Two steps forward for Israel
 

The first is the appointment as Minister in the Israeli government of a Muslim Arab. (link) Admittedly, Mr Raleb Majadele will be a Minister Without Portfolio and there have been very strong reactions to his appointment. (Some members of the Yisrael Beiteinu party opposed the appointment on ideological grounds, with one member decrying it as "a fatal blow to Zionism".) But, still, this is undeniably a moral victory for Israel, and a step towards a more realistic (and moral) solution in the Arab / Israeli conflict. It is still, unfortunately, unthinkable for most Arab nations (except Palestinians!!) to appoint or elect non-Muslims in positions of political power.

The other bit of good news for Israel is, of course, the well known, ongoing investigation into the alleged sexual misconduct of Israeli president Moshe Katsav. (link) Although this seems to reflect badly on the image of Israeli politics, in general, (what with the many other scandals rocking the political scene, eg bribery, kick-backs, etc), the investigation of the highest political office in the country by the judicial authority signifies quite clearly a democracy in action. (Yes, it's a rather restrictive, exclusionary democracy, as far as the Palestinians are concerned, but still!)

These are messages that will not fail to reach the Arab audience, who cannot avoid to make comparisons with their own, arguably as exclusionary and equally corrupt (or perhaps more corrupt) regimes, regimes which however enjoy practically a total immunity from the law, and a frustrating inability to change.

Impressive work.

Mickey Brausch

Re: Two steps forward for Israel
 

That's pretty cool. I think some of those far right Israelis see fatal blow's to Zionism every day.

Re: Two steps forward for Israel
 

[ QUOTE ]
That's pretty cool. I think some of those far right Israelis see fatal blow's to Zionism every day.

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Re: Two steps forward for Israel
 

[ QUOTE ]
The first is the appointment as Minister in the Israeli government of a Muslim Arab. (link) Admittedly, Mr Raleb Majadele will be a Minister Without Portfolio and there have been very strong reactions to his appointment. (Some members of the Yisrael Beiteinu party opposed the appointment on ideological grounds, with one member decrying it as "a fatal blow to Zionism".) But, still, this is undeniably a moral victory for Israel, and a step towards a more realistic (and moral) solution in the Arab / Israeli conflict. It is still, unfortunately, unthinkable for most Arab nations (except Palestinians!!) to appoint or elect non-Muslims in positions of political power.

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Wonder if Israeli right-wingers will let a Muslim in a position of power without first asking him take a loyalty oath -- or perhaps they're just writing blog posts with prayers for the safety of their country.

Re: Two steps forward for Israel
 

anyone else waiting for 3 steps back?

Re: Two steps forward for Israel
 

[ QUOTE ]
It is still, unfortunately, unthinkable for most Arab nations (except Palestinians!!) to appoint or elect non-Muslims in positions of political power.


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Outside of the Gulf (which has virtually no non-Muslim population), this is not true - plenty of Arab countries have had non-Muslims in positions of comparable importance to this guy's, including in countries with non-Muslim minorities much smaller than Israel's non-Jewish minority.

Re: Two steps forward for Israel
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
It is still, unfortunately, unthinkable for most Arab nations (except Palestinians!!) to appoint or elect non-Muslims in positions of political power.


[/ QUOTE ]

Outside of the Gulf (which has virtually no non-Muslim population), this is not true - plenty of Arab countries have had non-Muslims in positions of comparable importance to this guy's, including countries with non-Muslim minorities much smaller than Israel's non-Jewish minority.

[/ QUOTE ]I'm glad to stand corrected.

Re: Two steps forward for Israel
 

I believe Tariq Aziz, one of Saddam's closest aides, is Catholic (or at least Christian).

Re: Two steps forward for Israel
 

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anyone else waiting for 3 steps back?

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Here it is!! On the same day, Israel attacked Lebanon:

Mysterious balloons drifting in from Israel to Lebanon are unnerving people, with some south Lebanon villagers reportedly feeling ill and authorities warning residents against touching them.
Unreal
Another
Attack