Aluf Benn’s recent article of April 6th was a strange one; I do sometimes wonder if he and I live in the same country. His opening statement concerning the proportion of Arab and ultra-Orthodox first graders compared to the secular Jewish population is unfortunately not backed up by any actual statistics, but one should of course take into account that today’s primary school children are the result of birth rates at least six years old and that more recent trends indicate that both the Muslim and Haredi birth rates are declining, whilst the overall Jewish birth rate is rising.
We have also seen in recent times both an increase in the number of Israeli Arabs volunteering for military service and the continued recruitment into units such as the Nahal Haredi – both very positive trends. Unfortunately, Benn does not provide us with the source of this following statement either: “the IDF chief of staff, warned that given the demographic trends, “within a decade or two, only few will be drafted”. It is impossible without the context to understand to which trends the Chief of Staff was referring, but one particularly worrying one –albeit political rather than demographic – is found among secular left-wing youth trying to avoid conscription with the encouragement of organizations, often foreign-funded, such as ‘New Profile’.
Benn’s claim that “the pool of new immigrants has dried,” is of course not strictly true; half the world’s Jews still live outside Israel and the rising tide of world-wide antisemitism is causing significant numbers of them to consider making their home in Israel, as well as bringing Israelis living abroad home. When I recently sought to arrange my return to Israel, I was delighted to be informed that my application for ‘returning citizen’ status may take longer than normal to process due to an unusually high volume of applications.
The obvious dislike which Benn has for the current Foreign Minister prompts him to imply a racist agenda behind the fact that “Lieberman had previously suggested transferring Arab-populated parts of Israel to a future Palestinian state.” Interestingly, Mr. Lieberman’s proposal is identical to that suggested by Palestinian Authority Presidential candidate Ray Hanania, whom I somehow doubt Benn would paint with the same hints of anti-Arab racism:
“If Jews want to live in Hebron, they should be allowed to live in Hebron and should be protected, just as non-Jews. In fact, for every Jewish individual seeking to live in Palestine, a Palestinian should be permitted to live in Israel. In fact, major Palestinian populations in Israel could be annexed into Palestine (like settlements).”
Avigdor Lieberman’s pre-election proposal for a ‘loyalty oath’, whilst undoubtedly not the most sophisticated of political moves, at least tried to address the growing problems of Islamist radicalization among Israeli Arabs (particularly in the North under the pernicious influence of Raed Salah), the Jewish anti-Zionist elements such as Neturei Karta and the anti-Zionist far Left within Israeli society. Other politicians may have more panache than Israel Beiteinu’s leader, but they are not bringing up these pressing subjects for discussion which is long overdue.
Benn’s claim that “At the personal level, freedom from military service extends your youth, but also bars opportunity……An Arab or ultra-Orthodox seeking a job, even with an academic degree, stays out of the club and often faces prejudice and discrimination in the workplace” will certainly seem rather far-fetched to anyone who has worked within the Israeli health service for example, but also deliberately ignores the fact that the choice not to serve in the army, and responsibility for the ensuing results, is one which rests with the person concerned. Maybe one day our society will be able to allow its young people to decide for themselves whether to enlist in the army or not. At present we do not have that luxury and those young adults who give up some of the best years of their lives to serve their country must not be punished for their decision to observe the law of their country by losing any advantage they currently have over those who refuse to serve.
The article closes with these words:
“We at the mainstream must change our view of the growing minorities and treat them as the next frontier of economic opportunity and growth. If they prosper, we will all prosper. Therefore, we must change our habits too: recruit Arab and ultra-Orthodox employees; buy from minority businesses; and make personal acquaintances to overcome group stereotypes.”
Here is where I am forced to conclude that either Aluf Benn is cynically playing to the Guardian gallery or he really needs to get out more. The picture he paints is certainly not one I recognize as my country, or would want to for that matter. Has he no Muslim friends or colleagues? No ultra-Orthodox family members or neighbours? Has he never been shopping in Baka al Garabiya or eaten at Abu Saleh’s at Ami’ad junction? Does he not discuss politics over ‘café mevushal’ with his decorator? Mine of the last 25 years comes from a village in the Galilee and votes Likud; our political discussions are as sweet and as bitter as the coffee – he thinks I’m a ‘head in the clouds’ Leftie. Has Benn never helped Arab friends out with their olive harvest or their tax return? Bought merguez from the tiny, wizened Haredi lady in the market in Tiberias?
But note how Benn’s call for increased social integration was received by some of the commentators on this thread.
theparson
6 Apr 2010, 1:30PM
Israel has no interest in peace. It has in the past and now behaved so appallingly to it’s neighbours that the prospect of peaceful co-existence is a non-starter. It can only survive in an embattled state with US support, so whenever things begin to look promising, it does something appalling to get back to emnity and then the Israeli lobby in the senate makes sure that military aid continues. This will continue until the US gets fed up with the constant drain on it’s resources or Israeli citizens get worn down by the way they have to live (and increasing numbers admit to this), and leave. Long term, either nuclear war will result when, not if, the neighbouring states get hold of suitable wapons and convince themselves that Allah wishes it, or the state of Israel will have to be relocated elsewhere. Plenty of room in the mid west of the US – they’d hardly notice the difference, but they will convince themselves that Jehova wishes them to stay and fight.
