Israel - NY Times Article

I always think it is strange when people put politically charged comments or subjects on facebook. I think so especially because the format doesnt really allow for any lengthy conversations and a two sentence status update on a complex issue does nothing but just poke the issue with a stick and run away. So I thought this format would be more appropriate for this post... I also had a lengthy debate about the course of Israel with some friends here in Japan and think this book that I am writing about generally represents my opinions on the larger issues and human rights.

So I was going through the New York Times last week and came upon an article about a book which is causing alot of discussion and problems in Israel right now. Its about the settlements and possible solutions to the situation in the Middle East. If you are interested in this issue, Id highly suggest reading what the authors say. You can find the book and article here: http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/12/israeli-stores-stop-selling-book-that-denounces-settlers/?ref=world

Although I am no expert on the history of Israel and some of the references in the writing escape me, the general points made throughout the book hit home. In no way did I agree with everything that has been written, especially certain references to groups of people both in Israel and abroad, but two important aspects were well spelled out and made with a rational outlook on the future. Also the authors do a fair job to place blame where blame is due, both in Israel and on its enemies. The allocation of fault must be recognized and compromised to build a better future and to try to resolve the conflicts caused by them.

The first of these important aspects is about the necessity for Israel to resolve the current situation with a two-state solution, and soon. To remove itself from the settlements is a must. It is not just a necessity for the palestinians that a two state solution be created, but also for the future of Israel. If Israel continues to stay in the settlements then soon Jews will no longer be the majority voters in the land. What the book simply points out is that if Israel wants to remain BOTH Jewish and Democratic it must divide the land. It must remain Jewish because Israel is why we can survive in this world and why we will continue to do so. If it decides to keep itself in the settlements and remain a jewish state, democracy will not work, and it will become an apartheid state. An apartheid state is not what we or our ancestors envision our Jewish state to be and is not the ruling choice of a civilized and moral people. This point as well as the benefits, history, rights of self-defense, role of the rest of the world and expectations of the palestinians are included.

The second aspect which I found I agreed with was the discussion of the contract between citizen and state. The authors discuss draft dodging blunlty. If you didnt know military service is compulsory for all Israeli citizens at a certain age (besides certain groups). This section of the book is really interesting and the point about how if a society has raised, protected and taken care of you while you were young, you owe it to the society to put something back. It is something I think alot of us take for granted. In America we live in a relatively safe bubble and often forget that it takes alot to keep it that way.

There is also a section on Israeli Arabs and the why the mentality towards them is the way that it is (it is on pg 34) really interesting. This is accompanied by how human rights violations must be rectified and how once they are done so then loyalty can be called for. It also follows with Israel's obligation to all citizens and how to build loyalty, not destroy it as well as how the Palestinians are not children and must also act responsibily.

Anyways if youve made it this far you might as well read the whole thing on the link above. We'll talk about it after youve read it :P