As a person who has already lived in Israel and seen first hand the racism and inequality which exists towards the Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel, I certainly have no criticisms for Mr. Loewenstein's article who basically focuses on an inhumane and oppressive occupation which should shame all Jews worldwide, especially in light of the fact that Jews were once oppressed people. It is with deep regret to say that nothing is learned from history, but sadly the roles just change. The Palestinians have definitely become the new Jews, and the Israelis have become a supremacist society with complete indifference to what is happening in their midst, and what has been happening over the course of decades.

Many years ago, those courageous Germans who spoke out were called "self-hating Germans." If it is considered hateful for Jews to speak out against such gross injustices directed at an entire population of people based strictly on their identity, then one should consider it an honor to be called "self-hating Jews."

"Anti-semitism" has become the weapon of choice at any criticism of Israel to push people into silence. I think the world is waking up to this fact.

I thank Mr. Loewenstein for his article

Marlene,

Arabs who live in Israel are intiteled for Israeli citizenship. They have equal rights, they are supported by the Israeli welfare system and they are represented in the Israeli parliament with a freedom of speech that thier brothers in coutries like Syria, can only dream of.

The comparisson between Israel and the Nazi ragim is nothing but ignorant and misleading, and it is based on historical facts that are taken out of context. The Nazi ideaology was based on Racism, i.e. discremination based on race or other common ground such as homosexuality. The Nazi's believed that along with the Jewish people there is no room for black people, homosexuals, gypsis, etc etc. The Israeli - Arab conflict isn't based on race discremination, or on the belief that Israeli's are superior to the Arabs. It is based on the belief of each side that they have historical ownership rights on the land. Further more, as you mentioned yourself, while one needed a lot of courage in order to speak up against the Nazi's ragim, you don't need to be courageous in order to speak up against the Israeli policy in Israel, why? because it is a democracy.

As for Mr Loewenstein, I respect his opinion, but disrespect self rightousness.

No-one cares to recall that during the Cold War, much of the Arab, Anti-Israel camp was firmly in the Soviet Pocket. The Arab/Israeli conflict was largely a proxy battle between western capitalist democracy (though with strong socialist elements; kibbutzes etc) and autocratic totalitarianism.

Whereas any displaced "Palestinian" from Israel itself could become a citizen (hundreds of thousands took up the offer and returned), the Soviet-supported Arab Regimes generally refused the Right of Citizenship to those Arabs who had fled Israel and who wouldn't return. In effect, the Palestinians were kept in their sad state as a perennial "point of grievance". Now that the USSR is gone, so is the Palestinians practical usefulness to the left.

As I pointed out previously, over the past few decades most Arab/Muslim regimes have come to grips with the demise of the Soviet Union and dropped their hostility to Israel. Only the terrorist states of Syria and Iran are trying to keep the flame of anti-Zionism flickering. With some support in this Forum Thread, of course. Good company guys. Though I suspect that most of you are not posting from Damascus or Teheran! Cheers, regardless.

Anthony, Your comment: "The Jewish establishment reacted with predictable apoplexy. Douglas Kirsner, chair of the Public Affairs Committee of the B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission, disingenuously claimed that, “It’s pure invention to say that there isn’t vigorous debate about Israel in the Jewish community and the Jewish media. It’s a pluralistic community where disagreement is king - there are no fatwas" is simply contradicted by your following coment " ... when it comes to Israel, dissent from the official, Israeli Government line, is treated with contempt and intimidation."
How can Kirsner's comment that "disagreement is king" be "disingenuous" when you agree that it is treated with contempt, etc?

From a historical and philosophical point of view, very interesting commentaries on a so much needed main thesis.

Indeed, it makes OLO the type of liberal discussion area our world needs so much today.

Though we do not all agree, only good can come out of such intellectual delving.

Keep up the good work, OLO classmates.

Regards - BB, WA.

yazoo thats garbage, Arab Israeli citizens are not treated as equals but rather you'll find that the majority are discriminated against and are treated as second class citizens.

I suggest you watch this documentary "Israel, a state of its citizens?"

PART 1 http://video.google.com.au/videosearch?q=israel+a+state+of+its+citizens+

PART 2
http://video.google.com.au/videosearch?q=israel+a+state+of+its+citizens+

PART 3
http://video.google.com.au/videosearch?q=israel+a+state+of+its+citizens+