I’M ALWAYS AMAZED – even though I know I should not be – when I read commentary on Israel by people who never have been there.
They are “experts” who base their expertise on hearsay from others who, like them, never have been to Israel.
I know you don’t have to be a chicken to know how to cook an egg, but it pays to have some first hand experience with a subject before pontificating about it.
FOR THE RECORD, I’ve been there. I lived and worked there.
I’m not there now (although my grandchildren and their parents are there) so I am reluctant to tell anyone how things are in Israel.
I DO know that Arabs and Jews can coexist, and I know that Arabs from the PA territories cross into Israel on a daily basis to do jobs the Jews won’t do.
I also know there are those who suspect the worst from any Arab who happens by. The suspicious people often have a basis for their distrust; a distrust inculcated in them when they were children in a Muslim-dominated country.
Israelis are known for their “hutzpah” – but how do the Israel-haters manage to gall to condemn Israel based on second or third, or even fourth hand, stories.
Israel is an “apartheid state.”
Do they even KNOW that “apartheid” means?
According to the Britannica – the Brits certainly know about “apartheid” from their domination of the Indian sub-continent –
Apartheid, (Afrikaans: “apartness”) policy that governed relations between South Africa’s white minority and nonwhite majority and sanctioned racial segregation and political and economic discrimination against nonwhites. The implementation of apartheid, often called “separate development” since the 1960s, was made possible through the Population Registration Act of 1950, which classified all South Africans as either Bantu (all black Africans), Coloured (those of mixed race), or white. A fourth category—Asian (Indian and Pakistani)—was later added
There is some prejudice by some European Jews against anyone who is “different”; be the scorned person Jew or Arab. But “apartheid?” No.
There are some Jews in Israel who want “Jewish-only” communities. Scandalous. Never mind that a Muslim in the PA could be executed for selling property to a Jew. And never mind the “over 50” communities in the U.S. or the “Super Jew” enclaves everywhere who turn away anyone who is not like them. That’s not “apartheid,” it is – at least in the case of the Super Jews – just plain bigotry.
As far as mistreating Israeli Arabs, it happens, but it is the exception to the rule.
When missiles were falling near Haifa, my in-laws and I went to a local beach. I watched as a Muslim family strolled along the beach and no one – not Jew nor Arab nor ANYONE – molested them physically or verbally.
Drive from Tel Aviv to Afula, staying within Israel, and look at the beautiful houses on the hills on both sides of the road. Beautiful Arab houses; houses owned by Israeli Muslims.
Apartheid? Mistreatment?
Anyone with eyes can see those claims are lies.
Board a train or a bus in Israel. There is no separate seating for Arabs. (The Super Jews insist on separate seating for men and for women.) Going to Natsaret (Nazareth) from Haifa, take your choice of buses: Egged or an Arab line. Harking back to the U.S. War for Southern Independence (a/k/a U.S. Civil War) and the railroad lines in Indiana: “Pay the fare, and ride the rails” – regardless of the color of your uniform. Same with buses in Israel; I’ve ridden both “Jewish” and “Arab” buses sans incident. Inter-city taxis: there is a very good chance the driver will be an Israeli Arab. I managed to pick up a few words in Arabic riding in taxis driven by Israeli Arabs.
Anyone who wants to believe the Israel haters’ lies needs to stay out of Israel else they will be hard pressed to continue their misconceptions.
A few words about Gaza. Most Gazans are originally Egyptians. Israel pulled out of Gaza in 2005; leaving communities with thriving export businesses. The Gaza Muslims quickly destroyed the existing infrastructure, and with it the export business.
Israel DID shut its border with Gaza to prevent terrorists from easily entering Israel. But how many Israel haters know – and admit – that Egypt ALSO shut its borders with Gaza and Egypt ALSO destroys terrorists’ tunnels.
About the fence between Israel and the PA.
Granted it’s an inconvenience for PA residents, but it DOES reduce the number of PA citizens who invade Israel to kill anyone they encounter – Jew and non-Jew alike.
When the PA makes peace with Israel, they will enjoy a better life.
Egypt made peace with Israel. Both Egypt and Israel benefited.
Jordan made peace with Israel. Both Jordan and Israel benefited.
It is very easy to believe, and repeat, others lies.
It is difficult to open eyes and see the reality on the ground.
They have eyes but do not see; they have ears but do not hear. (Psalm 135:16-17)
PLAGIARISM is the act of appropriating the literary composition of another, or parts or passages of his writings, or the ideas or language of the same, and passing them off as the product of one’s own mind.
Truth is an absolute defense to defamation. Defamation is a false statement of fact. If the statement was accurate, then by definition it wasn’t defamatory.