Minorities and Loyalty
Minority
challenges were not “invented” in Israel. Many countries around the world host minorities. In some cases, the minorities were living in
the same place for generations, in other places, they \ are “new comers”. The disputes between various ethnic groups
within a country require understanding and tolerance. Even within “enlightened” Western
countries the challenge is not
simple. Thus, for example, Belgium
returns to the tension between the Flemish community in the North and French in the South. Herman van Rompuy who
was recently elected as Prime Minister is Flemish. His nomination reflects an effort – some say
the last effort – to appease the Flemish community in order to keep Belgium
united. Some prophesy that Mr. Rompuy
will be the last Prime Minister of Belgium.
Following his down fall, the country will be divided to two states.
 |
| Herman Van Rompuy |
In many other countries,
minorities are the cause of civil wars. Iraq, Bosnia and
Herzegovina and many African Countries. The most dangerous dispute is found
Asia. Lord Luis Mountbatten was the one to initiate the division of the
sub-continent to two political entities; India and Pakistan. [a third entity,
Bangladesh was formed much later]. When planning the division, The Ivory of
India ignored ethnic differences. Thus Hindus and Muslims found themselves
under the same political roofs [Kashmir is one example]. This “unity” was the
cause of endless bloodshed until today.
And there are states that will embrace minorities with tolerance.
The USA is the prime example. Indeed, during the 1870's until the 1890's,
Americans did not approve the immigration of Spaniards, Japanese, or those who
despised the Russian Czars, as they contaminate The “American White” [sounds
familiar?]. But from then on, the American revolutionized his thinking,
and minorities [even Indians] live in the USA – usually – in peace, absorbed by
the Americans who look at the minority as equal.
And there are those states where each segment of the population
lives in its own geographical local, but the harmony is stable – Switzerland,
England [Scotland and Wales].
And there is the Arab minority in Israel. Like in any democracy,
we cannot know what each and every Israeli Arab thinks.
Therefore, the voice of the leader is the voice of the leaded. And the leaders
knives the states constantly. He sees the state as “the state of all its
citizens”, not a Jewish democratic state; he refuses to respect the national hymn;
it is a leader who keeps silence when his Palestinian brothers conduct terror
attacks within Israel; It is a leader whose voice will vanish when one of his
colleagues flights the country after betraying its secrets to the enemy during
a war [Azami Bashra]; It is the leader who said not a word as long as Kassams,
Ktyushas and Scud rockets “danced’ above Sderot, Ashkelon and more; It is a
leader who will not point an accusing finger towards his “brave brothers in
Gaza” who stocks residences, hospitals, schools and mosques with ammunition, or
who kidnap children in the streets of Gaza and carry them so they can be life
shields [videos substantiating this claim was distributed via the internet]; It
is a leader who could not care less when Hamas’ Katyushas damaged the City of
Rahat – full of Arabs; it is a leader who - together with his colleagues
- asked for a debate in the Israeli parliament to discuss the living
conditions of Israel Arab – a distinguished subject, indeed - but
during the debate, only one of them made only one
statement that the living conditions are bad. The rest of 11 speeches
were dedicated in poisoning Israel on behalf of the Palestinians; it is a
leader who constantly accuses ZHL of being a NAZI army; it is a leader who
makes sure that where he resides or serves as a mayor, dozens of PLO and even
Hamas flags are flown, but not one Israeli Flag [just visit Um el Fakhem]; but
this is a leader, although admiring the PLO, will not agree that the
International border between Israel and the Palestinian Authority in the Galili
will move West, so that his own home will become Palestinian territory.
Because Israeli democracy must be taken advantage of; and frankly, only in
Israel can he brutalize the nation. Would he do that in the parliament in
Ramallah, he would find himself hanging from a lamp poll.
The Knesset’s decision not to allow some Arab political parties to
participate in the February general election is an error and might even do more
harm than good. The Arab leadee will be encouraged to support extremism, as he
will have no way to express himself. It is time for Israel to do.
Israel’s doing will “encourage” the Arab leadee to make up his mind. Israel
could declare that if the present Arab leadership will remain the leaders of
the Arab minority in Israel, Israel will unilaterally withdraw its
international border west. As a result, cities like Um el Fakhem and others
extreme villages will be part of the Palestinian Authority. The residents will
stay in their homes, work their lands, but will be citizens of the entity to
which they show loyalty in time and peace and in time of war, as reflected in
the flags flown in these places.
We should all remember that the incitement of the Arab leaders
reflects a similar incitement of the Muslim minority in Europe, the hostility
to and conquer of the “other” who is not Muslim. Thus a plaque behind Harrods’
– London most prestigious department store reads “Islam is the future of
England”. Thus, 50,000 French people convert to Islam annually. Thus the
most common name given to newly born babies in Belgium is Muhammad.
Europe has a problem. Israel has a solution. Let us go back to
being a Zionist state. Let us embrace those non Jews who do demonstrate
loyalty to the state even if criticizing it, and have the fifth column reside
under the jurisdiction of their choice and loyalty, although in their original
homes.
Zalli Jaffe
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