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Israel/Palestine
In reply to the discussion: Trump is no more racist than mainstream Israeli policy [View all]Shaktimaan
(5,397 posts)81. Are they?
In a fully democratic country, rights are granted without regards to ethnicity. If Israel was a fully democratic country like Norway or the US, the Law of return would apply to everyone whose ancestral homeland is in the area that Israel covers, not only Jews.
Why would they? In the case of Israel's Law of Return, Jews aren't granted automatic immigration because their ancestral homeland lies in Israel. While this historical/cultural connection to the land drove Zionism's desire to form their state in Palestine, it doesn't have much to do with the rationale behind either Israel or the Law of Return's establishment.
As with other ethnic democracies, Israel's existence is based on a perceived need for ethnic self-determination. The Law of Return's metrics for determining who is accepted aren't based on Judaism's own ethnic or religious requirements but rather the sort of standards used by the Nazis. Non-Jewish spouses, children, etc, of anyone who has at least one Jewish grandparent would qualify. In other words, if you are Jewish enough to be persecuted as a Jew then you are Jewish enough to be granted entry to Israel.
In this sense, we see a lot of similarities with other ethnic democracies, all of whom demonstrate an obligation to the well being and safety of their tribe outside of their borders. Japan, Greece, Germany, Finland, Ireland, Italy, etc, all offer expedited or automatic citizenship to members of their diaspora.
That said, you raise a stickier issue by insisting that Israel must choose between "full democracy" and their continued existence. Insisting on including all Palestinian refugees and their descendants in Israel's RoR while deliberately ignoring the implications of the 100 year long conflict is really just an academic exercise. No state hews so closely to professed ideals as to endanger itself. Even America still weeds out Communists and former Nazi Party members, after all.
There are others who think that Israel should remain only partially democratic - a Jewish state with full rights for Jews and less for non-Jews.
Of course, once immigrants become citizens they are ostensibly granted equal rights under the law in Israel. All minorities in all states experience some degree of racism and institutionalized discrimination... that said, what openly racist laws or less-than-full rights for Arabs in Israel are you referring to?
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Oh, a lot of Palestinians who are muslim would like to return after being kicked out in 47-48.
R. Daneel Olivaw
Dec 2015
#5
And their progeny. After all the expulsion is still an expulsion for all of them, right?
R. Daneel Olivaw
Dec 2015
#16
They ought to be granted automatic citizenship in the newly created Palestinian state
oberliner
Dec 2015
#18
Obviously, you only know the Leftist definition of apartheid and not the real world one.
aranthus
Dec 2015
#44
Seems all supporters of Israel are dubious individuals unworthy of rational discourse.
shira
Dec 2015
#64
Well, shak. It has something to do with a matter you don't undetstand.
R. Daneel Olivaw
Dec 2015
#73
In a fully democratic country, rights are granted without regards to ethnicity.
Little Tich
Dec 2015
#80
Some Jews claim that their link to the land of Israel goes back a long time, way before 1948.
Little Tich
Dec 2015
#82
I think Israel should be judged by its most discriminatory laws, or perhaps the sum of them.
Little Tich
Dec 2015
#84
Have you not read the antisemitic filth about Jewish bloodlines, posted here ?
King_David
Dec 2015
#34
It's genetics, dave. Everybody has genes. Genes tell where your ancestors came from...
R. Daneel Olivaw
Dec 2015
#35
So you're suggesting that ahem...Democratic Israel is as bad as some right wing theocratic kingdoms?
R. Daneel Olivaw
Dec 2015
#4
Israel has a different relationship with many Muslim countries than the US does
oberliner
Dec 2015
#13
"Similarly, with respect to immigration, Israel has explicitly from its creation been defined
R. Daneel Olivaw
Dec 2015
#15
you keep posting the same Tikkun link as though it's new the one Rabbi Lerner refuted
azurnoir
Dec 2015
#12
Only a moron would believe that Netanbooboo is to the left of anything.
R. Daneel Olivaw
Dec 2015
#37
Like I wrote, I know & you know you can't name even 1 well known anti-Zio BDS-hole.....
shira
Dec 2015
#50
Trump is an anti-semite as well as a follower of other forms of racism.
Agnosticsherbet
Dec 2015
#59
No, I have been following with the biggoted anti-semite racist has done.
Agnosticsherbet
Dec 2015
#61