Zionist Niceties Part 2
In a previous post, "Zionist Niceties", I pointed out some of the less desirable elements of modern Zionism and half expected a small barrage of comments along the lines of "these people aren't representative of modern Israel, they're only the extreme side of Zionism", but I only received one such comment. The commenter was pointing out something most people understand: the fundamentalist far right of Likud is not a majority: it's rather the extremist side of Zionism, but one that yields considerable power. Armed to the teeth they can afford to...
But there is also that other face of the Zionist cause: the moderate peace-seeking block, whose voice is so often drowned out and whose role could be so important in reaching a compromise, two-state solution for the Palestine/Israel question. I'm an Internet member of Peace Now. They keep sending me emails inviting me to attend their meetings and rallies, which unfortunately I can't attend, although I'd love to...
This old Brit, pointed out another one to me: Gush Shalom. I doubt if there aren't many more such sites, in fact I'm sure there are.
And whilst most of us agree that the beauty of life often lies in the small things, we often forget it too. At Je blog the author provides a moving account of how the parents of a Palestinian boy, shot by the IDF, made his organs available to Israeli kids, thereby saving several lives. If only there were more people like this, then this world might actually be a decent place...
Keywords: peace, Peace Israel, Peace palestine, Israel, Middle East, Islam, Muslem, Sharon, Ariel Sharon
posted by Gert @ 4:04 PM
6 comments
6 Comments:
gert,
A first class piece. You could give Fox lessons in both the theory and the practice of "Fair & Balanced" reporting.
How life could and should be lived, eh?
Btw, my thanks for the link & cite. It's appreciated
Sure, both presenting right wing nuts ("Get rid of all the Arabs!) AND left wing nuts ("Israel is trying to get rid of all the Arabs!"). Very fair and balanced.
Where are the moderates who don't see it all as Israel's fault? Where are those who support a two-state solution but realize they can't just let the Palestinian state become independent while there is still chaos there and nobody really in control who will make sure the agreements with Israel are upheld?
You've got a lot of great angles and research on this area Gert.
What do you think about the one-state, Isratine, solution? Better or worse than, or as good as, the two state solution?
Anonymous:
Re: Isratine.
I think the one-state solution would be rejected now by both the Israelis and the Palestinians.
Israel is already limiting the right to return of Palestinians to Israel proper. I think the Israelis (broadly speaking, of course) are striving for ethnic apartheid, ensuring complete separation from Palestinian presence in "Palestine/Israel". Many in the Likud party would see any mingling with Palestinians in their midst, as the formation of a "Palestinian enemy from within".
The Palestinians, on the other hand, would fear that their current status as "second class citizens" would be perpetuated forever, in a one-state solution.
In theory the one-state solution is an attractive proposition because successful intermingling of various ethnic groups is a great way to promote understanding and compromise between them. You're unlikely to fight a family you've married into...
But in the light of what's gone before, I think a one-state solution is too utopian, considering some are already calling for an Eretz Israel that's completely free of Palestinians, by resettling them in Jordan and other countries in the region!
Thanks for your comment.
Israelis don't want a one-state solution because it would be the end of Israel and the Jewish state. Palestinians would quite quickly become a majority again, especially if they are granted the right of return.
Palestinians, on the other hand, would rather have a one-state solution. They've realized it won't happen so have given the idea up.
"Israel is already limiting the right to return of Palestinians to Israel proper."
Limiting? They aren't letting them in at all. The Palestinians who aren't citizens of Israel are not allowed to become Israeli citizens. But it's understandable as Israelis think that is a threat to Israel.
"I think the Israelis (broadly speaking, of course) are striving for ethnic apartheid, ensuring complete separation from Palestinian presence in "Palestine/Israel". Many in the Likud party would see any mingling with Palestinians in their midst, as the formation of a "Palestinian enemy from within". "
Since nobody but the radical right wants to expell Palestinian citizens of Israel, this statement is wrong (especially the "broadly" part). Separating between Israel and Palestine isn't apartheid - it's a national boundary, like all countries have.
"In theory the one-state solution is an attractive proposition because successful intermingling of various ethnic groups is a great way to promote understanding and compromise between them. You're unlikely to fight a family you've married into..."
Intermingling usually isn't successful. Look at Yugoslavia, Czecoslovakia, and all the artificial countries in Africa and the Middle East where different ethnic and religious groups were arbitrarily bound up in a single country. After 100 years of enimosity, Jews and Palestinians won't become best buds. The country would become violent like Kosovo.
"But in the light of what's gone before, I think a one-state solution is too utopian, considering some are already calling for an Eretz Israel that's completely free of Palestinians, by resettling them in Jordan and other countries in the region!"
Again, the most radical right! Not even close to the broad concensus in Israel.
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