By Gideon Levy | Oct.23, 2012
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| It’s called co-existence! |
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| Palestinians waiting to cross through the Hawara checkpoint near Nablus. Photo by Nir Kafri |
Most of
the Jewish public in Israel supports the establishment of an apartheid regime
in Israel if it formally annexes the West Bank.
the Jewish public in Israel supports the establishment of an apartheid regime
in Israel if it formally annexes the West Bank.
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| Just change ‘Arabs’ to ‘Jews’ and go back 70 years |
A
majority also explicitly favors discrimination against the state’s Arab
citizens, a survey shows.
majority also explicitly favors discrimination against the state’s Arab
citizens, a survey shows.
The
survey, conducted by Dialog on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, exposes anti-Arab,
ultra-nationalist views espoused by a majority of Israeli Jews. The survey was
commissioned by the Yisraela Goldblum Fund and is based on a sample of 503
interviewees.
survey, conducted by Dialog on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, exposes anti-Arab,
ultra-nationalist views espoused by a majority of Israeli Jews. The survey was
commissioned by the Yisraela Goldblum Fund and is based on a sample of 503
interviewees.
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| Like the Hitler Youth – they get ’em young |
The
questions were written by a group of academia-based peace and civil rights
activists. Dialog is headed by Tel Aviv University Prof. Camil Fuchs.
questions were written by a group of academia-based peace and civil rights
activists. Dialog is headed by Tel Aviv University Prof. Camil Fuchs.
The
majority of the Jewish public, 59 percent, wants preference for Jews over Arabs
in admission to jobs in government ministries. Almost half the Jews, 49
percent, want the state to treat Jewish citizens better than Arab ones; 42
percent don’t want to live in the same building with Arabs and 42 percent don’t
want their children in the same class with Arab children.
majority of the Jewish public, 59 percent, wants preference for Jews over Arabs
in admission to jobs in government ministries. Almost half the Jews, 49
percent, want the state to treat Jewish citizens better than Arab ones; 42
percent don’t want to live in the same building with Arabs and 42 percent don’t
want their children in the same class with Arab children.
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A right-wing demonstrator holding a sign that reads ‘The Land of Israel for the People of Israel’ during a protest in 2009.
Photo by Emil Salman / Jini |
A third
of the Jewish public wants a law barring Israeli Arabs from voting for the
Knesset and a large majority of 69 percent objects to giving 2.5 million
Palestinians the right to vote if Israel annexes the West Bank.
of the Jewish public wants a law barring Israeli Arabs from voting for the
Knesset and a large majority of 69 percent objects to giving 2.5 million
Palestinians the right to vote if Israel annexes the West Bank.
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| It’s another way of saying ‘Shalom’ |
A
sweeping 74 percent majority is in favor of separate roads for Israelis and
Palestinians in the West Bank. A quarter – 24 percent – believe separate roads
are “a good situation” and 50 percent believe they are “a
necessary situation.”
sweeping 74 percent majority is in favor of separate roads for Israelis and
Palestinians in the West Bank. A quarter – 24 percent – believe separate roads
are “a good situation” and 50 percent believe they are “a
necessary situation.”
Almost
half – 47 percent – want part of Israel’s Arab population to be transferred to
the Palestinian Authority and 36 percent support transferring some of the Arab
towns from Israel to the PA, in exchange for keeping some of the West Bank
settlements.
half – 47 percent – want part of Israel’s Arab population to be transferred to
the Palestinian Authority and 36 percent support transferring some of the Arab
towns from Israel to the PA, in exchange for keeping some of the West Bank
settlements.
Although
the territories have not been annexed, most of the Jewish public (58 percent )
already believes Israel practices apartheid against Arabs. Only 31 percent
think such a system is not in force here. Over a third (38 percent ) of the
Jewish public wants Israel to annex the territories with settlements on them,
while 48 percent object.
the territories have not been annexed, most of the Jewish public (58 percent )
already believes Israel practices apartheid against Arabs. Only 31 percent
think such a system is not in force here. Over a third (38 percent ) of the
Jewish public wants Israel to annex the territories with settlements on them,
while 48 percent object.
