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Israel/Palestine
In reply to the discussion: Britain adopts broader anti-Semitism definition to fight hate crimes against Jews [View all]shira
(30,109 posts)40. Yes, bash Israel, give a pass to mass slavery in India & quote from racist Mondoweiss...
How pathetic, but to play by your rules there's always Australia. Tell me, is Australia developed enough?
Israel, the un-apartheid state a comparison with Australia
http://www.jpost.com/printarticle.aspx?id=323822
But there is more to the elimination of racism in a society than repealing racist laws and passing laws outlawing racial discrimination. Practical outcomes of successful multi-culturalism and integration of minorities at all levels is the true measure of the elimination of racism in a society.
And it is by this measure that Israel puts Australia and much of the western world to shame.
The practical reality in Israel is that minorities achieve prominent positions at a far higher rate than in Australia. This is true in all areas of society:
But success of minorities in areas of soft power is an equally important measure, and here, too, Israel outclasses Australia.
THUS BY both legal and practical measures Israel is a less racist country than Australia and as far from apartheid South Africa as any country could possibly be. Israel truly is an un-apartheid state, one of the freest, most open and non-racist societies in the world.
The false accusations and Israeli Jew-targeting protests of the Australian BDS movement are not only racist and anti- Semitic, they are also completely hypocritical when Australia has so far to go to overcome its own racist past.
And it is by this measure that Israel puts Australia and much of the western world to shame.
The practical reality in Israel is that minorities achieve prominent positions at a far higher rate than in Australia. This is true in all areas of society:
Politics: In Israel, 10 percent of Israels Knesset are from Arab minority groups (Christian, Muslim and Druse). This includes over 4% from parties with racially mixed composition. This large representation of minorities has been a consistent feature since the early days of the state. Three members of religious and racial minorities, Nawaf Massalha (Muslim Arab), Salah Tarif and Raleb Majadele (both Druse) have served at ministerial level in the Israeli government, including the later two as Cabinet ministers.
By contrast, only 1.3% of Australias current federal Parliament are from religious minorities (one Muslim and two Jews) and this itself is a huge increase from previous Parliaments that often featured less than 0.5% non-Christian representation. While there have been a similar number of Australian Jews who have served as ministers, no other religious minority has been so represented.
Judiciary: Israel has a judge from the Arab minority serving on its highest court (Salim Joubran). Sadly, Australia has not had a single High Court judge from a racial or religious minority for over 80 years, since Sir Issac Issacs! Military: Israel has three Druse generals currently (or recently) serving in its defence forces (Major-General Yusef Mishleb and brigadier-generals Imad Fares and Hasson Hasson). Disturbingly, it appears Australia has not had a single general from a religious or racial minority for over 80 years, since Sir John Monash! The legislature, judiciary and military are the key sources of hard power in any society and the success of racial and religious minorities reaching these corridors of power is a litmus test of the true openness and lack of racism in a society. Australias scorecard on this test compares very poorly to Israels.
But success of minorities in areas of soft power is an equally important measure, and here, too, Israel outclasses Australia.
Socio-Economic Statistics: In Israel the life expectancy, educational attainment and earnings of the Arab minority are on par with, if not better than, that of Arab minorities in virtually all Western European countries, and far above that of other Arabs in the Middle East. In Australia the life expectancy, educational attainment (including basic literacy) and earnings of indigenous Australians is nothing short of appalling, worse than many third world countries.
Popular Culture: An Israeli Christian Arab, Lina Makhoul, won The Voice Israel this year. In contrast, not a single person from a minority religion has won the equivalent Australian Idol. Salma Fiomy-Farij, a hijab-wearing Israeli Muslim Arab, came second in this years Israeli Master Chef (the winner was a German convert to Judaism). In Australia Master Chef has not had a single winner from a religious or racial minority.
THUS BY both legal and practical measures Israel is a less racist country than Australia and as far from apartheid South Africa as any country could possibly be. Israel truly is an un-apartheid state, one of the freest, most open and non-racist societies in the world.
The false accusations and Israeli Jew-targeting protests of the Australian BDS movement are not only racist and anti- Semitic, they are also completely hypocritical when Australia has so far to go to overcome its own racist past.
And now let's test your Leftist credentials....
Americans have voted & put Trump & alt-Right nazis in charge. America wins as most racist, developed democracy. Right or wrong?
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Britain adopts broader anti-Semitism definition to fight hate crimes against Jews [View all]
shira
Dec 2016
OP
Until there are more reasonable standards for banning the people who do it. n/t
aranthus
Dec 2016
#12
If Israel's a racist endeavor and the overwhelming vast majority of Jews support Israel...
shira
Dec 2016
#8
There is a difference between pointing out racism in country and calling it a racist endeavor.
aranthus
Dec 2016
#37
You made crap up. What's the point? You even claim to not like the BDS movement....
shira
Dec 2016
#51
It means there's legit criticism & illegitimate hateful, racist discourse WRT Israel....
shira
Dec 2016
#9
No, because for one that's a lie. Two, you would never do that to another country. n/t
shira
Dec 2016
#20
Yes, bash Israel, give a pass to mass slavery in India & quote from racist Mondoweiss...
shira
Dec 2016
#40
IOW, facts don't matter to you. You've now been provided 2 democracies way worse than Israel....
shira
Dec 2016
#42