PA says "no" to concept of a Jewish state

It has always been a sore point that 20% of the Israeli population (the Arabs) live as second class citizens. As Phyllis Bennis puts it:

"All Israeli citizens, including Palestinians, have the right to vote in elections for members of the Knesset (parliament) and for the prime minister. But not all rights are citizenship rights. Other rights are defined as nationality rights, and are reserved for Jews only. If you are a Jew, you have exclusive use of land, privileged access to private and public employment, special educational loans, home mortgages, preferences for admission to universities, and many other things."

Even worse is that 1 in 4 Arab citizens of Israel are termed "internally displaced Palestinians", which is a euphemism meaning that their property has been taken away and they are homeless. All Arab citizens of Israel, regardless of whatever theoretical rights they are entitled to, are subject to "Jim Crow" policies.

So the terminology of Israel as a "Jewish state" has more than semantic relevance, similar to American Christian fundamentalist claims that the United States is a "Christian nation". In both cases, the subtext is that other religions are tolerated as a magnanimous gesture, only as long as they do not get "uppity".

A recent poll conducted by the Center of Anti-Racism based on questions asked to 500 selective Jewish residents of Israel representing all levels of the Jewish society showed unexpectedly negative attitudes towards Arabs. According to the official results:

* 75% would not agree to live in a building with Arab residents.
* More than 60% wouldn't accept any Arab visitors at their homes.
* About 40% agree upon taking the right to vote from Arabs.
* More than 50% agree that the State should encourage immigration of Arab citizens to other states.
* More than 59% think that the culture of Arabs is a primitive culture.

The Palestinian Authority is now saying that they will not accept Israel as a "Jewish state", which is somehow being spun as meaning that that they do not accept Israel's right to exist. On top of this, Israel essentially allows (and encourages through financial means) Jews to go into the occupied territories and stake a claim on Arab land, which in any other case would be considered outright theft. They call this practise "settlements", and these settlements then require the Israeli Army to protect these "settlers", thus setting the stage for further "settlement". These "settlers" commonly point to Scripture as promising them the land.

Pointing this situation out, of course, makes one "Anti-Semitic". Using your religion, backed by military force, to oppress and make others homeless, however, is "righteous". Israelis will, at some point, have to admit that their government is, in fact, a government and not a religious institution. As such, criticism of a government is not the same as criticism of a religion.
Just as criticising Bush Administration policies is not the same as advocating genocide against Christians, Israelis will have to stop playing the victim card whenever anyone points out unpleasant things about their political leaders and their policies.

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PA: Israeli Arabs are Part of 'Jewish State'

(IsraelNN.com) A Palestinian Authority diplomat in London said Saturday that the only way any progress would occur in the upcoming negotiations between the PA and Israel is if the latter changes its positions on the core issues to meet those of the PA's.

According to Manuel Hassasian, the PA's ambassador in London, no progress will be possible unless Israel is willing to change its positions on several key points: preventing growth of Jewish towns in Judea and Samaria, removing roadblocks, and other core issues. In an interview with Arab media, added that the PA could not recognize Israel as a Jewish state, because it would pose a great danger to the 20% of the Israeli population that are Arabs. He said the PA had already recognized Israel as an independent state, however.

Speaking in Saudi Arabia, PA chief Mahmoud Abbas said that he would not recognize Israel as a Jewish state. "From a historical perspective, there are two states: Israel and Palestine. In Israel, there are Jews and others living there. This we are willing to recognize, nothing else," Abbas told reporters.