Following up on the theme of “Israel as Democracy,” a small story about what it means not to be Jewish living in a “Jewish state.”
“Over three years ago the High Court of Justice accepted a petition brought by Iman and Adel Kaadan, a couple from the Israeli town of Baka al-Garbiya who wanted to buy land in the communal settlement of Katzir and build their home there…Three and a half years have passed since the ground-breaking verdict was handed down, and the Kaadan family has still not been able to implement it.”
It is incredibly ironic that the Jewish people who were in the forefront of the fight for social justice during the first half of the last century, have created a state where rights are allocated based on ethnic origen. It is almost mind-boggling that the Jews who see the State of Israel as a redemption or recompense from the suffering caused by Nazi racist ideology, now define the “Jewish character” of that State, as the need to maintain Jewish ethnic superiority.
Even if Israel were to end the occupation and withdraw to the ‘67 border, the issue of the second class status of its Arab minority will still remain. Both Jews and Palestinians have to let go of the nationalist, ethno-centric ideologies of the 19th century and embrace equality, justice and democracy. That means that Jews and Muslims must live side by side wherever they like in Israel/Palestine as equal citizens in one state. Land, resources and government services should be allocated to all citizens without concern for race, religion or ethnicity. Under a truly equal system, Muslims can live in Katzir and Jews can live in Hebron.
It seems to me such a truly democratic country based on social justice and equality would be far more Jewish in character, than the Spartan, tribalist state Israel has become.
