Can Israel be Jewish and Democratic?

Wall Street Journal ^ | 10/25/10 | Douglas J. Feith

[Nachum]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently asked Palestinian peace negotiators to acknowledge Israel as a Jewish state. Some critics have called this move cynical, because Palestinian leaders are unlikely to offer such an acknowledgment. But others oppose it for a more basic reason: They claim it is antidemocratic.

Israel, so the argument goes, affronts its non-Jewish citizens by identifying itself as a Jewish state and by using traditional religious emblems as official national symbols—for example, the Star of David on its flag.

Along the same lines, various Israeli intellectuals have proposed dropping "Hatikvah" (The Hope) as their country's national anthem, because it refers to the Jewish soul's millenial yearnings for a return to Zion. A few have urged repeal of Israel's longstanding law of return, which gives Jews from any country a right to immigrate and become citizens.

Some Israeli Arabs have advocated that Israel should become a state identified with no particular ethnic or religious group but rather a state of all of its individual citizens. Israelis commonly view this liberal ideal with suspicion, for it has no relation whatever to the political practices of any countries in the Middle East. Also, Azmi Bishara, the principal Israeli Arab proponent of "a state of all of its citizens" and a former member of parliament, outraged many Israelis by supporting Hezbollah against Israel in the 2006 Lebanon war.

[GunningForTheBuddha]

We have outlasted history and you are our enemy at your peril.

What happens when it is the Jewish people that are Israel's worst enemy?

[SunkenCiv]

“Israel, so the argument goes, affronts its non-Jewish citizens by identifying itself as a Jewish state and by using traditional religious emblems as official national symbols — for example, the Star of David on its flag.”

Maybe if Israel changed its name to “The Arab Republic of Egypt” or “The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan”...

People who don’t like the flag of Israel should get out of Israel. They should become squatters in Helen Thomas’ house.

Thanks Nachum.

[ColdOne]

People who don’t like the flag of Israel should get out of Israel. They should become squatters in Helen Thomas’ house True!

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume

If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.

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An excellent article, unfortunately available only to subscribers.

[Ready4Freddy]

If that ever happens please let us know.

[rmlew]

There are 22 Arab states, 21 of which are Muslim. No one bats an eye. Egypt opresses Muslims and the Muslim Brotherhood tries to re-impose official Dhimmitude and we give them foreign aid. But Israel reaffirms its status as a Jewish state that recognizes the rights of all inhabitants and the world goes nuts.

[HearMe]

The Jewish People are not Israel’s enemy.

Certain of our people are sick,...you find that in all populations and all people(s). Ours, seem to just make more noise.

[Eleutheria5]

“Some Israeli Arabs have advocated that Israel should become a state identified with no particular ethnic or religious group but rather a state of all of its individual citizens. “

Saudi Arabia should lead the way, and separate Mosque from State. Jordan and the PA should abolish the death penalty for anyone who sells land to jooos. Syria should adopt the Napoleonic Code. Turkey, Syria and Iran should stop murdering Kurds/Armenians. And then they can talk to us.