White Man versus Dark Boy in Israel

[ProgressiveMuslim]

By Rami G. Khouri
Commentary by
Saturday, April 04, 2009

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For years, pro-Israeli zealots and other fanatics in the United States have expressed the view that Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East - and thus should be supported against Arab dictators. There is some truth to this argument, but not compelling integrity; Israel is indeed a domestic democracy for its Jewish citizens, and most Arab countries are not convincingly democratic.

But this is a diversion, not a serious discussion. It is also less pertinent in view of the new Israeli government, whose establishment suggests that hypocrisy, rather than democracy, may be the defining characteristic of Israeli policies. Equally troubling, hypocrisy also defines those in the United States who unquestioningly support Israel and its excesses, and who parrot the argument that Israel is the only democracy in the region.

Hypocrisy is now the Israeli-American hallmark because of the increasingly stark and vulgar double standards applied to the behavior of the Israeli and Palestinian governments. This has been highlighted by the pronouncements of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, including their refusal to commit to a two-state solution as the goal of a negotiating process, a rejection of continued commitment to the "Annapolis Process," and only vague commitments to negotiating with a view to reaching a peace agreement.

The silence from the United States on these positions has been profound, and troubling, but this is perhaps understandable in view of the fact that Washington is still formulating its policies in the Middle East and is completing its cast of characters who will manage the region's policy, even as it deals with more pressing priorities. Opposing Israel too strongly in Washington is a surefire recipe for one-term political life expectancy, and Obama and his administration have to decide if they wish to take on the pro-Israel machine in Washington so soon.

The real problem with Israel's position, though, is with the double standards that differentiate it from what is demanded of the Palestinians. For decades now, Israel and the US have routinely demanded that the Palestinians make precise, explicit and public acceptances of Israel's right to exist, ending the use of violence, and recognizing past agreements. This was the case with the Palestinian Liberation Organization, which finally formally "renounced terrorism" and accepted "Israel's right to exist" in the late 1980s. It is the case today with Hamas, which Israel, the US, the European states, Russia and the UN, via the Quartet, refuse to deal until it recognizes Israel, renounces the use of violence, and accepts previously reached agreements.

more...
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=5&article_id=100633

[panader0]

1. Who exactly is the "Dark Boy" supposed to be?

[ProgressiveMuslim]

2. Read the op-ed. You may have to actually... gasp!... click the link!

[GoesTo11]

3. "White man Zionists" and "Dark boy Arabs" - a very nuanced view.

Ridiculous, but a framing that lets kneejerk leftists justify their love of Hamas and murder.

[LeftishBrit]

4. I think this is quite simplistic

Many Zionists and Israelis are 'dark' themselves. Equating the I/P conflict with racial issues in America that are based on colour is misleading. Nor is Israel 'the last colonial enterprise' - who is doing the colonizing?

Yes, Israel (like most countries) has double standards for itself and its enemies. And yes, the ineptness - and corruption - of some of the Palestinian leadership contributed to the election of Hamas.

[cali]

5. wow. impressively stupid and poorly written piece of junk.

it certainly makes a valid argument. not.