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Message: <br /><br /> If you are having trouble reading this email, you may view this article online at: http://www.jweekly.com/18116/full/18116/avoiding-racism-in-israel/ <br /><br /> <b>Avoiding racism in Israel</b> <br /> Friday, July 12, 2002 | by <br /><br /><p>On Sunday, the Israeli Cabinet passed a preliminary bill denying anyone but Jews from living on state-owned land.<br /><br /> Realistically speaking, the bill doesn't change much. Most towns and villages in Israel are either Jewish or Arab. The cities are more diverse, but even there, neighborhoods are either Arab or Jewish, with Haifa as the exception. Most Arabs and Jews prefer to live among their own.<br /><br /> Even so, one must question the wisdom of attempting to pass such a law, especially now.<br /><br /> Luckily, several lawmakers did. The bill passed a first vote 17-2, but several key cabinet members who opposed the measure were absent.<br /><br /> It now appears the bill will be deferred, due to heavy pressure from Labor ministers.<br /><br /> While the desire to uphold the ideals of the Jewish state is understandable, we believe it is in Zionism's best interest to ensure that all of Israel's citizens have equal rights.<br /><br /> If an African-American family was prevented from moving into an all-white neighborhood in this country, most of us would be outraged, and of course we'd consider it racism. If we replace "African-American" with "Arab" and "white" with "Jewish," is it any different?<br /><br /> With international opinion concerning Israel at an all-time low, this is not the time to be passing laws that make Israel look like an apartheid state.<br /><br /> More important than public opinion, though, is the point that Elyakim Rubinstein, the attorney general, raised. As reported Tuesday in Ha'aretz, the left-leaning Israeli daily, he said the passage of such a bill could "contribute to further unraveling of the delicate threads bridging the rift between Jews and Arabs."<br /><br /> With Arabs comprising 20 percent of Israel's population and no end in sight to the conflict with the Palestinians, Jews should be looking for ways to mend that fragile relationship, not further contribute to its demise.</p> <p> </p>

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