Comments on: Knesset Deprives Arabs of Right to Purchase State Land http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2007/07/19/knesset-deprives-arabs-of-right-to-purchase-state-land/ Essays on politics, culture and ideas about Israeli-Arab peace and world music Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:45:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Richard Silverstein http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2007/07/19/knesset-deprives-arabs-of-right-to-purchase-state-land/#comment-61183 Richard Silverstein Sun, 16 Dec 2007 08:20:30 +0000 http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2007/07/19/knesset-deprives-arabs-of-right-to-purchase-state-land/#comment-61183 Ad hominem attack? Really. What exactly in my attack was ad hominem? Anyone who celebrates the death of someone who dies a slow death by cancer epitomizes a low down cur of a man. If you don't like it, tough luck. Next time, think twice before you show your vicious side in public. Ad hominem attack? Really. What exactly in my attack was ad hominem? Anyone who celebrates the death of someone who dies a slow death by cancer epitomizes a low down cur of a man. If you don’t like it, tough luck. Next time, think twice before you show your vicious side in public.

]]> By: Rafael V. Rabinovich http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2007/07/19/knesset-deprives-arabs-of-right-to-purchase-state-land/#comment-61168 Rafael V. Rabinovich Sun, 16 Dec 2007 06:45:12 +0000 http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2007/07/19/knesset-deprives-arabs-of-right-to-purchase-state-land/#comment-61168 Since when is such a lowly ad-hominem attack a response to the argument I presented? Since when is such a lowly ad-hominem attack a response to the argument I presented?

]]> By: Richard Silverstein http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2007/07/19/knesset-deprives-arabs-of-right-to-purchase-state-land/#comment-38813 Richard Silverstein Thu, 30 Aug 2007 04:33:06 +0000 http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2007/07/19/knesset-deprives-arabs-of-right-to-purchase-state-land/#comment-38813 It's important to know the thoughts of people like Mr. Rabinovich so we can understand the perspective of the thoughtless racists who man the ranks of Israel's nationalist right-wing. So thanks for letting us see the ugly underbelly of Israeli racism. And as you've celebrated the death from cancer of Tanya Reinhart in a comment I've deleted, you're banned from this site. Try coming back when you can muster enough decency to be a human being instead of a low down cur of a man. It’s important to know the thoughts of people like Mr. Rabinovich so we can understand the perspective of the thoughtless racists who man the ranks of Israel’s nationalist right-wing. So thanks for letting us see the ugly underbelly of Israeli racism.

And as you’ve celebrated the death from cancer of Tanya Reinhart in a comment I’ve deleted, you’re banned from this site. Try coming back when you can muster enough decency to be a human being instead of a low down cur of a man.

]]> By: Rafael V. Rabinovich http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2007/07/19/knesset-deprives-arabs-of-right-to-purchase-state-land/#comment-38810 Rafael V. Rabinovich Thu, 30 Aug 2007 03:50:28 +0000 http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2007/07/19/knesset-deprives-arabs-of-right-to-purchase-state-land/#comment-38810 Why on Earth would anyone see the Keren Kayemet LeYisrael's decision to sell land only to Jews as "racist"? First of all, Jews are not a race, nor are Gentiles a single, distinguishable race. Second, it is apaling that not a word is said regarding the Arab's death penalty on any of their own who decides to sell to Jews (death penalty for Jews selling to Arabs is non existant!). Yet, when the Jewish National Fund acts in a way absolutely necessary to save the Jewish State and the Jewish Land from becoming lost to an Arab entity who's aim, who's raison de etre, is precisely to eliminate all trace of Jewish belonging to the Land of Israel. Calling the KKL's decision "racist" is indeed a thoughless insult. It would be enlightening for the author of that note to review the very foundations of the KKL, and what even today defines it as an institution. Why on Earth would anyone see the Keren Kayemet LeYisrael’s decision to sell land only to Jews as “racist”?
First of all, Jews are not a race, nor are Gentiles a single, distinguishable race.
Second, it is apaling that not a word is said regarding the Arab’s death penalty on any of their own who decides to sell to Jews (death penalty for Jews selling to Arabs is non existant!). Yet, when the Jewish National Fund acts in a way absolutely necessary to save the Jewish State and the Jewish Land from becoming lost to an Arab entity who’s aim, who’s raison de etre, is precisely to eliminate all trace of Jewish belonging to the Land of Israel.
Calling the KKL’s decision “racist” is indeed a thoughless insult.
It would be enlightening for the author of that note to review the very foundations of the KKL, and what even today defines it as an institution.