Bloody religion again.
arkbarclay
6 Apr 2010, 1:34PM
How about starting by supporting the call of a number of minority groups for Israel to define itself as “A State of all its Citizens” in its constitution and basic law.
See “The Democratic Constitution”:
http://www.adalah.org/eng/democratic_constitution-e.pdf
dav231
6 Apr 2010, 1:49PM
‘Israelis must integrate to survive’
Quite frankly if Israel were to vanish tomorrow it could only be a plus for the world.
No more world security held up to ransom by the demands of a tiny arrogant few.
[recreated from Jubilation1 6 Apr 2010, 1:52PM]
Rotwatcher
6 Apr 2010, 1:59PM
The end of Israel? As the years go by, and the atrocity continues, the prospect becomes more and more desirable. And this from someone who, until relatively recently, was an unshakeable supporter of Israel.
Be it by relocation, the one state solution or vanishing in a puff of blue (and white?) smoke, one has to wonder if the people who wish us away so blithely also define themselves as liberals and egalitarians in their conversations with friends in the pub. I’d be willing to bet that they do.
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COMMITTEE FOR ACCURACY IN MIDDLE EAST REPORTING AND ANALYSIS
Wishing Us Away
Aluf Benn’s recent article of April 6th was a strange one; I do sometimes wonder if he and I live in the same country. His opening statement concerning the proportion of Arab and ultra-Orthodox first graders compared to the secular Jewish population is unfortunately not backed up by any actual statistics, but one should of course take into account that today’s primary school children are the result of birth rates at least six years old and that more recent trends indicate that both the Muslim and Haredi birth rates are declining, whilst the overall Jewish birth rate is rising.
We have also seen in recent times both an increase in the number of Israeli Arabs volunteering for military service and the continued recruitment into units such as the Nahal Haredi – both very positive trends. Unfortunately, Benn does not provide us with the source of this following statement either: “the IDF chief of staff, warned that given the demographic trends, “within a decade or two, only few will be drafted”. It is impossible without the context to understand to which trends the Chief of Staff was referring, but one particularly worrying one –albeit political rather than demographic – is found among secular left-wing youth trying to avoid conscription with the encouragement of organizations, often foreign-funded, such as ‘New Profile’.
Benn’s claim that “the pool of new immigrants has dried,” is of course not strictly true; half the world’s Jews still live outside Israel and the rising tide of world-wide antisemitism is causing significant numbers of them to consider making their home in Israel, as well as bringing Israelis living abroad home. When I recently sought to arrange my return to Israel, I was delighted to be informed that my application for ‘returning citizen’ status may take longer than normal to process due to an unusually high volume of applications.
The obvious dislike which Benn has for the current Foreign Minister prompts him to imply a racist agenda behind the fact that “Lieberman had previously suggested transferring Arab-populated parts of Israel to a future Palestinian state.” Interestingly, Mr. Lieberman’s proposal is identical to that suggested by Palestinian Authority Presidential candidate Ray Hanania, whom I somehow doubt Benn would paint with the same hints of anti-Arab racism:
Avigdor Lieberman’s pre-election proposal for a ‘loyalty oath’, whilst undoubtedly not the most sophisticated of political moves, at least tried to address the growing problems of Islamist radicalization among Israeli Arabs (particularly in the North under the pernicious influence of Raed Salah), the Jewish anti-Zionist elements such as Neturei Karta and the anti-Zionist far Left within Israeli society. Other politicians may have more panache than Israel Beiteinu’s leader, but they are not bringing up these pressing subjects for discussion which is long overdue.
Benn’s claim that “At the personal level, freedom from military service extends your youth, but also bars opportunity……An Arab or ultra-Orthodox seeking a job, even with an academic degree, stays out of the club and often faces prejudice and discrimination in the workplace” will certainly seem rather far-fetched to anyone who has worked within the Israeli health service for example, but also deliberately ignores the fact that the choice not to serve in the army, and responsibility for the ensuing results, is one which rests with the person concerned. Maybe one day our society will be able to allow its young people to decide for themselves whether to enlist in the army or not. At present we do not have that luxury and those young adults who give up some of the best years of their lives to serve their country must not be punished for their decision to observe the law of their country by losing any advantage they currently have over those who refuse to serve.
The article closes with these words:
Here is where I am forced to conclude that either Aluf Benn is cynically playing to the Guardian gallery or he really needs to get out more. The picture he paints is certainly not one I recognize as my country, or would want to for that matter. Has he no Muslim friends or colleagues? No ultra-Orthodox family members or neighbours? Has he never been shopping in Baka al Garabiya or eaten at Abu Saleh’s at Ami’ad junction? Does he not discuss politics over ‘café mevushal’ with his decorator? Mine of the last 25 years comes from a village in the Galilee and votes Likud; our political discussions are as sweet and as bitter as the coffee – he thinks I’m a ‘head in the clouds’ Leftie. Has Benn never helped Arab friends out with their olive harvest or their tax return? Bought merguez from the tiny, wizened Haredi lady in the market in Tiberias?
But note how Benn’s call for increased social integration was received by some of the commentators on this thread.
Be it by relocation, the one state solution or vanishing in a puff of blue (and white?) smoke, one has to wonder if the people who wish us away so blithely also define themselves as liberals and egalitarians in their conversations with friends in the pub. I’d be willing to bet that they do.
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