Monday, November 11, 2013

Israel's Prime Minister Makes it Clear why The Palestinians Must Recognize Israel as The Jewish State.

Love him or hate him, nobody can deny that in English and Hebrew, Bibi Netanyahu is one of the great orators amongst world leaders. Last night I had the privilege of hearing him deliver a major speech - in English - to the General Assembly of Jewish Federations of N.America here in Jerusalem. During the speech, Bibi explained his very clear, logical reasons why recognition of Israel, not just as a state, but as a "Jewish State" must be part of any peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians:
There is no question that Israel will recognize a future Palestine not just as a country in its own right, but as "The Palestinian state" - that is not to say that other faiths / peoples could not reside there, or even be citizens, but the culture and philosophy of the state would be enshrined within internationally agreed borders as Palestinian. The same, said Israel's Prime Minister, must be demanded of the Palestinians toward Israel. Why? Because they may recognize that a state called Israel currently exists east of the Mediterranean, but that recognition does not preclude a "one state solution" - ie Israel becomes majority Muslim Arab. They try very hard to twist and turn but never acknowledge the Jewishness of Israel -  Palestinian Authority education curriculum still talks about Palestine extending from the River to the Sea even as they sit with Israel to negotiate the borders of a potential state, and it is clear from the rhetoric on the Palestinian Authority controlled media, that any agreement with Israel, no matter how "final" the talks appear to be, is merely a stepping stone toward the goal of greater Palestine that included Haifa, Jaffa, Eilat, etc. Recognition that Israel is not only a state, but a 'Jewish state', is clear recognition that whatever border are agreed for this new Palestinian state, they will be final. Two states for two people and not - in Bibi's words - "One state for one people (Palestine) and one state for two people (Israel). 
There are haters of Israel will read this and say "see Zionism is racism" but lets be clear what the Palestinians want - a Jew free Palestine - it is their stated policy. They will not be offering a home to any Jews who wish to remain in Judea / Samaria as Palestinian citizens as Israel did for those arabs that resisted their leaders call to leave Israel in 1948. Indeed it is Palestinian policy that makes it illegal for an arab to sell his land to  a Jew - the punishment? Death. That is racism. They want a Palestinian state for the Palestinians only. Israel is a Jewish state, but 20% of Israelis are arab, Israel has two official languages - Hebrew & Arabic and arabs are active in every aspect of Israeli society, from heading major army units, to sitting on the supreme court; running hospitals to entering parliament. Zionism is not racism - it is focused on building the Jewish state - it is PRO JEWISH, but not anti anyone. The same can not be said for Palestinian nationalism and it is long beyond time that the "Zionism is racism" mob, learn where the racism can be found.

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