]]> By: John Yorke http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2007/07/19/knesset-deprives-arabs-of-right-to-purchase-state-land/#comment-32255 John Yorke Mon, 23 Jul 2007 04:46:58 +0000 http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2007/07/19/knesset-deprives-arabs-of-right-to-purchase-state-land/#comment-32255 So, the ever present and all-pervading issue of land and its ownership presents itself yet again. It seems it is now within the gift of the Israeli Knesset to determine who is and who is not entitled to such ownership. Of course, in a country that is almost exactly the size of Wales - the smallest principality here in the UK - the land itself does hold and retain this emotive and historic linkage to a great many things. Well, if so much importance is attached to it, then why not allow that single and supreme circumstance to become the deciding factor in this ongoing saga? In the end, the cause of all this conflict may contain within itself its own internal remedy. http://yorketowers.blogspot.com John Yorke So, the ever present and all-pervading issue of land and its ownership presents itself yet again. It seems it is now within the gift of the Israeli Knesset to determine who is and who is not entitled to such ownership. Of course, in a country that is almost exactly the size of Wales - the smallest principality here in the UK - the land itself does hold and retain this emotive and historic linkage to a great many things.

Well, if so much importance is attached to it, then why not allow that single and supreme circumstance to become the deciding factor in this ongoing saga?

In the end, the cause of all this conflict may contain within itself its own internal remedy.

http://yorketowers.blogspot.com

John Yorke

]]> By: Ira Glunts http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2007/07/19/knesset-deprives-arabs-of-right-to-purchase-state-land/#comment-32233 Ira Glunts Mon, 23 Jul 2007 00:30:24 +0000 http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2007/07/19/knesset-deprives-arabs-of-right-to-purchase-state-land/#comment-32233 Sol, Thanks for the link. Ira Sol,

Thanks for the link.

Ira

]]> By: Jeanne Capozzoli http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2007/07/19/knesset-deprives-arabs-of-right-to-purchase-state-land/#comment-32057 Jeanne Capozzoli Sat, 21 Jul 2007 14:19:57 +0000 http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2007/07/19/knesset-deprives-arabs-of-right-to-purchase-state-land/#comment-32057 Richard, although you were once my student in 1967, you have been my teacher for the past 40 years. Your sense of justice (and your brilliance) has not diminished. I recently had lunch in the same New City shopping area where all of us celebrated Israel's victory in the 6 Day War. Little did we know that Israel would break our hearts with the occupation and settlements etc. and now racist legislation such as this. My lunch friend (who is Jewish) brought up her great disappointment with Israel, and I told her how my one night out with students was a joyful celebration of Israel 40 years ago in this same little shopping plaza. By the way, when you 6 teenagers discovered that I had never eaten a bagel (there were no bagels in South Dakota), one of you jumped up, ran to the bagel store and came back with a bag of bagels. I am still enjoying bagels; Israel is another story. I should not say Israel, rather the right wing governments of Israel -- as I know that there are significant numbers of Israelis who are also broken hearted at what Israel has become. Let us hope that someday-very soon-wiser heads will prevail. However, racist legislation such as this is not hopeful. Richard, although you were once my student in 1967, you have been my teacher for the past 40 years. Your sense of justice (and your brilliance) has not diminished. I recently had lunch in the same New City shopping area where all of us celebrated Israel’s victory in the 6 Day War. Little did we know that Israel would break our hearts with the occupation and settlements etc. and now racist legislation such as this. My lunch friend (who is Jewish) brought up her great disappointment with Israel, and I told her how my one night out with students was a joyful celebration of Israel 40 years ago in this same little shopping plaza. By the way, when you 6 teenagers discovered that I had never eaten a bagel (there were no bagels in South Dakota), one of you jumped up, ran to the bagel store and came back with a bag of bagels. I am still enjoying bagels; Israel is another story. I should not say Israel, rather the right wing governments of Israel — as I know that there are significant numbers of Israelis who are also broken hearted at what Israel has become. Let us hope that someday-very soon-wiser heads will prevail. However, racist legislation such as this is not hopeful.

]]> By: Sol Salbe http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2007/07/19/knesset-deprives-arabs-of-right-to-purchase-state-land/#comment-32029 Sol Salbe Sat, 21 Jul 2007 09:56:56 +0000 http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2007/07/19/knesset-deprives-arabs-of-right-to-purchase-state-land/#comment-32029 In answer to Ira;s Question regarding Dr Ka;adan and his family. According to Friday's Hebrew Haaretz haaretz.co.il/hasite/pages/ShArtPE.jhtml?itemNo=884230&contrassID=2&subContrassID=21&sbSubContrassID=0 Dr Ka'adan has recently completed obtaining the last building permit from the authoroties. In about a fortnight he hopes to commence building with a grandiose ceremony. Sol Salbe Melbourne Australia In answer to Ira;s Question regarding Dr Ka;adan and his family. According to Friday’s Hebrew Haaretz haaretz.co.il/hasite/pages/ShArtPE.jhtml?itemNo=884230&contrassID=2&subContrassID=21&sbSubContrassID=0
Dr Ka’adan has recently completed obtaining the last building permit from the authoroties. In about a fortnight he hopes to commence building with a grandiose ceremony.