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| You can’t fool an Israeli soldier when it comes to spotting terrorists |
The
survey distinguishes among the various communities in Israeli society –
secular, observant, religious, ultra-Orthodox and former Soviet immigrants. The
ultra-Orthodox, in contrast to those who described themselves as religious or
observant, hold the most extreme positions against the Palestinians. An
overwhelming majority (83 percent ) of Haredim are in favor of segregated roads
and 71 percent are in favor of transfer.
survey distinguishes among the various communities in Israeli society –
secular, observant, religious, ultra-Orthodox and former Soviet immigrants. The
ultra-Orthodox, in contrast to those who described themselves as religious or
observant, hold the most extreme positions against the Palestinians. An
overwhelming majority (83 percent ) of Haredim are in favor of segregated roads
and 71 percent are in favor of transfer.
The
ultra-Orthodox are also the most anti-Arab group – 70 percent of them support
legally barring Israeli Arabs from voting, 82 percent support preferential
treatment from the state toward Jews, and 95 percent are in favor of
discrimination against Arabs in admission to workplaces.
ultra-Orthodox are also the most anti-Arab group – 70 percent of them support
legally barring Israeli Arabs from voting, 82 percent support preferential
treatment from the state toward Jews, and 95 percent are in favor of
discrimination against Arabs in admission to workplaces.
The group
classifying itself as religious is the second most anti-Arab. New immigrants
from former Soviet states are closer in their views of the Palestinians to
secular Israelis, and are far less radical than the religious and Haredi
groups. However, the number of people who answered “don’t know” in
the “Russian” community was higher than in any other.
classifying itself as religious is the second most anti-Arab. New immigrants
from former Soviet states are closer in their views of the Palestinians to
secular Israelis, and are far less radical than the religious and Haredi
groups. However, the number of people who answered “don’t know” in
the “Russian” community was higher than in any other.
The
Russians register the highest rate of satisfaction with life in Israel (77
percent ) and the secular Israelis the lowest – only 63 percent. On average, 69
percent of Israelis are satisfied with life in Israel.
Russians register the highest rate of satisfaction with life in Israel (77
percent ) and the secular Israelis the lowest – only 63 percent. On average, 69
percent of Israelis are satisfied with life in Israel.
Secular
Israelis appear to be the least racist – 68 percent of them would not mind
having Arab neighbors in their apartment building, 73 percent would not mind
Arab students in their children’s class and 50 percent believe Arabs should not
be discriminated against in admission to workplaces.
Israelis appear to be the least racist – 68 percent of them would not mind
having Arab neighbors in their apartment building, 73 percent would not mind
Arab students in their children’s class and 50 percent believe Arabs should not
be discriminated against in admission to workplaces.
The
survey indicates that a third to half of Jewish Israelis want to live in a
state that practices formal, open discrimination against its Arab citizens. An
even larger majority wants to live in an apartheid state if Israel annexes the
territories.
survey indicates that a third to half of Jewish Israelis want to live in a
state that practices formal, open discrimination against its Arab citizens. An
even larger majority wants to live in an apartheid state if Israel annexes the
territories.
The
survey conductors say perhaps the term “apartheid” was not clear
enough to some interviewees. However, the interviewees did not object strongly
to describing Israel’s character as “apartheid” already today,
without annexing the territories. Only 31 percent objected to calling Israel an
“apartheid state” and said “there’s no apartheid at all.”
survey conductors say perhaps the term “apartheid” was not clear
enough to some interviewees. However, the interviewees did not object strongly
to describing Israel’s character as “apartheid” already today,
without annexing the territories. Only 31 percent objected to calling Israel an
“apartheid state” and said “there’s no apartheid at all.”
In
contrast, 39 percent believe apartheid is practiced “in a few
fields”; 19 percent believe “there’s apartheid in many fields”
and 11 percent do not know.
contrast, 39 percent believe apartheid is practiced “in a few
fields”; 19 percent believe “there’s apartheid in many fields”
and 11 percent do not know.
The
“Russians,” as the survey calls them, display the most objection to
classifying their new country as an apartheid state. A third of them – 35
percent – believe Israel practices no apartheid at all, compared to 28 percent
of the secular and ultra-Orthodox communities, 27 percent of the religious and
30 percent of the observant Jews who hold that view. Altogether, 58 percent of
all the groups believe Israel practices apartheid “in a few fields”
or “in many fields,” while 11 percent don’t know.
