Arabs hate Jews and Israel. On the other hand, Israeli Jews accuse Arabs of disloyalty, and fail to really integrate them in state organization. The whole Israeli democracy, although claiming and attempting formally to be fair and equal, is definitely geared toward Jews at the expense of Arabs. The reasons for Israeli Arabs and Jews tensions are maybe important for academic study, but are, alas, no longer of practical importance. Given the facts as they are, the only way out is an independent Palestinian state, and for Israeli Arabs to swap their Israeli citizenship for Palestinian citizenship. They should be happy to do this in view of the fact they claim belonging to the Palestinian people, and their hate toward Israel. Just like marriage institution cannot take two arbitrary persons and organize a nice joint life for them, Western-Democracy framework is not capable to integrate these two hostile ethnic entities as Palestinians and Jews in Israel. Both Arabs and Jews have rights to live here, and rights to self-determination, the Arab rights are humanitarian and the Jews rights are historical. It is good and useful that Arab parliament members put these problems on the table, thus inducing a solution for the benefit of the two parties. In this way, parliamentary freedom actually helps to solve problem which might be otherwise undealt with, and explode later.
why do the Israeli Arabs have to get citizenship in the non existent Palestinian state for peace? And you say Israeli Arabs support Hamas, Hizballah, etc where is your proof? Please I would love to see it, oh wait it does not exist, it is just propaganda being spewed out of your mouth. Why should Israeli Arabs give up their Israeli citizenship, what peace will this cause? None, stop treating them like dogs and stop using every state institution to discriminate against them and integrate them if you want peace. You should be happy everyday one of them is not committing violence because I know if colonizers came from 3500km away, kicked me out, occupied me, said I was an alien, told me God didn't love me as much, and then called me a terrorist for fighting for my rights I would be fighting against that in everyway everyday.
At the weekend Palestinian towns are full of Israeli Arabs - just like the old days. And why not - Bethlehem Arabs have close ties and relatives in Nazareth.Jaffa and the Galillee, whilst those in Jenin, Tul Karem and Nablus have strong family ties with villages over the green line in the north. The fact is that the Arabs were here first and stayed put when Israel managed to puzh out the rest of the Arabs from Palestine in 1948 and 1967. History is not yet finished, by the way.
"In case of a new war in which Israel might loose, they will obviously join forces with Arab armies to kill all Jews here. " We've had many wars here and not a single Israeli Arab was ever accused of joining Arab armies or of killing Jews! Please provide facts to support your wild claims.
Israeli has given an analysis of why the marriage(btw jewish/arab israelis) is not working. It is obvious that the Israeli arabs aren't happy with living in a jewish state. You obivously do not live here if you are asking how "And you say Israeli Arabs support Hamas, Hizballah, etc where is your proof" Just go to any Arab demonstration. In any case from what the author is saying, they aren't happy in Israel. Why aren't they pushing for Israel to include them in the land swaps with the Palestinians-no ethnic cleansing or whatever. Borders will just be negotiated in such a way that some settlements remain in Israel while the majority arab areas go to Palestine and any arab left will decide if he wants to stay or go. If you feel you cannot live with something/somewhere and can change your situation why remain there?
You are correct, history is not yet finished. The Arabs could have made peace in '48, yet chose a war to exterminate Israel. Same in '56, '67, '73. The Arabs cannot come to terms that Israel is here to stay. Keep starting wars, just don't cry when more land is lost.
...and we have every obligation to fight for their rights. Their right to be free, to stand against inequality, to grow and thrive and be as much a part of the nation we share. Citizens are not "tradable" commodities - doesn't matter where they worship.
Unfortunately the British Zionists led by Churchill hanged him . Can't wait "Haaretz" eulogizes him
tradition that gave that woman the capacity and courage to interrupt and disagree with the Lybian dictator. And after that she continues to spit into the Israeli well. Mr. Andreus: the Israeli soldier was not captured by "Palestinian resistance forces", it was captured by Hamas terror organization that killed even more Palestinians than it killed Israelis.
which explains the racist laws they're promoting. Their fascist agenda is glaring - for anyone paying close attention - and the silence of the rest, which tells a tale of its own, will facilitate their success. The good news is that their success will eventually lead to their loss - via boycott, sanctions, and an imposed Palestinian state.
After listening to her being interviewed on the BBC, I am surprised she is still a member of the Knesset. She should live in Gaza with all the other terrorists.
Racist. Okay, now what?