Can equality exist in the Jewish state?

[bemildred]

As right-wingers dominate the Knesset, Arab citizens of Israel say institutional discrimination is getting worse.

In 2005, following the arrest of several high profile Arab politicians and lobbyists living in Israel, the Shin Bet security agency made a statement justifying their actions: "The security service will thwart the activity of any group or individual seeking to harm the Jewish and democratic character of the State of Israel, even if such activity is sanctioned by the law."

The statement highlighted a fundamental tension between democratic freedom in Israel, and the need to maintain its Jewish character. Thwarting harm to that character has been extrapolated to require controls on Israel's Arab minority in many departments of society, from education to the right of dissent. The need to ensure Jewish demographic and institutional domination has prompted a raft of controversial policies and practises.

The conflict is most revealing at the level of political representation. Israel can point to the presence of 14 Arab Knesset members out of 120 as evidence of its civil rights credentials. Proportionally this is a reasonably fair reflection of a minority that accounts for 18 per cent of Israel's population; given that the Arab community habitually votes in lower numbers.

In practise, the mandate to represent Arab concerns dictates that they work against - rather than with - the rest of parliament. Knesset Member Haneen Zouabi of the Balad party is open about her role being fundamentally oppositional. "I was elected to speak for those who voted for me, not to reinforce the Zionist consensus," she says. "My role is to represent injustice and to make it more visible." Zouabi has long argued against the legitimacy of a Jewish state for allowing "institutionalised discrimination", instead favouring "a bi-national state not based on ethnicity".

http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/06/2011648192849821.html

[connecticut yankee]

1. As long as it's a "Jewish" state

there will never be equality.

[King_David]

6. What Rubbish nt

[oberliner]

2. Another young, non-Jewish, non-Arab, white British man who will show the way!

Why isn't the content manager for "This Week in Palestine" a Palestinian?

[Eagle Mall]

4. way to ignore the point.

[King_David]

7. I agree ,

How do they get this obsession?

How do they presume to show the 2 sides the RIGHT way (they not even involved)?

Who the fuck do they think the are? They want to lead the 'poor unsophisticates'?

[Eagle Mall]

3. Is any other Country on Earth identified to the World as belonging to one Religion??

Even the Muslim countries don't do that.

It's completely nuts.

[hack89]

5. Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Iran,...

Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.

[King_David]

8. LOL nt

[Eagle Mall]

9. I'm guessing you think God would rather it be a Jewish Only State, right?

[hack89]

10. Hamas believes that God wants it to be an Islamic state

that's why it is in their charter.

[Eagle Mall]

11. So the Nation of Israel is allowed to act just like those they call terrorists?

Isn't "Thou Shall not Kill" in Israel's charter?

[King_David]

12. Allowed ?

LOL

[Shaktimaan]

14. what do you mean "other?"

Is any other Country on Earth identified to the World as belonging to one Religion??

Ummm... Israel doesn't do that at all, dude. You're just making huge assumptions out of thin air.

Doesn't Pakistan do exactly what you're suggesting?

[aranthus]

13. Can equality exist in the French State?

Or the German State? Or the Japanese State? Or the American State? Or the Iranian State? Why does he limit himself to the Jewish State? As if I didn't know.

[Shaktimaan]

15. good point.

do the Poles have equality yet?
how about the Greeks?

[Never Stop Dancin]

16. Pfffft

Of course there is equality in Israel--anyone can get in the club, under the velvet rope, if you have money. If you have money, you buy the spliff, buy the pills.