Israel/Palestine
Related: About this forumChris Hedges | Imploding the Myth of Israel
What really surprised me about this article was the high level of emigration. If non-fascists all leave, obviously a country will trend more toward fascism.
http://www.nationofchange.org/imploding-myth-israel-1383661202
Israel has been poisoned by the psychosis of permanent war. It has been morally bankrupted by the sanctification of victimhood, which it uses to justify an occupation that rivals the brutality and racism of apartheid South Africa. Its democracywhich was always exclusively for Jewshas been hijacked by extremists who are pushing the country toward fascism. Many of Israels most enlightened and educated citizens1 million of themhave left the country. Its most courageous human rights campaigners, intellectuals and journalistsIsraeli and Palestinianare subject to constant state surveillance, arbitrary arrests and government-run smear campaigns. Its educational system, starting in primary school, has become an indoctrination machine for the military. And the greed and corruption of its venal political and economic elite have created vast income disparities, a mirror of the decay within Americas democracy.
And yet, the hard truths about Israel remain largely unspoken. Liberal supporters of Israel decry its excesses. They wring their hands over the tragic necessity of airstrikes on Gaza or Lebanon or the demolition of Palestinian homes. They assure us that they respect human rights and want peace. But they react in inchoate fury when the reality of Israel is held up before them. This reality implodes the myth of the Jewish state. It exposes the cynicism of a state whose real goal is, and always has been, the transfer, forced immigration or utter subjugation and impoverishment of Palestinians inside Israel and the occupied territories.
Response to eridani (Original post)
Post removed
Mosby
(16,295 posts)aranthus
(3,385 posts)Sometimes I wonder if the board should change its name to Radical Left Underground. This is just drivel.
King_David
(14,851 posts)It's hard to tell if it's radical left or right... Same shit nowadays .
aranthus
(3,385 posts)Nevertheless, Hedges would definitely consider himself on the Left. Most, if not all, of the non-Muslim anti-Israel crowd would consider themselves on the Left as well.
King_David
(14,851 posts)oberliner
(58,724 posts)Finance Minister Yair Lapid railed against Israelis moving abroad for financial reasons in a much-publicized Facebook post, but Central Bureau of Statistics figures show that the number of Israelis who left the country in 2011 had not returned by the end of 2012 stands at 16,000 - one the lowest figures over the past three decades and among the lowest rates in the developed world.
The low emigration rate in 2011 paradoxically coincided with mass protests that erupted that summer over the cost of living in Israel, although it does represent a 3.8 percent rise compared to 2010, when the rate of emigration was 15,600. In addition, it should be noted, in 2011, about 9,500 Israelis who had resided in the country and who spent an extended period abroad returned to Israel. These figures do not include Israelis who came back after short periods as tourists.
In recent years, Israel's rate of emigration has been two people per 1,000 residents, which is considered a particularly low rate compared to the world's other developed economies, members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the OECD. As recently as 2006, the emigration rate from Israel was 3.2 per 1,000.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/.premium-1.550127
shaayecanaan
(6,068 posts)Members of EU states can migrate relatively easily within the European Union. The same with Australians and New Zealanders.
Much of the emigration from the US consists of servicemen posted overseas who catch the eye of one of the local ladies. After the usual pleasantries they apply for citizenship in the UK or Germany or wherever.
The waiting list for Americans wanting to renounce their US citizenship at the embassy in London is six months. Quite extraordinary really.
However, Israelis don't really have any such opportunities, unless they have quite a bit of money and/or connections.
It appears as though large amounts of Israelis would like to migrate, but probably don't have much in the way of options:-
http://www.haaretz.com/news/features/bye-the-beloved-country-why-almost-40-percent-of-israelis-are-thinking-of-emigrating.premium-1.484945
The minimum wage in Israel is $5.90 USD an hour. The cost of an average apartment is 12 times the average workers' salary. I don't know how they manage, frankly.
azurnoir
(45,850 posts)that last paragraph called it to a T
oberliner
(58,724 posts)Damn those foul liberal supporters of Israel!
azurnoir
(45,850 posts)I myself would not but it's your choice I guess
oberliner
(58,724 posts)After all this time, still not getting it.
Scootaloo
(25,699 posts)jessie04
(1,528 posts)"jews are fascist" meme is getting a little old.
tell that to the refugee and injured Syrians being treated by Israel for humanitarian reasons.
not to mention the Israeli medical teams going into Syrian refugee camps.
not to mention the endless number of Palestinians being treated by Israeli hospitals.
not to mention Israel rescue teams going around the world helping people in earthquake and hurricane disasters.
not to mention that the arab-israelis go to some of the best universities in the world.
not to mention the higher standard of living all arab-israelis have compared to 99% of their brethren.
Not to mention the freedoms arab-israelis have compared to their brethren. ( which is why most are repulsed of living in a palistinian state)
I will say it.... this is pure anti-Semitism.
Hedges should be ashamed but he has shown himself to be shameless way before this trash.