“Russians,” as the survey calls them, display the most objection to
classifying their new country as an apartheid state. A third of them – 35
percent – believe Israel practices no apartheid at all, compared to 28 percent
of the secular and ultra-Orthodox communities, 27 percent of the religious and
30 percent of the observant Jews who hold that view. Altogether, 58 percent of
all the groups believe Israel practices apartheid “in a few fields”
or “in many fields,” while 11 percent don’t know.
Finally,
the interviewees were asked whether “a famous American author [who] is
boycotting Israel, claiming it practices apartheid” should be boycotted or
invited to Israel. About half (48 percent ) said she should be invited to
Israel, 28 percent suggest no response and only 15 percent call to boycott her.
the interviewees were asked whether “a famous American author [who] is
boycotting Israel, claiming it practices apartheid” should be boycotted or
invited to Israel. About half (48 percent ) said she should be invited to
Israel, 28 percent suggest no response and only 15 percent call to boycott her.
We’re racists, the Israelis are saying, we practice
apartheid and we even want to live in an apartheid state. Yes, this is Israel.
apartheid and we even want to live in an apartheid state. Yes, this is Israel.
By Gideon Levy | Oct.23, 2012
Arab Israeli activists protest an upcoming wine festival to be held in
the courtyard of Be’er Sheva’s oldest mosque. Photo by Eliyahu Hershkovitz
the courtyard of Be’er Sheva’s oldest mosque. Photo by Eliyahu Hershkovitz
As
elections draw near, the season of public opinion surveys is upon us. But here
is a survey that is more disturbing and significant in its revelations than
those informing us whether Yair Lapid is taking off or Ehud Barak is crashing
in the polls.
elections draw near, the season of public opinion surveys is upon us. But here
is a survey that is more disturbing and significant in its revelations than
those informing us whether Yair Lapid is taking off or Ehud Barak is crashing
in the polls.
This one
lays bare an image of Israeli society, and the picture is a very, very sick
one. Now it is not just critics at home and abroad, but Israelis themselves who
are openly, shamelessly, and guiltlessly defining themselves as nationalistic
racists.
lays bare an image of Israeli society, and the picture is a very, very sick
one. Now it is not just critics at home and abroad, but Israelis themselves who
are openly, shamelessly, and guiltlessly defining themselves as nationalistic
racists.
We’re
racists, the Israelis are saying, we practice apartheid and we even want to
live in an apartheid state. Yes, this is Israel.
racists, the Israelis are saying, we practice apartheid and we even want to
live in an apartheid state. Yes, this is Israel.
Among its
terrifying results, the survey discovers a certain innocent candor. The
Israelis admit this is what they are and they’re not ashamed of it. Such
surveys have been held before, but Israelis have never appeared so pleased with
themselves, even when they admit their racism. Most of them think Israel is a good
place to live in and most of them think this is a racist state.
terrifying results, the survey discovers a certain innocent candor. The
Israelis admit this is what they are and they’re not ashamed of it. Such
surveys have been held before, but Israelis have never appeared so pleased with
themselves, even when they admit their racism. Most of them think Israel is a good
place to live in and most of them think this is a racist state.
It’s good
to live in this country, most Israelis say, not despite its racism, but perhaps
because of it. If such a survey were released about the attitude to Jews in a
European state, Israel would have raised hell. When it comes to us, the rules
don’t apply.
to live in this country, most Israelis say, not despite its racism, but perhaps
because of it. If such a survey were released about the attitude to Jews in a
European state, Israel would have raised hell. When it comes to us, the rules
don’t apply.
The
“Jewish” part of “Jewish democracy” has won big time. The
“Jewish” gave “democracy” a knockout, smashing it to the
canvas. Israelis want more and more Jewish and less and less democracy. From
now on don’t say Jewish democracy. There’s no such thing, of course. There
cannot be. From now on say Jewish state, only Jewish, for Jews alone. Democracy
– sure, why not. But for Jews only.
“Jewish” part of “Jewish democracy” has won big time. The
“Jewish” gave “democracy” a knockout, smashing it to the
canvas. Israelis want more and more Jewish and less and less democracy. From
now on don’t say Jewish democracy. There’s no such thing, of course. There
cannot be. From now on say Jewish state, only Jewish, for Jews alone. Democracy
– sure, why not. But for Jews only.