Sol Salbe
Melbourne Australia

]]> By: Dan Fleshler http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2007/07/19/knesset-deprives-arabs-of-right-to-purchase-state-land/#comment-31953 Dan Fleshler Fri, 20 Jul 2007 22:17:12 +0000 http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2007/07/19/knesset-deprives-arabs-of-right-to-purchase-state-land/#comment-31953 Richard, I'm delighted that at least three blogs are now trying drum up attention to this travesty. I was also tipped off by Jerry Haber and knew that "Realistic Dove" had to weigh in. There is a certain amount of confusion over whether JNF is private or semi-private and what it's relationship is to state institutions. This was clarified for me by Ken Bob, as explained in the following, and your readers might find it useful: http://www.realisticdove.org/archives/148 What may be most appalling about this bill are the comments in reaction to the coverage in Haaretz and the Jerusalem Post. Haaretz has a good editorial today. The brutal, unthinking, witless tribalism of many respondents is a sad commentary on what Israel has become, or perhaps what it always was. There is, as I'm sure you know, an official 'Task Force on Israelis Arabs" that the organized American Jewish communuity, to its credit, has set up to make people more aware of the inequality and racism that afflicts one out of five Israelis. it includes the United jewish Communities, the UJA-Federation of New York City and a lot of other establishment groups, as well as lefty organizations like Ameinu and Givat Haviva. It will be interesting to see if they take a stand on this matter. Richard,

I’m delighted that at least three blogs are now trying drum up attention to this travesty. I was also tipped off by Jerry Haber and knew that “Realistic Dove” had to weigh in. There is a certain amount of confusion over whether JNF is private or semi-private and what it’s relationship is to state institutions. This was clarified for me by Ken Bob, as explained in the following, and your readers might find it useful:

http://www.realisticdove.org/archives/148

What may be most appalling about this bill are the comments in reaction to the coverage in Haaretz and the Jerusalem Post. Haaretz has a good editorial today. The brutal, unthinking, witless tribalism of many respondents is a sad commentary on what Israel has become, or perhaps what it always was.

There is, as I’m sure you know, an official ‘Task Force on Israelis Arabs” that the organized American Jewish communuity, to its credit, has set up to make people more aware of the inequality and racism that afflicts one out of five Israelis. it includes the United jewish Communities, the UJA-Federation of New York City and a lot of other establishment groups, as well as lefty organizations like Ameinu and Givat Haviva. It will be interesting to see if they take a stand on this matter.

]]> By: Richard Silverstein http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2007/07/19/knesset-deprives-arabs-of-right-to-purchase-state-land/#comment-31930 Richard Silverstein Fri, 20 Jul 2007 18:47:34 +0000 http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2007/07/19/knesset-deprives-arabs-of-right-to-purchase-state-land/#comment-31930 <blockquote>how is the idea of a democratic Jewish state possible in a nation with a large non-Jewish minority? To what extent does the Jewishness of the state mean that there will be inequality for its non-Jewish citizens?</blockquote> This is a very tough question naturally. I've written about it quite a bit here mostly revolving around the Azmi Bishara case. You clearly would have to change much of the trappings of the current Israel. I would consider a new form something along the lines of Quebec in the Canadian system or the Swiss cantons. Israeli Arabs should have full equality within Israel. This should be inscribed into law along with provisions for enforcing the law. Perhaps it would mean you would need a constitution to do so (good luck on getting that). The theocratic aspects of Israel would have to go in terms of Judaism as a state religion. Or perhaps they wouldn't have to go as long as Islam would be considered co-equal. The Law of Return should be amended (though not entirely scrapped) just as an Israeli Arab Right of Return should be considered (though similarly it should not be a wholesale right as many One-Staters propose). Anyway, those are a few preliminary ideas.

how is the idea of a democratic Jewish state possible in a nation with a large non-Jewish minority? To what extent does the Jewishness of the state mean that there will be inequality for its non-Jewish citizens?

This is a very tough question naturally. I’ve written about it quite a bit here mostly revolving around the Azmi Bishara case. You clearly would have to change much of the trappings of the current Israel. I would consider a new form something along the lines of Quebec in the Canadian system or the Swiss cantons. Israeli Arabs should have full equality within Israel. This should be inscribed into law along with provisions for enforcing the law. Perhaps it would mean you would need a constitution to do so (good luck on getting that). The theocratic aspects of Israel would have to go in terms of Judaism as a state religion. Or perhaps they wouldn’t have to go as long as Islam would be considered co-equal. The Law of Return should be amended (though not entirely scrapped) just as an Israeli Arab Right of Return should be considered (though similarly it should not be a wholesale right as many One-Staters propose). Anyway, those are a few preliminary ideas.

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