Because
that’s what the majority wants. Because that’s how the majority defines its
state. The majority doesn’t want Arabs to vote for the Knesset, Arab neighbors
at home or Arab students at school. Let our camp be pure – as clean of Arabs as
possible and perhaps even more so.
that’s what the majority wants. Because that’s how the majority defines its
state. The majority doesn’t want Arabs to vote for the Knesset, Arab neighbors
at home or Arab students at school. Let our camp be pure – as clean of Arabs as
possible and perhaps even more so.
The
majority wants segregated roads in the West Bank and does not flinch in the
face of the implications. Even the historic connotation does not bother it in
the slightest. It wants discrimination in the workplace and it wants transfer.
Enough with the whitewashing and pretense. This is what we want. Because that’s
the way we are.
majority wants segregated roads in the West Bank and does not flinch in the
face of the implications. Even the historic connotation does not bother it in
the slightest. It wants discrimination in the workplace and it wants transfer.
Enough with the whitewashing and pretense. This is what we want. Because that’s
the way we are.
The right
will probably attack the New Israel Fund for commissioning the survey. Gevalt!
It will screech. Leftists, Israel-haters. But the right’s hollering will not
change the result. This was done by a reliable, well-known polling firm.
Besides, what’s wrong with the survey? What didn’t we know before, apart from
the loss of shame? Let the right prove that this is not the way we are, that
most Israelis want to live with Arabs. That most of them see Arabs as people
like themselves, their equals in rights and opportunities. Let’s see them prove
it wrong. That would be a true cause for celebration.
will probably attack the New Israel Fund for commissioning the survey. Gevalt!
It will screech. Leftists, Israel-haters. But the right’s hollering will not
change the result. This was done by a reliable, well-known polling firm.
Besides, what’s wrong with the survey? What didn’t we know before, apart from
the loss of shame? Let the right prove that this is not the way we are, that
most Israelis want to live with Arabs. That most of them see Arabs as people
like themselves, their equals in rights and opportunities. Let’s see them prove
it wrong. That would be a true cause for celebration.
The
survey does not only confront Israelis with their present, but with their
future as well. This appears to be the survey conductors’ main goal. It tells
them: You wanted settlements, you wanted occupation, you want Netanyahu and
you’ve done nothing for the two-state solution, and it’s died. Now let’s see
what’s the alternative.
survey does not only confront Israelis with their present, but with their
future as well. This appears to be the survey conductors’ main goal. It tells
them: You wanted settlements, you wanted occupation, you want Netanyahu and
you’ve done nothing for the two-state solution, and it’s died. Now let’s see
what’s the alternative.
The
alternative, as every infant knows, is one state. One state? Most Israelis say
it will be an apartheid state, yet are doing nothing to prevent it. Some of
them even want it. They don’t even ask, Where are we going? Where are we being
led? What’s the vision for the next 10, 20 years? Well, if all goes well, if
all continues they way it is now, the Israelis know the answer and it’s a
bitter one indeed.
alternative, as every infant knows, is one state. One state? Most Israelis say
it will be an apartheid state, yet are doing nothing to prevent it. Some of
them even want it. They don’t even ask, Where are we going? Where are we being
led? What’s the vision for the next 10, 20 years? Well, if all goes well, if
all continues they way it is now, the Israelis know the answer and it’s a
bitter one indeed.
Until
then, the image of Israel 2012 is this: We don’t want Arabs, don’t want
Palestinians, don’t want equality, and the hell with all the rest.
then, the image of Israel 2012 is this: We don’t want Arabs, don’t want
Palestinians, don’t want equality, and the hell with all the rest.
Values-shmalues,
morals-shmorals. Democracy and international law – those are matters for
anti-Semites, not us. We will vote for Netanyahu again, recite that we’re the
only-democracy-in-the-Middle-East and wail that the whole world is against us.
morals-shmorals. Democracy and international law – those are matters for
anti-Semites, not us. We will vote for Netanyahu again, recite that we’re the
only-democracy-in-the-Middle-East and wail that the whole world is against us.
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